Windows down, warm and sunny on the road is my perfect kind of day, so naturally the drive from Charlotte to Nashville in the green nature gorgeousness made me very happy yesterday. I highly recommend the 6.5 hour trek to anyone who hasn’t been through Western, NC/Smoky Mountains.
One little hiccup though, was that my malfunction indicator lamp came on in my trusty little Civic:
My car is my constant and these lights never come on so I was worried for a few seconds there. Thankfully at this point nothing seems to be wrong. (It’s a Honda and I never go without AAA so I’m not afraid to keep on trekking.) This light can come on if something as simple as your gas cap isn’t screwed on tight enough. I made stop into an Advance Auto Parts and had them hook up a code reader just in case to make sure I was good to go and nothing seemed alarming so I kept moving! 183k plus and counting.
It was near 90 degrees, so when I stopped outside Asheville, at one of those gas/McDonald’s stations to fuel up the BLR-Mobile, I went inside to grab a diet coke with lemon. (Always a craving on a hot day.) The young kid behind the counter handed me a cup and winked as I pulled out my money to pay, shaking his head and offering “Have a nice day!”
Why thank you, young one. I promise to pay it forward:
A full tank of gas, full diet coke, and full water cup and I was on my way through this beautiful scene:
…and drove through sunset as I rolled into Nashville:
Not too shabby for a bug-splattered windshield.
There’s nothing like a Great America Road Trip. If you’ve never just jumped in the car for a few days with no plan- do it. It will change your life.
What a lovely little weekend I have had. Lots of time outside, caught up with an old soccer friend from VT, found myself a sweet home base place and the BLR-Moble got a bath after several weeks of up and down the east coast on the road:
Next stops:
Knoxville, Nashville, Columbus, Chicago and Vermont before circling back to the place they call the Queen City.
Drop me a line if you’re in/around any of the above spots! You know I love a good catch up.
After these past few weeks of talking about, reviewing, voting on, and dreaming of America’s most:
*Beautiful
*Patriotic
*Friendly
*Fun
*Best for food
…small town spots. Team Blue Lollipop Road was inspired to dive into our photo archives and pull out some of our snap shots that reminded us of each category.
*Beautiful
Sitting on a lawn during sunset in Cape Elizabeth, Maine:
Morning grapevines and hot air balloons after a run in Napa:
Hiking near Hood River, Oregon:
On a boat ride and fishing trip in Juneau, Alaska
*Patriotic
Driving through Poland Springs, Maine
On the back roads of Sandgate, Vermont:
The town square in Bath, Maine:
*Friendly
With Ferry Manager in Swan Quarter, North Carolina:
The staff at Mainely Custard in Freeport, Maine said- “Come on in!” when I told them I was a big ice cream fan:
The Popcorn Man in St. Helena, California:
3 gents I met at Alaska Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska:
*Fun
Our hilarious rafting guide near Hood River, Oregon:
Staff on a Beatles themed  food bus in Virginia:
Dancing Pedro at a country bar in Illinois:
Concert goers dancing the night away with us in Wilmington, NC:
*Best for food
Me noshing on a whoopie pie in Maine:
Dessert at Dano’s on Seneca, Hector NY
Breakfast crepes in Madison, Wisconsin:
Fresh veggie quesadillas in Illinois:
Dessert crepes in Charlottesville, Virginia
(Clearly we are not afraid to dive right in!)
So many amazing people, place and things in America to enjoy. We love that when you travel, all you have to do is be your interested, open, and curious self- and people invite you right in to join anything!
There is always plenty of adventure around every corner…
Have you put in your reviews for Best of the Road yet? Where do you like to adventure, eat, drink, play, go? See some of Team Blue Lollipop Road’s favorites here and pipe in with your own reviews, then vote for us here so we can be a finalist team in the 2012 rally!
If you need some travel inspiration for yourself or to vote for us, here are a few photos from “there road”s I’ve taken the past couple years.
Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, CA:
Sitting on the side of the road at sunset in Sitka, AK:
Stopping to take in the mountains in Yukon, Canada:
Relaxing at sunset at Seneca Lake, NY:
Sitting on the beach in Outer Banks, NC:
During a bike ride outside Cafayate, Argentina:
Looking up at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, NC:
Ferrying into Juneau, AK:
Kneeling by the water at the Taj Mahal:
Hiking near Hood River, OR:
From the walking trails at Iguazu Falls, Argentina:
Parked on the side of the road looking at the Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau AK:
Driving through Central Canada:
So where are you getting inspired to go this summer?
There’s a whole big world out there ready for the taking. Let’s hit the road together!
It’s been about 10 days since the good madness began for Team Blue Lollipop Road soliciting votes in hopes to be chosen for the Rand McNally/USA TODAY Best of the Road 2012. I have worked my tail off already and can barely sleep at night because I want so badly to go on this trip with my Mom. The anticipation and excitement of it all (and we are not even on the trip yet!)- is the energy I live for. I love it. I love “meeting” new travelers on social media, I love watching the videos from last years competitors, I love reading about small towns I have never been to and daydreaming about going to to them.
This competition and rally is particularly important to me because it’s about Small Town America. The people, the food, the fun, the everyday life. This is what I have always traveled for and what the whole point of Blue Lollipop Road is: It’s about spending time with interesting and fun people in regular everyday places. My favorite travel memories are the ones where I’ve done nothing big or “important”, just the times enjoying coffee shop chats with people like Jack Burrows:
Jack sat down beside me as I typed away at my computer in July of 2010 and told me about his Inn that he owned on a little Island where I was in NC. Just a happy smiley guy excited to have a visitor to his town. (How could you not love that face?) Another one of my most favorite road times was meeting these little cuties near the VT/NH border in September 2011 when I stopped at their lemonade stand:
(It’s as if this was staged it was so incredibly adorable, but it was totally random.)
I was quite the lemonade stand entrepreneur myself when I was little. (Mom will tell you stories on that and how I tried to sell “rock pictures” at my lemonade stands too.) I always have to stop to support my fellow business ladies like these, and naturally I couldn’t leave without a photo, so I asked the moms and dads if I could take one and give the girls a blue lollipop which they happily agreed. I didn’t even have to ask these 4 to stick out their blue tongues. They were giggling and loving it:
This picture is one of my favorite I have ever taken in the thousands I have. The pure joy of a simple sunny day with a lemonade stand and a lollipop.
These are the kinds of moments I live for, and why I stay curious and travel. These are moments you can’t buy, force to make, or get anywhere else but on the road. That is why I want to go on this Best of the Road rally with my Mom. I want to share with her moments like these that are out there to be had because she is a huge reason why I’ve made such a rich and full life of adventure. She’s always encouraged me to go, do and be exactly what I want with no expectation or rule other than to work hard and follow my heart and that’s exactly what I am doing here.
So? In all the moments of butt-busting to get votes, vying for social media attention and nuzzling Team Blue Lollipop Road into a spot in the lead to be chosen as one of the finalists, my hope is that the authenticity of Mom, myself and the spirit of Blue Lollipop Road will always shine through more than anything else. Spending time in Small Town America and moments with people are where my heart and soul are. If I could choose how to spend a dream day, or a million dollars if I had it- being in a car on a x-country trip in the USA like the one that I am competing to get in on now, would be my absolute first choice.
If you want a last minute flight deal to get outta cold dodge (like I did this past weekend) check out Spirit Airlines. This is my second time on Spirit air in the past 6 months and I am loving them. They were cheaper than any other airline by hundreds of dollars once again, and I got my tickets 2 days before leaving. Some might say this is a big hitch: You have to pay to bring any luggage and you don’t get free soda. I think- what does that matter if my end cost is still less that $200 total with all taxes, fees, luggage, etc. to fly half way across the country? I’ll bring my own soda thanks.
So to the sunny warm south I went, and oh was it a much needed and awesome weekend! (Chicago is a truly amazing city but 38 degrees and rain on April 28th was my Windy City limit.)
I love me some NC. Not just for the sweet tea, hush puppies, heat and tanning time, but that southern charm and hospitality, the good friends I made when I lived here, and everything from the mountains and green of Boone and Blowing Rock, to the sandy beaches and sunsets of the Outer Banks. NC and all in between. This was taken at Border Station on my way to the Outer Banks a few months back:
(I always stop there for Dairy Queen Blizzards. Mmmm…chocolate ice cream, M&M’s and Oreos…)
OBX is by far my favorite beach area in the country. So much wide open:
and uninterrupted space to relax:
I’ve spent time there every summer for 14 years with a group of friends I love like family:
(I have a lot of cute pix I have taken of their kids they don’t know about. Plans for gifts later in life…:)
I lived in the Outer Banks during the summer of 2001 too. I always love to play on the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge:
Another coastal area I love and have lived in is Wilmington. Beautiful sun rise mornings:
…and sunset nights:
There’s something to be said about that warm humid air, the active lifestyle all over the state and that southern twang that leaves me always wanting more. If you’ve never explored around North Carolina, grab a bathing suit and a pair of hiking boots, throw the kayak on top of the car and don’t forget your sunscreen for all that sun. Road trip!  If you need a guide, give me a call.
Yes, that many places in one day and then some. This is where I will ask you to get out a map to follow this story.
No really, go grab a NC map- you are going to need it!
During yesterday, day 13 around OBX and after hearing there were going to be issues with getting to Cape Hatteras with road closures, rearranged ferry’s and ferry schedules, I started asking and calling and calling and asking. Yep, the 800 numbers, locals, staff at various business and visitors centers, even police officers- you name it, I asked and tried and tried and asked, determined to make it to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. As you will hear in the following videos and see in the photos- I didn’t make it, but I did meet some southern sweeties and had quite the drive through the back roads of NC.
I was told/given several stories before I began my attempt to make it on a ferry. Everyone had good intention and really thought they were giving me the right information, but turns out no one really knew what was going on and I didn’t find out the actual deal until I went allllll the way to the end of the line to learn Cape Hatteras was not in my cards this go around. What a wild good chase!
(Ok, now unfold that NC map.)
I left from Nags Head and drove through Manns Harbor to Stumpy Point Bay to catch the ferry I’d been advised to try. (For all of you who are not familiar, normal practice to get to Hatteras is to simply drive from Nags Head on route 12. That route is currently closed, so the reason this fun debacle began.) I was met by a police officer in Stumpy Point Bay next to a “road closed” sign. The officer broke the news that only locals and supplies could be sent on that ferry. He advised me to go to Swan Quarter, so back up the road I went to Manns Harbor, then to Columbia. I headed south from Columbia, through the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge to Fairfield:
…then into Swan Quarter:
…where I pulled over to park and learn after all that calling, asking, and driving, my plan was not going to work:
The good thing is, met and ended up spending the next 2 hours with incredibly warm and funny Swan Quarter Ferry staff:
Mitchell, Wayne, and Glenda fed me coffee, encouraged me to sit and stay as long as I wanted, gave me a desk so I could charge my camera battery (no WIFI at that little building) and treated me like I was part of the family. From my videos it’s plain to see that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these fine folks. Here I am with Ferry Station Manager Mitchell:
What a trip it was to hang out with these people, what a run around, and what a bummer in the end that I wasn’t able to make it to Cape Hatteras. Then again, it’s the journey- not the destination, right?
A huge thanks to All the staff at Swan Quarter Ferry. I am so coming back to see you all!
North I headed, deciding to take back roads on my way to I-95. (Why not keep going with the theme of the day right?) I passed cotton fields:
…and roads that really felt like they just my stop at the end of the earth, so I thought it was funny that I passed this sign:
By the time I reached VA, I needed a big ol’ shower and sleep and that’s just what I did.
Now? Off to Philly with my gifted tickets to the Honda Civic Tour concert this weekend (Thanks Honda!)- and to wrap up the last couple days of this trip.
Making it to all three of the top voted spots from the Honda Facebook page? Sigh. Well, I made it to Kitty Hawk, tried very hard but obviously didn’t quite make it to Cape Hatteras, but I’m determined to make it to the top-voted Statue of Liberty before returning my awesome loaned Civic Hybrid on Monday, so stay tuned!
Here’s to being reminded we it’s impossible to compete with Mother Natures plan, expecting the unexpected, and getting a big fat “E” for effort!
***Total miles driven today, day 14: 244
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 2,329
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 21
I had to start day #13 at the place where I wrote my first blog post ever; Front Porch Cafe’ in Kill Devil Hills nearly 3 years ago to the day:
It was cool to revisit the Front Porch Cafe’ and see the same chair (broken or not) that I sat in long ago, dreaming of what would become of this new idea I had for a thing called Blue Lollipop Road. To think of all the incredible things that have happened since these chairs:
After I got some laptop work time, I had to check out a reader suggestion; Duck Donuts:
For some reason, recently I have become a huge fan of fresh cinnamon and sugar doughnuts. (I am usually chocolate obsessed only when it comes to treats, so I’m still trying to figure out where this new craving has come from!) Add one more to the list of spots that get my yummy stamp of approval on the doughnut front:
I rolled up to the window to pay the entrance fee and Darius asked: “Do you sell lollipops?!” I laughed and told him no, (then gave him one of course.) Darius and I, two grown-ups having a moment of fun over a special blue lollipop. You’ve gotta love the never fail smiles these little candy sticks bring. Darius and I chatted for a few minutes. I asked him about details on transport, etc. to get to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as I had just been informed there would be some issues because of road closures after the hurricane. (I would later find out that Darius was the first of many people who gave their best efforts to help me get there…)
Great to meet you Darius, and thanks for all your help!
I explored the grounds and was schooled in all things flight:
Inside the Visitor Center:
Outside near the actual flight path:
I took a drive around the loop:
…and a walk to the top of the hill. It was a beautiful day to be outside:
I am so thankful the readers from the Honda Facebook poll sent me to Kitty Hawk! To walk around this property (especially as a traveler) and see first hand how flight was born was very cool. I overheard conversations and watched groups of older men (clearly pilots and flight junkies) walking the flight path, calculating and analyzing how it was all done, and discussing details with each other with an overtone of nostalgia that was adorable. It always makes me smile when I see people truly enjoying their passions and hobbies.
The day was hot and I needed to get my daily dose of movement in (to work off all those doughnuts!) Off I went for a long run on the beach. (Running barefoot on the beach is such a bonus way for me to get some miles in.) The best way to end a hot and sweaty beach run is to take a dip in the salty warm ocean of course! Â I took a moment to stretch rest as the sun started to set:
I saw Jennette’s Pier to my right so decided to go there to catch the full sunset:
Who did I meet there? More nice people of course! Meet Ron and Rita: Husband and wife from Pittsburg:
Ron played videographer for me so I could say hi in my full glory of beach after run grubby. I have to admit I love this end of day chill and dirty, sandy, salty summer kid feeling.
Ron, Rita and I talked and talked until it got dark. We shared travel stories, talked about our favorite cities, and they told me about their son and grandson. Once again, sweet people- complete strangers I could have spent several more hours with. If there were only more hours in a day to meet, talk to, and learn from all the interesting people out there…
Thanks for your video help Ron and Rita! It was nice to meet you.
Next up is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!
***Total miles driven today, day 13: 125
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 2,085
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 21
As I mentioned in my last post, it was clear a few days ago that the Honda Facebook poll and all of you readers here had voted in the winning place for me to visit by a landslide (Statue of Liberty.) I looked at the two runners up (Kitty Hawk, NC and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse) and thought- why not go to all three? So North Carolina or bust!
Just rolling in, I am one Happy girl:
(Great face I have right where YouTube froze me in this video, right? If you can’t laugh at yourself…)
Kitty Hawk welcomes me and the loaned BLR-Mobile!
(Have I mentioned how much I love this Hybrid Civic and the fact I am getting on average 42.9 mpg? You know I love saving $ on gas and being thrifty in general. This car rules on saving me and helping me afford this trip! I can’t believe I only have 5 days left on the road. Tear…)
The endless dunes don’t even look like they could be real! From the top you can see the ocean and the sound- which feels surreal:
See those long skinny white things on the bottom-left of the photo? Yep, those are for hang gliding lessons that are available to take on the dunes. How cool and fun does that sound?
I sat and stared at the ocean and the sound for a while just taking it all in. The sun started to set:
…and got more and more pink:
Jockey’s Ridge is a must do and the sunset in person is so much better than any photo or video could be! Next time you plan a beach vacation put OBX, NC on your list of to-go-to’s if you haven’t been here before. This undoubtedly my favorite beach area in USA. There’s something to be said for how clean it is, the fact that it hasn’t been taken over by a million neon lights, and that there’s mile after magnificent mile of uninterrupted sandy space for relaxing and playing. I heart OBX forever!
…and a fresh veggie press sandwich on homemade bread. (Oops! I gobbled it up and forgot to take a photo. I guess you’ll just have to trust me that is was delicious. So delicious that I forgot about my camera.)
WIFI, microbrew, and eats recommended by a local was the perfect night office  I needed so I could get some of my work done. (Thanks Steph!)
Tomorrow it’s more beach exploring: Kitty hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and making my way to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The weather is supposed to be even more warm and sunny than usual in September here so perfect timing…
Thanks for all the votes to send me here!
***Total miles driven today, day 12: 215
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 1,960
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 20
