Blog

August 2012 Solo United States Road Trip
Duration:  About 2.5 weeks
Cost:  Around $1,000
10 States

After a realization that life wasn’t slowing down and didn’t care that it was passing me by, I quit my park manager job at the end of July 2012.  About a week or so after I quit my job, I packed up my tiny little car (a red 2003 Toyota Celica) and took off for the open road.

After a realization that life wasn’t slowing down and didn’t care that it was passing me by, I quit my park manager job at the end of July 2012.  About a week or so after I quit my job, I packed up my tiny little car (a red 2003 Toyota Celica) and took off for the open road.  I didn’t really have a “great” plan mapped out, see photo, LoL.  However, I knew the whereabouts I wanted to go for parts of my journey.  Overall, I had a very loose agenda.  Some of it was inspired by WHO I wanted to visit, not just where I wanted to go.  Friends always make the best destinations!  Being an avid National Football League fan (Go Broncos!), I always try to take a photo of the NFL football stadiums when I am visiting a city home to a team.

First stop, High Falls State Park, Jackson, Georgia!

My dear friends, former park volunteers, Nancy and Bill are always wonderful to see!  They live full time in their camper and volunteer (or work) at state parks around the country, recently settling in within the Georgia State Park system.  I stopped by for a quick visit with them and to explore some of the area.  This was a new state park to me so it was fun to see it. 

High Falls State Park has a campground AND YURTS!!  A yurt is basically a round canvas tent with an open floorplan inside.  Not a super common thing to find, at least in Florida, so I thought this was cool.  Maybe one day I’ll go back to camp in one.  They are great for families, church groups and youth groups.

Jackson is just northwest of Macon, GA, and the park has some great waterfalls on Towaliga.  According to their website at the time of this post, the state park has a River Boat rental, ramps and fishing docks provide easy access to the park’s lake, known as one of Georgia’s top fishing spots for hybrid and white bass.  There are 4.5 miles of hiking trails, several picnic shelters, a playground and many campsites. 

I suggest spending at least a day there, and if you have time to stay overnight, definitely do so!

Side note, favorite quote from my friends “red rope lights are NOT a good idea on a camper!” 

HAHAHAHA, bad, but great, humor!!

Quick Pit Stop:  Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

When you’re on a road trip with few firm set plans, you can stop and go as you like.  Along the highway, I saw a sign for Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Kennesaw, GA, so I thought, sure why not?  I was hungry anyways, so I was hoping that maybe they’ll have a nice shaded spot for lunch.  I found a nice little picnic table under a covered shelter and made my yummy on-the-road lunch:  peanut butter and jelly!  What a relaxing, enjoyable and cheap meal!  The weather was amazing, even if a little warm (summer, what can you expect?).  I bet kids LOVE to play on the playground!

The battlefield park is nearly 3,000 acres that was part of the Civil War.  It has a really cool audio tour that you can do on your cell phone.  The area has a lot of interesting history, and like with anything surrounding the Civil War, some good, some not so good, but all a part of American History.  If you’re in the area and into this kind of historical thing, take a swing through and spend a half day or even a whole day.  Don’t forget, you can find great places to picnic!  

While in the area, I thought it would be fun to get a little lost, oops.  It was a pretty area so I drove around and I found a nice house that had been recently been attacked with streamers.  Nice!  I also spotted a cute deer in one of the neighborhoods, just enjoying the day.   When you find yourself in a pretty region without a busy itinerary, I highly recommend driving around the backroads, explore the neighborhoods and enjoy what a new place has to offer! 

(Sorry, the pictures are a little dreary looking since it was a rainy, overcast day.)

Next stop, Nashville, Tennessee!

My Dad has a friend named Marc that lives part time in Nashville and plays bass in some of the famous bars – he has even been in country music videos!  Anyhow, I had never been to Nashville and it seemed to be a good place to visit since it was on my way to Kentucky, so I made a stop there for one night.  I stayed in a hostel called Nashville Downtown Hostel for super cheap in that area, somewhere around $25/night.  Even though they have bunkbeds for multiple people to stay in a room together, I apparently was the only female so I had the whole room to myself – extra win!  It was within walking distance to everything I wanted to do downtown.  I would absolutely stay here again.  It was so much fun to walk in and see folks strumming their guitars in the common area.  It’s what I imagine Nashville being like all of the time! 

Marc took me all over town, introducing me to people and showing me the famous places to go, like Tootsie’s Bar, Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge and the Grand Ole Opry.  He also took me to a local favorite where the professional musicians hang out, away from the tourists, at a place called Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar.  This is my kind of off-the-beaten-path scene.  We had a great time! 

The Grand Ole Opry is one of my favorite memories from this entire trip.  Our visit was not really planned out and we had no intention of going in, buuut we got there about half an hour before closing annnnddd The Band Perry was playing!  This was around the time I was in love with the song “If I Die Young,” so I was interested in seeing them (plus I love concert!).  On a whim, I asked a couple who were leaving the Opry early if I could have their tickets and they gave them to me!  We had decent seats and I got to see my song live!  The band is VERY talented in person, this was such a great experience!  While I don’t recommend relying on this method, it did work for us, allowing me a sneak peek at awesomeness!  Sometimes spontaneity is the best fun!

Alas, after a good night’s sleep, it was time for me to head north to Kentucky to meet up with my friend Sara and her husband.  I would like to visit Nashville again sometime for a little longer.  A long time country music fan, this really is a very cool town to be in!

Read on for Part 2:  Kentucky & Indiana