I've been everywhere

I've been off on a bit of a solo adventure this past week, driving alone from Texas to Ohio by way of Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky to meet up with my brother and parents and visit some extended family.

  

 

And then on the way home, I decided to take the scenic route. I drove through West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama before finally crossing through Mississippi and Louisiana again, and then home to Texas.

I drove through 12 states and slept in five of them.

I saw my parents and brother, four cousins, six first cousins once-removed, all my uncles, all but one of my aunts, and my last remaining grandparent.

I saw autumn leaves for the first time in 12 years.

I drove through the Appalachian Mountains.

I crossed the Mississippi River twice.

(Ditto the Ohio River.)

I shopped at Tamarack in West Virginia.

I climbed the tower at Big Walker Lookout in Virginia.

I ate pulled pork with four different sauces at Tom's Barbecue in Greenville, SC.

I put more than 3,000 miles on my car.

I finished reading The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch and liked it very much.

I drank many tiny plastic bottles of wine.

For 5.5 of the eight days I was gone I was completely alone with my thoughts. I didn't have to worry about what anyone else wanted or needed. I didn't have to make anyone's dinner. I didn't have to clean up any messes I didn't make. I didn't have any appointments to keep.

I had a lot of fun.

HOWEVER...

I missed my kids and husband. And even the stupid dog.

I missed the water pressure in my shower at home.

I missed my bed. And my pillow.

I even missed my own cooking.

I learned that while I am a total antisocial misfit loner and proud of it, some things are just more fun when shared with one's favorite people.

And I am SO GLAD to be home. Where my people are.