Scheming road trips

I dropped a hint in a recent post that I was scheming a road trip. I also promised I'd have "more on that at a later date."

It's a later date, and I finally have a few moments to sit down with some tea and fill ya'll in. (I'm sure you've been waiting with baited breath... *sarcasm*).

Actually, in all honesty, I am realizing it's not very big news anymore when I announce some crazy travel plans. I'm not totally sure what to do with that realization, but it's true. The fact that I travel is no longer novel. Like some women buy shoes, or manicures, or hair dye, I buy tickets and travel books and people know this. They smile and nod when I tell them about my next grand adventure and probably secretly think I should just settle down.

But, hey, it ain't time for that yet. There's an awfully big world out there. And Arkansas and West Virginia are part of it.

Yes, you read correctly. I am headed to Arkansas and West Virginia. In July.

Mad? Perhaps. But there's a reason for the madness: Last summer, going to Alaska put my state count at 47 and the knowledge that I only had THREE left has plagued me ever since. For years, I was sitting in the low- to mid-forties and always vaguely thought, "Someday...," like when I'm 60.

But Alaska did me in. And the fact that 49 by 29 rhymed just put me over the edge. It has to be done.

Why Arkansas and West Virginia? you ask. The answer is simple. If I went to Hawaii this summer, I'd have to someday have my honeymoon in...Arkansas. Not cool. Actually, that's how I convinced my boss to let me off for an entire month. I instilled in her a deep and very real fear that if she didn't let me mark these states off now, I would hold her solely responsible for my album of honeymoon photos showing me and my beloved kissing on the steps of the Bill Clinton Presidential Library. (Thanks for being so chill, Kathy! I'll bring you a shot glass emblazoned with a photo of the Little Rock or something else that's really great! *Sarcasm*).

I digress. A lot.

Actually, I'm really stoked for this trip. The South practically feels like a foreign country to me. I'm truly excited to camp on the beach in Florida, and listen to jazz in New Orleans, and eat BBQ in Arkansas, and tromp through Davey Crockett country, and gaze at the smoky Smoky Mountains. I'll see my good friend Jared in Pittsburgh and, hopefully, visit the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The journalist in me can hardly wait to soak up rooms and rooms of facts and tidbits about newspapers, magazines, and all things newsy. And, to top it all off, I'll end my journey at the wedding ceremony of two super-duper good friends in Indianapolis. (Can't wait Sarah and Ben!)

But you want to know the absolutely BEST part about this journey? I'm not doing it alone!!!!!!!!!! My dear friend Jeremy--who recently finished a 50-state, 10-Canadian-province, multi-city-European tour--is joining me. Or, more accurately, I'm joining him since he's driving. I'll fly to Orlando, where he's been working on a farm, and we'll wander our way to his home turf of Delaware/Philly/south Jersey. It took very little effort to convince him my trip idea would be just a small, little "detour" on his trek home. YOU'RE THE GREATEST, JER!!!! Seriously. I am so thankful and so excited to travel with you! (By the way, Jeremy's blog is quite entertaining. Check it out here.)

Anyway, that's about it. I'm on the move again, and though I don't expect folks to get excited for me, I would love it if they prayed for us. We will be helping to prepare and serve breakfast at a cafe that serves the homeless in New Orleans and doing our best to encourage both friends and strangers we meet along the way. Jeremy and I both love God like crazy and desire to bring Him glory with our lives, so I would love it if you prayed for our thoughts and conversations and plans and day-to-day interactions.

Thanks, and I'll keep you posted!