Liberty Tour Day 1, the Long Drive

 Like many of our trips, I chart nearly every course. I like knowing roughly where we will go, how long it might take, and what interesting things are in the area to see. It's frustrating to get home and see that you were only a few blocks from some awesome thing and had no idea it was there. I make the routes ahead of time so as to avoid getting lost(though it still happens-wait for the day we went to Boston!). Also I just like maps in general and I refuse to use automated gps's.


 Day one began with having to wait on our kiddo getting her final report card from school, so we were on the road by about 8am. Normally we would leave before the sun comes up, but time was of the essence(in terms of days) and we had to leave this day. And this day was the last day of school.

 Husband drove nearly the whole trip. I am the navigator/photographer. The kiddo sits in the back and texts or listens to music. When I was the kiddo, I studied the road and the many things along it intently. Maybe that's why I love(and prefer) road trips and don't want to miss a single sight. We did lots of road trips when I was a kid. It fueled my love of maps and places and the need to be on the go. Thanks Mom! (and I mean that in a good way!!)

  The first leg, Nashville to Knoxville, is a trip we could do in our sleep. We have visited that area several times a year for many years now. Easy. And then from Knoxville to Staunton, Virginia-I made that trip quite a few times visiting Williamsburg. Interestate 81 all the way up to West Virginia, then Maryland and Pennsylvania I've only done maybe once. And I've never been to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. We stayed at a Motel 6 there in Carlisle. It was decent, can't complain at all. We aren't the type to stay at expensive places-we'd rather spend our money on gas and souvenirs. Go farther, get more, spend less.

  I would loved to have explored Carlisle-it is definitely on my list of places to return to someday. This day it was only a stopping point. Day 2 started with a really foggy morning and a good breakfast from Sheetz. I love Sheetz-I wish they had them in Tennessee!

 And now a few interesting shots taken from the car along the way on Day 1: