My first road trip after retirement was in my Subaru Outback. It was my first long solo trip and I am sure I was a bit anxious about it. Would it prove to be the beginning or end of my dream. Would I enjoy traveling on my own or would I be lonely? Could I handle sleeping in my vehicle on a regular basis?
Well, I am writing this a year later and I can tell you it was not the end! I loved listening to audio-books as I drove through beautiful, varying landscapes. I was never “lonely”, but very much enjoyed my solitude and also enjoyed meeting people along the way.
The journey developed its own theme as I found myself in multiple museums and parks that focused on America History: specifically revolving around Slavery, the Civil War and Civil Rights. One of my first stops was Memphis where I connected with a former coworker and we spend several hours at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. It was bigger and more engaging then we expected and we spent more time there than we thought we would.
Other places that I explore along the trip that kept the theme going:
- The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
- The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in the Woolworths in Greensboro, NC
- Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson
- Mount Vernon, on the Potomac River
- Montpelier, home of James & Dolly Madison
- Highland, Charlottesvile, VA; home of James Monroe
- And 2 of my favorite unexpected stops: the Mark Twain House & Museum and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center right next to each other in Hartford, Connecticut. The tour through the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center was exceptional and very different than any other house tour. They take small groups thorough the house but focus on her impact and influence. At the end of the tour the group sits around her dining room table and has a guided discussion about Racism in America.
- And also the home of another of my childhood idols: The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield, MA. A great place for both kids and adults. The lower floor contains life size replicas of some of his most famous characters. On the upper level, adults can discover more about the author’s history and character as revealed by correspondence with his family and earlier works.
Mark Twain’s House 
Dr Seuss Museum 
Dr Seuss in bronze 
The Grinch in bronze 
Hanging out with the Cat 
Clifford the Red Dog was also nearby 
Some of the most memorable stops:
Niagara Falls: I grew up in NY but on the opposite side of the state from Niagara Falls and I had never seen it. My brother and his wife who live in Chicago met me there and we spent a couple of days hanging out and seeing the falls. It was fun to have some company for that one especially since my brother is very high energy and did all the sightseeing planning.
CDSS Pinewoods Dance Camp in Plymouth, MA: A week of dancing at this CDSS sponsored camp was my retirement gift to myself. I had wanted to go for a long time and was excited to finally register. A couple of dancing friends from Austin were also going which meant that I would at least know someone there. It was a wonderful week and a lovely setting (even if it was the hottest week they had ever had at camp). I have been Contra Dancing for about 10 years now and it is amazing. The people are the friendliest, most welcoming people I have ever met. I will have to write a post just about Contra Dance and what it has done for me. In the meantime, if you want to know more about it just google “Contra Dance near me” and you are likely to find a group. It is sort of a “cult”.
Pinewoods sits on a peninsula, swimming and kayaking available 
Pinecones cabin 
Open Air Dance Halls 
Security? 
my room 
Juggling as a break from dancing 
Amazing Musicians
My Mom’s 90th Birthday Party: This was the ultimate goal of the trip; to make it to my mom’s birthday party. It was a year in the planning. My dad really, REALLY wanted to do something special for her birthday. We invited relatives and friends from far and near. It was a bit stressful in the planning phase but we manage to pull it off.
My Mom & Dad with my son, David 
2 of my brothers get in the picture 
Heather, Odin & David 
Let’s talk – David & Kate hanging out 
Odin likes grandpa’s walking sticks 
yummy birthday cake!
On the way back to Austin, I also managed to visit a couple of national parks: Shenandoah NP, Great Smokey Mountain NP and visit my cousin in Greensboro, NC.
So, I learned that I love to travel. I enjoyed every moment and was never lonely. So it was time to start thinking about my next steps.
Travels With Vanette 