AN UNEXPECTED ROAD TRIP

A series of essays.....

CROSSING OVER THE OHIO RIVER INTO CINCINNATI

.....as seen through my eyes!




By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


I enjoy road trips!

There's something wonderful about feeling the pull of the road beneath your tires and exploring new vistas outside your window as you flash by them along the Interstate or ease by along a winding, country back road.

Historic Boone Tavern-Exit 77, Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail, Scenic View-1 Mile, Historic Richmond Battlefield-Exit 83, Kentucky Arts and Crafts-9 miles ahead!!! I watch for these small, crusty brown colored signs along the side of the road as we fly along in our little KIA. I call them my 'signage bookmarks into the past' and am deeply saddened when our journey does not allow us time to take their particular exit and investigate further.

In a more easy-going and less time inhibited lifestyle, my parent's generation sought-out these signs as guideposts for our traveling adventures in the golden summer months. Our vacations always happened in the summertime leaving the remainder of the year for school, working and major holiday celebrations with family and friends.

Early yesterday morning, we filled the car with luggage, camera case and cooler filled with fresh vegetable and fruits, a side of hummus for dipping, and cold water to drink. A perfect roadside treat. I really love road trips!

OUR MOUNTAIN VIEWS

GLENS OF IRON DUFF

Two days ago, my husband made reservations at a green, sustainably operated Bed & Breakfast on the outskirts of Waynesville, North Carolina. Kudos to Dan, however.....I know he was initially oblivious to the 'green' aspect of our potential night's stay. What better way to help maintain the beauty that God has given us in the form of the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains than to live healthy lives all within a  small footprint while basking in the purplish haze of these spectacular mist covered mountains?

I will be the first one to admit that our 'green' B&B was a little rundown and rough around the edges and that tent camping up in Michigan when our girls were young seemed a bit more comfortable than the bed we shared. But, it was a good, clean, safe place to sleep and our host, one generation removed, the age of our own daughters, reminded me of most of my male college acquaintances. As his long hair blended into his facial hair, the term 'man' exited from his lips in almost every other sentence he spoke.




DAN'S BOURBON BARREL
SIRLOIN STEAK

After unpacking and before heading over to visit our mountain property that is for sale, we asked our mellow host if he recommended a particular 'farm to table' restaurant called Bourbon Barrel Beef and Ale that had been listed on a sheet up in the room. He began to recite the restaurant's menu to us by heart and said that they did a paramount job in maintaining a timely balance between farm freshness and final presentation at the customer's table. We were in!

MY FLAT IRON STEAK WITH
ASPARAGUS AND BASIL PESTO

Our meals did not disappoint us in any way. Between Dan's Bourbon Barrel sirloin cut and my flat-iron steak, the deliciousness nearly melted in our mouths. Accompanied by fresh grilled asparagus and a dash of basil pesto....life was very good.

I-40 IN THE MOUNTAINS
HEADING TOWARDS
KNOXVILLE

Today, our second day on the road, has us passing by signs announcing towns named Lima (Peru?) and Cairo (Egypt?) as we navigate portions of the State of Ohio. Yesterday we drove near the town of Paris (France?). Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

Only in the Hoosier state of Indiana are the roads so long, flat, and tree-lined that, as you peer down their length, they resemble a deep gash made with a very sharp knife.

As we approach the city of Fort Wayne today, I reminisce about this childhood place and instantly taste the delicious saltiness of Seyfert's Potato Chips. I feel the cold engulf me as my older brother and I go snow sledding down the hills surrounding the Ivan Lebamoff Reservoir Park. Confirmation Day at St. Peter's Catholic Church, where I attended grade school for one year, becomes as real as when the Bishop of our Diocese ceremoniously admitted me as a full member of the Church. I remember my Mother and I would take the city bus downtown and shop for new school clothes at Wolf & Dessauer Department Store, have lunch together, and catch an afternoon bus home before putting all of our shopping finds away. Life then was truly magical.




BEADED EVENING BAG MADE
 EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOLF & DESSAUER

Considering I hadn't the slightest idea that I would be traversing the long stretches of road connecting our home in Orlando, Florida to where our children reside in Kalamazoo, Michigan until two days ago, I was happy to be sharing time alone with Dan. Road trips are great for this reason, too..... and, we always seem to attract pleasant experiences that create tales of adventure that capture the imagination and fill-up the memory banks for future reference.

We were on a mission this trip that began with my visit up in Michigan two weeks ago to visit family and friends. You see, I fell in love with an adorable little house! A sweet cottage located in Kalamazoo and not too far from our daughters. Built in 1941, she sports hardwood floors beneath the simple, beige carpeting that covers her entire first floor. In this I see potential, as they say. A brick clad, wood-burning fireplace adorns the living room with promises to stave-off chilly Michigan days and nights. She has been neglected for a few years by people who only 'used' her for protection from the elements. I know she is worthy of so much more.

Dan had to see the house, too! If he did....I knew it could be a done deal. The house might present a bit of a challenge but nothing, I didn't think, he wouldn't be up for. So, when he decided we should take a road trip up to Michigan to meet with the realtor, I almost wept with joy!




THE 'COTTAGE'

This is our second day on the road and our final destination is just around the corner! Several sweet, precious faces are waiting to see us again after such a short time and I can hardly contain myself as we zing along I-94 heading west. I'm feeling very optimistic and so looking forward to our ten o'clock, morning meeting with Mike at the 'cottage.'

Whatever tomorrow may bring, I know it takes us one step closer to realizing what the future holds in store for us. Here's to sunny skies, mornings filled with writing until my heart is content and happiness beyond compare. I have such a good feeling about this particular road trip to Michigan.

More to follow........!

WINDMILLS IN OHIO
NEAR THE INDIANA BORDER

Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved