We finally hit the road Friday for our long-anticipated trip to Shenandoah National Park – a journey we’d been dreaming about for years. Though we left about 45 minutes later than planned (because, well, life), we were excited to begin the adventure. Ten-plus hours of driving lay ahead, with our first overnight stop at the KOA in Nashville.
We thought we were seasoned road warriors after monthly treks from Dallas to St. Louis to visit Jon’s mom. But pulling a 25-foot Airstream behind us? That adds a whole new layer of “Are we there yet?” Especially with our new truck’s standard-size gas tank, which meant more frequent fuel stops than we were used to.
Jon had officially taken vacation time, but some tasks don’t come with a backup – so he was still working from the road. The balance between work and wanderlust is real.
By the time we rolled into Nashville, dusk had turned to darkness. We were ready to settle in for a quiet Date Night dinner. But when Cliff opened the freezer to stash our bag of ice, the door fell off. Cue 30 minutes of troubleshooting, reattaching, and a few choice words.
Dinner was worth the wait: beef brisket, asparagus, and peppers, paired with a bold Carnivor Lodi cabernet. We ended the evening with a dose of reality (the news) and a bit of escapism (an episode of The Diplomat). Jon, still buzzing from a late-afternoon Celsius, suggested a brief walk before we collapsed into bed – exhausted but grateful.
This trip is already reminding us that the road is never just about the destination. It’s about the detours, the breakdowns, the brisket, and the quiet moments in between.
Three things we learned worth sharing:
- A 25-foot Airstream turns a long drive into a longer drive – especially with a standard-size gas tank.
- Vacation doesn’t mean your work disappears…it just relocates to the passenger seat.
- Freezer doors are apparently held on by hopes and dreams.
Garinns on the Go 