Miles travelled: 4447.5

Overnighted the Jeep and myself to New Jersey for a surprise Thanksgiving morning visit. My mother cried. My three-month-old nephew did too, but I think that was unrelated. Worth it!

"Everybody's Free" [to be inspired] in Austin

So…. Austin! Austin was incredible. I felt new after leaving there. In Austin, I was at the height of my trip. In my third week and really feeling that there was no turning back. I was on the journey and I could chose to experience each city or just use them as map dots on my way home. After such an amazing experience in New Orleans, I was expecting great things from Austin, especially because it would reunite me with my soul sister, Beth, from back home, as she’d moved there in September.

Upon arriving in Austin, I quickly discovered that no one there is what they seem. Not in some L.A. Confidential way where “everything is suspect and every one is for sale,” but in the sense that everyone is actually there to do something else. A mini New York, in its own right, “I’m not really a waitress” could be its motto. Or, perhaps, “I’m not really a car salesman.” I discovered my soul sister’s roommate, Alex, is actually the lead singer of a rockin’ band called Fouled Out. They played the rooftop at the Blind Pig Pub on 6^th Ave, or “the dirty six” one of the nights I was there.

Everyone in Austin is doing something: making music or art or something of him or herself. They’re all striving to do or be what they want to be. And putting themselves out there. I could feel the energy of hope and possibility in every hand I shook. Everyone there truly believes they’re big day is coming. There’s no cynicism like you might find in New York – in fact, I found I had to put it out of my own mind. Alex admitted, though, that even if Fouled Out doesn’t go anywhere, at least when he’s 40 he knows he’s doing what he loves. It reminded me of that graduation speech that Baz Luhrman turned into a pop song in the ‘90s, “Wear Sunscreen.” One of the lines in the song, or speech, read, 

“don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.” - Mary Schmich

So, at the very least, with each year I spend spinning, I’m at least becoming more interesting. Right?!

Being in Austin, though, gave me a renewed faith in myself. Faith in my quest to be what I want and do what I want. Why can’t I be a writer? Why shouldn’t that be my career goal? I’ll never get better if I don’t work at it. And I’ll never know if people like what I write unless I publish it for them to read. It’s the most cliché adage of all time and I’m sorry I don’t have a cool, fancy, writer way to express it but the frankest way to say is, I’ll never know until I try. And Austin is full of people who are just there to try. It’s bold, really. The people in Austin are all, it seems, there to try something new or be somewhere new. It’s sort of like a Neverland filled with Lost Boys. Except these orphans aren’t looking to be lost, they’re hoping to be found. Discovered. By themselves or something greater. It’s inspiring. 

Gas Guzzler: 12

Last gas stop on the trip before going way off course to surprise the fam for Thanksgiving!

Miles travelled: 3304.9

Tuesday night arrived in Memphis. Ready for the downtown experience that I've missed out on in my previous ventures to Memphis!

Gas Guzzler: 11

$3.09 in Arkansas, I'll take it!!

Unexpected New Orleans

 "America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."

- Tennessee Williams

New Orleans isn’t the tourist trap on Bourbon that most people imagine it to be. When people think of New Orleans, they think of nightlife and a big party scene. In between downtown and uptown, though, is an entire world that the average NOLA visitor doesn’t get to know about. It feels like a big neighborhood. In fact, one of the city’s most popular streets is St. Charles, which wraps around the entire city and is lined with beautiful French style houses and mansions – think Creole Townhouses with wrought iron balconies and fencing, lacey Victorian motifs and shotgun houses with small semi-wrap around covered porches. Think grand. Think comfortable. Think welcoming. The people in the area are all too friendly. They have a casual way about them that makes you feel privy to the secrets of the city.

On my first run Monday morning, I ran down Magazine Street – NOLA’s own Fifth Ave – I quickly approached a gentleman leaving a café and he stepped out of my way. As is running etiquette, I apologized and he very enthusiastically shouted after me, “Not a problem at all, miss!” This is the general demeanor of all New Orleansians. I attribute it to the city’s deep routed jazz scene. Jazz music relies heavily on improvisation and an ability to appreciate the unexpected. Life in NOLA embraces these ideals. The people work and make livings for themselves, but they have an obvious nonchalant disposition that makes a visitor never want to leave. And trust me, I didn’t.

My first night in New Orleans, I had dinner at Byblos, a Mediterranean restaurant on Magazine Street. I enjoyed a beef shawarma with rice and hummus. Having never eaten shawarma before, I don’t have much to compare it to but it was fantastic.

Monday started with a run to Audobon Park, near Tulane and Loyola Universities. The two are laid out so closely to one another, it’s a wonder freshmen don’t accidentally attend classes at the wrong University. The park connects St. Charles Ave and Magazine, so I ran up St. Charles, around the park and back down Magazine. I included some photos from the run in my Running Revelations piece. I took myself shopping for the first time this entire trip on Magazine Street. I realized on my run that I was in desperate need of new shoes, within a mile of having this though I ran past a runners’ store on Magazine – it was quite serendipitous. I set out to find the store, Southern Runner, intending to only buy new shoes. I ended up buying some sweet new ASICS Gel Frantic 4 Shoes (Black / Black / Mage) - Women's Shoes - 6.0 M (Google Affiliate Ad), bungee laces and two running tops – oops. It didn’t end there, though, on my walk back down Magazine I decided to jump into some of the boutiques I’d seen on my run. I wandered in hoping to find some Christmas gifts – or maybe I just used that as an excuse to shop because I ended up finding only pieces for myself. My favorite was an oversized sweater from this super chic little shop called Blink. The sweater was reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston’s sweater in Wanderlust, and as this trip is my own little quest to satisfy a thirst to explore, I felt it appropriate and well worth the money. The sales girl was one of my favorite people I’ve met so far on the trip. She had a northern accent, so I can only assume it was our roots that bonded us, but she was one of those associates that tells you honestly whether a purchase is worth it or not. As a sales person, I know part of it was a tactic to make me feel comfortable so that I’d spend money, but it worked and I bought a couple of cute items that were maybe more expensive than I would’ve liked but it was from Magazine Street so it was totally just!

The next day I set out for downtown. I wanted to see the French Quarter in daylight. I parked near Jax Brewery and went out on foot. Jackson Square was everything I remembered it to be. Buzzing with excitement. Surrounded by shops and artist: musical, performance and canvas alike. Bourbon was just as I remembered as well. Loud and smelling of food and booze. I’m sure living in the area, one probably doesn’t venture to Bourbon Street as often as a tourist might and the novelty of it wears off, but for me it was very much alive even in the day time. 

You can turn any corner and find live music. Some representative of New Orleans’ jazz roots and others folk-y and southern sounding. There are little treasures hidden throughout; I found a small New Orleans boutique filled with all sorts of French decorations and trinkets.

All in all, I loved my New Orleans experience. It was an unexpected surprise.

No tallies for NOLA, just my heart! (Tacky, yes, but NOLA won’t mind… it never does!) 

Being with Friends in B-ham

Tailgating with the Bride and Groom some years ago

Birmingham was a break from my geographical journey but not from my soul search. I landed myself in Birmingham for the wedding of two friends from college – well, really, after college. I met the groom the summer after I had graduated. The details are a little fuzzy but what isn’t after five years’ time. He was one of a handful of boys that my girlfriends spent time with that summer. They were all like brothers to me, but as it does, life interrupted and our tight-knit group became more of a loose stitch. Time, distance and circumstance came between us and every night became once a week and every weekend became ever other. Down the road became across the state. Girlfriends became wives. Soon, the summer was a distant memory and sometimes it felt like our friendships were too. This isn’t to say the connection or meaning was gone, we just had new lives. We lost touch and when I say “we”, I mostly mean me. The girls in our group moved away and our friendships fell apart. The boys’ didn’t, though, and while I kept up with them as much as I could, priorities change. I missed one of their weddings because I had to be in Memphis for a boyfriend’s family function. At the time, that was more important. I couldn’t have known that the relationship would end and I would regret missing my friends’ wedding but that’s life and they understood. That being said, when I was invited to this wedding, there was no question whether or not I’d go; the bride and groom are wonderful people and I refused to miss this day with them. So, off to Birmingham I was!

my boys!

The trip wasn’t so much about the city but about rediscovering friendships. It wasn’t hard. We all, more or less, picked up wherever we had left off last. When we met, we were kids without much of a care except how we were going to pay a bar tab. The summer that we all met was one of the most epic; filled with debauchery, laughter, recklessness, solidarity, and indiscretion. Everything that a final summer before growing up should be! For me, it was the summer between college and adulthood. That summer represented a crossroads for each of us. We stood at the threshold of our adulthood looking out into our futures with one another. We all had choices to make about “what comes next”. Inevitably, we all took separate paths, which led us away from each other, but the start of the journey together is what keeps us friends.

We all have our flaws and insecurities. We all laugh a little too hard at our own jokes. We all have baggage. We had the things that brought us together and the things that set us apart. There were things we went through together that brought us closer and the things that divided us. It’s amazing how some friendships evolve while others dissolve. In that summer and the time that followed, though, these were the people that knew me best. They knew me as a young, selfish, adult and, in spite of that, they’ve chosen to know me now.

back together in Birmingham

When the summer was over, and it’s possible they’ll disagree, we all took our best shots at being grown-ups together. Now, all these years later, we are adults with spouses, houses and children (this time when I say “we” I mean them). The differences in our lives and location haven’t erased the connection, though. The laughter and the love remain and I think that’s what real friendship is.

My time at the wedding was a reminder of that. In a way, I was able to remember myself. Who I was then and how far I’ve come, in spite of feeling like I haven’t. They accept me for who I am, as I do them. They support me in my endeavors and believe in me when even I don’t.

Birmingham was a nice break from the solitude of the road. It was an opportunity to reminisce with friends – and there was plenty of that to be done. And a time to remember myself, who I was and who I want to be. I think I’d always known it, but never really acknowledged that these friends are friends for life and my weekend in Birmingham reminded me of that.

the skyling on the drive in

potato pancakes on the way out

As for Birmingham’s redemption that I promised, it turns out University of Alabama, Birmingham’s “downtown” was about a mile away from the downtown we were staying in. When the hotel bar let us down (rude, rude bartender), we hopped  in a cab to find the piano bar, which is apparently closed. We would get excited to go somewhere that doesn’t exist. The area was called “Five Points” and was filled with a great nightlife scene. We found a Dave Matthews Cover Band from Tennessee, of all places, and had a really fun time. In the morning, we went back to Five Points for breakfast at the Pancake House. The food was amazing! Bacon pancakes, potato pancakes (don’t mind if I do), blueberry, strawberry and the largest omelets you’ve ever seen (think egg calzone). Considering our side of town was post-zombie apocalypse, this was the most lively place on Earth!  

Miles travelled: 2837.8

Mileage to Dallas. What a weekend!?! Looking forward to sharing. Keep your eyes open for my Texas adventure update!!

Gas Guzzler: 10

Italy, TX. Was it ignorant of me to assume gas would be cheaper in Texas?

Miles travelled: 2562.6

Spun my way into Austin to kick it with my soul sister in the Live Music Capital! I've fallen so behind on my updates but I guess that's just because I'm having so much fun! Birmingham and New Orleans are in the works. Austin will be shortly behind. Just got to Dallas (those miles travelled will be up soon too)! Gah! So much to do! Fret not, it's all on its way, friends!

Gas Guzzler: 9

En route to Austin. It's possible on the next cross country endeavor that I will need to bring a passenger for the sole purpose of splitting gas!

Miles Travelled: 2370.6

 Made it to Houston and look who I found! Loved the skyline. The interstate is elevated so as you drive, you're side by side with the city. It's like the future! I loved it. I was so glad see a hometown buddy for dinner! Unfortunately, I wasn't there long enough for my favorite Houston Texan, Brian Cushing, to fall in love with me. Bummer!

Gas Guzzler: 8

Lafayette, LA
This whole travelling the country thing is getting costly!

Running Revelations

It’s no secret that running is my number one form of exercise. It requires the least amount of knowledge; no reps, no weight, no real form required, you just kind of GO. Of course, it can be more intricate than that but on the surface it’s pretty cut and dry, “one foot in front of the other, accelerate.” What no one knows is that I secretly hate it! There, I said it! I’ve been outted. 

First, there are the physical setbacks. I run out of breath, I have bad knees, my hips are tight, these shoes give me a blister. Ouch. I learned from my favorite running buddy that all of those things could be conquered, though. You have a stitch in your side? Run through it. You have a cramp in your calf? Run through it. You can’t breath? Run through it. You’re having a heart attack? Run through it…. just kidding on that last bit. Essentially, there is no thing that cannot be conquered by simply running through it. Scoff if you will at the simplicity of saying it and the undoubted difficulty of execution, but next time you’re out on a run, just try it. Like Buffalo in the rain, just run until the storm is over. 

It’s the mental aspect of a run that truly gets me. I worry that the people in their cars or running on the road across from me will judge me. I get in my own head about whether my gait is an appropriate width or my foot strike is too loud or my clothes fit right. Am I going fast enough? Will I complete this run in an amount of time that will impress people? It’s a self-conscious absurdity that holds me back from really enjoying my runs – sometimes it even prevents me from going. I feel there is a parallel to my life that can be made here, but I think I’ll coast past it for now. On top of all that, I get bored! I have crap music on my iPod. I’ve tried pod casts, which can be entertaining but only for so long before I need a blast of Breaking Benjamin, Brad Paisley or Bieber – really any kind of power song to help conquer a hill and the feeling of quit creeping into my mind. Well, I may have found my solution!

As I run each city, the underlying motivation is that I need to work out as I drive, eat and drink my way through the southeast, but in the forefront I want to explore these cities. I want to see if they are places I can see myself living. The goal on each run has evolved from being a chore (I promised myself I would run at each stop) to a chance to see a new place. I’ve slowly mastered my Map My Run App and my “I totally belong here” face and with each run I get a little more adventurous and get to see a little more of the current city than the one before. 

Today, I ran down St. Charles with its historic mansions and trolley stops, it felt like the heart of New Orleans. I wanted to run at least four miles today and I knew there was a park near Loyola and Tulane’s campuses on St. Charles, so I set out toward it. I have thrown shame and embarrassment to the wind with this trip, so I have no issues stopping to take pictures of street signs and quintessential houses. With no concern for what it might make me look like or what it might do to the time on my run. 

Audobon Park

I took at least 20 photos of 6.7 miles of New Orleans today. It was so much fun. I enjoyed my run. By the end of it, I had traveled 6.7 miles (a Personal Record by half a mile) in a city I hardly knew. I had seen some beautiful houses and scenery. I was nearly swallowed by a row of boutiques on Magazine. 

house from the park's running path

They tried to eat me. It was all I had in me to keep running without entering them. I ran past my turn  home on purpose. I paused to stretch. I shouted expletives at the pain in my knees. I slowed down at street corners in spite of the “walk” sign flashing, but I did it. I went. I saw. I conquered.

quintessntial NOLA house

The explorer in me has taken the place of the insecure, ADD runner. The purpose of a run now isn’t to impress anyone. It isn’t to finish within a certain time or at a certain pace – though those things are nice to keep track of in order to measure improvement – but each run is about me and my connection with a city. Each run is about a personal adventure. And though I’m here writing about it, it’s not about an audience it’s about me. Self-growth and confidence. Today’s run was a beautiful one and not just because of the scenery!

Tomorrow I run to MTV’s Real World House!

 

Birmingham

Post-Zombie Apocalypse Survival Skills

According to the 2010 Census, the Birmingham-Hoover area holds approximately ¼ of Alabama’s population. If this is so, they were all on vacation this weekend. I’ve never seen a “downtown” seem so vacant. We actually referred to it as “post-zombie apocalypse land” all weekend. I went for a run Saturday morning and with the exception of a few homeless people, some other questionable meanderers and a crazy man on his bicycle; I saw no signs of civilization whatsoever. Those who may speak up on behalf of Birmingham please hold your piece and remain patient, as I will give Birmingham it’s due… in time. I ran three and a half miles around city blocks in an attempt to discover the city. Not knowing what I was looking for, it was a relatively fruitless venture. I was amazed by the city’s lack of life. It felt like I was on a movie set where all of the buildings are staged and the production people would add the effects of people and sound later. I decided since I was in Birmingham that I’d like to visit the site of the Civil Rights Institute. Using my Droid app, Map My Run, I figured out how to get there. However, I had a tag-a-long. As I ran the streets of Birmingham, I kept encountering a man on his bicycle, he has now become known as “the crazy man on his bike.” He first spotted me – or I first spotted him – as I was evaluating my map to determine my route to the museum. Perhaps it’s my own fault because as I studied my route I was also doing some stretching, so it’s possible I inadvertently invited the attention. I ran along the streets listening to Birmingham FM radio through my head phones, feeling proud of myself that I have mastered the “look like I belong” demeanor – minus the occasional gaze at my map and rubberneck at an obscure city sculpture. It wasn’t until I was nearly to the Institute that I noticed my friend cycling down the street as  

I was standing evaluating exactly where the Institute was in reference to where I stood. I’m fairly certain he was shouting something as he rolled down the hill, but the little walking man had jumped up on the pedestrian traffic light, so I chose to ignore what may or may not have been directed at me. I approached Kelly Ingram Park, excited by the poignancy of what I was about to witness. As I paused to evaluate on my map where exactly I was, my crazy friend on his bike came whizzing by, again almost certainly shouting something, but the wind and my FM radio made it so that I was unable to know exactly what. I found the Institute, took some pictures and discovered the Park was actually more interesting. They have a March Route set out on the perimeter, representing different milestones in the Civil Rights Movement. I would have loved to take pictures and read all of them, but my crazy man on his bike kept whizzing by. 

The irony was not lost on me that I was at a place that represents a struggle against intolerance and a people’s unwillingness to be understanding and accepting, and there I was in broad daylight, literally, running away from a man whose only real insult was probably that he liked the way I looked and was bored. He had a helmet. He was safety conscious, illustrating some level of sound mind. He just also had a few less teeth than I’d prefer most people I stop to chat with alone, in an unfamiliar city would. Some might call it intolerance. I call it survival of the fittest… how else do you think I survived the zombie apocalypse in the first place!?

That’s it on Birmingham for now. I’ll get to the wedding and Birmingham’s redemption soon.

Want a little taste of what’s to come? Think Pancake House – not “International House of,” but worlds better!

Miles Travelled: 2019.8

Arrived in New Orleans Sunday night. America's Most Interesting City. The Big Easy. The Crescent City. The City of Care Forgot. 

Gas Guzzler: 7

Hattiesburg, MS
Sweet man at the station inquiried about my Jets!

Gas Guzzler: 6

About to Birmingham... feeling like the even amount might be good luck!

Miles travelled: 1661.6

Made it to Birmingham Friday. Had a whirlwind weekend with some amazing people for the wedding of two incredible friends. We turned the city upside down and had a fantastic time... more on that later! See y'all in New Orleans!

Gas Guzzler: 5

Midway to Birmingham

Charleston

(Sorry, I don't have a clever title for Charleston yet. I'll come up with something whilst I drive!)

S.S. Yorktown

I arrived in Charleston, feeling truly on my way. My first stop was the Aquarium, where my friend Bethany works since I arrived in the middle of her workday. I took a little tour then set out to do some exploring nearby. Having been to Charleston before, I knew it was extremely pedestrian friendly, so I set out on foot for lunch. I found a place she told me about called East Bay Deli – the mural on the wall boasted that it was the best deli in Charleston. It failed to mention how many delis there are in Charleston, however I felt content to agree. My turkey burger was delicious.

Bethany had to work until five, so I sat and wrote post cards and some other musings before setting out to find a post box. I honestly wasn’t sure they existed anymore – I mean do people still send letters? Apparently, they do because I found one across from the public library. Since I had an hour to kill, I decided to go in and work on some more things. I felt stupidly excited that I had discovered the library.

Charleston is my third city, third state and third adventure in less than a week! I’ve eliminated some cities from the road trip. As is often the case in life, plans don’t always pan out and other things become more important. I felt that spending Sunday in DC was more important than stopping in Raleigh. Savannah isn’t going to work because of some issues with catching my metaphorical couch wave there. It works out, though because I have been able to enjoy my time in each city that I have stopped in and I don’t feel so rushed. I will say that while the end to the trip is not near, it is evident. Each city only has so many hours to make an impression on me, or maybe it’s the other way around, and I can feel it as I travel. Little Miss Tired, who usually rules the snooze button, is far more aware of how little time she has and suddenly isn’t so tired. This is wonderful because I am triumphing over a part of myself that I usually hate. I can waste entire days being lazy and putting things off, including small satisfactions like going for runs and writing as well as those important adult things that I seem to enjoy ignoring so much. This is a win I hope I don’t forget when I get back. It’s a little scary – the thought that all of these revelations or newly formed habits might only be temporary while I’m on the road. What if they’re all lost to me the moment I’m back in my own, comfy bed and my alarm goes off? What if I think, as I have so many times before, “I can snooze now and run later – or even tomorrow”? What if I leave Little Miss Carpe somewhere on I-40? No answer to these questions as of yet, but here’s hoping Little Miss Carpe is who I really am deep down and this trip is merely her alarm clock – no snooze!

That said, I woke this morning excited to run the Ravenel Bridge, a Charleston must! The bridge is two and a half miles across. Bethany lives about a mile from the base on the outside of Charleston. I decided to run to the “top” of the bridge and then try to find the beach back on Bethany’s side of the bridge. It was a beautiful day. I laughed later when they apologized for how cold it’s been during my stay. 55-60°? Yea, so cold! My exploratory run brought me to some great sights that I had to share:

The run was great, minus the part where my exploring led me to a red ant infestation in my left shoe. Or maybe it was fire ants. Or maybe just regular ants. I don’t know! Regardless, it was an adventure.

We ventured into the city for lunch and I had Vietnamese sandwiches! They’re called Banh Mi and they were freakin’ fabulous. Bethany’s friends own the shop. Apparently, they started selling the sandwiches at Phish shows and then quit their real life job to open the store. Bethany’s boyfriend took me for a drive around downtown. He showed me the Battery, which I’d seen before but still enjoy seeing. I think I like being reminded of how old the city is and how much history is there. It’s part of the city’s personality and I really appreciate how they own it. Later, I took myself downtown for a mani/pedi. I found my way into the “city” with such ease. I explored a bit and visited King Street, where all the shops are – I guess one might equate it to 5^th Ave? Only smaller. I didn’t feel like spending money, so I didn’t stop to shop. I loved the drive though. It was easy to maneuver and adorable.

Tally time! It was brought to my attention that at the end of DC and Charlotte, I gave each city one point and I gave home zero. This is incredibly unfair to home. It’s not horrid; I’m just tired of it. In fact, there are things about each city that I find comforting because they remind me of home. It may be a little fairer to readjust the tally system to assess only the things I really enjoy about the city – without putting down home and the people in it!

Charleston running aesthetic: 1

Charleston city accessibility: 1

Charleston awesome historical stuff: 1

Miles travelled: 1168.9

Made it to Charleston. I came straight to the Aquarium, where my friend works. The drive was easy. I got to thinking how fortunate I am to have so many friends willing to let me surf on their couches. I had honestly only spent a couple of weekends with Chandler before she opened her home to me! This says a lot about the caliber of people I associate and maintain contact with. And, if I ever had a doubt as to whether I am well-liked, their generosity has put it to rest. I feel remarkably blessed to know and be loved by such wonderful people!

(Shout outs: Ceej, Goo, Chandler and B1... more to come)

Gas Guzzler: 4

loving the palindrome fuel stops!

Charming Charlotte

I opted to be a little less adventurous in Charlotte. I got here Sunday night after spending the day in Alexandria doing laundry, watching chick flicks and writing. I sort of played house all day before hitting the road. It was nice. When I got to Charlotte, I was all too content to maintain the same pace. So, Monday morning, I woke up had breakfast, watched some morning shows: Live with Kelly and Michael, The View – did you know Katie Couric has her own daytime show now? It was ABCs “Day of Helping” so they were raising money for Hurricane Sandy relief. It was a perfect fall day here, crisp and colorful. My parents lost the oak in our backyard to the storm and the sight of the trees made me homesick and sad for what Sandy may have done to our home and my fellow Jerseyans homes. Luckily, my sister and her baby were over at my parents, where they have power back (after six days without it), so I was able to have a nice Skype chat with the four of them. All this prompted me to write a piece about New Jersey and the Shore, which I assure will be along shortly, however my perfectionist ways make it tough to get these things posted quickly and something about Jersey I’d like to be as close to perfect as is possible. It’s funny; these little entries are beginning to feel a little like diary excerpts except that I know people will be reading, so how honest do I really want to be? I suppose we will see.

In Charlotte, I stayed with a friend that I met through my work with Jack Daniel’s. She works from home now, so she took me for a mini tour of the city. We went to lunch in the Elizabeth neighborhood. It was adorable. She showed me this really cool looking bar called Kennedy’s and told me about Chilly Willy, the most famous homeless man in all of Charlotte. That afternoon we went for a run around her neighborhood. In the town where I live now, we have Greenways for biking and running. In Valentine, the sidewalks are wide and paved and perfect for a run around the block. The weather and our pace were both perfect; it was an ideal run.

Later that evening, we went to Happy Hour for drinks with some people she works with. She works for Anheuser-Busch so there was a lot of business talk. I had little to contribute but I still enjoyed listening. Working at a Microbrewery and doing work with Brown-Forman liquor brands, I have a rough understanding of the things they were discussing. I’ve always been intrigued by brand building and marketing, so hearing about it from a beer standpoint was pretty neat. My friend, her co-worker and I decided to make the night a full on girls’ night. We left the bar after a couple bottles of wine and returned home. We donned our warm PJs, set the iPod on shuffle and popped open a couple more bottles of wine. By the end of the night, the conversation was slurred but no less interesting and fruitful. We agreed the next morning that it was a fantastic girls’ night – one of the best.

Something I’m glad to see is that everyone I’ve stayed with so far has fully stocked liquor cabinets. It’s not essential to being an adult or calling the place you live “home,” but I like it. So far on this trip, three of the best nights I’ve had haven’t been out at a bar, they’ve been staying in with friends. Maybe the liquor cabinet is representative of the company you keep. These people don’t have to go to a bar, they know everyone they need to know to enjoy themselves and feel whole? Not to say they limit themselves from meeting new people, of course. 

Tuesday morning – well, afternoon – was definitely a struggle. I don’t know what we were thinking, I guess we thought we were 21 again? The hangover was quick to remind us that we are not. My friend, Chandler, drove me around uptown of the Queen City. It was small, like my current city’s downtown, but charming and so clean. She showed me the Bank of America Stadium, where the Carolina Panthers play. We went to see the largest houses I’ve ever seen in my life in Myer’s Park. It’s a long road with old, historic, gigantic houses. Finally, we went shopping at her friend’s store. 

I found an amazing BCBG sweater and some shorts and I even bought jewelry. I’m not much for jewelry; I never buy it because I don’t think I’ll ever wear it. Then when I get dressed and need to accessorize, I’m, what some like to call, S.O.L. I found three pieces of jewelry: a ring, earrings and a bracelet, that I never would have bought for myself before but decided that for the price and the adventure of it all, I would go for it.

All in all, I didn’t see much of Charlotte like I did DC but somehow I’m still sad to leave. Chandler was so generous to open her home to me and it’s been so comfortable and I’ve been pretty productive here. I’ve enjoyed Charlotte because it’s not too much unlike my current city. Also, I was with like-minded, interesting people who were quick to embrace me and make me feel at ease… could’ve also been the liquor cabinet, but I’m fairly certain it was not.

At the end of the day I’d have to give Charlotte the tally mark!

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