Cross Country Road Trip - Part 1

On Monday, June 19th we had our final walk-through at our home on Glendale Terrace and handed in our keys. We had already said some difficult goodbyes to family and crossed everything off our list in VA to make the move to San Diego. That afternoon after handing in our keys, we loaded up in Eric's Tahoe and decided to take off and begin our journey across the country.



The carpet cleaner guy took the picture below. I think he thought we were pretty strange asking him to take this picture.



The sun was just starting to set as we were driving through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley (a drive nostalgic to both Eric and I as we both went to college along this interstate).



After about 10 or 11 PM, I started going in and out of sleep while Eric drove. I knew at some point I would need to take the wheel and wanted to make sure I at least got a little sleep.



We made it to Nashville about 3 AM. We drove through Broadway. Everything was still lit up but people were walking home and musicians were packing up their instruments to call it a night. We decided to switch here so I could take the wheel.



It was a quiet drive through the dark morning, but as soon as the sun started peeking up around 6 AM I was wide awake. Something about the sun just energizes you.



I drove through the rest of Tennessee (it's a long state!) until we made it to Arkansas around 7:30 AM.





Then Eric took the wheel once again.



Our first stop that morning was Hot Springs National Park in AR. We made it around 10 AM and were excited to have some relief from the car.



We went straight to the visitor center to change our clothes, wash up, and get some maps.



They have fresh spring water everywhere around town. The locals come and fill up their gallon sized containers to bring home. They don't need a Brita or bottled water.



They have a really pretty trail that's paved, flat, and all brick called the Grand Promenade. Off of that, they also have some trails that go back into the woods. We decided to head out into the woods first.



They had campgrounds and picnic areas along the way.



Beautiful view.



Heading back down (the brick below is the Grand Promenade).





Along the Grand Promenade, there were springs everywhere that had been capped off (below). There were dozens and dozens of them everywhere you looked. I believe once it became a protected national park, they wanted to preserve the natural spring water and prevent it from being contaminated.





We went further to check out one of the natural hot springs.



The hot spring below is 140 F degrees! In the top right-hand corner you can see the steam coming off the water as it flows down.



Then we walked around town to check it out. It is such a charming town.



Bath houses line the main strip. The water would be too hot for you to swim in otherwise. Many people believe there are a lot of healing elements to bathing in natural spring water.



We didn't pay to go to one of the bath houses, but we did get to take a free self-guided tour through their bath house museum. It was so interesting to see what a spa used to look like. It doesn't look as luxurious as it does these days!















After the spa, we went over to Gulpha Gorge Campground to have a picnic. Eric's mom had sent us away with some sandwiches and snacks the night before and they were much needed by this point :)



After lunch Eric layed down on the blanket to catch a little shut eye before we had to take off again. By this point I had gotten much more sleep than him as he had done the majority of the driving.



We got back on the road and before we knew it we were in Texas! Eric definitely perked up being back in his home state.





Not long after we got into Texas, we started having some car troubles. We stopped at an AutoZone so Eric could check it out. Needed a new rotor - he got what he needed and figured he would fix it up when we got to my grandparents' house.



About 4:30 in the afternoon we rolled into Holly Lake Ranch to stay with my grandparents! We were so, so excited about this part of the trip. We planned to stay two nights here.



The first night they took us out to Tele's with some of their friends - it's always a favorite when we're in Hawkins! Very good Tex-Mex.



We called it an early night, as Eric and I hadn't had a good night of sleep for 48 hours. Early the next morning the guys went to get the car looked at. My grandparents convinced us we should have it taken to a guy they know in case there were any other issues.



It's a really good thing they did - my grandparents saved the day and we were SO thankful.



Our time there consisted of everything we wanted it to be - quality time chatting and visiting, back porch sitting, animal watching, checking out their property, driving around on the golf cart, eating delicious southern food, and playing cards.



















The night before we left, Opa helped us map out the rest of our route.



Grammy fixed us the most amazing feast of a dinner - chicken fried steak with all the sides! Eric's Texas heart was in heaven.



Opa and Eric whipped the girls butts in Spades. Then it was off to bed before too late.



The next morning they got up early to send us off with breakfast, snacks, and lots of love and well-wishes.



We had such a great time with my grandparents and are so thankful for everything they did for us. We are lucky to have them; our time together always goes by way too fast! Thank you!!

Next up - the second half of our trip out west.