On Our Way

May 27th - 28th, 2021

This last month has been a big lesson in patience for us, to say the least! We were on track to depart for our road trip on May 1st. However, during our truck’s final maintenance task prior to inspection (the installation of a new e-break), it suffered an electrical fire, which made it un-drivable and in need of several more repairs. 

We explored some other options, but at the end of the day, we decided to stay the course and wait for Phoenix, as we’re affectionately calling her, to be road ready. Silver linings of this time at home included some visits with our family, who we haven’t spent much time with during the pandemic, a hiking trip to the Catskills in NY, and more opportunities to hike in the White Mountains. 

We’re happy to report that we’re finally on our way, and departed New Hampshire on Thursday, May 27th at 1pm. On day 1, we drove until about 11:30pm, each taking turns hauling our truck and trailer, which combined total 45 feet long. All went smoothly, and we passed through 5 states: NH, MA, CT, NY and finally, PA. We spent the night at a Walmart parking lot in Shippensburg, PA - our first time sleeping in Destiny! It was very comfortable, and we awoke to the sounds of a horse and buggy making its way through the parking lot… no joke, this was Amish country! After a quick shop, we were back on the road at 9:30am, and continued south through PA, passing through MD and WV briefly, and then into VA. 

We stopped around 1:30pm for a lunch break at Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, which included a lovely 2 mile walk to see Natural Bridge, a very impressive rock formation pictured here, and its surrounding forest, winding river, caves, and waterfalls. It was nice to stretch our legs after all the time in the car, although Phoenix is certainly spacious and very comfortable. After a 1.5 hour break, we continued on through the mountains of VA and TN, in a rain storm none the less, finally landing at Laurel Bank Campground, outside Asheville, NC, where we will camp for the next 3 nights. Excited to do some hiking, explore Asheville, celebrate Ian’s 39th birthday on 5/30, and reconnect with our dear friends Staci and Eddie, who we haven’t seen since last July.