“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”
Tony Robbins
This is the story of our Vagabond Summer road trip. Just me and the hubby, a few suitcases, a Jeep, and hearts full of hope! 😉 If you are interested in what we’re doing and why, read my post: The Vagabond Summer | The Sunnydaze Diaries. For now, all you need to know is that we are planning a giant road trip across the USA, spending several weeks visiting loved ones, and exploring this vast country of ours. These journal entries will document our adventures (for better or worse!😂) and the lessons learned along the way.
Our journey began August 22nd, and the first leg of the trip was from Chattanooga, TN to Noblesville, IN. Here we are spending 5 days visiting family and enjoying small town life in the heartland of America.
Family Time
Our “fun stop” on our driving day was to meet up with our son in Nashville. With six and a half hours of actual drive time, lingering over lunch, laughing and catching up was certainly a welcome break. Being friends with your adult children is crazy cool!
The stay in Indiana coincided perfectly with Back-to-School days, and we got to tag along for my niece’s college move-in. Five of us loaded into a minivan full of totes and bins for an hour’s drive to a charming little university – complete with a lake, a football stadium and a chapel, and boys playing tennis ball golf across the commons. 😉 A campus tour and unpacking and organizing the small dorm room sparked a flood of memories of dropping our own kids off at college. And then I remembered that our youngest just had her 10-year high school reunion… How is that even possible?? Excuse me, I think I need to lie down…
Small Town-Town Squares
Carmel is a short ride from Noblesville, and one night we all took a little trip there for dinner. The midtown square has a plaza with green space, sunning chairs, and ping pong tables, surrounded by pedestrian-friendly streets, shops and restaurants. There is a nearby walking trail, perfect for joggers, bicyclists, or anyone looking to get a few extra steps in. After going on a short walk we headed to Sun King – a brewery/dining court with three different restaurants and indoor/outdoor seating. Cookie sheet sized birria nachos and a few beers were a great way to end the day.
We couldn’t leave Indiana without checking out my sister’s town. On our last afternoon, armed with a hand-drawn map, we ventured forth (sis and her hubby were at work, so we were on our own!) A historic jail and a courthouse with a clocktower anchor the square in Noblesville. Over the weekends they offer tours of the jail, but if you go on a weekday you’re safe.😉 Antique stores, restaurants, and boutiques cover a few blocks and provided a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. We found a wooden board game we just had to have at a small shop, and meandered through the vintage mall. If you ever find yourself there, go to Rosie’s Place for a “gooey butter cookie” – a local specialty that is worth every calorie! 🍪
The Restaurant Review
Nashville has an abundance of unique and delicious dining options, so let me add just one more hotspot to your list of places to try! If you are near Main Street and you are craving something fun and different, go to Hawkers Asian Street Food. The walls inside are covered with huge murals and neon signs, and they have patio seating as well. The menu includes everything from hot chicken bao buns, traditional dumplings, and shrimp summer rolls to lamb skewers and ramen. They offer a variety of cocktails and even a Japanese whiskey flight. Prices were pretty reasonable but be warned: you’ll probably accidently order so much you’ll need to take some home for tomorrow’s lunch! That’s never a bad thing, right? 😋
The Incident Report:
There will always be a few bumps in the road, or in this case, small rocks on the back of a flatbed truck that get flung into your windshield at high velocity. Replacing the windshield is not practical right now, since the newly mounted lightbar and sidelights would have to be removed and then reinstalled. Barry was able to patch it with a $20 kit from the auto parts store and it looks a lot better! Praying it will hold a while longer… 🙏🏻
So that’s it for the first leg of our trip. We’re gonna go a little further north, then take a left. 😂Thanks for coming along with us!
Til next time, shine bright friends!
~Dawn 🌻
