I have said it before, but I often find it best (for me personally) to travel the back roads alone. It’s quiet, you can catch your breath, you aren’t going to be nagged about when the next stop for a bathroom will be, and you can go where you want…no questions asked.
But sometimes, traveling is best with others.
Road trips, can be far more exciting when you bring others along. Well, at least bringing the RIGHT people along. Might I suggest that when you plan a road trip with others that you consider creating a system for which “buddies” you’re going to bring. A…”buddy system”…if you will.
Perhaps your system, or criteria, would look something like this:
- If you’re married, bring your spouse. It is always a good choice to bring your spouse. ALWAYS! Just trust me on that one fellas. No need to expand here.
- Bring buddies who have good taste in music. And by good taste, I mean, they like the music you like, or at least have a VERY wide range of musical taste. There is nothing worse than a car full of people who enjoy some rock and roll and you have that one guy who just insists that all you listen to is rap. Or worse…Miley Cyrus.
- Bring buddies who have an adventurous taste for food. Besides music, the next big choice to make on a road trip is where you’re going to eat. If you have picky eaters, people who refuse to eat at that “one place”, or vegans, it’s going to be hard to find a place to eat. Bring people who are going to absolutely and emphatically be on board with eating at that sketchy looking greasy spoon place you found in the middle of nowhere, tucked behind a gas station…you know….because…why not?
- Bring buddies who don’t mind getting dirty. Part of the road trip fun is finding those off the beaten path locations that may require a little trudging through mud, water, and an entire mountain in order to get to that unforgettable destination. Please…for the love of everyone going with you…leave the guy at home who insists that walking is a waste of time, or flinches at the site of a little dirt on his shoes. They are going to ruin it for EVERYONE.
- And FINALLY, bring buddies who don’t need a schedule or a well plotted out course of activities. Road trippin’ is a lot more exciting when there is no agenda. If you have friends that require a schedule of events to properly plan what they’re going to bring on the trip…perhaps consider leaving them at home. They are going to be miserable anyways, and constantly asking what time to leave for the next stop on the trip.
In my recent case of road trippin’, I brought my spouse…as my wife and I were celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary in Gatlinburg, TN. We have not been out of town in well over 12 years. During that time we have moved 4 or 5 times and produced 4 children. So, yeah, it was WAY past time for us to have a get away with just the two of us. Without children. Without pets. Just…us.
And it was a glorious time! The mountains in May were perfect. Temperature was just right. Not too hot. Not too cold. Not too humid. Oh…and check out where we stayed!
We visited Cades Cove (though I highly recommend NOT going on a weekend…way too crowded):
And Clingman’s Dome:
And yes…even a quaint little place called Bob’s Burgers. Yes folks..it really exists!!
But…besides the good food and beautiful scenery…what made the trip well worth it was my buddy…my wife…my partner…who came along with me and made the trip so much better just by being there.
Thank the Lord that she loves me…because she puts up with a lot from me, and I love her all the more for it!
Back Road Warrior 
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