Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Another road trip!
One of the things that Jan and I have in common is that we both like to travel inside and outside of the United States. We have taken two river boat excursions in Europe, cruises to Canada and Mexico, road trips to Santa Fe and Florida, and a quick in and out to Waco, Texas. That was to see the place where Chip and Joanna Gaines filmed the HGTV show, Fixer Upper. Now we have a new HGTV favorite show, Our Town, that may one day result in a trip to Laurel, Mississippi. I don’t even try to explain our fascination with remodeling shows. We’ve driven from Santa Fe to Winslow, AZ to stay at a beautifully refurbished old hotel called, La Posada, built by Fred Harvey in the 1930’s.
I have also been on some solo road trips during our time together. I’ve driven to Santa Fe for my pilgrimages to my favorite place, ever. One Christmas I drove to New Jersey to help Jackie with the boys while Momoh was out of town. I drove to Lexington, KY, once to visit Ted and Sarah who took me on a tour of a Kentucky bourbon distillery and I discovered the magic of Bourbon Cream. I generally do not like the taste of alcohol, (except for white wine), but after the tour we sat on their porch sipping smooth bourbon – and I really liked it. I felt like a Southern Lady.
Jan had had very long, years long, bouts of ill health and has not been able to travel. But the gift of diabetes arrived in July of this year. I say “gift” because it has resulted in some life style changes that have increased her sense of well-being. So imagine my surprise a couple of months ago when she declared that she wanted to travel somewhere. I asked her when she wanted to go and she said, “Right now!”. Well that wasn’t practical.
We set to work planning a road trip to Siesta Key, near Sarasota, Florida. We picked the week of Thanksgiving. Jan researched a place where she used to stay many years ago and we booked a small condo right on the beach. We’ll be there starting Monday of Thanksgiving week through the following Monday. We already know where to go to get a delicious carry-out turkey dinner for the big day. A friend may join us if her schedule allows. If not, it will just be the two of us enjoying each other’s company. I will take a couple of books. We are also taking a complex Lego kit with over 800 pieces to work on when we have to come in from the sun. I will bring my trusty macbook air to write on.
I look forward to walking the beach and watching the waves. There is something very spiritual about being at the edge of an ocean, admiring the action of the surf, and thinking about how many billions of years this has been going on. I always feel connected to eternity as I stand in the shallow water and greet each wave.
Jan may actually stay in Florida and I may fly back home on the 27th. This is a new part of the plan because Jan wants to visit a beloved friend of ours who lives in Naples, Florida. That means Jan has a solo road trip from the tip of Florida to home. The fact that she feels well enough and strong enough to make the trip on her own is a real blessing. It’s funny how some things can be both a challenge (diabetes) and a gift (diabetes). Jan deserves every bit of well-being that she can have. I am grateful.