Yesterday I left to get a lil hike in the Smokys before continuing west but it was raining so I opted not to and drove around the park instead, which was once again gorgeous.

Then I headed to Maryville, where I lived as a small child but have no real recollection of. I creeped up and took some pictures, thought of knocking on the door but opted not to.

As any kid would, I remembered the house being bigger but I was also 4…

The rain picked up as I headed to Nashville for a 3 hr drive. I stopped at a gift shop and ended up buying a new necklace because why not?

Along with music I’ve been listening to the audiobook, Daring to Trust. I truly feel like people need to continue to grow and work on becoming their best selves, yet many are afraid to do just that. So yesterday had a big range of emotions for me, while listening to the book and thinking about my life and experiences. All of this put me in a weird, albeit needed, headspace when I arrived in Nashville.

My hostel is pretty cool and I’m right next to where the NFL draft will be in a couple weeks. They’re still doing construction for it. I had delicious catfish and chips for dinner at this sweet restaurant/bar the Stillery. Then I went to see comedian Jim Jefferies last night who was hysterical at the historic Ryman theater. I hit a couple cool bars and saw a great band who did all sorts of covers before heading back to the hostel.

It’s raining now so I’m not sure what the day will bring and I’m ok with that. Xoxo

So day 4 started off at a leisurely pace where I left my campground to go to the Natural Bridge state park. When I actually saw the bridge I blurted out “holy fuck” because it was so magnificent and I couldn’t think of anything as beautiful to say, and let’s face it I swear a lot. Look closely towards the bottom to see the people and give it some perspective! Absolutely gorgeous. It only became s state park in 2016 as this was previously private property!!

I did the self guided tour and then headed out!! From there I went to Brae Mont Farm in Jonesborough, Tennessee where my old friend Hilary and her husband live!! They have an amazing barn and our other friend Mariah happened to be hiking the Appalachian Trail and spent the night too!!

It was so wonderful to catch up with these amazing women and chat about old times at the barn and shit from home. I was reminded that we cannot control life and that it continues to humble us, yet make us stronger. Whether your horse acts out, the weather doesn’t cooperate or your car breaks down, you can try to plan as much as you want but we cannot control others or much at all in life. Yet we get humbled and we grow. Did you know self-doubt weighs roughly 5 pounds? And we let go of what we don’t need when we’re ready and move forward.

It was also amazing to see that Hilary still had this tack box that my Grampa made when we were in high school. Hilary’s Dad was kind enough to take us out to an amazing dinner where we reminisced more and had delicious pie.

Today we had a delicious breakfast with real biscuits that Hilary’s husband sneakily paid for. It was so kind of them to let us spend the night! Then I drove to the Smoky Mountains and did a 2 hour hike before heading to my hotel room!

Weather depending I’ll hike a bit tomorrow but damn I don’t know how Mariah does it! I enjoy it but I’m not sure about days on end!

But the views, the experiences and the lessons make it worth it!

Xoxo Aimee

Last night I met up with a wonderful woman and old friend Hannah!! It so was so great to see her, reconnect and chat about everything. Plus there was delicious food! So this morning I started off my day by seeing a pug on a skateboard, which was awesome! I eventually figured out how to get out of DC and headed towards the Shenandoah Valley.

It was amazing but as I stopped in the Shenandoah National Park I realized my dumb ass car exploded oil again… Are you really surprised? …

I chose to be flexible and skip the hike I had planned to be a responsible adult since there was a Chevy dealership in town. I walked around town to kill time. Thankfully there was a brewery nearby and they had a deck. So I read my book and tried some new beers while waiting for my car. Which is fixed! (Or so they claim).

I made it to Natural Bridge, VA where I’m spending the night in a super cute mini one room cabin. Dinner tonight was a bust but thankfully I had delicious sushi with Hannah last night!

Highlights: Pug on a skateboard, this adorable cabin and amazing sunset.

Lowlights: Car crap and Getting super hangry when all the places I tried to get food at where closed (or defunct).

Well, I think we have a beautiful nation’a capital and it’s 80 degrees so it’s amazing! Put on plenty of sunscreen and wandered around this morning down to the World War II Memorial.

Then I went to one of the Smithsonian Art museums but got told I could not come in with the pepper spray key chain I had…He told me whatever I did with it outside was up to me. So as I was trying to hide it in a bush a maintenance man asked me if I needed help. And when I said no, he told me I was looking at the irrigation valve. I was sure it would have been removed by the time I got out of the museum but it was still there! They had an Empress exhibit that was cool.

After that I headed to the Museum of Natural History, with my pepper spray hidden. That was amazing and I wish I had more time to spend there!! I want to go back but I headed back to my hostel that has a lovely rooftop deck!

Off to meet Hannah at a beer garden to enjoy this weather!!

So today I left my hometown state of Massachusetts for a road trip. So many loved ones have said “be safe” and “be careful” and “keep me updated” so here you go. Maybe a blog is foolish or too much “on display;” think what you will because here it is.

So I left with my “trusty” car and quickly learned how damn expensive tolls are. I mean $13.85 for the New Jersey turnpike… wtf? But hey my car got me there safely.

If you know me, you would imagine their would be lots of bathroom stops… this bathroom seemed particular sketchy, although it doesn’t look horrible in this picture.

Highlights: crossing state borders because appantely I’m still 9 years old and get super excited! I thought Maryland was absolutely gorgeous to drive through.

Since I saw it was National Beer Day I went to a cool little restaurant/book store/bar called the Busboy and Poets. Tried 3 different local beers and really enjoyed the Feed the Monkey brew by Jailhouse brewery.

Tomorrow I hope to wander around DC and catch up with a friend. 💕

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton