eSCAping Type 1

In the second week of our second cross-country road trip, we traveled up the eastern coast, from Key West back home to New York.

Refresh your Road Trip #2, Part I reading here.

Day 7-8: Key West

We spent two full days of Road Trip #2 experiencing Key West. It’s a lot of walking and drinking. More of a week-long group vacation spot than a brief “road trip stop” for person with Ataxia.

However, we touched the Southernmost Point Buoy, meaning we had officially been to the two lowest corners of the United States. And we also drank the best iced coffee in the world, so it was entirely worth it.

With the only living coral reef in the U.S. right there, we knew we had to go snorkeling. Except that the day we booked our excursion for, there was a High Wind Warning. So, we were given three options: go tomorrow instead, don’t go at all but no refund, or go today to a different location knowing there are big waves and you might drown. 

Considering we had to leave for Georgia early the next morning, and our honeymoon in St. Thomas basically made us expert snorkelers, we signed those waivers and hopped aboard. I might not be able to walk well, but there’s no risk of falling while swimming, so we’re good.

Yes, we had fun, we got free drinks, and we did see a barracuda (and a couple other fish & rocks), but it obviously wasn’t the experience we had planned. And if we ever get a chance to go back, there’s a good possibility that reef will be dead. I basically just want you to know that we tried, and I really wish I had ANY pictures to show you.

The coolest part of being in Key West was actually sleeping… which we did on a boat, anchored out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Not at all something we planned, so here’s my quick shout-out to Airbnb – when you take your road trip, utilize this app! You might have to splurge a little bit, but there are always unique abodes awaiting. Plus, you can completely customize your search to specify accessibility accommodations (hello no stairs & shower grab bars).

Two nights on a boat may not have been super clean or comfortable, but that natural rocking under the stars was such an unforgettable experience that will never be duplicated. It beats sleeping in the car by a million.

Day 9-10: Brunswsick

Taking the coastal route to head home helped keep our final destination out of mind.

My grandma moved to Georgia a few years ago, so that was the first stop on our northern route. We spent a couple days together at her new home near Brunswick, shopping and eating and venturing to St. Simon’s Island. I’m convinced you can go anywhere in that state and enjoy it – the Spanish moss covering the trees alone makes everything seem like a fairy tale.

After leaving Gramma, we made a quick stop in Savannah for some famous, delicious Leopold’s ice cream. I thought it was a super cute city, and I wish we could have gone on a carriage ride to see more. But we were scheduled to be in her sister city for dinner (& Charleston has those anyway ;))

Day 11-12: Charleston

Being in an actual city that doesn’t feel like a city is our kind of place. And Charleston, SC is just that. There are no skyscrapers; just old, beautiful buildings. And the ocean. And the most exquisite houses. And the best, most diverse food in the United States.

You could spend a month there and never be bored. We had been there before, and went back a few years later, and love it every time.

Things we’ve done in Charleston that I recommend:

– Carriage Tours – with so many wonderful, historical buildings to see, this gives you a quick, relaxing, informative way to do just that. My inner-child is groaning, but I swear it’s fun. Plus, they offer haunted Ghost Tours, if that’s more your thing.

– Historical City Market – this permanent indoor/outdoor fixture, located right in the heart of the city, is home to over 300 local vendors, offering art, crafts, homegoods, clothing, food, and anything else you could think of. You could easily spend hours there, if you wanted.

– Waterfront Park – they have a beautiful palmetto tree fountain, wooden swinging benches, and wild dolphins you can see from the pier.

Plus, it’s only 20 minutes away from Folly Beach. One of my sister-in-laws just so happened to be vacationing there for the week with her husband’s family, so we spent a night with them. Between the endless rooftop bars, street corn at Taco Boy, and fresh oysters at Bowen’s Island, I’m honestly surprised I’m not 200 lbs.

The beach is never crowded, and the whole area has more of a “local” feel rather than a touristy one… I’m not going to lie, we debated how necessary it was for us to be home in two days.

Day 13: Asheville

Our final plan was to go to Washington, D.C. Neither of us have ever been there, and it was right on the way home, so it seemed perfect. BUT we heard good things about Asheville, N.C. So, in true road tripper fashion, we spontaneously went there instead! And I am so happy we did.

Asheville is an awesome little hippy city right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, filled with antique shops and breweries. After shopping at a Farmer’s Market, trying some sour beer (which was a new thing back then!) and spending hours rummaging through antiques and vintage clothing (we might be hipsters…) we added Asheville to our “Return Here” list and took off on another one of America’s iconic drives.

There really could not have been a more perfect ending to Road Trip #2. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile elongated National Park with a single road going through it, specifically designed for “mountainous panoramic views.” Sure you can hike and bike and camp and all that great stuff, but the whole point of this park is to drive. 

I’ve said before, I love road trips because I get to experience a lot without having to physically do a lot. I like to think they made this park with that in mind.

We only drove a small part of it, but I would definitely go back and dedicate a day to seeing it all. It was unplanned, unexpected and completely breathtaking. 

Day 14: Home

I don’t recommend driving 10 hours in one day. Especially when you’re dreading the destination. Watching the landscape go from green to brown is one of the most depressing things in the world. (And I would know; I have an incurable chronic disease.) 

But, after a total of 4,393.5 miles & 14 states, we made it home as planned.

The good thing about that final drive home is that it does restore your motivation to go on another road trip! We’d just have to wait a year to do so.

 

– Find Road Trip #3’s post HERE –