Road Trip Day 3

The first and most important stop:

This is the bakery that Jami's parents own. I've heard many a tale about this bakery! And here I was in Bedford, Indiana where the magic happens. I had to!

In the back of that picture is a hallway that leads to the room where I had my first ever CREME filled Long John and learned how to make Peanut Butter No Bakes!

After leaving with goodies for the road (literally) I made it to my fifth state!

I had to hang up on my friend Greta and nearly miss my exit to get that picture. But it was worth it. This is where I imagine fancy racing horses are born:

I had planned on only stopping once in Tennessee, but I made a spontaneous decision to check out a local Kentucky distillery!

What surprised me the most at the tasting was how well the bourbon whiskey went with the chocolate they had for us to nibble on. It was actually delicious and smooth.

After getting crunk with my distillery tour mates (all at least over 50) I was headed to Market Square in Tennessee!

I would be willing to drive around Tennessee for my life. It was gorgeous! Even the Market Square in downtown!

I didn't have much time for dinner, so I essentially shoveled a BBQ chicken flatbread for dinner. Thanks Blue Coast Bar & Grill!

The great thig about the border of Tennesee and North Carolina? You essentially drive through these lush mountains! It's so pretty and very enjoyable driving!

And in the middle of all these mountains you cross over into

Hardly readable, but it says North Carolina!

By the time I got to North Carolina the sunlight was growing dimmer and I just wanted to get there. I know, I know! It's all about the journey not the destination. But, I'd gone on the distillery tour? Doesn't that mean I carpe'd enough diem?

If you're wondering, I made it.

Road Trip Day 2

Today I had a shorter driving distance, but I had a nice long stop to break it up!

First:

It was so nice to cross into the fourth state of the trip! And pretty early on I might add.

I finally gave in and stopped at one of those Amish furniture place.

Maybe this one was a particularly spendy one, but it wasn't worth it for me! Although on this same stop I went into one of those Fireworks! Outlet places and got to use their bathroom! That was worth it for me.

I really wanted to experience a little bit of Jami's past so I made sure to stop at:

Indiana University is a beautiful campus!

That's like, fifty yards from a decently busy road. It feels like you're walking in a forest. Also, If you're ever in Bloomington you should check out this bar! They had an awesome patio in the front and the back!

As you can tell Kilroy's on Kirkwood, or KOK, was a pretty happening spot. Also, one of the schools in the University was having a graduation. Kind of weird feeling so removed from college (despite the summer internship) and seeing so many recent graduates in their cap and gowns.

It was a quick drive to get to Jami's parents! They were so kind and friendly! Letting me stay in their guest bed and treating me so nice! Including the dogs.

I had requested pizza from Chef Stroud, because Jami makes his recipe, but I wanted it from the creator himself:

Terrible picture, but delicious pizza.

I got two treats tonight! One in the form of ice cream. More specifically a PUPPY CHOW Cyclone!

The second treat comes with a story. Before Wednesday of last week I worked part time at a bookstore. I would normally wear jeans and never noticed them looking grubby or gross. One day I branched out and tried to do "fashion." I bought a pair of light pink jeans. After the first day of kneeling on them once every 30 minutes to put books away, or check the hold shelf or all the other things you do at a bookstore, the knees were covered in dirt and grime. So I chucked them in the wash hoping that would solve it. Apparently that just sets the stain in even more! Jami specifically told me to bring my jeans to her mother because her mom loves laundry challenges. Well, Momma Stroud did not disappoint!

I'm going to be wearing them tomorrow.

Road Trip Day 1

For those of you who don't know yet, I'm driving to North Carolina! Wahoo! I have a summer internship and I need to get there somehow. My method is through an automobile. #throwback

First I needed gas. And thanks to my friend Mackenzie and the gas card she gifted me it didn't cost me anything!

And here's when I legitimately started crying thinking, "this is the last time I'll drive on White Bear Avenue before leaving!"

Obviously I wasn't really crying about the driving. It was more about leaving what was familiar and heading into the unknown and blah blah blah.

My last day in Minnesota meant goodbye to The Alley for the summer so I attended church one last time. Right after a Taco Bell visit with Jami. One last pre-church breakfast Crunchwrap (Bacon, if you want to know).

And because I put things off I had to go to my friend Esther's house so her mom could check my TB test and confirm it was negative. Which I suspected given that I've never had TB and wasn't showing any of the symptoms. Her mom had made lunch so I enjoyed my first ever popover!

As my friend Hannah would hashtag #homemadeisbestmade.

There was nothing to do after that visit except head out on my journey! Driving over the St. Croix River I said goodbye to Minnesota.

Somewhere along the drive I passed this beautiful scene. #Murica

I drove almost straight to Madison. I stopped a little bit before to try and stretch my legs in a state park, but it would have cost $10 so I got back on the highway.

My friend Brynn called me when I was a half hour outside of Madison! For those of you who don't know, Brynn attended UW- Madison so it's like, cool that she called when she did, okay?

I stopped at one of my favorite bookstores to compare and contrast with the one I'm used to in Minnesota.

I started driving past some really beautiful farm land. I found it so pretty, especially around sunset.

And then. I finally made it. On some fairly small country road I pulled over to snap a picture.

I spent the night with a friend from Youth Encounter. It was so nice to catch up on each other's lives. And she said she'd be okay if I stop by on my way back to Minnesota at the end of the summer.

I genuinely enjoy staying in people's homes. For now I kind of enjoy driving by myself. I can listen to what I want and stop wherever I want to. Sing along to Taylor Swift, or drive in silence talking to myself. But I think I would be really lonely if I had to stay in a hotel by myself. For me, after a long day's drive, I loved staying up chatting with a friend.