#RSRSeesTheUSA Day 6: AL-MS-TN
In a fit of impulsivity last night, I booked myself into an Airstream trailer Airbnb in Memphis, TN for tonight. Was it more than I’m trying to budget per night? Yep. Am I glad I did it? Hell yes!
I’m finding that it makes a huge amount of difference to me to have a destination at the end of a driving day that I’m actively looking forward to. When I was moving to Aspen, I remember having a conversation with a wise friend/colleague who said that—provided the money is actually there to support it—use that money to find a nice apartment that would be a soothing home haven in a time of all kinds of newness.
She was talking about an apartment to rent and live in, and when I took her advice, my Aspen apartment turned out to be one of my favorite things about the time I lived there.
It’s now advice on my mind again as I travel from place to place, mostly staying only one night at each stop. To have a place to stay that I’m eagerly looking forward to reaching is becoming its own joy on this trip. And instead of only and always prioritizing cheapest options, I’m working on not feeling guilt about opting for places that will bring a smile to my heart.
That doesn’t always have to be a funky Airbnb. I’m looking forward to sleeping in the back of Stella and/or camping on this trip, too. And I’m looking forward to staying with a few friends along the path.
But I really do love perusing and finding funky, offbeat temporary homes to be in for these few hours. It’s something I can give myself along the way… paying attention to my emotional state and knowing that it’s OK to do something that may feel decadent if it’s also going to make me feel comforted.
I’m enjoying the rhythm that I’m developing of driving about a max of 5 hours in a day and arriving in the new spot by the middle of the afternoon, in time for a wander and dinner somewhere in my short-term base.
Also coming to be enjoyable: stopping for my bio breaks to pee/stretch/refill my water bottle at the tourist welcome centers just across state lines into somewhere new. Today’s in Mississippi was by far the nicest, for its setting, its architecture, its interior decorating homeyness, and the friendliness of its staff, who gave me great recommendations about traveling and weather and Tammy Wynette.
Weather of the day: It’s not really a cloud, but WTH, I drove into Mississippi to find the expected trees beginning to flower, but also temps in the 30s and snow on the ground!
Fuel cost of the day: HIGH! 😳😬
