Laughs, Landmarks & Long Roads: 10 Days Together

 Nebraska Road Trip – Day One: Bears, Brisket & Buc-ee’s

We were up before the sun this morning—waaay before. I rolled out of bed at 3:00 a.m. (because let’s be honest, someone had to check the list again), and by 4:00 a.m. the rest of the gang was stirring. Mark and Susan pulled into the driveway around 5:30-ish, and with the van packed tighter than a Buc-ee’s parking lot, we were officially rolling out by 6:00 a.m.

First stop: Dunkin’ in Waynesboro.
Mark, bless him, came in the wrong way and gave the curb a little love tap. So we now refer to it as “Curb Service with Mark.” Coffee secured, caffeine flowing, we hit the road.

Next stop: Humpback Covered Bridge
We couldn’t pass up this charming little slice of history. It’s the oldest remaining covered bridge in Virginia—and the photo ops were too good to resist.

Susan took over the driving after visit to the Humpback Bridge and we were cruising down I-64 near Green Sulphur Springs, WV. While the rest of us were buried in our phones, Susan hollers, “BEAR!” Heads popped up just in time to see a little black bear scurry into the woods. First bear in the wild for all of us. Big win for Day One!

He looked just like this 😉

We made a stop at Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley, WV
This place was really neat—local West Virginia artists, handmade everything, and a great little stop to stretch our legs. We left with a fire truck and a frog made out of West Virginia coal. Because, of course we did.

They have this out side their door for the dogs. Such a nice idea.

Lunch? Wendy’s in Marmet, WV.

Quick and easy. Refueled and back on the road.

Next big stop: Buc-ee’s in Richmond, KY

It’s like Disneyland for travelers. Gas pumps for days (literally—we lost count), spotless restrooms, and chopped brisket sandwiches that hit the spot. We sat in the van to eat because there are no tables—“shop and go,” we said. Mark got gas for $2.59, which became the brag of the day since Susan and I had been gas-price spotting for hours.😂

PS:If you are friends with Michael he has a Live from Buc-ee's on Facebook. 

Tonight’s stop: Louisville, KY
We checked into our hotel and then made a very important detour—Graeter’s Ice Cream. If you know me, you know I love this stuff so much I literally have it shipped to me at home. I treated myself to a scoop of each of my favorites: Black Raspberry Chip and Black Cherry. Worth. Every. Bite. 

Now it's back to the hotel to rest up. Day 2 of our road trip to Nebraska awaits!
Stay tuned…