Next week, Ryguy and I are going on a vacation. It’s a short vacation (a four-day-weekend) but it’s still the first one I’ve ever been on. In my whole life. I’m defining a vacation as going to a place simply because you want to go there and not because there’s a specific event or to visit family or friends. When I was little, we went on one “family vacation” when we drove to Kalamazoo, Michigan to attend my cousin’s wedding. I mean, yeah, it was definitely a trip (in a few different ways). But this is a vacation–we’re going to this place just because we want to go to there. And I’m so excited. I feel more relaxed just thinking about it! Needless to say, it’s all we’ve been thinking about for some time.

We’re going to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which has been described as “quirky” on nearly every single website that I’ve pulled up while researching our trip. It’s five-ish hours away from McPherson, KS which is far enough away that you’re really leaving home but close enough that we won’t be spending half of the time driving. So that is a definite plus. But we will still be spending a substantial amount of time, together, in the car. Which makes this a legit road trip.

I have some serious road trip essentials. I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.
Snacks: Twizzlers (first and foremost), followed by something grainy (Kind bars), a bottle of water (Evian or Smartwater–my tummy is oddly particular about the kind of bottled water it likes to consume), and a bottle of Green Machine Naked Juice. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t go anywhere without a cup of coffee but if I’m going to be in the car for several hours… come on now.
Sound: A back-log of favorite podcasts. I like a good mix of something nerdy (Radio Lab) and something funny (Totally Married). And also some really good sing-along music. Sing-along music is pivotal for the times when you get extra-super sleepy and need to actively keep yourself awake. For me this is a good time to bust out Haim or some old old Tegan and Sara albums.
Proper attire: a sports bra (because the car is no place for an underwire), a softie (for me it’s a particular snuggly sweater), and slip-on shoes (because I’m a take-your-shoes-off kind of traveler).
And a well-packed purse within arm’s reach. Featuring a phone charger, lip balm, sunglasses, hand cream, magazines, and a journal.

I have to say that I feel ignorant and judgmental to just now be realizing there are things of worth not far from here. When you think of Arkansas, beautiful mountains and tree-house cottages and quirky museums (there’s that word again) and cave exploration don’t immediately come to mind. At least it didn’t for me. But once I started researching our trip I was feeling so excited. Not just because we’re definitely going to have fun, but also because it really inspired me to look for the great things that really are close by! I mean, our part of the US is often referred to as “fly-over country” but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing of worth here. And so I’m excited to find out about it.

In that same vein, I happened upon this website/ app that helps you to make the most out of your roadtrip. We just plugged in where we’re going and where we’re leaving from and it gave us a bunch of suggestions of fun places to check out between here and there. It’s like we’re constantly learning in yoga–it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

Can you fill me in on your road trip essentials?
And also can you recommend a good audio book? Something that will appeal to me (a lover of character studies) and him (a nerdy guy with a taste for mysteries)??

xoxo, lib