Day 16: Life happens when you sit still, or when you drive, but riding is the best!! This is what I think as I crawl into the backseat as we head off for Mammoth caves. I’ve driven the first leg and am completely content to let Megan and Valerie take me wherever they wish (in this case on a tour de Indiana and Kentucky). The cave proves to be quite the tourist trap, and a turkey strutting across the road provides significantly more excitement. We are easily amused.
Extracting entertainment from thin air continues as we head off to Mt Juliet to spend the evening with the Stone family. Regina (Messiah ‘07) guides us to her home (since Mapquest has failed.) We enjoy our evening reminiscent of a teenage sleepover (pizza, icecream, girly movie, bridal shows, talking into the night.)
Day 17: The next day, after an excellent southern style breakfast made by Mrs. Stone, we make our plans to go into Nashville. A country music extravaganza is taking place, and our team (with Regina and sister in tow) decides to soak up the local feel by touring the state museum and wandering the packed streets. Nothing like some live music with cowboy hats and matching boots! Needless to say, no one changed their music preferences, and we left the city really grateful for free parking.
Day 18: We decide to spend an extra night so we can attend church with the Stone family on Sunday. After church we hit the road again for a long drive to Kelly’s home in Aroda, VI. We practice our timely pit stops, lose an hour with dignity (transition from Central to Eastern time zone) and arrive safely at Kelly’s home. Her family has reserved a local clubhouse for us, and supplied us with all the creature comforts. We swap stories about Kelly and lament her being in New Hampshire as we enjoy burgers, dogs and birthday cake from a celebration for Kelly’s niece earlier in the day.
Day 19: With Philly hours north and east of our current location, the morning begins bright and early. We leave our spacious accommodations and meet Gavin, Kelly’s adorable year old nephew, and her mother for a quick breakfast before getting back on the highway. It has been wonderful to see Kelly’s area, but bitter sweet because she’s not here to share the joy.
As we zip in and out of homes, I’ve been struck by the diversity apparent in the families we met throughout the trip. Watching daughters and sons interact with their parents, husbands and wives talk to each other, their children, and us, along with their unique hospitality responses to our team’s need for room and board. They’ve come from a variety of backgrounds, with some connection to our team, though it might be a friend or a relative who knows one of us. No two families respond in the same fashion. Some sit and talk with us extensively, some give us space and solitude. Some cook dinner, some buy us breakfast, and some order pizza from the local shop. I’ve loved each experience, and sincerely appreciated the gracious hosts who accepted our flaws (and frequent tardiness) with open arms. It encourages me to see people using their homes to welcome guests, and I look forward to the day when I too can open my door to a weary traveler.
