This summer, I got in my car and drove from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin to visit my son. This was my first solo cross-country road trip. Yes, I know it wasn’t the whole country. It was only half the country. But, I went through multiple states and it was halfway across the country. Good enough lol. As I drove west, I felt like I was chasing the sun. It started getting dark around 9pm. I was also treated to a few firework displays.

I left on a Friday after work and drove halfway, stopping in Cleveland, OH. As I want to travel more, hotel costs are not always going to be in my favor, so I decided to car camp that night. Using the app, iOverlander, I found what would be a cute park that someone said they parked overnight at and had no issues. Well, my first attempt at car camping? I got that dreaded knock on the window from a police officer.

He asked if everything was ok and how long I’d been there. I had my camping fan going, so I took that down and cracked the window as it was POURING out. Thankfully I also had newly installed rain guards so I could talk comfortably with him. I explained that I was traveling from PA and only stopped for a few hours before getting back on the road to WI. He advised there was no overnight parking and if I was good to move on, I had to go. BTW, there were NO signs saying no overnight parking. I drove the entire park specifically looking. But I said ok and moved on. For those who are worried about my two hours of sleep, I did end up stopping at a rest stop on I-90 to rest for another hour and a half.

It’s been too long my son!

A little over 14 hours later, I finally saw my son after not hugging him for over a year. This was the longest we had ever been apart and I missed him like crazy! I was there with him for three days before moving on to my next destination. He still had to work and I had to start working my way back home after a few stops. Stay tuned for those posts. I’ll link them here after they’re posted.

We hung out, I finally met my grand kitties, and we even did things we used to do when he was at home such as driving around neighborhoods pointing out our favorite homes, and going to the movies. He and his boyfriend took me out to dinner, breakfast, and their favorite places and we even went to their favorite bar to see my first Drag Show. I absolutely LOVED IT!

Bucket List

When I left there, I drove to Historic Route 66 in Dwight, IL. It has been a bucket list item of mine to drive on this road. Even if only for a mile or two. Bucket list item achieved! I do plan on writing up a new bucket list and seeing what I can accomplish before my disability makes me stop.

After driving down Historic Route 66, another bucket list item is to try and go to all 50 states. I don’t know if I will be able to do this, but on this trip alone, three states were unlocked! Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky. I drove to Louisville, KY. Getting there later in the evening, I just door-dashed dinner and called it a night. The next morning, I went to the Louisville Slugger Museum. This is a must-see! The tours are around 35-40 minutes long with the guide giving information and watching videos. You get to see bats being made. It was a little hot in there. I did go in July! So be prepared. It costs around $25 and I think well worth it! Tours start every 10 minutes.

After leaving Louisville, I drove to the state capital, Charleston, WV. I absolutely love West Virginia. I’m a mountain girl through and through and some of the views were simply the best. Their saying “As close to Heaven as you’ll ever get” is SO accurate. I stayed one evening here and got to see the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. This is a carnival, concert, and other fun things to do. Everyone who had boats were out in force!

As I was in my seventh-week post infusion, I must say, I didn’t do too bad on this 2100-plus-mile road trip. When I toured my son’s boyfriend’s work campus, we did have to stop quite a few times. They were patient and really saw for the first time what this disability did to me. We had a blast together and though I missed them like crazy, I had a fantastic time on the rest of my solo cross-country road trip. I will definitely be doing more of them and cannot wait to share my stops with you all!

Have or do you solo travel? What are your favorite places? Comment below or on my Facebook Page!

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