Direct routes turned scenic

So the past couple weekend, I've turned a few hour drives into scenic trips. I like this pattern emerging.

Last weekend I camped in Hanging Rock State Park. Its about a 3 hour drive from my place, so got out there Friday and was going to mosey back Saturday. Well mosey back turned into swinging also by Mt Pilot State Park (just under an hour away, in the opposite direction) and then deciding to take the non-direct way back. That would have been how I got there; US-52 to I-40, a straight shot home.

Instead I took I-74 south to US-64, and took that straight back. It added probably 2-3 hours to the trip, going further west and south than I needed to, but it was a different drive.


Today I went to Danville to look at a possible popup camper. The camper was in terrible shape so it didn't come with, but being done with the viewing at 4pm, I had plenty of time to head back. Instead of the straight shot back, I decided to go east through VA (a route I haven't made before) then straight south back home. Well heading south ended up going further south so I could loop back north.

I took I-40 to NC-86 there, which took just under 2 hours. Going back was pushing 5 hours; US-58 through VA to US-15, right at Kerr Lake. Took that south through Oxford, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro to Sanford where I took US-420 east to Lillington where I took US-401 north home.




I'm realizing that theses scenic spontaneous trips are good for the soul. It helps that I am in no rush to get home, but its nice to just decide 'I haven't gone that direction before, lets see whats that way' and go. The next girl I find needs to be ok with that (and embrace it!) or there will be head butting.

I need a good navigator. She doesn't have to help the entire time, nor does she have to take the wheel; she just needs to encourage me, keep me sane, and be good company. She can be in her own world, bug me all she wants, or even help or lead in navigation, so long as she stays in the passenger seat and we make it home safe and sound. Sounds like what I'm wanting in a relationship too...