Dateline: Bernardsville, NJ, September 3, 2014
I’m taking a solo vacation. No husband, no kids (well, one I’m going to visit along the way), no dog, no particular schedule. I’m very excited at the prospect of being responsible only for myself and to myself for the first time in 28 years. Last time I was responsible only for myself I had shackled myself to people and places I never thought to break free of- not the case now.
Of course, getting ready to be free requires a lot of planning and preparation. I feel like I am about to set off under cover of darkness to begin a journey on the Underground Railroad. I feel I have to set everything up so that my absence won’t be fatal to the husband, dog, house, and grown children. Absitively for sure when my husband and girls hit the road, they don’t give a millisecond’s thought to what they need to do to make my life sustainable in their absence. I do. I’m a mom. People are afraid they will miss us or need us if we leave. Funny story- My sister -in-law, Carol, told me that one day when her three kids were 6,5, and 3, she tried to duck out to the barn to feed the horses. The oldest stood forlornly in his socks and plaintively whined, “You can’t just LEAVE us…” But, there comes a time when we can, we should, we must.
I did all my chores and said goodbye to the dog, and decided to go a half day early and break up the trip. First destination-Dayton, Ohio. Doesn’t everybody dream of Dayton? My husband has already asked me twice when I’ll be back. But this is a major trip for 50 in the Fifties- I’m hoping to conquer Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
I was gifted a lovely sunny day and the drive was wonderful, miles sliding away into PA, The Alleghenies to the north in that memorable flat ridge, sometimes to the south too. I had the feeling my little dog, Morgan, was with me but then I remembered. He was disappearing into the couch with depression, wanted nothing to do with me as he saw me throw the bag in and he just knew I was leaving him. He’ll have to suck it up. This trip is for me and Em and Jen. Mostly me.
The rest stops were deserted, immaculate. I decided to go to a state park called Blue Knob, stretch my legs. Drove like 15 miles out of the way to get there and it too was deserted. It was the kind of place I could hear Phil saying- don’t hike alone here. I did it anyway for 30 min or so on a switchback trail. I was nervous about leaving the car. I made plans for how to keep the key if someone took my fanny pack. Then after the walk I remembered that Laura hiked all over New Zealand and South America, sometimes alone. Saw a couple of really beautiful barns and the clouds were huge and the lighting dramatic over them and the ridges and the corn were illuminated and the soybeans darkest of green. 
Got back on the highway- sun was in my eyes after a fashion and I stopped in Somerset, PA -which seemed fitting since that’s where I started- Somerset County, NJ. Found a Hampton Inn (my favorite) and it is hard by the Flight 93 memorial so I will see that at 9 tomorrow then head on. I think I have about 250 miles to go. Jen won’t be home till 4:30 so I should have time even with the late start. Can’t wait to see the National Road!