Road Trip 2024/25 - A Journey of Love and Self Reflection - and WHITE KNUCKLES!

December 28th 2024, I left in Natasha for my 1st serious road trip alone..

FL-GA-KY-PA-NC-FL

My uncle passed away in December, and I wasn't able to attend the funeral, so Uncle Dave inspired a road trip....to see family, his kids, my parents in GA with a NYE celebration, an old high school friend whose wife died 3 years ago, see my bestest friend and her husband in KY, and time to reflect on the past year.

My adventure took me into below freezing temps, a beautiful (although not fun snowstorm), and an ice storm. When I made it up my cousin's driveway in PA, after a very long drive from KY, through some intense weather, the first thing I said was "I did it!" That exhilarating, been white knuckling, holding your breath, grinding your teeth, holy crap "I did it" feeling. Were there tears? Do you even know me if you have to ask? Relief, exhaustion, and dare I say - PRIDE. No sidekick, no ride or die, and no help driving.

After 6 days of consistent snow, there was a 1 day window to hop in Natasha and head south to outrun a major snow storm that was heading East across the US from LA to the Atlantic Ocean. BOY did I drive. East in PA to MD and south to NC, where I finally stopped at KOA Rocky Mount. Steve was my weatherman and copilot from afar - sending me weather updates, radar screenshots, and helping me figure out where I could stop. Also, calling at 7:15 am the next morning to make sure I was up and ready to head south again. While I didn't completely miss the head of the storm, I sure missed the worst of it - only hitting an hour worth of snow, rain, and falling ice.

This trip was rounded out by spending a night at Roxanne's and then 2 nights in Spring Hill with my family.

Most of my road trips are invigorating, inspiring, and centering. When I took this trip, I thought it would be like the others. It wasn't. Instead, I found some closure, some peace, some love, a few laughs, a few drinks, and a few tears. All journeys are necessary for growth - personally and professionally. Sometimes what we need and what we think we need are not in alignment but necessary all the same. Rainbows shine because of the rain, Tears are cleansing. Tough conversations required. A good storm cleanses the air.

So, laugh, cry, dance, love, and Bee Crazy - 1 mile at a time!

Yours in Sunshine and Rain - Sandee a.k.a. Crazy Lady!