Research mode

Woke up this morning with that restless feeling that means I need to get out of the apartment and do something different. Jake suggested we drive somewhere we’ve never been, maybe find a hiking trail or a cute town to explore. Seemed simple enough until I realized I had no idea where to go.

Research mode

Two hours later, I’m knee-deep in MapQuest printouts, trail guides I borrowed from Sarah last month, and that stack of Virginia tourism brochures we grabbed at a rest stop forever ago. Jake keeps laughing at my ‘research mode’ but honestly, if we’re going to drive an hour somewhere, I want to make sure it’s worth it.

Detective mode: activated.

Found three potential spots that look promising - a state park with waterfalls, a historic town with antique shops, and this lake that supposedly has great swimming. Now comes the hard part: actually picking one and going instead of spending all day planning.

Update: We’re leaving in twenty minutes for the waterfalls. Sometimes you just have to close the guidebook and drive.