Chasing Adventure
Sometimes we just need to get away, take a break, ground ourselves. As humans we get caught up in being in constant motion and burn our fires until we finally fall out. As long as I can remember, there has always been something about the open road, driving with no 'destination', only a general direction and pure adventure to seek. My favorite thing to see when on a road trip, "Look Mom, NOTHING!"
"Nothing" to me is actually quite something. It is where our truest energies are created.
Captain's Log
Saturday
October 6,2012
Saturday
October 6,2012
Side by side, we set out for our adventure. The general direction of NNE was decided upon. Using a map, which I insist upon and my dad's Army issue compass by my side, we were off. Of course we stopped for breakfast and more importantly, COFFEE! Struggling to think first thing in the morning, we finally decided on Fiddlestix, where in deed we woke up.
Onward!
While driving in through Tampa we decided to get off at US HWY 301 to see what we could find. As I checked the map for off beaten county roads we drove by Hillsborough River State Park. It is always tempting to pull into any park for us, but we pushed on. Rolling upon Ridge Manor we spotted a thrift store, and asked if I wanted to stop. Before I could even get the yes out of my mouth, he was already in mid turn. I am starting to think that I have created a monster with thrifting, which you will not hear me complain about. The store smelled of old moth balls, but everything was so well displayed, clean and organized. I always walk through the kitchen stuff first, then furniture and so on. We were able to pick up some neat goodies such as Ball Mason jars, about 30 of them and a nice side table for a couple bucks. Excited, we loaded the car with our new treasures. The anticipation of what else we would find started to take over.
We pressed on.
Our travels continued north on US HWY 301 for quite some time and just for a little game, I allowed the GPS to tell us where to go. Immediately we were en route to the interstate. I wanted nothing to do with the highway, so I navigated the journey to CR48 where were stopped for gas and snacks. It was at the last minute that it was decided to take CR 48 EAST and see where it takes us. We went straight on.
We came to SR35 where I sounded off orders of further driving instruction. I was really enjoying the animation of the clouds when suddenly he hits the breaks and does a rapid U-turn with a lot of hullabaloo We pulled off to the side of the road. He has such an amazing eye for things that are hidden. I grabbed my camera and his hand, and off we walked toward a gate to a new adventure in the book of Chris and Tanya.
We headed toward the house we saw in the slight distance taking in the new surroundings, the clean air, the aroma of cow patties filled the air. There was something very ere about the silence within the trees, as if they were listening. We grew more excited with every step!
The slightly moist dirt beneath our feet encapsulated the freshness of the recent rain. The trees that surrounded us seemed to be very well placed. The trees were large, covered with Spanish moss embracing their limbs and I was now in a bit of Heaven and not a living soul in sight. He was now walking slightly ahead as if the open door was calling his name. I noticed to the left of me (next to the house) stood of striking, bare tree. No reaching branches, no waving leaves, only the delicately displayed moss. Suddenly, I felt as if we were being watched. I noticed a small opening in the second floor window, but dismissed it as my mind playing tricks on me.
I caught up to him as our adventure was becoming more interesting! I felt like we were in the midst of a Tim Burton-esk film.
What appeared to be the front door, was open and inviting us in. Some of the steps were falling inward and pieces of the porch were missing, but we wanted in.
I could visualize 3 men sitting in rocking chairs on this porch. Two black men drinking iced cold sweet tea and a white man in overalls and a pipe, sharing stories back and forth.
He stepped over the threshold. The excitement continued to grow!
The room immediately to the right was suprisingly cooler in temperature, with the curtains still hanging nicely.
We found many things scattered about, a shelf, a heater, pieces of a lamp fixture, a desk, some papers and the coolest of all was the old refrigorator. Chris and I both felt the joy running through our veins, it was the much needed adventure that our souls have been craving.
We always imagine who was there before us, what took place where we stood. We often get lost in time thinking about it! A photo, a toothbrush, a piece of stationary; who was in the pictures, who did they write letters to? I enjoy preserving history, no matter how insignificant to one, it was significant to someone. We looked at each other eager to continue our adventure.
We headed back toward the car where we would figure out which way we wanted to go next. We drove through some country roads, watching the clouds dance in harmony. We found Antioch Cemetery off a dirt road, which was being secured by a flock of vultures and hawks.
We ended up seeing a sign of grapes, which led us to Royal Manor Winery, after Google Maps (which I think I mentioned, I detest digital mapping) tried to lead us astray to a dead end dirt road, where I think they taped some sort of Rob Zombie horror movie.
The winery was well worth the drive in itself. I will follow up with a separate blog on the winery, as it deserves the spotlight!
At the end of the day, we now just wanted to be home. We thought driving our way through Gainesville would be a novel idea. If there is anytime to be a college football fan, this would have been the best time. LSU vs Gators game just letting out, and oh by the way, GATORS WON to a sold out stadium. I believe sold out capacity is like 2 trillion people! We got through without too much damage, just a lot of extra laughs, thanks Derrek for the laughs.
