Exactly one month from today, Chris and I will embark upon our voyage across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and into Kentucky, where we shall meet up at a designated spot (if all goes correctly) with brother Ray and sister-in-law Cheryl Jean. Thus begins what for me is one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel. The pre-trip phase. The part full of ideas, planning, and loads of enthusiasm.
This started on Saturday with Brother telling me about the tour of a distillery that sends it's bourbon (in barrels) on a ship around the world as part of the aging process. Who doesn't want to learn more about that? Which led to looking at a map, spotting a botanical garden and hearing about "The Hot Brown". And just like that, the folder is filling up. Maybe with more stuff than we will ever be able to accomplish. Knowing full well that in our family we change plans at the drop of a hat and absolutely never feel bad about skipping something in the name of 'enough is enough'.
This phase of the trip, where the rooms have been booked and loose plans have been made, but no highway signs have yet been missed resulting in detours, or other foibles like that, may be my favorite part. A local book store has been found to visit, with an art gallery around the corner, a cemetery to explore, a yarn shop to investigate... and the best part is we are driving. Which means I can buy as many books, paintings, skeins of yarn, and bottles of bourbon as I need. Eating Dixie pie, telling stories, and laughing are also on the list. Lots of laughing. Until we cry. And maybe howl. But hopefully not wet our pants.