In My Mom Era

In case you missed the first go-round, it’s my birthday month!! And to celebrate 40, I’m jotting down 40 books I want to read and 40 places I want to go (that are actually attainable and not super unrealistic LOL).

My curious nature is front and center, and honestly, it always has been. Any place with a story, a history, beautiful scenery, or incredible buildings is exactly where I want to be on any given day.

Bringing my kids along for my crazy road-trip ideas is par for the course. As you can see with this post.
P.S. When I say “road trip,” I don’t mean a measly two or three hours away.

I mean LET’S GET OUTTA TOWN AND DRIVE 20 HOURS, BABY!!

So let’s hop right in and see where the road could take us!

1 — Nashville, Tennessee

I went to Nashville once—a very random side trip on the way to South Carolina because I wanted to stop and explore! But an hour is not nearly enough.

Especially when they have the American PARTHENON!!

Yes, the Parthenon. As in a full-scale replica of the one in Athens, Greece! From the pictures I keep seeing online, it looks fucking amazing. I NEED to see it in person! And so do my kids LOL.

An entire city to explore, with a little ancient Greece thrown in? Count me in.

2 – Sparta, Tennessee

I’m not sure what caught my eye first, HA—the opportunity to yell “THIS IS SPARTAAAAAA!!!!” or the absolutely STUNNING waterfalls at Burgess Falls State Park.

I still haven’t actually seen that movie, BTW. I caught the last 15 minutes and was like, eh, what’s the point now LOL?

Anywho, Burgess Falls sits along the Falling Water River and has four waterfalls. A hike with waterfall views sounds like a destination all by itself!

I’ll need to check the trail details before loading up the whole crew, but those pictures have already convinced me this belongs on the list.

3 – Detroit, Michigan

JOHN K. KING USED & RARE BOOKS.

I mean, do I really need to explain myself?

My TBR list is unhinged at best (see here LOL), and this bookstore has around ONE MILLION books spread across FOUR floors. I may need a week there alone.

Once I’ve properly explored the bookstore, the Detroit area has places I want to see that are a little better suited to the kids. Because I am NOT dragging my entire crew through a million books. They’d drive me up the wall in two minutes flat.

There’s a LEGOLAND Discovery Center in nearby Auburn Hills that looks right up their alley.

I think I’ll send Ty there with the kids while I peruse books.

Done. 😅

4 – Weston, West Virginia

Specifically, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

In case you missed it, I’m FASCINATED by the paranormal. Add a huge historic building with a complicated past, and I’ll be down a rabbit hole for days.
They offer GHOST TOURS.

So, I’ll be on my way, thank you!

Since Ty isn’t necessarily a fan of that “kind” of stuff, I need a plus-one. Who wants to tag along?!

Asking for a friend. 🧡

5 – Jefferson City, Missouri

I’ve lived in Missouri my whole life. I’ve driven through Jeff City probably a thousand times and have yet to actually stop and take in the sights!

Turning 40 seems like a perfectly logical reason to finally fix that.

There’s the Missouri State Penitentiary—again, GHOST TOURS LOL—the State Capitol, and the beautiful Carnahan Memorial Garden.

I’ve also read about fossils in the Capitol’s stone floors, which sounds like exactly the sort of detail that would have me wandering around staring at the ground.

Sometimes the places we keep passing deserve their own trip.

6 – Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinaw City is one of the gateways to Mackinac Island, and I’ve wanted to visit ever since Ty and his family told me about it eons ago!

The island’s automobile ban dates back to 1898. For visitors, getting around means walking, biking, or riding in a horse-drawn carriage.

YES, PLEASE.

Back on the mainland, there’s Colonial Michilimackinac, a reconstructed French fur-trading village and military outpost that later came under British control.

History, beautiful scenery, and horse-drawn carriages? You know I’m interested.

There’s also a place called Mystery Town, USA, in Mackinaw City that looks like something the kids would get a kick out of!

7 – Moab, Utah

Arches National Park.

I’ve heard SO many good things over the years about how stunning this place is, and I fully intend to see it for myself!

Seeing as I’m not driving all the way to Utah for just one stop, I’m also interested in Canyonlands National Park—go figure LOL—the dinosaur tracks and rock art along Potash Road, and a Colorado River jet boat tour.

Dec would LOVE the dinosaur tracks. ❤️

And seeing the canyon country from the river? That sounds amazing.

This is already turning into a whole itinerary, isn’t it?

8 – Las Vegas, Nevada

I’ve never been. 👀💔

Seriously, it’s true! I feel like it’s a rite of passage for so many people, yet I’ve never made it there.

I remember my mom going forever ago, missing her, and wanting to go SO badly!

Just walking the Strip is free, and do you know how many things I’d want to see along the way?!

The Bellagio fountains. The Venetian. Paris Las Vegas. New York-New York.

I feel like I could spend days just looking at buildings.

Do you know HOW MANY PICTURES I’D BE TAKING WITH MY CANON?!?!

I’m going to need extra batteries.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you’re interested, I use a CANON EOS Rebel – and I LOVE it – they have newer versions now, but I’m using mine till it’s a goner 😅

9 – The Florida Keys

The Overseas Highway stretches roughly 113 miles through the Keys and incorporates 42 bridges.

That’s a road trip in itself!!

And the drive is only the beginning.

There’s Hemingway’s home in Key West, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, the Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park, and Mallory Square.

Beautiful water, rescued sea turtles, literary history, and a road that practically begs you to keep exploring?

I mean, COME ON. ❤️

10 – New Orleans, Louisiana

I drove through once, but I would LOVE to actually stop and explore.

The architecture alone would keep my camera out constantly!

There’s the French Quarter, Storyland—a FAIRY-TALE PLAYGROUND 👀❤️—Mardi Gras World, and The National WWII Museum.

Then there are the stops for ME specifically.

Faulkner House Books, in a building where William Faulkner once lived.
And the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, housed in a MANSION, with a Carriage House Bookshop behind it that sells used books.

A mansion. A library. A carriage house full of books.

I mean… 🤣 ME!!

Now I Want to Pack the Car

And that’s this batch of 10!

After spending the past several hours researching these places—and knowing I’ve BARELY scratched the surface—I’m jonesing to get in the car right now.

Someday, SOON I HOPE, I’ll be headed to one of them. ❤️

Any of these catch your fancy? Better yet, tell me where you’ve been and what I absolutely shouldn’t miss!

I’m always open to suggestions, near or far.

Kelly