Let’s GO

A narrative and challenge of road tripping with a loved one.

This week me and my mom went on a spurt of the moment college road trip. First stop was to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. We decided to goon this trip the day of and I did not schedule my official Belmont tour until 8 that night. At 8 o’clock we started looking for hotels. We eventually found one and headed out of the door.

We arrived in Nashville at midnight, checked in, and we to sleep. it was a harsh awakening at 6 the next morning. We had to shower, eat breakfast, and get to Belmont when we had no clear idea of where we were. The room was a little gross, but we had a bed that slept 2 and that’s all that mattered. it took me almost an hour just to roll out of the bed so I was running around getting ready. I ran so fast that we were almost on time for our tour. This tour was extravagant. We started at 8 and we left around 2. It consisted of speakers, a walking tour, a tour of the specific college you had intentions of entering, a great lunch, and then some self exploration with ourselves.

After this we were supposed to head on our way to Wingate, North Carolina. Instead we ventured off and drove through music row, stopped in downtown Nashville, walked around at the fake parthenon, and then went into the Opryland hotel for a couple hours. After time for dinner we decided we should probably get going since we were nowhere near North Carolina. Off we went, not knowing where we were going to sleep or what we were doing next.

Around 10 o’clock my mom tells me to call dad and ask him to find us a hotel close to Asheville. I say okay and call him. She then talks to him and I go to sleep. Next thing I know I am abruptly awaken hours later to go inside our hotel for the night. I almost wanted to just stay in the car asleep but I somehow managed to drag myself up to the next room. this one was even nicer and I sat myself right down on the bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

I slept in this morning but somehow still made it to breakfast. I met my mom at breakfast and it was quite delicious. While in breakfast I truly realized how much we had been going because i did not know what state we were in. I turned to my mom and asked, “Mom what state are we even in?” The older women behind us laughed and my mom responded with, “actually I have no idea.” To which the older women answered for us telling us that we were still in Tennessee and still outside of Asheville. Realizing this meant that we had a good bit left of driving. On we went to Wingate, North Carolina.

We made it eventually, after our failed attempt at trying to see the Biltmore Mansion and getting my mom to eat at Cookout for the first time! Since we scheduled a later tour then everyone else I was alone on this tour of this small college tour. College tours can be rough but it really wasn’t that bad. The campus was small enough that I was barely winded. We discussed the scholarship they offered me, walked around, and hen left to come home we thought. Instead we went to the Olympic training center for whitewater kayaking and had dinner. This place was truly remarkable. The facility had rock climbing, rafting, hiking trails, and a 3-4 hour canopy zip lining adventure. All of which I would have loved to of done if we did not arrive late. Since we were late, we ate our fancy dinner, walked around, and then decided we should probably get going.

On our way home we knew we would not make it all the way home and it was pointless to stop 2 hours form the house. Because of our timing we decided why not stop and see another college. I pulled up colleges on our route home and found Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. I pulled up there website signed up for a tour and Greenville was our next stop. This was the earliest we made it to a hotel the whole time. It felt late but we were comfortably laying on the hotel beds by 10 o’clock, exhausted. We had no idea what Furman was like or really any information at all. When we arrived we realized how fancy Furman was. They had beautiful fountains on there perfectly landscaped campus along with nice golf carts for everyone to load onto after refreshment and information. This campus was beautiful but almost too nice for me so we left early to head home for real.

In our tour at Furman they talked about the waterfalls of downtown Greenville so ultimately me and my mom had to find them. It was a truly extraordinary waterfall because it was dead in the center of downtown. I brought my camera and documented this adventure. I climbed on part of the rocks to get to the center of the waterfall and loved every second. My mom saying back and taking pictures while I am being reckless. This trip to downtown Greenville ended up being the highlight of my trip. The randomness of finding this waterfall, enjoying the weather, and bonding was great and it would not of happened if we had stuck to a set plan. Sometimes doing the unexpected or just going on a random road trip is some of the best moments you will cherish.

• I therefore challenge who ever is reading to take a trip or do something you normally would not with someone you love. you will not regret it. I promise you will love it, based on expeirience.