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Lula Harp

~ one girl's journey into cooking, crafting and self discovery

Lula Harp

Tag Archives: vacation

Solo Adventures

14 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by Lula Harp in vacation

≈ Comments Off on Solo Adventures

Tags

breweries, Brushy Mountain, distilleries, Gatlinburg, road trip, solo, summer, Tennessee, Travel, vacation, waterfalls

I’m part of a fb group for women solo travelers. Most of what is posted is all about far off adventures and leaving their own continent. While that’s awesome, getting out in your own backyard can be just as fun and beneficial for the soul. This is just a few of the things I did, and that occurred to me, while I was tooling through the backroads of rural Tennessee.

I just got back from a road trip plus family vacation. The road trip part was just for me. Whenever I travel for family trips, I do research to see what’s in the area that I want to do. I found all sorts of things along the way to checkout. I took two days to drive the distance everyone else rushed to do in one.

I have a fun family, but we do all have different things we are interested in. This particular trip, we went to Gatlinburg, TN. Not somewhere I would have ever picked to go. I got on the google and found things I wanted to see in the area and was able to get out for a few solo adventures, as well as be the guide for a few family outings. Ultimately, as long as you come back together at the end of the day, it’s a win.

Don’t be afraid to take some time for yourself. Leave mom at home with the siblings or the baby while you get out for a hike they have no interest in. If your family is easily offended, sell it like you are doing this for their benefit. I really want to make sure you have some time with brother so y’all can talk about his recent breakup.

You can also travel solo without even leaving town. Get dressed up and dine at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. While dining and food is generally a communal experience, eating out alone is self esteem building and you get to try what YOU want. There’s no one to judge your choices.

Take a weekend all for yourself. Google something you are interested in, such as antiquing or thrift stores, junk yards, cemeteries, breweries, distilleries, and wineries (that’s mine), diners, public murals… you name it. Find one that is two to three hours away and go the longest, most backroad way you can. If you see something along the way that you want to stop and view, DO IT! This is your trip.

When you read an article in your local or regional magazine, save places of interest. Google has a “want to go” flag. When you are planning your trip, look for that as a starting point for your adventure.

My vacation was 8 days, 4 for me, 4 with them. I hit 4 breweries, 5 distilleries, 2 wineries, a historic prison, a bbq joint, and 2 waterfalls. I also found so many things I need to go back to checkout, including a town that was part of the Manhattan Project, countless antique shops, and more distilleries.

Traveling solo is an empowering, learning adventure. Your goal for traveling solo is your own. Just remember, you don’t have to spend thousands or fly far away to benefit from a little solo travel.

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Gallery

A new year and a year in review…

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by Lula Harp in 365project, just a thought

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

family, food, Memphis, music, new year, vacation, wine

This gallery contains 39 photos.

I know I’ve written about this before, but I’m still so surprised by how much where I live feeds, and …

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Quality time w Mom

03 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Lula Harp in family

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

lunch, mother, Porcellino's, vacation

 

Quality time w Mom by Lula Harp
Quality time w Mom, a photo by Lula Harp on Flickr.


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Habit

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Lula Harp in photo challenge

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

crazy life, dog, exhaustion, frisbee, habit, relaxation, vacation, walk, wordpress weekly photo challenge

I have been wanting to write for awhile, but finding what to say has been hard.  I hit a wall this past winter.  Too much life, too much work, too much bacon (what?!).  I was feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and fat.  I needed a break and I got it.

I was off work for four months and in that time I went on 2 vacations.  The second one, which I was most resistant to go on, was the most restorative.  A week of pampering and relaxation was just what my sad soul needed to find it’s center.  That trip alone is worth it’s own post.

Now easing back into the craziness of my “normal” life has been it’s own challenge.  In my time off I made some decisions that have been brewing for awhile.  Now I just have to take the time and steps to put all of these things in their proper places.  In the meantime though, I am happy to be back here.

I’m coming back with the Weekly Photo Challenge A) because I have been going through lots of picture files lately and have found all sorts of things I want to post and B) I thought this topic was quite fitting for me.

I am a creature of habit.  Coe is like her mama.  She remembers what time of day we do things, she knows the way to the park, she has a favorite path through the park, and she even has a favorite toy to take to the park.  Our best habit and one she annoyingly makes me do most days is getting up and going for our morning walks.  Monday through Friday, we walk in the dark on a pretty well lit route.  Weekends and days off we take a more leisurely route.  She reads the neighborhood gossip and I enjoy my coffee.  Our mornings out are a nice habitual way to start the day.

ring around coe

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Summer vacation

18 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by Lula Harp in just a thought

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

vacation

Oh how time flies! I cannot believe this year is more than half over!  Since my summer vacation began three weeks ago, I have caught up on months of lost sleep.  I have been sorting through pictures, notes, and recipes bringing my brain back to it’s creative center.

I have had lots of cocktails, giggled with the girls, started to clean out the basement, and cooked some yummy stuff. I’m also planning a road trip and getting excited more each day as my departure approaches.

I am feeling refreshed and human again. I hate that I have neglected Lula and her divine dishes. But, there are recipes coming. Sorry, no dating stories, but lots of yummy recipes.

Hooray to summer!

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oh what a beautiful morning…

09 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by Lula Harp in Portland

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

British commercial, Mt Hood, Portland, V8, vacation, weather

yes, the little song should be running through your head.  After coming home from vacation, I was a little grumpy.  Who knows if it was a pork-hangover, coming home to a dirty house not of my doing, or just the cold harsh reality of vacation being over.  I do know that I was very worried about coming home to Oregon’s all-too-famous RAIN.  I lucked out and mother nature was shining on me.

For over a week now, we have had some of the most beautiful days.  Cold, but the sun has been shining.  Coe and I have gone on some great walks, but yesterday was just about perfect.  No matter where I was in town, I could see Mt Hood in all its pristine beauty.

In case your trying to find Mt Hood, it isn’t in that last one.  Just a beautiful way to end a beautiful day.

Right now it is 27* and Coe and I are about to bundle up and head out for another long walk and a round of frisbee.  Coe, by the way, LOVES this weather.  The colder the better as far as she’s concerned.

Now, just in case these sights of beauty and wonder weren’t enough to make you smile, try this.  and before you even say it- yes, I have way too much time on my hands 🙂

 

 

 

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365project about town bacon baking Blogging Blogging University books breakfast cocktails community cooking dating dinner garden girlfriends grilling just a thought Memphis photo challenge photography pizza Portland recipes restaurants Toast Tuesday Uncategorized vacation wordless wednesday words work

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