Delta Queen Adventure - Part One

I kissed my husband just before 9 am and left for Tennessee. The sky was clearing so the drive promised to be rain and snow free. Traffic was surprisingly sparse and I made good time as I headed south.

After a couple of hours I arrived in the Renfro Valley for my first stop along my route. It had taken two hours to reach the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. The parking lot was completely empty so I thought I had come on a bad day. However, when I got closer to the building a sign announced "We are Open!" I parked, headed in, paid my $7 then toured the small museum. It was very nice and had lovely displays which I had totally to myself. Ahhh, the benefits of traveling off season.

My favorite exhibits were of Jean Ritchie but I also got a kick out of the kilt owned by one of the Everly Brothers. There were instruments made by Homer Ledford and a quilt sewn by his lovely wife.

I bought a few postcards, a pin or two and even a guitar pick before heading back to my car for another leg of my trip to Chattanooga.

My Holiday

I’m taking a holiday. Just me, solo, by myself to somewhere I have wanted to visit for a very long time. Neither my husband nor grandson is interested in the location I have chosen. I will drive at my own pace, eat where I like, peruse stores and museums and even sleep-in if I choose.

I call this a holiday is because to me, the word vacation invokes stress. A holiday is a day from work, from commitments and from the same old same old everyday life. When most of us think of a “vacation” we begin planning, organizing, scheduling and compromising. Where does the family want or need to go? What do they want or need to bring? Where will they eat besides the golden arches and when. Who desperately needs a bathroom break even though we stopped ten minuets ago? Finally, arriving at the destination does not end the work that needs to be done, especially if the family is camping .

Now mind you, vacations are wonderful and enable us to have quality time with our family. However, some times we just want to relax and enjoy. That to me is a holiday

Sometimes we will go on a trip with friends and we humorously call that a “Get Outta Here.” Our van even has a license plate that reads “VANGOHS” announcing that this van is ready for some fun. There are times that being with a group makes the whole time more enjoyable. Many of my best trips have been just me and Jim or weekend trips with a friend or two. We try to make just the most necessary of plans and stay very flexible and open to opportunities. Our friend Tim coined the word “Planidippity” to describe this method of making a plan but including the serendipitous moments that come along.

While I do love vacations and GOH’s from time to time, I also love a day or two by myself… a holiday.

For my first “holiday” I am heading south to Chattanooga, Tennessee to spend a night on the historic Delta Queen Steamship.

I hope to post from the Queen.

2010

Another decade dissolved. It was an interesting one and I will ponder long and hard before I begin to write about its ups and downs. I will say that I am thankful for those years. Every day that the good Lord grants me is a blessing and I appreciate them all.

No real resolutions for 2011, just hopes. Hopes for good health, good friends, good music, good travels and good thoughts instead of bad. I will attempt to post more often and I will attempt to write as much as possible. No promises, just hopes.

I guess 2011 can be my decade of hope.