Planning a vacation usually begins with two basic questions: Where are we going, and how are we getting there? At first, we planned a road trip from Florida to Utah, drawn by the promise of dramatic scenery and adventure. But after considering the long drive and time commitment, we changed course. Instead of heading west, we decided to go north to Virginia, settling on Shenandoah National Park as our destination.
I typically plan trips down to the last detail—reservations, routes, schedules. I like having everything mapped out. It’s a common approach and makes sense, but it can also feel tiring and repetitive. Traveling without a clear plan isn’t something I usually do. I’m not the spontaneous type. This time, I wanted to try something different. No spreadsheets, no fixed schedule. Just the essentials packed into my Subaru Wilderness: camping gear, a mattress, and basic supplies. With Franmary joining me, we hit the road with no set agenda—just a willingness to see where the trip would take us.
We left around 11:30 a.m., got on I-4, and then merged onto I-95. Our first stop was in South Georgia to refuel and stretch. Shortly after, we found a Publix, picked up a loaf of bread, and continued driving. By the time we reached the first rest area in South Carolina, it was lunchtime. We stopped, made sandwiches at a shaded picnic table, and brewed some tea. It was quiet and relaxed—no pressure to keep moving. Unlike previous trips where we were focused on getting to the destination quickly, this time we let the journey guide us.
We continued driving until around 4 p.m., still making our way through South Carolina. We took another break for tea and snacks. The drive offered plenty of chances to stop, and we took advantage of each one. A few hours later, we arrived at another rest area. It was quiet and tucked away just off the highway. We decided to spend the night there. I laid out the mattress in the back of the SUV, used the restroom, and got ready to sleep.
It was my first time sleeping in the car, and I wasn’t completely comfortable. I slept in short stretches. What stood out, though, was seeing others doing the same—cars parked nearby, windows slightly open, people wrapped in blankets. That shared experience made it feel less isolating. Even though it wasn’t the most restful night, it felt right. It was simple and honest—an experience that didn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful.
Day Two: Shenandoah Arrival
We got up early. The car still felt warm from the previous day’s drive. After refueling, we stopped at a 7-Eleven for donuts and hot tea—just a simple way to start the day. The drive ahead looked easy and open. By midday, we arrived at Shenandoah National Park. We decided to stay for two nights at the campground. The entrance fee was $30, and camping cost the same. After paying, we parked and got settled. Instead of setting up the tent, we chose to sleep in the car. It had become a comfortable and familiar space.
Lunch was basic—ready-made meals from Walmart, warmed slightly to take the edge off. After eating, we walked a short trail nearby. It wasn’t a long hike, but it gave us a feel for the area and a chance to slow down.
That night, I slept better than I expected. No tossing or waking up. The car, the quiet surroundings, and the cool mountain air all came together. It turned out to be one of the most restful nights of the trip.
This part of Shenandoah National Park includes a section of the Appalachian Trail, and we had planned to hike the Jones Run loop. We chose it for its waterfalls and quiet forest paths. Our backpacks were packed with the essentials—no extra water, just a filter, lunch, and tea supplies. The trail was long and physically demanding, with winding paths that challenged us. But it also delivered—waterfalls, shade, and peaceful surroundings.
After the hike, we returned to the car feeling tired but satisfied. Near the parking lot, we made tea and watched the steam rise into the cooler afternoon air. Then we launched the drone and flew it above the trees, capturing views of the forest canopy and the soft light that had followed us throughout the day. The whole experience—from the late start to the hike, the waterfalls, the tea break, and the drone footage—came together as one complete YouTube video. Just one quiet part of the bigger story we’re documenting.
On the first day of hiking, I recorded a video showing how to filter water during a long hike instead of carrying large amounts. I used the Katadyn Vario, which is a fast and efficient filter with three layers: ceramic, carbon, and fiber. While many people assume that running water is safe to drink, I found a surprising amount of mud buildup in the ceramic disc—something you’ll see in the video below.
I also covered backpack weight management. I use REI and Osprey backpacks, both of which have adjustable straps that help fit the pack to your body. Proper adjustment can make the difference between a comfortable hike and a painful one. Having the right backpack can make a big difference during a hike. With a well-designed pack, carrying up to 50 pounds becomes manageable. It fits closely to your body, allowing for smoother movement and better balance. Good ventilation along the back panel also helps reduce sweating and keeps you more comfortable over long distances.
It’s important to attach your water bottle to your backpack while hiking using a carabiner. If an accident happens during a hike and you’re unable to move, having your water bottle clipped to your backpack can make a big difference. When your backpack is properly strapped to your body, it stays with you—even if you fall. These kinds of precautions are important because you never know what might happen out on the trail. Staying prepared helps you manage unexpected situations more safely. If you fall during a hike, your backpack can act as a cushion, helping to protect your body as you slide down a slope or through rough terrain. It’s important to keep your backpack securely buckled to your body during a hike. A properly fastened pack stays in place, improves balance, and reduces strain on your shoulders and back. It also helps prevent the pack from shifting or slipping if you fall, which can protect you and make movement safer and more controlled.
On long flights, I’ve found it helpful to attach my water bottle to my backpack. When the backpack is stored under the seat, it can shift or slide away during the flight, and having the bottle clipped on keeps it secure and easy to reach. It’s a small detail, but it makes a difference—especially when you don’t want to dig around or lose track of things mid-flight.
These packs often include a built-in whistle for emergencies, and if you’re wearing an Apple Watch, the siren feature can be heard from miles away—another useful safety tool. Using the waypoint feature on an Apple Watch can help you navigate back to your car if you lose track of your location during a hike or outdoor activity.
On day four
We chose a different hiking location that featured waterfalls. The trailhead was close to where we parked, and the hike itself was shorter compared to the previous day. As expected with easier access, there were more people on the trail. To extend the experience, we turned it into a loop hike. Meeting people on a hike gives me a chance to learn new things—tips, ideas about places to visit, and small tricks that can be useful later. I’m the kind of person who talks to everyone, even those who seem quiet or reserved. Experienced hikers are usually open to sharing stories and advice. Sometimes, you find out you’ve both been to similar locations, and that shared experience can spark a great conversation and even lead to new friendships.
Along the way, we met two women on horseback. We stopped to pet the horses and had a short conversation with them about the animals. Later in the hike, we came across a small private cemetery marked as belonging to the Cave family. After the hike, we looked into the history and learned that many members of the family had died young, especially during the Civil war.
After another day of hiking—waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and quiet trails—we made it back to the car, tired but satisfied. At a scenic overlook, I had a chance to fly my drone. One thing became obvious—the forest is extremely dense. From above, it’s impossible to see the ground clearly unless you’re physically there on foot. While checking the map for other parts of Shenandoah to explore, I noticed how close we were to Washington, D.C. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but we decided to go for it.
On the way, we stopped at a picnic area for lunch. We had just enough ingredients left to cook a proper meal, so we set up and got to work. Most people don’t cook at picnic spots—sandwiches and snacks are the norm—but we went all in. As we cooked, we noticed people walking by, curious about what we were doing. Some stopped to watch, others asked questions. You could tell a few were getting ideas for their own future picnics.
It reminded me of a funny moment from a road trip in Europe. We were in the south of France, making sandwiches at a rest stop. At the next table, a Spanish family was setting up what looked like a typical picnic. Then one of the women pulled out a deep fryer, chopped potatoes, and started making fresh French fries—right there at the rest area. It was one of those moments where curiosity takes over. Someone was making French fries from scratch at a rest area—not exactly my idea of a quick picnic. It was unexpected and pretty amusing to watch. I couldn’t stop laughing. We packed up quickly and drove off not to make them uncomfortable, but that image stuck with me. I still laugh every time I tell the story.
That moment, and others like it, remind me how some people go all out to live differently. Most of us follow trends or stick to what’s expected. But real living—real vacationing—is about doing the unexpected. Trying something new. Breaking routine. That’s what makes it memorable. That’s what I love.
On our way toward Washington, D.C., we made a quick stop at Dairy Queen for a treat—a cheesecake Blizzard, which hit the spot after a long drive. What's an Aemrican roadtrp without, Dairy Queen! We hadn’t planned to visit D.C., and definitely didn’t have any reservations. But sticking to our theme of living spontaneously, we decided to go for it.
As we got closer, we realized we needed a place to rest. We pulled into a busy rest area hoping to nap, but it wasn’t ideal. We looked into hotels, motels, and campgrounds, but nothing seemed to work out last minute. I was on the verge of panicking when I spotted another rest area on the map. We drove there, parked, and ended up sleeping in the car. Surprisingly, it was peaceful. We weren’t alone—plenty of other travelers were doing the same. No disturbances, just quiet rest.
Fun fact: places like Love’s truck stops offer hot showers for travelers, and many rest areas have impressively clean bathrooms. That was a pleasant surprise.
The next morning, we grabbed tea and donuts from a nearby 7-Eleven and headed into the city. We hit all the major spots—the White House, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Washington Monument—and took plenty of selfies along the way. No trip feels complete without street food, so we grabbed some burgers from a local vendor.
Parking in D.C. isn’t free, and most meters only allow up to three hours. We had to move the car a couple of times to fit everything in. One of the highlights was meeting a group of Marines. We took photos with them, and I was genuinely thrilled—they were incredibly friendly and welcoming.
A day in Washington, DC is both impressive and deeply patriotic. It’s hard not to think about how much history started here. Exploring the city brings up a lot—so many key moments in American history happened right in these streets. It makes you want to learn more, to understand the places and the stories behind them. But seeing military presence on the streets also raises questions. It makes you wonder: as a country, what direction are we heading in?
We hit the road with mixed emotions, unsure of our next stop but heading south on I-95 toward Florida. The theme of this trip is flexibility—we’ve got time, and we want to make the most of it. I’m the kind of traveler who tries to visit as many interesting places as possible, so when Myrtle Beach showed up along our route, it made sense to include it.
Since it’s a popular tourist spot, we figured it would be smart to stay somewhere nearby, preferably on the outskirts to avoid the crowds. Not many people realize you can camp for free in parts of the U.S.—though it’s limited to specific areas. The app The Dyrt and the site freecampsites.net list these locations. It takes some effort to sort through them, but it’s doable.
Most of these sites are primitive, and sometimes they’re on private land—like someone’s backyard with plenty of space. We found one near Myrtle Beach right by the water, but the access road was gravel and didn’t feel right for this trip. So we kept going and ended up staying overnight in a Walmart parking lot instead.
We started our day in Myrtle Beach at 9:30 AM. When we got to the beachside, there were large preparations underway for an event called the Waves of Praise Gospel, which was scheduled to begin at 4 PM. For parking, we chose a spot at a local Subway that charged $10 for the whole day—cheaper than the nearby parking meters. After parking, we walked along the boardwalk, stopped by a few souvenir shops, and picked up some fun items.
Then we headed to the beach, where we joined other visitors in searching for shark teeth. People were friendly, and we ended up chatting and comparing collections with a few of them. Around lunchtime, we grabbed shawarma before continuing with the rest of the day.
The gospel event started, so we changed out of our swimsuits and headed over. There were lots of food booths and a wide variety of drinks available. We joined the crowd—clapped, danced, and enjoyed ourselves. Once it wrapped up, we packed up and left the city.
At this point, we were heading toward Orlando, taking our time. It was our final night sleeping in the car, and by now, we had the routine down. We kept cooking at rest areas and made tea during snack breaks. Overall, we had a great time. The inconveniences didn’t bother us much. It was a memorable experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. In total, we covered 2,066 miles over 8 days, spending $566. This does not include the packaged food and snacks we bought prior to leaving.
Things to Consider When Taking a Road Trip
• Stick to Your Budget at Gas Stops. When stopping for fuel, avoid overspending on snacks and impulse buys. Many gas stations also sell souvenirs, so plan ahead if you’re tempted to pick something up.
• Fuel Costs in Europe. Gas in Europe is sold by the liter and tends to be more expensive than in the U.S. One gallon equals 3.78 liters, so expect to pay significantly more per unit.
• Rest Is Important. U.S. road trips often involve long, monotonous drives between states. Unlike some countries with shorter travel distances, it’s important to rest regularly. If your car doesn’t have a driver fatigue monitor system, rely on your own judgment.
• Use Cruise Control and Driver Assistance Features. Cruise control can help reduce frustration on long drives. Newer vehicles often include lane monitoring and steering assistance. Use these features to reduce fatigue and stay alert.
• Navigation and Safety Alerts. GPS helps avoid last-minute turns and missed exits. If your car has blind spot monitoring, pay attention to the alerts—they’re especially helpful in heavy traffic.
• Know the Differences Between U.S. and European Highways. American highways generally have long entry and exit lanes, making merging easier. In Europe, these lanes are shorter and can be more challenging. Understanding this difference can improve your driving experience.
• Watch Out for Tolls and Speeding Fines in Europe. Toll roads in countries like France and Italy can be expensive. For example, crossing the Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy costs nearly $80. Also, be mindful of speed limits—especially in cities. Speeding tickets can arrive long after your trip and often come with high fines.
September 2025 Newsletter
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