SOLSC '21 Day Three: Getaway Sunday

 

I am participating in my ninth Slice of Life Story Challenge run by the team behind the Two Writing Teachers website.  We are challenged to write a blog post a day throughout the month of March.

Six bags packed, four trips to the car, two big hugs for my husband (one note left under his pillow to find later).  I pulled out of the driveway a half-hour later than I would have liked, but with plenty of time to reach my destination in daylight.

I have loved roadtrips since I learned how to drive.  The view is just so much better than those of the highway treks of my childhood; now that I think about it, that may be one of the reasons I was an avid reader in my youth.  Driving is a different story, a meditation of sorts, total concentration on the road, other drivers, directions.  Singing along with the car radio ranks up there as one of my favorite pastimes.  

I picked this Getaway location twice for the same reason--it's a four hour drive from home.  Long enough to enjoy the ride, close enough not to spend an entire day getting there.  Just four roads to remember, too, so easy to navigate on my own.

Three lanes turned to two, back to three, sometimes one.  Speed limits changed frequently from 40 mph to 70.  Three highways, then down a country road at 20 mph, looking out for oncoming traffic necessitating the need to pull over.  But I needn't worry about that last part; I was alone on that last stretch, save for the cows and horses in the pastures to the right.

I found my cabin easily, and could feel any remaining tension leave my body as I took in a lungful of piney, moist air.  A light mist was falling as I unloaded the car in as many trips as it took to pack it.  A quick call to my husband to let him know I had arrived, and then down to the business of settling in.

The AC was on, but there was a chill in the air; I raised the temperature on the gauge.  Food went into the fridge and in the open-faced cabinet.  A rag-towel was placed on the floor to keep it clean while I unpacked my weekend bag; slippers replaced my hiking boots, and the towel was folded up at the door.  Toiletries were relegated to the bathroom. I took a moment to snap a picture or two of the scenery through my windows, then threw my blanket on the bed for some added comfort.

I heard growling...and realized that I had skipped lunch.  An early dinner of leftover cheesy pasta, heated in the provided nonstick skillet on the stovetop, would satisfy my hunger.  The sky darkened as I cooked, rain pattering on the roof and blurring my view of the woods as I ate in silence.  Nature was dictating an early night in, and I acquiesced without complaint.  The few dishes were quickly washed, dried, and put away.  There was nothing left to do but change into warm fleecy pajamas, turn down the lights, and make a cup of herbal tea.  I had promised my husband a call at ten, but after reading for an hour, I realized my eyes wouldn't stay open that long.  I wished him good night just before eight pm, turned out the reading light shortly afterwards, and fell asleep to the sound of the rain and rustling branches.

My view when I arrived

Moss and lichen on a fallen branch outside my cabin

The rain came and went throughout the evening

A comfy setting for a cup of tea and a good book