Homeward Bound

Tracy and I knew we needed to begin the trek home soon after New Year’s Day. School started in less than a week, and decompressing after a holiday always helps get us ready for the onslaught of kids.

Saying goodbye to Tracy’s family felt bittersweet as I drew close to them quickly. They embraced us and sent us home with wonderful memories and an abundance of love.

One thing we did decide was to travel home differently than we arrived. The real reason??? Trolls lived in Kentucky at Bernheim Forest. Seeing them only added an hour to our travels, so we went for it.

As we drove from state to state a few signs caught our eye. Our first, a scenic outlook, included Pilot Mountain. Known to the Native Americans as Jomeokee, or great guide, Pilot Mountain served as a navigational landmark to them.

Today, Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina provides hiking, horseback riding, and even canoeing along the Yadkin River. With winter upon us and a trip home before us, we simply had no time to explore. Instead, we took some photos and absorbed the information provided at our stop.

Eventually we began seeing signs for this trading post in West Virginia—Tamarack Marketplace. How cool would that be? The description amazed us. We looked it up, called, and indeed they were open. They boasted local creations and even authentic food. This solidified our lunch choice—food and merchandise.

The drive there could not have been more beautiful. While the roads were clean and clear, the surrounding landscape filled us with beauty. Snow clung to every tree, and it challenged me to keep my eyes on the road. Honestly, it was one of the most beautiful rides I’ve had.

Now, good reader, let us return to our next goal—Tamarack. I’ve visited every state in the grand ‘ole U.S. However, West Virginia received the bare minimum visitation. This stop would be the moment, I could finally tell of my dedicated time in West Virginia. Friends, (imagine me shaking my head) we found our way to a glorified truck stop. Don’t get me wrong, the building had lovely enhancements where you could witness glass blowing and quilt making, but it wasn’t the shopping mecca we expected.

We saw beautiful pieces of art. Pottery, quilts, woodworking items, ornaments, and paintings filled the marketplace. However, the charm expected did not meet reality. Despite our disappointment, the courtyard (too cold to use) had lovely places to eat, and everything was clean and beautifully displayed.

We ate delightful food, walked the building, filled our car with gas, and continued on our travels. Thank you West Virginia!

Several hours later a sign popped up for a rest stop. When I traveled as a child, I loved stopping at rest stops to rate them. To this day, my favorite rest stop is in Atoka, Oklahoma. They have a cemetery and wonderful historic displays. Our decision to stop at the rest stop in Illinois also brought history…

We saw a pay phone! It has been years since I’ve run into a working pay phone, so imagine my excitement when I witnessed a relic from my past operating at a rest area. While directions for obtaining credit cards, getting a job, or learning the weather featured itself nearby, I thoroughly enjoyed the directions on how to operate the phone itself. So tell me, how comfortable are you with using a pay phone? I’m pretty sure, I’m a champion user.