Give Me a Map

Wanderlust - a strong desire or impulse to wander, to travel and to explore the world.

I’m a homebody at heart, and I‘ve never been much of a history nut, but I love the feeling of going to an unknown destination, grabbing a map and visiting historical places. Let it be known that my definition of “historical” is very broad.

I discovered this side of my personality when I joined my sister, Lisa, and her family on a trip to Disneyland about 10 years ago. I decided that I was in California and I might never be there again, so I rented a car, got a map, and went cruising. I had not a clue where I was going, but the things on my list of things to see included the beach in Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive, and Hollywood. Despite a few setbacks and wrong turns I was able to check all of those destinations off of my list AND return in one piece to my sister and her family at the hotel.

If not for wanderlust I would never have planned and set out on our 2008 Family RV Road Trip to Virginia. We had a lot of ups and downs on that trip, but it was so much fun. Monticello was one of the things on my list of things to see on that trip and I was able to cross it off the list. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit all of the places I wanted to see, so I will definitely be making a return trip some day.

I have Judge Warner to thank for providing me with an opportunity to visit Tennessee and giving me a chance to feed that wanderlust. When I made our travel plans to go his graveside services I gave us a little time to do some site-seeing, so instead of traveling down the Interstate from Nashville to Lewisburg we took the scenic route and went down part of the Natchez Trace Parkway. I couldn’t help but think of the Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road” as I drove. The next time I drive that road it will be in a convertible in the late spring.

We were able to make it to downtown Nashville and the entertainment district that night, which is basically just another 6th Street. We had fun, but I was reminded once again that I’ve gotten old because all of the “girls” walking down the street weren’t wearing enough clothing and the music was way too loud.

The next day we had lot of time before we had to head to the airport, so we decided to visit the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee. In November of 1864 the Battle of Franklin was fought just miles from this house. Over 9,000 soldiers were lost in a battle that lasted approximately 5 hours. The McGavock’s house was used as a hospital to help the wounded and the dying. The remains of 1,500 soldiers are buried in the McGavock Cemetery next to the house.

From there we traveled on Old Hickory Blvd. to the Loveless Café off of Hwy. 100. Along the way we saw the most beautiful houses and landscaping EVER. We wondered what it was these people did to be able to afford to live in these mansions especially in this economy. Once we got to the Loveless Café we shopped in the shops and then had some good southern cookin’ - biscuits & gravy with fried chicken. Yum.

Too soon our visit was over and we had to head to the airport.

I will be returning to this area in the upcoming years to visit Judge Warner’s grave, and I look forward to getting a map and satisfying that wanderlust.