Day Trips Forever

Longtime readers of this column know how much my family and I love a good day trip. Weeklong vacations are certainly fun, but there’s always a little nagging feeling you have with those that you might be too far away from home for too long. But a day trip? It might be just the refresher you need to tackle the rest of your week.

Not that long ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick Henry Jolly, a direct descendant of founding father Patrick Henry. That encounter made me dig a little deeper into Red Hill, the former home of Henry. It is less than a 90 minute drive from our area and features gorgeous scenery and a treasure trove of historical artifacts. I’m looking forward to adding it to my day trip list this year.

But thinking on day trips and where this love affair started for me, it really goes back to the very beginning. My parents always took me on little adventures to one place or another. I was very fortunate in that regard. Sometimes it was just a simple fishing trip to Buggs Island lake with my dad and grandfather. I don’t recall ever catching too many, but I remember a lot of smiles and laughs. (And a very funny picture of dad and me holding up some other guy’s fish so we could tell our family we caught something.)

You don’t have to go too far to enjoy a day trip, either. For years, we have found fun things to do in Eden, NC. I can vividly remember ducking behind my mom’s seat at the drive in when I was six-years old watching Jurassic Park. Now, I take my kids.

So, escape the ordinary and plan (or don’t plan) a day trip. They offer a refreshing break from routine. Explore new places, ignite your curiosity with museums or historical sites, or find a great local dining spot. Day trips are budget-friendly adventures that leave you with memories and a renewed perspective, all within a single day. See you out there.