We awoke naturally, only moments before our alarm was expected to ring. Our last morning in Bardstown, Kentucky. We dressed and made our way to our last complimentary breakfast. Jason gathered his cinnamon roll, eggs, and biscuit topped with jams and nuts. I impatiently waited for my Belgium waffle and maple syrup as the steam floated from the waffle iron. We sat quietly and enjoyed our breakfast amongst a bustling hotel lobby.
We returned to our room to finish readying for the day and to pack for our return trip home. We planned to visit with our dear friend Nikki for lunch in Nashville on the way back. We left early for this very reason. We also hoped to have enough time to stop at Hinton's Orchard officially leaving Kentucky. It's a small store with freshly grown crops and hand picked apples. Last time we visited they had pumpkins, apple cider, jams and jellies. We loaded the car and set off.
About half an hour toward Hinton's Orchard, I realized it would take longer to get there than originally thought. We worried we would be late to see Nikki. Being as stubborn as we are, Jason and I decided to drive fast and try and make it anyway. Kentucky appears to be a state with few speed limit signs and even fewer policemen to uphold them. At one point our GPS said we were 7 minutes away, but a moment later it drastically changed to 3. We were making great time. We also realized that Nikki is in a different time zone. After all that rushing, we would actually be thirty minutes early! Worked out beautifully!
I was in such haste I almost missed the orchard! Jason suddenly said "Isn't that it?!" as I flew toward the entrance. My car, being the tough Fitz he is, skillfully slowed down in time before the tires hit the gravel road. Perfect. We were the only ones there--no lines! We ran in, grabbed a bushel of apples and some apple cider, and hopped in the car once more.
I planned to drive to Nashville from the orchard. But, as we drove down the long, gravel road toward the exit, Jason asked if I wanted him to drive. "You know, since I drive like a demon" he said with a laugh. Although he was slightly making fun of a comment I made about his driving a few weeks earlier, I happily took him up on the offer. We pulled over and changed seats. Oddly enough, on the way out there was a steady stream of cars creeping by. Looks like this demon didn't get as much wind in his hair as he hoped for.
It was a wonderful drive, filled with beautiful scenery. Cows, farms, fields of golden corn, and skies of blue and white, fluffy clouds. We listened to an audio book on our way. We decided to pause our reading of the House of the Seven Gables and turn our attention to Sleepy Hollow. It seemed fitting since we had recently eaten at a beloved tavern that Washington Irving visited. It was a rather relaxing ride.
Soon we found ourselves in Nashville and on our way to Nikki and the beautifully fluffy Ella. We pulled up to a charmingly sunny home, walked to the front door, and was greeted by our smiling, curly-haired, blue-eyed friend. Before leaving for lunch, we said hello to Ella first thing!
And also Nikki:
We had such a good lunch! Nikki got to tell us about her new, wonderful job! Super excited for her and the lucky people who will get to benefit from her hard work and care! She also filled us in on her family and how everyone is. She discussed Tennessee life and the kind of home she's building there.
Nikki also asked us about our lives, work, and travels. We filled her in on everything, especially with the big changes we've had this year. She specifically asked about our changes of belief in regards to religion, and how it has been received. It was so nice to be able to talk about it openly with her. I love that about Nikki-- no matter what, she always listens and always loves.
After catching up, we headed back to her house to visit a little longer. We gave her some gifts as well. She received the blackberry sugar shine and some freshly picked apples. We also asked her to taste the Moonpie Moonshine, which she ended up putting in her coffee. So good! She also gave Jason and I a cookie! Perfect little treat for after lunch. Below are pictures of us goofing around.
Nikki's reaction to moonpie moonshine:
Us:
Sadly, we were running out of daylight and eventually had to say goodbye to our beloved friend. Hopefully we'll see her again soon! We hugged goodbye and set sail for Georgia once more.
On the way home, Jason and I talked about how good it was to see Nikki. It's been a tough year and this last week especially was a difficult one for relationships--it was so nice to be reminded of the goodness in others. More than anyone else in the world, Nikki restores our hope in humanity. After seeing her, it was as though we had been revived. That is the beauty of friendships, particularly a friendship with Nikki.
Jason and I listened and sang to Beirut on the drive home. We laughed and talked and enjoyed each other's company, as we always do. We continued to discuss religion and our views on it, how to discuss that topic with others in a healthy way, and how to enjoy every single moment we're alive. It was a great trip.
Jason and I stopped at a gas station on the way home to use the restroom, purchase a snack, and switch seats. We split a cheese pastry as I drove us into Atlanta. Soon we were passing the exit for home. We decided to go straight to Culver's for dinner, as it was already 8 O'clock at night. We ordered and ate a delicious pot roast sandwich, and we split an ice cream (made with strawberries, brownie bits, and hot fudge).
We hopped back in the car and headed home, where our beautiful cats were waiting by the door for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment