Destination: Charlotte

Eight days, twelve states and one pigeon-fatality later, we have arrived safely in Charlotte.

This morning as we planned our final route, we saw one option that wound through the Smoky Mountains.  Google maps claimed it would take barely forty-five minutes longer than going on the main interstate the whole way.  Perfect!

The road turned into a beautiful, winding path through green foliage,

 with periodic pull-outs to see the mountains.  We were so glad we had chosen this route.

...Did I mention that the path was "winding"?  And green?  Eighty miles into hair-pin turns through absolutely identical green foliage, and we were both cursing google.  Forty-five minutes, my eye.  Try two hours.

Okay, actually we decided that only about ten percent of ourselves (the somewhat carsick, ready-to-go-faster-than-thirty-mph part) cursed google.  Overall, we actually were quite happy to get off the interstate for a while.  And it did feel somewhat adventurous.  The only other people we encountered were motorcyclists and a convertible or two.  And it was gorgeous.  Just...curvy.

And, finally, it brought us to North Carolina!

It's a little sad that the drive is over (although I'm not sorry this is our last hotel night).  This has been like vacation.  Tomorrow I actually have to do things, like sign papers and clean and move heavy things.  Sigh.

But being here is good.  I'm excited that this next life thing--whatever it ends up being in the long run--is beginning...