A Girls' Getaway

Last Monday, The Bean and I traveled to Gettysburg, PA, for a four-day girls' trip. It was the perfect birthday gift, dear reader. Jordan is an absolute delight to spend time with and makes everything feel like an adventure. Usually, when I travel, I like to plan extensively. Every detail is covered, from where we stay to where we dine to the activities we will partake in each day. I have a notebook with our itinerary, I have copies of confirmations, and reservations. I like to plan. I also like to have the car cleaned inside and out before we go, and filled with every creature comfort and snack one can think of. Planning makes me feel comfortable. 

Well, this trip was not the norm. First of all, it was up in the air to the very last minute whether we would even go. Eric wasn't feeling well the week before, and The Bean had a touch of his cough, sneezing, achy body, stuffy nose, and a sore throat. Although she declared she was going no matter what, I wasn't going if she wasn't feeling one-hundred percent. By Sunday night, she was feeling better, and I spent Sunday evening making reservations at haunted inns in Gettysburg. That was the extent of my planning. The car was not clean, and there were no snacks, pillows, blankets, or activities to keep us cozy and busy. We were free-wheeling travelers on an unplanned adventure, and I wasn't even that twitchy.  

Gettysburg was the perfect getaway. It was only a three-hour drive, but it was beautiful. We traveled Route 30 through the mountains, and the scenery was stunning. Although The Bean intended to do everything ghost-related, we ended up doing more historical activities per her request. She surprised me with her interest in the town's history and the battle. This trip was her first time staying at a bed and breakfast, and she loved it. My little extroverted daughter loves eating breakfast with strangers. No, seriously. Eating at a small table with strangers is a massive source of stress for me, but my kid loves it. I don't understand extroverts at all. However, we met some fascinating and wonderful people. Our first morning, we had breakfast with a published travel author, Daniel Seddiqui. We lingered over breakfast, listening to his tales of travel across the US. I have several of his books on my Christmas list. 

The second morning, we had breakfast with two lovely couples who were traveling the Civil War route. One couple was from San Diego, and the other from St. Louis. The Bean shared her potential college plans with the table, and the lady from St. Louis gave Jordan her contact information. She made the generous offer to be Jordan's adult contact/safe person should Jordan decide to attend school in the Midwest and need anything. We were both touched by this gesture. Jordan also took the contact information from the innkeeper and shared her ghost hunting experience with her. My kid makes friends wherever she goes. 

We asked locals for good lunch and dinner restaurant recommendations, and we ate at small diners and mom-and-pop places off the tourist trail. We went on a ghost hunt and a ghost walk lit by candlelight at nine o'clock at night. We did all the free tourist things, like climbing a watchtower and walking across a covered bridge. We stayed at the most haunted inn in Gettysburg for one night, and that was more than enough. We did the historical tour of said inn. We shopped, walked a lot, and went horseback riding through the battlefields. This was my favorite activity, but more on it later. We handed out soap samples to anyone we connected with, and enjoyed meeting new people. Overall, it was a wonderful four days. 

Traveling with my bean is the best gift I could have asked for. I'm not sure what I did to get such a wonderful kid, but boy, am I blessed. After the holidays, The Bean and The Bibbed Wonder are planning a few days away. It will be my turn to stay home and hold down the fort. It's a good job to have. Getting off the farm, seeing new things, meeting new people, and spending time with my daughter was the perfect refresher right before the holiday rush. If you haven't traveled to Gettysburg and Adams County, I encourage you to do so. It's a lovely area, especially this time of year. 

On this lovely fall Monday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy the people in your life, travel when you can, get out of your comfort zone, and keep washing your hands.