Got to get back out on the road
Originally, we had planned to leave for our trip a few days after our wedding on June 1st. After the shipping fiascos and just an overwhelming to-do list that seemed to only decrease by a couple of items a day (despite all of our waking hours being spent on preparations), we eventually made it southbound June 12th. The plan was to make it to Sumrall, Mississippi to visit with Connor’s grandparents for a couple of days, then stop in New Orleans to visit with our friends, Pat and Shiela, and then push on from there.
Ah, plans. You can make all of them that you want, but the truth is, it doesn’t matter. Life will typically get in the way.
As soon as we left Charlotte, something felt off with the truck. With it fully loaded down with all of our gear, our tent/rack/shell, and ourselves, the suspension was not doing well. After pulling over at our first gas stop and inspecting why on earth every bump in the road felt absolutely massive, we realized the leaf springs were shot. We hadn’t noticed anything before we left because we didn’t have a large amount of weight in the back, but once we did, the leaf springs were quite literally frowning. One thing was for sure- we weren’t going back.
We decided to order new leaf springs and spend the couple of days in Sumrall that we had already designated to spend with family swapping the new leaf springs in the driveway of Connor’s grandparent’s house. Connor watched what seemed like 673 YouTube videos and was convinced that he could do it relatively easy. He brought his tools in case we needed to make any adjustments on the truck or repairs, so we thought we already had everything we’d need.
NINE DAYS and FOUR TRIPS to Harbor Freight later, the leaf springs (and new shocks) were finally replaced. We (mainly Connor) were out there in the Mississippi summer heat of 98 degrees, with a real feel of 106 due to the humidity. On the days where we did all that we could do and were waiting on parts in the mail, we definitely made the most of the experience though. We picked fresh blueberries and blackberries with Connor’s aunt and cousins at Sandy Run Farm, went to church in downtown Sumrall at Revive Church, joined Mamaw and Papaw for a double date at the Olive Garden, and they even took us to the coast to play the penny slots at Island View Casino (I was the only one that came back wealthier than I went in- a whole $67 richer). We had an absolutely wonderful time playing spades, sharing meals together, and catching up with family over that week and a half.
From Mississippi, we moved on to St. Rose, Lousiana, right outside of New Orleans to visit with our friends, Pat and Sheila. What began as “let’s have supper together” quickly turned into staying for a couple of days. Connor and I have been through a lot alongside these two, so we consider them family more so than friends. Mr. Pat made a delicious crawfish bisque our first evening that was his mother’s recipe that he captured by videotaping her making the meal and taking note of every single ingredient. It was perfect.
We saw the Strawberry Moon, rode bikes that they let us borrow down the levy, went bouldering at New Orleans Boulder Lounge, watched Mr. Pat play the bass at church, and had an amazing brunch at Ormond Manor. The quality time that we were able to spend with some of the most generous, wise, and kindhearted friends that we have was simply unmatched.
I tagged a few phone pictures that will most likely not make it onto the gallery because of their quality and relevance, but will help give the full picture of our time down south.
Onward and Upwards,
Alicia
