1600 Miles to Myrtle Beach. Full tank of gas, half a pack of gum, it’s dark and I own sunglasses.
Last year, as I watched Dave Slusher and his compatriots put together the CREATE South conference, I saw something special about the approach and started planning to go. Unfortunately, the realities of life got in the way and I wasn’t able to make it. I still wanted to see it pulled off, so I ended up financially contributing as a sponsor.
When I heard how well the day went, I really hoped for things to work out this year. When they announced a date (April 25), I pretty much just announced to those who had a stake that I *was* going. I both want to re-invigorate my creative pursuits AND I desperately need a break.
In thinking about my options for getting there, a quick look at a map raised the thought of driving it and seeing some areas of the country that I’ve never been through. After a few discussions and some other people’s conflicts, the end result is that I’m going to be taking a 3200 mile round road trip. I’m really excited, both for the drive and meeting up in person with some of the people I’ve been hanging out with online for a while now.
I bought a car in December and it’s comfortable and nicely equipped to cover ~15 states in a week. Many of my best ideas come to me when I’m driving and being behind the wheel offers a good opportunity for thinking and reflection. Because I’m going by myself, I can eat when I’m hungry, sleep when I’m tired, stop and look at whatever I feel like and generally take the break I’ve been needing.
If either my route there (kind of winding and meandering) or the route back (just the fastest Google maps route back to Minneapolis) takes me near where you live, let me know and I’ll maybe drop in for a cup of coffee (gotta keep my eyes open).
March 17th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I look forward to meeting you. Thanks for all that you have done for CREATE South in the past. I look forward to reading about your journey!
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I'm on the north side of Atlanta and can tell you where the decent spots to stop for coffee are on that side of town. For that matter, I'll invite you to stop by and speak to my computer science classes (college freshmen/sophomores) about the reality of the IT world if you like
. Either way I hope you'll share your stories of the journey here with the rest of us!
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Since I'm thinking that Atlanta will be my launching point for my final day into Myrtle Beach, I'll definitely be looking for coffee in the morning, so bring on the recommendations.
And, your other invite is intriguing as well. I'd definitely be open to doing that kind of a talk to students. I still have to figure out how the legs of the trip map to days/times, but if we can figure out a time slot that will work as I'm passing through Atlanta, I'm definitely up for it.
May 1st, 2009 at 10:00 am
Wish I knew you were coming through birmingham as I could have bought you a beer.
May 1st, 2009 at 11:03 am
I seem to have missed quite a few people along the way. I'll have to figure out a better way to coordinate that next time I make a trip like this.