Plotting The Course

Now that I know my surgery date, I’ve started planning my pre-surgery trip: a cross-country drive from L.A. to D.C, from home to the hospital.

I thought about this cross-country trip from the minute I learned that my next surgery would be on the East Coast, which means the minute I got out of my first surgery.  I’d gone on a cross-country trip before -- with Will after we graduated from Duke -- and always wanted to hit the road again, but couldn’t figure out a time to break away from work and make it happen. I figured that the post-chemo and pre-surgery time frame, when I’d be feeling strong and in need of some adventure before my surgery-mandated rest period, would be my golden opportunity. I kept my idea quiet for a while, and wound up pitching it to Will and my parents after a couple of weeks. It would be a week-long trip and, admittedly, it would be in either January or February (not exactly the best months for driving).

Cancer is not without its benefits, and one of those benefits is getting your loved ones to agree with you and your bright ideas. It took about 5 minutes for my three caretakers to sign on to my cross-country trip plan. All I had to do was wait for my surgery date and plan the trip...and now I’m doing it.

First stop: the Grand Canyon. Will and I spent a couple of days here during our post-Duke trip, and loved it. Since we’re bringing Winston (10 pound Yorkie Terriers aren’t exactly rugged) and it’ll be late January, we don’t expect to do much extensive hiking. Still, I look forward to doing some hiking and to soaking up the beauty that is literally all around you when you’re there.

Next stop: Santa Fe, New Mexico. I loved New Mexico when I drove through it the first time, and I’ve always wanted to visit Santa Fe. I’m thinking about booking a hotel with a nice spa and getting a nice massage or other super-indulgent treatment while I’m there. Again, the physical beauty of the Southwest will be inspiring, and I look forward to drawing strength from the gorgeous surroundings.

Next stop: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We’ll be cruising through Amarillo, Texas, as we make our way to Oklahoma’s capital city. This will be one of our heavier driving days, but it should be a fun one. We’ll be stocked up with audiobooks and I’ll make special playlists for the drive. Looking forward to stopping at this Mexican restaurant in Oklahoma City that Will and I tried out years ago which has the best huevos rancheros I’ve ever eaten.

Next stop: Nashville, Tennessee. Good music, BBQ, and cowboy hats. What more can you ask for? Really looking forward to visiting this fun city again.

Next stop: Durham, North Carolina -- home of Duke University. As if I wouldn’t be making a pit stop at my beloved alma mater. I can’t wait to get back to campus and spend some time in the Duke Chapel, eat some delicious food at my favorite restaurants, and -- of course -- attend a Duke Basketball game in Cameron Indoor Stadium. I can’t think of a more inspiring place.

Final stop: D.C., or more accurately, my second cousin’s home in Maryland. We’ll be staying with her (Vivian) and her family (husband Brendan, daughters Erika and Erin)  in the days leading up to my surgery. We already have a trip to the Luray Caverns planned, which sounds cold and beautiful and slightly creepy and awesome.

So there it is -- the WunderGlo cross-country plan! It’s going to be epic. And everyone is welcome to join for part or all of the trip. Seriously. :)