It’s that time of year. In our little corner of the Northwest, the ditches are running full enough to kayak in, sun is a tantalizing memory, and anything with wings that migrates is starting to do so, in reverse. Including these Wings. Except, being bipedal and 4-wheeled, we go EAST. This year: Road Trip X.

“What route are you guys taking this year?” ask friends who know about our annual pilgrimage to North Carolina.

My standard answer: “Head to L.A. and turn left. After that–the weather’s in charge.”

Sometimes the weather’s in charge even on the very outskirts of LA.

And of course we don’t head STRAIGHT there. Along the way, we stop to visit dear friends, family members, and trees.

And even in the sunny desert, we’re reminded that THE WEATHER IS IN CHARGE.

We spend time with rocks. Grey ones…

…red ones…

…and brown ones.

We spend time with mountains, western…

…and eastern.

Sometimes we imbibe a little “culture.”

…and history.

ALWAYS, with our Tar Heel Tribe, we celebrate our team (God knows they need our love this year!) with lots and lots of food.

We spend quality time with my parents…

…and the woods where I grew up.

If weather allows, we camp–and celebrate the Sisterhood of the Traveling Avocado (from our LA cousins’ tree).

If weather doesn’t, we fall in love with cute park cabins.

As always, we seek the Perfect Bike Path.

As always–did I mention this? The weather’s in charge.

As always, we are thrilled to see this sign after 6+ weeks on the road:

And as always, we are even more thrilled to be HOME at the end of March. (Flaming sunset’s just the cherry on top.)

So, friends–please wish us buen viaje, bon voyage, safe travels, and Go Tarheels! Be safe yourselves; stay warm & dry. See you on the road.