Oak Hill

I want to preface this with the fact that Kimberly and I are very blessed and grateful for everything.

Kimberly decided she needed a couple days out of the van and I can always relax in a house (couch potato at heart). We decided an airbnb in Memphis or Nashville was in order to play tourist. We decided on Memphis because Iets be honest, I am more of a blues guy then a country western one.

We left our luxury accommodations in the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel and I navigated Kimberly to La Baguette French Bread & Pastry Shop. We had amazing danishes and good coffee!

We saw a four year old boy with mom and grandma and overheard them talking to a local couple. Come to find out they were from Wisconsin and had been in Memphis for three months as the little boy had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was in Memphis for surgery and treatment. Memphis has a huge Saint Jude Chidren’s hospital. Saint Jude has always been one of the charities Kimberly and I donate to.

The young man is doing well now. I relay all of this because I just want y’all to take care of your families and never, even for a minute if possible, take for granted what you have. To always try to be positive and spread positive energy. Take it from me I know it’s not always easy. Try living in a van, but positive energy helps everyone.

We checked out Airbnb and looked at being downtown Memphis or an area a couple miles out of downtown. We decided to drive around and check things out . We drove by all the iconic spots in Memphis and checked out both areas we were looking at staying. I was worried about parking Sassy downtown with no secured parking. Vans and parking garages don’t really work either. Memphis has huge poverty and pretty high crime rates, but we thought the town was really cool.

Kimberly and I got in to one of our ‘round and rounds’ - when I am trying to guess what she wants and she’s trying to find the perfect Airbnb that has everything we want for what we want to pay but having zero luck.

Having no luck in Memphis, she started looking at Nashville to see if we could fine that perfect spot. I figured she was ready to move on, so I jumped on the freeway for Nashville.

Once again I realized that liking somewhere and having a good time there doesn’t equate to, hey let’s pack up our life and move there. Memphis definitely did not have the water recreation we want.

There is really only one big town between Memphis and Nashville which seemed weird to me. We made it to Nashville and started the Airbnb search again with similar success - meaning none. Cracker Barrel here we come.

I decided I wanted a beer and Kimberly found us the Filling Station. A very small taproom in the 12 South neighborhood. Super trendy tourist area which is what Kimberly and I are not looking for. Beer was good but still no progress on Airbnb.

Dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse with similar disappointing results. Not good at all and shitty service.

This trip is supposed to be about finding a place we want to move to - but we get off track frequently and it also feels like we are on vacation. It is really hard to explain the feeling or the dynamic.

The weather has been great the last two days. No air conditioner needed at night. looking back at Arkansas and the nasty weather that chased us out of the state, now is quite lovely.

I just like to think my spirit guides are given me little nudges, at least thats what I am hoping for.

Sorry for the long post. Still being thankful and trying to be positive. Miss everyone and hope you are all doing well.Read more