east coast road trip wish list
As we make our way towards a full three months in the Burgh, I'm a little disappointed.
No, not in the lovely 80° summer weather we're having. Or at the fact that I'm growing tomatoes and strawberries like mad. Or that we have tons of restaurants, bars, hiking, and live music within walking distance of our house. I have LOVED living in a new and exciting city. However, we haven't actually explored much outside of Pittsburgh since we moved here. And my little wanderlustful heart is struggling a bit.
Now that we're unpacked, I'm ready to start exploring our new region...because technically, we're now Mid-Atlanticans (Atlantians?).
vermont
Several years ago, after we'd both had crappy days, the Man Friend and I jokingly talked about leaving it all behind and moving to (said simultaneously) Vermont. Neither of us has actually been to Vermont, but the idea of a laid back, outdoorsy, cabin in the woods lifestyle just sounded SO appealing. With lots of craft breweries, creameries, and hiking, Vermont sounds like a great place to visit for a long weekend. About a 10 hour drive from Pittsburgh, we would definitely plan to stay for longer than a quick visit.
salem, ma
I've wanted to go to Salem ever since I saw Hocus Pocus as a kid. Though I'm not super drawn to the commercial aspects of it (particularly those capitalizing on a very tragic period), I'm very excited to see an incredibly old town with a lot of history. There are several restaurants, bookstores, and other shops within the little town, but even better? Boston is half an hour away. We could take a quick flight from Pittsburgh and save ourselves the drive.
the finger lakes, ny
Right before moving out of our home in Texas, we had to file an insurance claim. Talk about horrible timing. However, the claims adjuster mentioned Lake Seneca and the surrounding Finger Lakes region as a place to visit during our stay here. Nestled in New York's wine country, the area suits my style completely - lazy docks overlooking the lakes and plenty of wineries, breweries, and little restaurants nearby. We're *hopefully* going to be able to snag a trip out in September.
ocean city, md / chincoteague island
A stone throw's away from Washington, DC, Ocean City is apparently a hot summer destination due to its pretty beaches and tourist-friendly set up. However, me being me, I would prefer to go in the off-season, touching my toes in the sand when I need a hoodie and a hot cup of coffee...it also helps that the rates might be cheaper, too.
About an hour south (and in a completely different state!) is Chincoteague Island, VA - home of the famous feral ponies of literary popularity. It would be amazing for me to see a place I read about as a child.
west virginia
While I may be hearing banjos playing, West Virginia is known for its natural beauty, hiking trails, and industrial history. It's a bit off of the beaten path, so it seems to be less expensive than other options we've looked into. The best part is that it's only a few hours from Pittsburgh - and many places are dog friendly.
the kentucky bourbon trail
Though this would be a longer trip, the Kentucky bourbon trail has been on my whiskey-drinkin' Man Friend's wishlist for quite some time. It would be a shame to miss out, especially when we're within a reasonable driving distance. Out of all of the states we drove through, Kentucky certainly was the prettiest.
The bourbon trail is situated between Lexington and Louisville (about 7 hours from Pittsburgh). It showcases various famous distilleries such as Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve, and Jim Beam. I like travel and I like booze, so this seems like the perfect trip.
honorable mentions
We can't be this close to Washington DC, New York City and Boston without at least paying a little respect to the big cities. Honestly, we'll probably head to Chicago, too. And while not in America, Toronto is also definitely on the list. We just need more time (and money!) to hit up all of these places.
