Nashville to Asheville

Sep 9

In 2021, I decided I wanted to take a road trip. With the pandemic still in full affect and most international borders shut down, it seemed like a great time to explore my home country of the United States. I decided on a road trip to the Smokey Mountains – an area I haven’t been to yet. I set aside 2 weeks at the beginning of August of this year and took off in my car with my pup, Myron. I didn’t have a lot set with my itinerary. I just knew the general areas I wanted to explore. I kept the trip open and flexible. I stayed with friends in some places, Airbnb’s in other places, and one questionable motel.

This post will give you the rundowns, the highlights, the recommended adventures, and things to avoid. Overall, it was a relaxing and cheap trip – most of my itinerary involved hiking and being in nature. I found a lot of hidden gems in between Nashville and Asheville. This trip starts in Nashville. I then go to a few lesser-known locations in Tennessee. I do a day trip to Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mountains and end up in Asheville for the last portion of my trip. Keep reading for more information!

Nashville

I’m a huge fan of country music so this city has been on my bucket list for a while! I’m not sure why it took me so long to get here. I loved everything about it and I’ll definitely make a return visit here. I can’t give a lot of recommendations on places to stay because I was fortunate enough to stay with some friends here in Nashville. One good friend of mine has an Airbnb attached to her house, which is close to the airport. I stayed here for the majority of my Nashville trip. I also stayed with another friend on Music Row. As far as driving, I found this city easy to navigate and I never experienced too much traffic in the downtown area. It’s also an extremely walkable city so there’s no reason to rent a car unless you want to explore outside of Nashville. Although I never used the scooters, I did see them everywhere and they seemed like an easy and popular way to get around.

My pup, Myron, at Tailgate Brewery on Music Row

The Basement

My first stop once I got settled in Nashville was to The Basement. This is a cozy venue with standing room only. I purchased my tickets ahead of time at the price of $15 but many people were buying tickets at the door. I went to see one of my favorite up-and-coming singer/songwriters, Hailey Whitters. She was there performing a song-writers roundtable session. Right before the show, I got to meet Hailey on the patio! From overhearing conversations, it got the sense that most people in attendance were locals. I found a spot to stand near the front. At 5’2”, I had a difficult time seeing the show so if you’re short like me, I recommend getting there early and claiming your space at the front of the venue. Overall, I was very satisfied with my time here and felt like I got a genuine Nashville experience. If you’re looking for something low-key and intimate, definitely check out this place! There are 2 locations and you can find all of the information on their site by clicking here: The Basement Nashville

First Bank Amphitheatre

When I was searching for things to do during my time in Nashville, I came across tickets to a concert at the First Bank Amphitheatre. I couldn’t pass up the deal! For only $42 (closer to $75 when you add in Ticketmaster fees), I got a seat to see A LOT of my favorite country artists: Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Russel Dickerson, and surprise appearances from Chris Tomlin, Chase Rice, and Nelly!!! This concert was a benefit for Feeding Nashville. It raised over $450k for the charity.

It was a great concert, however… I wasn’t aware that this was the first event ever held at this amphitheater. The venue itself is absolutely amazing. But they’ve got some kinks to work out as far as traffic and parking. If you attend, go as early as possible! There is only one road to get here so I ended up sitting in traffic for over an hour to drive the final 1.5 miles into the parking lot. They might have things more organized for future events but if you go to a concert here, leave early and carpool if possible.

The gorge on the backside of First Bank Amphitheatre in Franklin, TN

The Parthenon replica and museum at Centennial Park

The Gulch

The Gulch is a cool little area close to downtown. There are plenty of upscale shops and restaurants. I didn’t spend much time here. I came down for lunch at Bartaco, a cute Mexican restaurant with fancy tacos and delicious margaritas. (Try the crispy avocado taco!) It’s right around the corner from the popular I Believe in Nashville mural so make sure you stop by for a photo-op. The Gulch is also home to the famous What Lifts You wings mural. The line can get long for this but it’s a must-do for tourists. I didn’t realize until I got here that they have a mini-wing mural for children and dogs!

Broadway Street

I got mixed reviews about Broadway Street once I got to Nashville. I knew it was something I would have to check out. It’s like Times Square for NYC or Bourbon Street for New Orleans (or Carson St. for Yinzers). And I learned quickly that the locals love to hate it. I knew it would be overly-crowded and most likely “not my scene” since I don’t like big crowds or loud noises. But I ended up loving it!

However, my first experience on Broadway Street occurred midday on a weekday. The worst part about Broadway Street is the street itself; but once you can maneuver your way into a side bar, you’ll get immersed in the live music and quickly forget about all the craziness outside on the streets.

I ended up going to Broadway Street a few more times during my stay in Nashville. My favorite and more low-key bars were Tootsies Orchid Lounge, The Stage on Broadway, and The Valentine. I also attended some of the bigger, more popular bars and had a great time at Miranda Lambert’s bar, Casa-Rosa Tex-Mex Cantina and Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock ‘N Roll.

A few other notable places I visited during my trip to Nashville were The Parthenon replica. I didn’t go into the museum but I enjoyed walking my pup around the park area. I also went to The Flamingo for some live music in a cool, artsy neighborhood outside of the city. I frequented Tailgate Brewery a few times, located on Music Row next to the famous “Musica” statue at the Roundabout Plaza. And I also made sure to grab some lunch at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. Make sure you go early because the lines tend to get long at this popular chicken joint. Also, if you’re like me and NOT a fan of hot ‘n spicy, don’t worry – you can pick your level of spice!

And finally, I bought my Idyllwind (Miranda Lambert’s brand) boots at Boot Barn!

Eastern Tennessee

I had the option to stay for free one more night in Nashville - but after 5 days, I was completely exhausted. I was ready to move on to the next portion of my trip, which involved more hiking and less drinking. I booked a motel in Kingston, TN – a small town outside of Knoxville and I would highly recommend staying away from this motel! I booked it for a cheap price through Hotel Tonight. I’m not that picky about where I stay but please steer clear from the Super 8 by Wyndham in Kingston, TN! The room was so dirty that I almost slept in my car.

However, it was just a transition point and a place to crash while I made my way to Gatlinburg. During the drive from Nashville to Kingston, I saw different signs for state parks. I got curious and Googled all the different places I saw along I-40. Once I got back to the hotel, I narrowed it down to 3 places I definitely wanted to see before I made my way to the Gatlinburg area. If I were to do this trip again, I would’ve left Nashville very early, hit up these 3 state parks along the way, and booked a stay in Knoxville. Learn from my mistakes if you take this trip!

Since I didn’t plan it out, I ended up backtracking. I left Kingston early the next morning (after just a few hours of sleep in my awful motel) and drove an hour back towards Nashville. I started my morning at Rock Island State Park. This town is adorable! There’s not much to it other than a few shops, a café, and a farmer’s stand. You could definitely make a day or weekend trip here but since I had a lot I wanted to see on the same day, I spent just a few hours at Rock Island.

Rock Island State Park

I entered the park and stopped at the first parking lot I found. There was nobody else in the park. At least not in my area. The first hike was only a half-mile long with lots of signs warning hikers of the dangers of this strenuous hike. I walked down the stairs with my pup. The waterfall dripping onto the natural rock staircase made this trek somewhat dangerous but manageable. But once I got down and walked a little further, I couldn’t tell which way the path went. I walked around a bit and I was mesmerized at the natural beauty of the different creeks and waterfalls surrounding me with sunbeams gleaming in and forming mini-rainbows. I decided to attempt what looked like a trail and made it about 10 feet into the trial until I saw a giant spider-web. It was a beautiful and sunny Sunday morning. It was suspicious that not a single person was on this trail. I was surrounded by literal signs that said “danger”. Piecing all of this together along with the giant spider web, I made the decision to turn around and called it quits on this strenuous and isolated path.

I drove around and found another path with a few cars parked next to it. I started down another wet staircase, dripping with waterfall water, and it wasn’t long until I came across another person! She was probably a decade older than me and walking her dog. I told her she was the first person I’ve seen all morning. We chatted a bit and she gave me tips and tricks and where to go in the park. She told me to download an app called Avenza – this app gives you access to trail maps and tracks your location, even when you lose cell phone service. She gave me a few recommendations of other places around the park to check out.

If you do visit Rock Island, I do recommend stopping by the visitor information stand and grabbing a map and talking to the people here. I almost left after I hit up the few hiking trails in the main area. And I almost missed out! The information I received from the visitor’s stand was to exit Rock Island and drive across the river and follow a road that led me to even more paths. This is where you see the big waterfalls and see them up close! You’ll see the Great Falls, the Twin Falls, and the Blue Hole swimming area. There is a hiking trail that is about 1.5 miles round-trip and I recommend taking a walk along here. It’s flat, easy to follow, and offers amazing views of the waterfalls during the hike.

Burgess Falls State Park

About a half hour up the road from Rock Island you’ll find Burgess Falls State Park. Map this out before you get to the area because service is spotty in this part of Tennessee. At Burgess Falls, there is one main hiking trail. This state park was smaller and easier to navigate than Rock Island. I got the impression that Rock Island is more for camping and lodging while Burgess Falls is more for day-trips. Burgess Falls has 4 different waterfalls. The main trail is 1.6 miles out and back. It is well-maintained with plenty of people on the trail. The main waterfall is definitely worth checking out. The trail will take you to the top of the fall. However, I did see people hanging out at the bottom of the waterfall… fishing, canoeing, and swimming. It looked spectacular. I asked a few other hikers if they knew how to get down there but nobody knew. If you go and figure it out, post in the comments, please!

Cummins Falls State Park

As you continue even a little farther north, you will reach Cummins Falls State Park. Wow!!!! This place was amazing to see! I did it wrong, though. I didn’t do my research. You must pre-book! Or, don’t go on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. They limit the crowds to a certain number per day. I’m not sure if this is normal or due to Covid-19 restrictions but you will need a permit! You can get the permits on-site if you’re early enough. You can also get them online (which I would recommend) prior to your trip for $6.95/person. Click here for more information!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get there in time to get a permit but I was still able to access the trail and view the falls from a distance. I was told to check back later and see if they made more permits available. Once I got back, they told me they weren’t issuing any more permits and were clearing the area due to a nearby thunderstorm warning. I was so sad! Learn from my mistakes. You definitely will want to take a dip in this natural swimming pool. Even from a distance, I could see the big smiles on everybody’s faces down below.

Sevierville, TN

After a fun-filled day of hiking and exploring waterfalls, I made my way to my Airbnb in a small town outside of Gatlinburg. I can’t express how amazing of a night I had here in Sevierville, TN! (It made up for the awful Super8 experience I had the night prior.) I came across this glamping dome while I was exploring places to stay with Airbnb. It was available for just one night and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

The dome is located on a farm in a rural area about a half hour away from Gatlinburg. There are 4 domes on the location and the family lives on the farm. I felt safe the entire time knowing that there were other people around. I also read reviews and many people raved about this place, giving it 5 stars. The dome was comfortable, clean, well-decorated and had just enough room for me and my dog to have a comfortable night’s stay. Each dome comes with its own outdoor area with a fire pit and chairs. There is a common area next to the barn with an indoor shower, coffee machine, fridge, and lounge area. There is also an outdoor shower and clean portable bathrooms on the farm.

I had considered exploring the town of Sevierville. This is the birthplace of Dolly Parton. They also have a Titanic replica that I wanted to check out. I thought about grabbing a bite to eat or exploring the town a bit. But once I got to my dome, I was so comfortable and content. I ended up just doing yoga, journaling, and star-gazing until I drifted off to sleep. It was probably the best night’s sleep I got on my entire trip. I woke up peacefully to the sunrise and birds chirping. I made myself a coffee, sat on my chair swing, and read my book until my 11:00am check-out. From there, I made my way to the town of Gatlinburg.

Gatlinburg

I wish I had better things to say about Gatlinburg! I was really excited for this town and I’ve seen so many people this past year visiting and having wonderful experiences. My expectations were high but I was unfortunately disappointed. It wasn’t awful. But I definitely didn’t do it correctly. I would love to go back to Gatlinburg again for a different experience. Here’s what I would do:

First, I would get a husband and children before I return back here. It is a very family-oriented area with lots of mini-golf, arcade games, and attractions like Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Also, I would stay in the town of Gatlinburg so I could walk or take the trolley into town. Driving and parking in Gatlinburg was a nightmare. I had a better experience and hit less traffic driving on Broadway Street in Nashville.

Finally, (I cannot emphasize this one enough!) I would leave my dog at home! Gatlinburg is not dog-friendly at all. A lot of the things to do and see in Gatlinburg are in a theme park called Anakeesta. You need to buy a ticket to enter and only ADA service animals are permitted. There is another area in Gatlinburg near Anakeesta called SkyLift Park. I considered this one because I read online that recently they decided to allow dogs here. However, there is only one way to get to the SkyLift Park and that is by an open-air chairlift ride. Being on a chairlift without fresh snow underneath me already gives me anxiety. The thought of having my pup on the lift with me is even more terrifying. If my pup saw a bird (which I’m sure he would) then I don’t see how we would survive that open-air ride.

Driving through the Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg

So I had to skip out on all the cool mountain-top activities and decided to just grab some lunch in the downtown area before heading into the Smoky Mountains National Park for some hiking. I googled “dog-friendly restaurants in Gatlinburg'' and drove to the first one that popped up. However, the drive took me right into the heart of downtown and the traffic was unbearable so I decided to reroute to the second restaurant on the list. I got there and saw a sign on the front door that they were closed for renovations. I then went to the third restaurant on the list and it took me back downtown. It was difficult to find parking but I eventually found something. At this point, I was starving. I walked my dog and we got to the restaurant and requested a patio seat for me and my pup. I was told that the restaurant is understaffed (A common theme for Gatlinburg restaurants, I learned) so they had to close the patio. I asked the lady if she knew of any dog-friendly restaurants nearby and that’s when she recommended that I go to…. TGI Fridays! Ugh! Not exactly what I was picturing for my Gatlinburg experience.

I refused to eat at a chain restaurant and kept walking. I decided just to walk to the first restaurant on the dog-friendly list since it was close enough and I already parked my car. I got there, sweating and hungry, and told them that I need a patio seat for me and my pup and I need to soon because we are sweaty and starving! The worker told me that the patio is closed because they are short-staffed. I was shaking at this point but remained as polite as I could be in my “hangry” state and asked if they knew of any dog-friendly restaurants in Gatlinburg. The worker said to me, “I’m not sure. Maybe you could try Googling ‘Dog-Friendly Restaurants’ and see what pops up.” I just sulked my head in defeat, told her I did that already, and that her restaurant was the first one to pop-up.

I ended up finding a grab ‘n go stand and got a chicken sandwich and ate it on an outdoor picnic table. I sat there with Myron, watching all the dog-less families smiling and seeming like they were all genuinely enjoying Gatlinburg.

Maybe that will be the case if I ever return, with my future husband and kids and without our dog. But at this point, I was more than ready to get out of Gatlinburg and not return for a while. I got in my car, made my way into the Smoky Mountains National Park (which is literally right next to downtown Gatlinburg so that’s a plus for this town) and drove to the Grotto Falls hiking area. We hiked 1.5 miles (one-way), saw a bear, and took our photo behind the waterfall. If I ever return, I’d like to continue the hike up to Trillium Gap – that would require an entire day and no dog. The trails all had signs that said “no dogs allowed” but I chose not to see it because I had no hotel and couldn’t leave Myron in the car. I also needed a better Gatlinburg experience besides eating a mediocre chicken sandwich on a picnic table. I was determined to do the hike. I’m happy I did but I was also happy for the hike to end so I could leave the Gatlinburg area and make my way to my last destination – Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheville

My final stop on the trip was to Asheville, NC. It’s a little over an hour from Gatlinburg to Asheville and the drive is through winding roads through the Smokey’s. I’ll be honest, I got a little dizzy and didn’t enjoy this drive as much as I should’ve. Too many highways and big trucks and nowhere to stop. But for only an hour, I managed to get through. I made my way to my Airbnb, another one that I highly recommend!

I got settled, showered, and headed downtown with Myron for a bite to eat. Somebody recommended The Chestnut but it was over an hour wait to sit outside with a dog so I ended up going to Storm Rhum Bar and stopped by Wicked Weed Brewing Company. I was here on a Monday and I noticed that a lot of restaurants, breweries, shops, etc. in Asheville close for at least one weekday, usually towards the beginning of the week. So if you are here on a Monday or Tuesday, I recommend checking if a place is open before you head there.

An early morning sunrise overtop the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, NC

I ended up booking an Airbnb adventure scheduled for early the next morning and I’m so happy that I did! I booked the Asheville Mountain Top Sunrise & Coffee. Here’s the details from the experience listing:

“There is nothing quite like an Asheville sunrise. This experience will blow your mind. You will wake up before anyone else, ride to the top of a mountain (6,000’) while the stars are still out, hike with a headlamp on through the forest, and then reach our secret viewing spot as dawn is arriving. With a fresh cup of coffee in hand, we will celebrate the arrival of a new day together.”

I don’t have to say much more about this experience… Just take a look at my photos and you should be able to tell how incredible of a morning this was!

After my morning hike, I went back to the Airbnb to get Myron and we drove to the mountains to hike Craggy Gardens. I used Ashevilletrails.com (link) for all of my Asheville hiking information and found it super helpful! I really enjoyed this drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway! It’s easy, safe, lots of winding roads, and plenty of viewing stops along the way. Before I got on the parkway, I did stop at a breakfast joint that I recommend called Biscuit Head. After breakfast, it was about a 30 minute drive to the start of the hike. There is a visitor’s center and restrooms here. It’s not a long hike, less than a mile. It will take you through a forest and colorful gardens. I did this in August but read that it’s best to go in late spring or early summer to see all of the colorful rhododendrons. I still had a pleasant experience and would recommend using bug-spray. You should know that there are two trails to take if you do the Craggy Gardens hike. The first one is the hike to Craggy Gardens and the second one, about a mile further down the Blue Ridge Parkway, will take you to the Craggy Pinnacle. This is the one worth going to! The Craggy Gardens were nice but didn’t offer the views I was expecting. The second hike takes you to a viewing area where you get a 360* view of the mountains. It’s amazing!!!

After this, I went home to nap and get ready for a self-guided brewery tour because I was told by so many people to be sure to check out the Asheville Breweries. First, I went to Sweeten Creek Brewery since it was close to my Airbnb. Then, I went to Highland Brewery which has a really cool outdoor area and rooftop bar. It was 2 breweries into this tour that I realized that unless I’m socializing or watching football, I don’t really enjoy drinking beer. It was taking me about an hour to finish a beer at each location so I decided to look for places to go and drink some wine. That’s when I came across my favorite joint in Asheville, 5 Walnut Wine Bar. I ended up making friends here while drinking wine and eating charcuterie and it was the perfect ending to a day that started with the perfect sunrise.

The next morning, I checked out of my Airbnb and had to kill sometime between my 11am check-out and my 4pm check-in at my next Airbnb. This was my last full day of vacation and I decided to do one final hike. I decided on hiking to the summit view of Mount Pigsah. Once again, I needed breakfast and found another awesome selection called Tupelo Honey. If you go here and you have a dog, please know that the downtown location is not dog-friendly but the Hendersonville location is dog-friendly. I went to the downtown location first…

One of the many breweries in Asheville - Highland Brewing

After a delicious meal, I drove 40-minutes once again along the Blue Ridge Highway. Once I got to the trail parking lot, I saw some dark clouds. Very dark clouds. It was a 1.5 mile “strenuous” hike to the summit. I had my dog. I could go quickly and risk being at the top in the middle of a storm. I could wait it out but then I’d have to do the strenuous hike on a wet trail, which I didn’t really want to do. Ultimately, I threw in the towel. I wanted off of the mountain immediately but I had a 40-minute drive downhill. I got back in my car, content with my decision as the storm clouds and lighting rolled in right over top of the Mount Pigsah summit. It was at this point that I knew it was time to go home.

A view of the storm that forced me to cancel my hike to Mount Pigsah Summit

The entrance to the Sierra Nevada Brewery

$5 Wine Night at Down Dog Dog Bar and Yoga Studio

I had a few more things on my to-do list and the main one was to slide down Sliding Rock at Pigsah National Forest. I was en route but due to weather and my own personal exhaustion, I decided to skip out on this. I still had a few hours to kill before I could check-in. On my drive, I saw a sign that the Sierra Nevada Brewery was only a mile away. I didn’t really want to go to another brewery but it was so close. I decided to take the turn in and I’m so happy I did. If you go to one brewery in Asheville (or anywhere!) make it this one!!! It’s a little bit of a ways outside the city but it’s worth it. It’s also very close to the airport so if you’re flying in, this could be a good stop before or after your flight. This brewery is the fanciest and biggest brewery I’ve ever been to. I only stayed for one beer but I could’ve easily hung out here all day. Restaurant tables and tours must be scheduled in advance, which I didn’t do. I’ve never described a brewery as “beautiful” but this one sure was a beauty!

After one beer, I made my way to the art district to a wine bar called Bottle Riot. This was a cool, little area. It was storming and I was tired so I didn’t stay for long. The bar itself was very hipster and a little too over the top and pricey for me. But the area was worth checking out. I went to my Airbnb to drop off my stuff and made my way to my favorite place ever, Downward Dog.

Wine and appetizers at 5 Walnut Wine Bar in downtown Asheville

This was a recommendation from a Pittsburgh friend who knows the owner of this yoga studio. He got me into the 6pm yoga class. At this place, you can bring your dog. There is a dog play area for the pups to hang out while the dog parents take yoga. After yoga, you can hang out at a wine bar! I went for Wine Wednesday and got $5 wine while all the pups played together in both the indoor and outdoor areas. I left here, grabbed a bite to eat at the recommended pizza place All Soul’s Pizza then went to my tiny house (Airbnb) to get some rest before my drive home the next morning.

My “tiny home” and private hot tub booked through Airbnb

I slept well in this tiny house. The bed was located in the loft area real close to the ceiling. I didn’t set an alarm. I woke up naturally and opened my eyes and about 2 feet in front of me, on the ceiling right over top of my head, I saw the biggest spider I’ve ever seen in my life! It was the size of a fist! I meant to shower, have coffee, go into the hot tub, and relax all before driving home to Pittsburgh. But once I woke up to this spider, I couldn’t get out of that tiny house quickly enough. Between the spider, the storms, and seeing a couple of bears… I knew I was ready to be home and in my own bed. I packed everything up and made the roughly 7.5 hour drive back home to Pittsburgh.

Summary

If you’re up for a road trip that doesn’t involve a ton of driving and still gives you a wide variety of things to do and see, consider driving from Nashville to Asheville. You’ll experience a major city as well as peaceful drives through the mountains, a variety of hikes, cool breweries, unique Airbnb’s, and tons of nature. This trip lasted me a total of 11 days but you could probably get a similar experience in a shorter amount of time. I blocked off 2 weeks total to give myself flexibility with weather and housing. However, I was ready to go home after a week and a half.

This was a bit of an exhausting trip but refreshing at the same time. Hikes in nature, especially mid-summer, can be brutal. But it was worth it. It’s great to disconnect, to get lost, to talk to strangers, to be alone in nature, to get out of your comfort zone, to work for the view at the top, and to spend some time talking to God (or whoever you believe created all of this) while admiring His work.

As a solo female traveler, safety is key. As nice as it can be to take the path less-traveled, it’s not always the smartest way to travel. I highly recommend looking into Airbnb experiences, especially for activities like hiking. It was absolutely amazing to hike under the stars and watch the sunrise but I would never do this by myself. I’ve done a handful of Airbnb adventures and it’s usually a small group (4-6) of like-minded people and it’s awesome to hear other’s travel stories and how we all ended up at the same location on the same day.

Also, be mindful of the time of day. I was told by a local in Asheville to go early in the day because storms typically hit mid-afternoon. Go early and go somewhere popular. I enjoyed my hikes much more knowing there were groups of people in front of and behind me at all times. These people can also become your photographers so you have more than selfies from your trip!

The outdoor area at the back of Sierra Nevada Brewery

Be smart but don’t be afraid to talk to people and get local recommendations. Keep your phone charged at all times and share your location often with close friends or family. However, I recommend waiting until your travels are over before you share most pictures or social media stories. Definitely DO NOT tag your location until you have completely left that location. Share your experiences with others but wait until you are home safe and the trip is completed before you give too much information away on social platforms. If you have the ability to travel, make sure you enjoy it. Try to limit complaints and don’t take anything out of your control (like thunderstorms, Super8 motels, or non-dog-friendly restaurants) personally. Adjust your route as needed and make the most out of your time. If it starts to become miserable, that’s when you know that it’s time to head home. Happy traveling!