A New Road Trip

On the road again...

VM: We are thrilled to officially emerge from our COVID travel moratorium this summer, all inspired by EM. As she faces her senior year, she has started weighing her "what comes after high school?" options. Always interested in service, Emma has pondered the military, police work, a degree in criminal justice, etc. A conversation with her Grandpa Bob last year sparked her to check out the Coast Guard. She likes that it could possibly let her pursue her interest in policing while serving her country. 

So to see if this life is right for her, she applied to the Coast Guard Summer Academy in New London, Connecticut. The one-week program is designed to give potential cadets a taste of what Coast Guard and Academy life is like. It is both encouraging and discouraging -- encouraging those who want to keep going, discouraging those who may realize this is not for them. Per the Coast Guard, nearly 50% of those who attend the Summer Academy ultimately apply. And if you to do the summer program, it definitely gives you a better chance of acceptance (assuming you did well during the summer.) Interestingly, because the Coast Guard is smaller than the other branches of the military, it is a bit more competitive to get in.

So on 7/11, EM starts her Coast Guard trial at the summer academy!

Her summer adventure sparked a mom & daughter road trip. First, we will visit our good friend, Merrill, and her family in Orlando before boarding an overnight auto train to Virginia, right outside of D.C. From there, we drive to Mystic, CT, for a couple of days before dropping EM in New London, CT. 

While EM gets a taste of cadet life, VM visits Maine and New Hampshire before returning to CT & picking up JM at the airport. After family day at the Academy, EM & VM drop JM at the airport and hit the road, first stopping in historic Harper's Ferry, WV. Next, we visit our neighbors & besties, the McDonoughs, at their Beech Mountain, NC cabin. Afterwards, we drive east to hang with Nana Donny in Southern Pines, NC, and finally, we check out Fernandina Beach before reaching home again!

Can't wait!

Murphy is practicing his stowaway skills.

EM: With our trip quickly approaching I have excited nerves & scared nerves. I hope the first week will help seal the deal that I want to go to the Academy but regardless, I know I'll have a blast & also get the next week with friends & family. Can't wait to see what this adventure brings! Now I'm just trying to figure out how to sneak Murphy into my luggage...