The Road Goes on Forever, and The Party Never Ends…

Spring is in the air, and on the calendar, which means it’s time to load up the Renegade Vienna, hook up the Jeep, crank up the road trip playlist, and hit the highway for a grand tour of the Southeast. This itinerary is packed with sunshine, good friends, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Let’s roll!

Destination Hilton Head, SC – We’re looking forward to some Southern Charm at one of our favorite RV parks, Hilton Head National. We’ll keep busy at this resort where we’ll take in the five star facilities, get in a round on their signature golf course, and enjoy a couple of nights out with friends that live in the Bluffton area. Hilton Head National will continue to be on our itinerary every time we head south.

Reconnecting in Jupiter, FL – Sunshine, Sand, more friends and more golf. After Bluffton, we’re cruising down to Jupiter, Florida, where the sun is hot, the water is clear, and there’s always a chance we’ll spot a manatee or an overenthusiastic surfer. We’ll visit friends, bask in the Florida warmth, and try not to get sunburned on Day 2 (wish us luck).

Sun Outdoors in Sarasota, FL – From Jupiter, we head west to Sarasota, where we’ll eat way too much fresh seafood and lounge on some of the prettiest beaches in the country. We might take in the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and/or the Sarasota Farmers Market. There will be sunset views, and long conversations with some former CT neighbors.

Indian Springs State Park & Macon, GA – After we’ve had our fill of beach life, we point the Renegade Vienna north to Macon, Georgia, home of Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers, and some of the best soul food in the South. We’ll dive headfirst into some barbecue and soak up the rich musical history—because what’s a road trip without a good soundtrack?

Liberty Hill Sporting Club, GA – Time to channel our inner outdoorsy selves at Liberty Hill Sporting Club. Whether we’re clay shooting, fishing, or just kicking back with friends, this stop is all about embracing the wild (or at least looking like we know what we’re doing).

The Hite Family Farm in Boaz, AL – Fresh Air & Farm Life. Next up, a visit to a friend’s farm in Boaz, Alabama. Expect a slower pace, plenty of home-cooked meals, and possibly a run-in with some friendly farm animals. Hopefully, we leave with fresh eggs and not a goat trying to stow away in the RV. It will be great to see the farm ducks, Lucy and Dezi, and Luna the Great Pyrenees, who was just a little pup when we saw her last in 2022.

Muscle Shoals, AL – No road trip through Alabama is complete without a stop in Muscle Shoals, home of the legendary music studio. It was a suggested stop on our last visit to northern Alabama, but there wasn’t time. This time we’ll camp locally and take in the studio tour. I’m sure we’ll find a suitable watering hole and grill in the neighborhood. Between Macon and Muscle Shoals, we’re bound to soak up the spirit of Duane “Skydog” Allman. Maybe I’ll be inspired to pick up an electric guitar again.

Sevierville, TN – As we meander back home to Danbury, we’re once again staying at The Ridge Outdoor Resort, site of last year’s Renegade Rally. Sevierville is home to Dollywood and isn’t far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A side trip in the Jeep to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is probably in the mix.

New River Gorge, WV - In the spring of 2022 we were headed north from Virginia on I-77, heading toward Morgantown, WV. The GPS said stay on the interstate (I-77 to I-79). I had other ideas, and decided to take a short cut on US Route 19. As often happens on our road trips, there was another surprise just around the next bend in the road; The New River Gorge Bridge. We had no idea, and right then decided to stop at the Visitor Center and take a short walk to take in the overlook views of the New River. We made a promise to return and explore this beautiful part of the country. On this trip we’ll make good on that promise.

Final Thoughts: The Road (and Our Stomachs) Will Be Well-Traveled. This road trip is shaping up to be a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and catching up with some of our favorite people. We’ll laugh a lot, eat even more, and, if history is any indicator, get lost at least once. But hey, that’s all part of the journey!

Stay tuned for updates, questionable roadside attractions, and stories from the road. See y’all out there!