Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don’t plan.

Just days after arriving in Florida, bags barely unpacked with sand still in my shoes and in the car from kayaking, I found myself on a last minute road trip to Atlanta, Georgia.

Why?
Because my baby cousin—my cousin’s daughter—was selected for a 2-day braid camp and had earned a partial scholarship. I wasn’t going to miss the chance to support her. So, we took our Black girl magic to hit the road.

Me.
My cousin.
And our future little braid boss.

🛣️ Waffle House Warmth & Buc-ee’s Breaks

Before we even left Florida, there was one non-negotiable: food! Since it was 2:00am, Waffle House was the move! Judge me if you wanna... I don’t care how many times I go… that buttery toast, eggs fried hard sweet Southern hospitality just hits different. It’s like a travel checkpoint before any road trip. Of course, the waitress called us “baby” while handing out the sweet tea, coffee and OJ! That's how us southerners roll.

And we stood outside the window for our food—food for the belly. She'd already portioned out our food for the soul.

And then there was Buc-ee’s. Oh, Buc-ee’s.

Every time we passed one, we stopped. I’m not even ashamed.
Whether it was for snacks, restrooms the size of a chapel, or the jerky (yes, I said what I said and I ate what I ate! Mind your own diet! Quit tending to mine!!!)—Buc-ee’s became our unofficial travel mascot.

Especially once my cousin saw the pay.

She applied on the spot!

👩🏽‍🦱 Braid Camp & Black Girl Excellence

The real star of the trip, though? Our little braidpreneur-in-training.

Watching her walk into that braid camp with her shoulders back and those edges laid was a proud moment. She wasn’t just there to learn how to braid—she was learning to build. To create. To take pride in the craft that’s shaped generations of Black beauty.

This was culture.
This was legacy.
And I was there to witness it.

💫 The Power of Saying Yes

I didn’t plan this trip. It wasn’t on my itinerary.
But I’m so glad I invited myself. It was a good yes to myself!
Yes to family.
Yes to detours.
Yes to long drives, late nights, little sleep, and little girls learning big things.

Atlanta reminded me that travel doesn’t have to be exotic to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s about showing up—present, unpolished, and willing.

📝 Final Thought

The road from Jacksonville to Atlanta is just 2nd nature for my Florida/Georgia family. If i had not gone, it would've been a missed opportunity to relive such road trips and family visits that I used to take so so often often back in the day. Trips that I'm sure I took for granted.

It might not have been a long trip, but it was rich. Rich in memory, in laughter, some sacred and overdue tears, and rich in sisterhood. And I’ll take that kind of wealth any day.

• 💬 Have you ever taken a last-minute trip that turned out to be unforgettable?
• 💬 What’s your go-to stop on a Southern road trip—Waffle House or Buc-ee’s?

Let me know in the comments!