Whenever I get to meet others who share my love of travel it makes my day for sure. I am currently taking an online summer class and in this class I was lucky enough to meet exactly that kind of person, Jody Cooper. Jody is working on her own website about homeschooling, and has taken multiple long trips to Virginia Beach. I got to have a socially distant conversation with her about those adventures to Virginia Beach.
Q: When did you leave for your trip and when did you return?
A: Pretty much, on the spur of the moment, I took an extended trip to Virginia Beach, VA. In September of 2018 I packed up my Camry, strapped my bike onto the rack, climbed into the driver’s seat, left my lovely, little home and headed towards Virginia Beach. I spent 9 months there, returned home for the summer and then went back again in the fall of 2019 for another 9 months.
Q: What was your favorite part of the entire trip (or a couple of favorites if there isn’t just one)?
A: Well, the ocean has to be the paramount draw. Being able to leave my house and walk a couple hundred steps to the beach is hard to beat. I walked regularly on the beach and took many photos of the dunes where I came onto the beach. Here’s one.
I also love the state parks and ran into a hiking group composed of members of the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club, most of whom are retired as I am. I joined that group and have loved the hikes and trail maintenance that we engage in. I also found a competitive bridge group that I love, and climbed through my first adventure park, up in the trees with zip lines and other challenges.
Q: What was your least favorite part of the trips?
A: I have three young grandchildren who live near me in Pennsylvania. Not being around to watch them grow up was easily the hardest part. I took many trips home mostly to see them.
Q: What were the reasons for taking the trips?
A: Have you ever felt like ... running away? Or just getting up and leaving, trying something new? Maybe that is unique to me, or maybe age played a role. But I really needed a change in my life. I didn’t want to sell my house which is right near my family. It takes courage to leave home and travel to a strange place. But it certainly worked well for me. And the payment schemes VB has for nine-month renting out of season make it very reasonable financially.
Q: Are you interested in traveling to other places or are you more the kind of person to keep returning to your favorite places?
A: I will be returning to VB for a third season this fall so I must enjoy returning to favorite places. I also used to travel regularly to my sister’s place in NC and my cousin’s place in San Diego. But am very interested in traveling and exploring new vistas.
Q: What other places have you traveled to?
A: The furthest I’ve traveled is Africa. My son was in the Peace Corp in Guinea and I spent two fascinating weeks with him there. I have traveled to England three times and Scotland once. I have traveled to many places in the US both alone and with others. In the spring of 2018 I traveled out west with my sister, and in 2017 I drove across country to the Oregon Coast, through fire and smoke, and back again. I do love to travel.
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