Take me home, Clopper Road
Beautiful Clopper Road, on a summer 2021 morning
I’ve lived in the same house my entire life. From birth til today, as a 22 year old, I’ve made all of my domestic memories here. I still walk down the same stairs every day, brush my teeth in the same mirror, eat breakfast in the same kitchen, and sleep in the same bed (no joke, my mattress is OLD). My room is drastically different than it was all those years ago, but I snuggle with the same stuffed animals at night and still have the same beautiful view from my window.
Chubby little me in my room, a few months before my 3rd birthday
I look out into a sea of lush green leaves (there’s a reason it’s is my favorite color), and try as much as I can to thank the universe for allowing me to grow up in the heart of a stunning deciduous forest and state park. I’m a stone’s throw from Clopper Road, the iconic stretch of pavement that was the inspiration for Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver (yeah, pretty cool, I know). A road I take almost daily, it indeed does take me home.
Your choices of activity are quite limited when you have a broken… well, anything. With my fancy little boot on, I can walk short distances before I start to feel the precursor to some pretty gnarly pain. So, to remedy this, my parents offered to take me on a scenic drive today to look out at greenery and cows. Who could refuse such a thing?
My parents and I embarked on our journey around 12pm today, taking Clopper Road for miles and miles. We stopped for ice cream along the way (what can I say, it’s necessary fuel), made our rounds at a precious antique shop (my dad bought me a little handmade sheep, which I’ve now put by my mirror), and stopped at this Italian place (God, the food was sh!t) at our final destination (Leesburg, VA).
Sunflower field by Rocky Point Creamery (sunflowers are my favorite!)
Today, I have been reminded of the beauty of my home state, of my hometown. Of roadtrips, of spontaneity, of spending time with your parents while you still can. Of saying yes, and saying no if you’re not feeling up for it. I am grateful for the place I grew up, and I am so so so grateful to still call this home. It always will be, whether I’m in Colorado, or Spain, or Australia.
Count your blessings and count your sheep,
