Often we get caught up in the every day life and events.. Having no children is just on less thing to worry about.. and with these last few months.. the events keep coming.. Meaning.. that the passing of family members, wife looses her job, then hired back by the same company under a new name..Up, Down, Up Down.. augh. So I felt it was time to hit the road.. But wife really wasn't in the moody. She felt that we didn't have enough funds to have a long weekend trip.. For use its more of the drive getting there then actually being there. (where ever there ends up being)I finally convened her that last weekend was a great time to head the coast.. and that's all I needed to say "coast". What could we do with less then $500.00 and still call it a trip (out of state) With gas actually going down.. and having a small car that gets nearly 30 MPGs the possibility where nearly endless.. Other than heading out west. Living in Maryland.. my wife often picks up the map and says "head south or east etc" This time I knew which coastline she was heading for. The outer banks.. The morning before.. I kept checking the motel rates.. One day the rate was 74.00 per night.. the next it was 80.00 per night.. So I figured if I waited to long.. I'll miss our chance at getting a room on a budget. Oh we've tried to camp at the beach and found its just to sandy or windy (on the beach) yet inland.. you can set up and still catch a breeze or two and have less then a few minutes drive to the beach itself. But because the season was changing, We've decided it best not to camp and took the hotel room instead. Driving approx 6 hours from MD to NC we made time to stop along the way.. flea markets, museums, rest areas, even a ferry boat crossing (twice) picking up brochures along the way and crossing three state lines. Oh by all means this isn't the quickest trip we've had.. Every year in May we take a (7 states in 1 Day) trip.. ending up in NC. Seeing sights like two nuclear power plants along the Ohio river. The wind mill farm in PA, The coal mines in Kentucky.. and of course the blue ridge parkway in North Carolina.. So just think.. your travel, your way.. the easy way.. no set plans.. just go, do and be anywhere, Just remember to pack your camping gear or reserve your room way early. Our Beach trip?.. well it wasn't without it's issues.. and our hotel room ended up being free afterwards.. hey I'm not saying to nit pick your room.. But if it wasn't for bad luck.. we wouldn't have any luck at all..