I'm writing from Durham, got in yesterday evening around 8 or so. It was a lovely drive, took it slow and easy and stopped a few times to relieve the girl and myself. There was perfect weather and beautiful music, and it went by quickly. I'm so used to traveling to Richmond to see my mama each time I go on a trip in the car, which is a 6.5 hr drive. The fact that this one was only 4.5 hrs made it automatically feel like it was zooming by. The Airbnb is gorgeous and I arrived to find my brother already waiting there, he helped me with getting all my stuff unpacked and brought up to the apartment which was so helpful! It would have taken me several trips without him and I was able to park the car in the nearby parking garage where I'll keep it until I leave tomorrow. Everything is within walking distance so I'll be on foot for the remainder of my trip here.

Sitting here at a place called The New World Cafe in Durham NC. It' right on the corner of a city street, there's a bunch of trains that are going by, I walked here from my Airbnb (ab 7 min walk). The weather is quite perfect. The sun is shining, wispy clouds in the sky. There's a little bit of a breeze. I just ate a bacon egg and cheddar on an everything bagel and downed a quadruple espresso.. still working on my iced latte now. I slept like a dream last night. There was such a magical feeling in the room, surprised at how quiet this building is that I'm staying in. There are several floors, I'm on the second, and neighbors on either side, but for some reason I think the high ceilings and brick stifle the sound transfer. It's so peaceful and serene and Lucille didn't have much to bark at.

She was howling when I left her this morning.. always so hard to hear when I first leave, she gets a bit of separation anxiety but I know she settles once a little time passes. She's such a good girl and I'm so lucky to have her!

I think I might take a walk around the city today, might go in search of a thrift store or record shop, would love to see what's around here. Need to grab a shower and refresh myself too. I just tossed a sweater and some jeans on this morning and left for coffee because I needed to wake up. Also need to find where the theatre is at some point so I know where I'm headed tonight. I'm very excited for the show later!

I've been keeping track of my travels so far by doing a video diary sort of thing that I've been posting to my instagram story. I'm saving all the videos as I go and at the end of the trip I'll edit them all into a single video and post that somewhere on here. It's fun and new and different from anything I've ever really done as far as keeping track of my days, so I'm having fun talking to an imaginary audience. Hopefully somebody out there enjoys watching it. I know it's fun having something to do so I'll keep it up.

Ok I'm having trouble focusing on writing and I'm struggling to find things to really say at the moment. Not sure where the day will take me but I'm eager to find out. I have a feeling there's some magic waiting for me around the corner..

Talk soon and I love you.

Jenna Faline