The Countdown is On

(Ms. Shunpiker's post) — Shun·pik·ing, a verb, is derived from the word shun, meaning "to avoid", and pike, a term referring to turnpikes.  A person who avoids traveling interstates is called a shunpiker, thus the blog title. A shunpiker prefers interludes along lightly traveled country roads in order to experience the heartland of America. This blog chronicles Mr and Ms Shunpiker's first official shunpiking experience through the back roads and tiny towns of Tennessee, Kentucky, maybe Ohio.  Hold on. More drama.

While shunpiking, the Shunpikers simultaneously experience the World's Longest Yard Sale (WLYS), 690 miles to be exact, an annual 4-day event held in August along the rural roadsides of corridor U.S. 127 (a birthday gift-trip from Mr S to Ms S).  With this signage hanging proudly over my desk, it should give you a good indication of how my mind works and the level of anticipation. 

Officially, WLYS begins in Alabama runs thru Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, ending in Michigan.  In truth, there is no beginning or end.  One just jumps on and off anywhere they please. 

Historically, WLYS was an attempt on the part of organizers to get folks shunpiking and into their small towns.  There you go.

Follow the dotted line!

The Shunpikers begin their dualistic adventure on August 1 in Chattanooga, TN traveling in a northernly fashion. Armed with new sneakers, a cargo van, cooler, cameras, the Garmin, several rolls of toilet paper and lots of Franklins, the countdown begins. 

(Mr. Shunpiker's post) - shun-shopp-er is derived from the word shun, meaning "to avoid", and shopper, a term referring to shopping.  A person who avoids shopping with a vengeance is called a shunshopper, thus the blog title Ms S has not included in naming her blog. A shunshopper prefers interludes along lightly traveled country roads in order to respond to the call of the trout stream and to avoid shopping for any product. Getting poked in the eye with a very sharp stick is a fair trade off for evading the shopping experience, on or off road.  This blog chronicles Mr Shunshopper and Ms Shunpiker's first official shunpiking/shunshopper experience through the back roads and tiny towns of Tennessee, Kentucky, maybe Ohio.  Hold on. More drama.  

This just in - I walked in from a day of trout fishing with my sons in the mountains of western North Carolina.  I think we all know Ms S's penchant for "thriftiness" (generously described).  She announced to me that she was taking a wad of Franklin's and is prepared to spend it all.  At first I thought this was a prank, and I looked for a recording camera, knowing it was preserving my response.  Finding none, and still reeling from this startling revelation, I've concluded that she is off of her medication before we even begin this trip.  She's right - more drama.