Texas to West Memphis: A Brand New Woman
Scenic highway in northeast Texas surrounded by trees – Day 1 of road trip
Getting Out of Texas
If you've ever road-tripped out of Texas, you know the hardest part is just… getting out of Texas. From where I live—right in the middle of the state—it takes over five hours just to hit the state line. That means most of your first travel day is spent winding your way through familiar territory, watching the same scenery stretch on and on.
But if you head east and take a moment to actually see it, things start to change. Somewhere out there, Texas shifts. The land flattens out. Suddenly there are tall trees—really tall trees—lining both sides of the road. It’s not desert anymore. It’s green. Lush. Almost like a different state entirely. Northeast Texas isn’t anything like Central Texas. There’s water. There are farms. And the trees? They’re not just trees—they’re a signal that you’re on your way to something new.
“🎵I’m a brand new WOMAN🎵”
Through Arkansas to West Memphis
Once I finally crossed into Arkansas at Texarkana, it was like stepping into a different world. The whole drive through Arkansas is two-lane highways—just you, some trees, and a whole lot of semis. Trucks everywhere. Taking up both lanes. Slowing everything down. But even with the traffic, there's something peaceful about it.
The trees are tall and thick, wrapping both sides of the road in green. Sometimes they even fill the median. You’re surrounded. And every rest area? Pure magic. I swear, Arkansas has the best rest stops. They look like little hidden campgrounds—picnic tables, tall trees, bathrooms, snacks, quiet. Even the signs say no camping, which makes sense… but I get the temptation. I would have loved to pop up a tent and call it a night.
“🎵When you lose yourself, you find the key to Paradise.🎵”
West Memphis, Arkansas
I made it to West Memphis just as the sun dipped behind the trees. It's not actually Memphis, technically—it's a separate city in Arkansas—but it still had that “I finally made it” energy.
I pulled into the hotel, tired but buzzing. The best part of the day? Hugging Bee!!! I hadn’t seen her in two weeks, and seeing her again hit me hard. She ran straight for the pool and swam her little heart out until it closed. Then we crashed.
