Exit For Coffee

The Coffee Shoppe, Draper, VA

Travel is always an adventure. Setting out with a destination in sight is exciting, but the journey often becomes the best part of reaching that target.

I know it sounds cliché, but bear with me.

On my recent book tour back to Pennsylvania, I traveled through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland before finally reaching State College. Because I was making the long drive alone, I gave myself a few simple criteria for planned stops along the way: each place needed to be close to the interstate, easy to access, and interesting enough to make the journey feel like part of the adventure.

Rather than stopping at the familiar coffee chains found on nearly every corner, I searched for locally owned shops with personality. You know, the one-of-a-kind, dream-come-true kind of places that offer more than a quick cup of caffeine.

I was amazed by how many wonderful little gems were waiting just off the interstate.

And yes, I saved my favorite cup for the end.

Facility Coffee

Brunswick, Georgia

Only an hour into the journey, I made my first stop at Facility Coffee, also known as Guns & Coffee. The name alone made me curious.

Facility Coffee is part of a larger training and recreation center that includes an indoor range, gym, retail space, and other amenities. The coffee shop serves expertly crafted drinks using beans roasted nearby on St. Simons Island.

I ordered an iced espresso cold brew to go and gave myself a quick tour of the building. It was everything the description promised and more.

The entire place was unique, welcoming, and memorable. I could easily imagine Scott and me returning for a Sunday drive, stopping for coffee, and continuing on to nearby St. Simons Island.

Cold brew in hand, I was back on the interstate and headed north.

Swimming Mermaid Coffee House & Wine Bar

Yemassee, South Carolina

My next destination was the Swimming Mermaid Coffee House & Wine Bar in Yemassee, South Carolina. The name caught my attention while I was planning the route, and the glowing reviews made it an easy choice.

Located immediately off the interstate at a KOA campground in the Lowcountry, it was easy to understand why travelers loved it. From the outside, it reminded me of a Bavarian chalet. Inside, black-and-white checkered floors and eclectic décor created a fun, retro atmosphere that seemed ready to welcome anyone passing through.

I passed on the wine, for obvious reasons, and ordered another small espresso drink watered down with skim milk.

There was no time to linger, but the stop added another cheerful chapter to the day.

Bloomin’ Bean Coffee Bar

Blythewood, South Carolina

With nearly 300 miles behind me, I reached the halfway point and pulled into Bloomin’ Bean Coffee Bar in Blythewood. What a delightful little treasure.

Surrounded by flowers, with a florist located nearby, Bloomin’ Bean combined coffee, gifts, greeting cards, food, and a peaceful atmosphere beneath one cozy roof.

It was the kind of place designed to brighten someone’s day.

After hours on the road, the flowers and friendly setting were a sight for sore eyes. It felt less like a fuel stop and more like being welcomed into someone’s carefully tended dream.

Darling is the best word I can think of to describe it.

Wide-eyed, well-caffeinated, and ready to continue, I climbed back into the car for the final stretch of the day.

The Village Coffee Shoppe

Draper, Virginia

After more than 500 miles behind the wheel, I was thrilled to arrive at The Village Coffee Shoppe inside the historic Draper Mercantile.

The drive took me along winding country roads into the village of Draper, Virginia. I was especially grateful to arrive before closing time.

The Draper Mercantile is far more than a coffee shop. It serves as a community gathering place with dining, shopping, local foods, gifts, event spaces, outdoor recreation, and even the town’s post office. The historic building seemed to hold the heart of the entire village.

By that point, I had consumed enough caffeine for one day. Fortunately, the Mercantile offered plenty of other temptations. I may have been forced to try a chocolate truffle.

Naturally, it gave me exactly the strength I needed to finish the drive.

Recharging at Claytor Lake

It goes against my nature to sit in a car for eight or more hours without getting a few steps counted for the day.

Claytor Lake State Park was the perfect place to stretch my legs and quiet my mind.

The park offered winding trails through pine forests and peaceful paths along the lake. After a long day of driving, walking beneath the trees felt like recharging my own batteries.

There is something restorative about stepping into the natural world after spending hours surrounded by highways, traffic, and the constant hum of the road.

Before heading to my hotel, I followed a local recommendation and stopped at The Mason Jar for my first and final real meal of the day.

I intentionally eat lightly while driving long distances so I can remain alert and comfortable. The cream of crab soup and salad combination was simple, comforting, and exactly what I needed. It was another local gem and a lovely way to close the day.

The Road Home

The following day, I reached State College, Pennsylvania. That part of the journey has already been well documented through my BookFest adventures.

On the return trip to Florida, my route took me farther east through Pennsylvania and along Interstate 95, including the always-interesting passage through Washington, D.C.

I had planned another unique stop at Demolition Coffee in Petersburg, Virginia. The historic brick building and industrial setting had immediately captured my attention when I saw photographs online.

Unfortunately, I left much earlier than expected—around 3 a.m.—to avoid the worst of the Washington traffic and complete the straight 700-plus-mile drive home.

Demolition Coffee looked wonderful, but I arrived before opening time.

Another shop, Clockwise Coffee, was also waiting on my itinerary. It, too, will have to remain a destination for another journey.

Perhaps that is part of the fun.

A road trip should always leave a few unfinished chapters.

And the Favorite Cup Goes To…

Every coffee stop was fabulous in its own way.

Swimming Mermaid offered whimsy. Bloomin’ Bean provided warmth and beauty. The Draper Mercantile delivered history, community, and charm.

But my favorite cup belonged to Facility Coffee in Brunswick, Georgia.

Something about that cold brew stood out. It was rich, smooth, velvety, and carried exactly the kind of kick needed at the beginning of a long solo journey.

More importantly, this trip awakened a new curiosity in me.

I want to keep finding the independent coffee shops located along the roads less traveled—the places built from imagination, hard work, and someone’s dream.

I look forward to doing this again, perhaps on another book tour.

Only next time, I hope to have my soulmate beside me, making the stops even more fun and helping with some of the driving.

Until then, I’ll keep raising my cup to the open road, small businesses, unexpected discoveries, and the reminder that the destination may be important—but the journey is often where the best stories are found.