RoamingRushka

It was 2:30AM when the first tornado sirens started blaring. Paloma’s iPhone gave that horrendous screech that the weather service sends out – the one that I had muted back in LA, and I bolted out of bed in search of my pants. Glancing out of the window (in this case, not the best idea), did not help alleviate my anxiety. The trees were swaying in a trancelike state, lit by the strobelite of perpetual lightning. Rain fell sideways and our new rental groaned with every gust of wind. As we huddled together in the bathtub – the closest thing to a storm shelter this place has to offer – we both realized something: we’re definitely not in Florida anymore.

But before we get into life here in Nashville (and the all weather drama), let me rewind a bit – back to the sunny Gulf Coast, where our journey north began.

The Trek from St. Pete to Nashville

Mid-Late March

The journey from St. Petersburg to Nashville is no small feat – about 11 hours straight up I-75. Luckily, we broke it up in a way that turned a long drive into a memorable adventure. My family flew out east to meet us for a week on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, to celebrate my birthday. From St. Pete, it was a 7-hour drive to the island, and after a restful week with my family, we headed 4 hours northwest toward Atlanta. The route turned out to be beautifully serendipitous: we were able to swing through Atlanta for a quick visit with Paloma’s family before finishing the final leg – another 4 hours – to Nashville. A straight 11-hour drive isn’t ideal, but I love finding creative ways to break up the road and soak in a few more experiences along the way.

Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island, located in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, is a scenic barrier island known for its pristine beaches, world-class golf courses, and laid-back coastal charm. About an hour’s drive from Charleston to the north, and Savannah to the south, Hilton Head is a serene escape full of natural beauty and charm. We even kept our streak alive, spotting massive alligators in the city’s many lakes and ponds, which were beautifully maintained and lined with scenic walking paths.

Some of my favorite moments during the week were biking on the beach, exploring the Union stronghold Fort Howell, and sitting on the beach with my family drinking ice cold Yuenglings. What surprised me most about Hilton Head Island was its deep connection to Union history. Given that South Carolina is a Southeastern state often associated with the Confederacy, I was genuinely moved to discover so many uplifting stories of resistance and freedom. From accounts of the Underground Railroad and the triumphs of Union soldiers, to powerful narratives of enslaved people rebelling and disrupting the status quo, Hilton Head holds a rich and inspiring legacy. Most striking of all was Mitchelville – the first self-governed town established by formerly enslaved people in 1862, at the height of the Civil War.

Savannah, GA

Beyond the magic of Hilton Head Island, one of my favorite cities in the entire country was just an hour’s drive away: Savannah, Georgia. Founded in 1733, Savannah’s Historic District is one of the most thoughtfully designed and aesthetically harmonious places I’ve encountered in my travels. Its grid of neighborhoods, each built around lush public squares and shaded by Spanish moss-draped oaks, creates a city that’s not only incredibly walkable but also full of wonder – there’s a quiet sense of discovery waiting at every turn.

We visited on my birthday, a Friday, and the day ended perfectly with dinner at one of my favorite spots: Sea Wolf on Tybee Island.

Birthday Reflections on the Road

Spending my birthday with family was the perfect way to pause, recharge, and reflect. My mom had recently converted a bunch of old home videos into digital files, so throughout the week we revisited snapshots of my childhood – seeing my younger self through that grainy, familiar lens. In the quieter moments at our Airbnb, we played board games and worked on puzzles, and honestly, those simple shared moments turned out to be some of my favorite memories from the trip.

This nomadic chapter of life has been a blessing in so many ways. It’s stretched my perspective and helped clarify what truly matters. But one of the toughest parts – maybe the toughest part – has been the distance from loved ones. Being away from family and friends can really sharpen your appreciation for them. It’s only with time and space that you start to realize how grounding and life-giving those relationships are.

First Week in Nashville

As I mentioned earlier, we arrived at our new rental home in Nashville after a long day on the road. One thing I’ve noticed: after a full day of driving, first impressions don’t really stick. It was dark by the time we pulled into town, and our only glimpse of Nashville had been the freeway and a few neighborhood streets. Since we arrived on a Sunday night, we both jumped straight into work on Monday – and that’s when the weather started to shift.

Our phones buzzed with alerts: tornado watch. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time taking those push notifications seriously. That is, until the tornado sirens started wailing. As Californians, this was a completely new experience – I’m not even sure we have tornado sirens back home. That Tuesday night was long. The sirens went off every 30 minutes or so, just in case we were starting to drift off and miss the excitement. We had a few days under tornado and flood watches, but thankfully only two days with actual sirens.

It’s kind of ironic: the very weather pattern that causes tornadoes – warm Gulf air clashing with cold northern fronts – is exactly what we ran headfirst into by heading north from Florida. As snowbirds chasing milder temps, I figured we’d find something more comfortable up here. Didn’t exactly plan for “treacherous” in the forecast.

On the bright side, the rental we booked is one of the nicest we’ve stayed in. I’m convinced the homeowner is a designer – the space feels intentional, calming, and really well thought-out. Fingers crossed it doesn’t all get swept up in a tornado… with us still in it.

Digital nomad tip #199:

Make sure you check the weather patterns in the region you plan to move to.