Sometimes you just need to get out of the house. And sometimes, “getting out” looks like piling into the car with a bag full of semi-preparedness and calling it a Long Coffee Trip (LCT)—a phrase I’ve coined to disguise my need for escape as a meaningful journey. This particular LCT had a destination: Winston-Salem.
Why Winston-Salem? Because my noodle, for reasons only it knows, kept flashing me images of cobblestones, industrial brick, and the kind of historical vibes that make you feel like you’ve traveled to a European city—except there’s no passport, no jet lag, and thankfully, no crowds of tourists.
Library Recon: Mission Accomplished: As you know from my recent posts, I’m on a library kick. Libraries are the unsung heroes of community spaces, and today’s stop, the Forsyth County Central Library, in Winston-Salem, did not disappoint.
The Forsyth County Public Library in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offers reservable computers for research, meeting rooms, and workspaces for library cardholders. Additionally, the Central Library features a sound production studio available for a fee, equipped with a production computer, mixing boards, and software for creating music or recording vocals and instruments.
This place is massive. It’s got all the things you’d want: meeting rooms, outdoor decks for when you need some fresh air while pretending to work, and a coffee shop on the first floor (sadly closed today—someone please send an angry letter). Parking was a breeze thanks to a nearby deck, and there’s plenty of street parking for those who like to gamble with parallel spaces.
Libraries, for me, are not just about books or free Wi-Fi. They’re part relaxation zone, part reconnaissance mission. I’m constantly scouting for places where I can:
- Work when cabin fever hits.
- Host talks or classes (because why not manifest a future where I’m a wandering tech enabler?).
I’d say the Forsyth library is officially on my list of "Third Places."
The Nomad’s Walk: Hanes Park
What’s a Long Coffee Trip without some form of physical movement? Typically, I’d squeeze in a run or hike, but I’m nursing a sore knee this week (thanks, life), so I opted for a brisk walk around Hanes Park instead. This area is a goldmine of my favorite aesthetic: industrial-age-meets-European-village. You can almost hear the ghostly sound of old factory whistles if you squint hard enough. Bonus: It’s steeped in history, which means the vibe is always a little richer than your average Saturday stroll.
My “12-Hour Office City Kit” Needs a Better Name (and here's what else I learned)
If you know me, you know I love giving projects names. My current setup—a bag full of everything I need to survive a nomadic workday—is affectionately called the “12-Hour Office City Kit.” It works, but let’s be real, it’s not giving cool. Suggestions welcome.
While testing it out today, I realized it needs a few tweaks. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Only Pack Things You Actually Use. The “nice-to-haves” weigh you down. Literally and metaphorically.
- Mouse Pad: A small one, like the one in my travel office bag, would save me from looking like a caveman awkwardly dragging a mouse across a library desk.
- Headset: Both Bluetooth and wired with a USB-C to AUX headphone jack adapter. Pro tip: redundancy is your friend when you’re living that digital nomad life.
- Notepad: Physical note-taking is the secret to tricking my noodle into staying on task. Plus, I’m finding it’s easier to transfer ideas into my digital “Second Brain” later.
- Water Bottle: How is this not already in the bag? A cool, matching one is non-negotiable. (Motivation comes in mysterious forms.) - Add Lin
- Samsung DeX Setup: My small touchscreen monitor ( Portable Monitor Touchscreen, FHD 10.5"" 1920x1280P IPS Travel Monitor ) is almost perfect for creating a desktop-on-the-go, but it’s still not quite what I dream of. It’s closer though, and that’s worth celebrating.
- Keyboard: My folding keyboard is cute and compact but a pain to type on for long stretches. There’s a better one on my Christmas list. (RK ROYAL KLUDGE F68 Foldable Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard) Here’s hoping Santa overlooks my questionable decisions this year.
Mission Debrief
Today’s goals were simple:
- Scout the library. CHECK.
- Draft this post and feel like I have a purpose for my nomadic tendencies (a stretch, but CHECK).
- Test my 12-Hour Office City Kit and note improvements. DOUBLE CHECK.
The real win here? A sense of productivity that doesn’t feel forced. I got out of the house, explored a new spot, evaluated my tools, and let the workflow unfold naturally. It’s days like this that remind me why I embrace the nomadic life—because sometimes, all you need is a fresh view, a new library, and a brisk walk to recharge your noodle and spark creativity.
Until the next LCT, keep scouting, keep tweaking, and keep chasing the perfect Third Place.
#DigitalNomadLife #WinstonSalemAdventures #ProductivityOnTheGo #ThirdPlaceVibes #LibraryLove