--- title: "Asphalt Meditation: Winston-Salem Edition" description: "Discover how my 12-Hour Office Travel Kit keeps me productive on the go, from drafting content to hosting virtual meetings—perfect for digital creators looking to maximize their workflow." url: "https://jimmydnet.com/blog/asphalt-meditation-winston-salem-edition" published: "2024-11-23T18:39:00Z" updated: "2024-12-14T19:56:34Z" authors: ["Jimmy D"] categories: ["Storyteller"] --- # Asphalt Meditation: Winston-Salem Edition What happens when a restless nomad takes a Long Coffee Trip to Winston-Salem for some library vibes, park strolls, and a rethink of the ultimate productivity bag? ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/104614a07f73ccb3b1154a4f28704dbe.png) 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.](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/how-i-fell-back-in-love-with-libraries-and-they-didnt-even-have-to-buy-me-coffee?site=1) Libraries are the unsung heroes of community spaces, and today’s stop, the [Forsyth County Central Library,](https://www.forsyth.cc/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](https://www.cityofws.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Hanes-Park-73) 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. ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/9d98a3e5ba5c253d9403e4a4b3391818.jpg) ## 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: 1. Only Pack Things You Actually Use. The “nice-to-haves” weigh you down. Literally and metaphorically. 2. Mouse Pad: [A small one, like the one in my travel office bag](https://amzn.to/4fY2j1z), would save me from looking like a caveman awkwardly dragging a mouse across a library desk. 3. Headset: Both Bluetooth and wired with a [USB-C to AUX headphone jack adapter](https://amzn.to/4983dFZ). Pro tip: redundancy is your friend when you’re living that digital nomad life. 4. 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. 5. Water Bottle: How is this not already in the bag? [A cool, matching one is non-negotiable.](https://amzn.to/3AVuDSQ) (Motivation comes in mysterious forms.) - Add Lin 6. Samsung DeX Setup: My small touchscreen monitor ( [Portable Monitor Touchscreen, FHD 10.5"" 1920x1280P IPS Travel Monitor](https://amzn.to/4fY2j1z) ) 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. 7. 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](https://amzn.to/4fETtp2)) 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 ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/62efb894ce3dbeeb354bbcdd93f97fb7.jpg) ![It looks like they have a coffee shop but it wasn't open.](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/091fb917df08979488e5bd4e4352f1c3.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/1421f18e3a794f5d27e29d8169cba2b5.jpg) ![They have a computer training center and from what I gather you can rent it.](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/bbb4df12000d27e28422ff7c7b62474d.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/198f03f3f7fbc5e73c56356947bc33c7.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/c6336e3cca8f61bcbd858953bbf277ca.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/baf9b99d324bfa8421c0084252b8e4c1.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/c4df9eb7630bf761def6f4ef4ec4f72e.jpg) ![They have a nice patio you can chill on](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/2e7fa34a88689cd8145ce7605b8568ef.jpg) ![This reading room was locked but looked cool.](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/dfc0784333466ebf43e20bebbe241b45.jpg) ![I need to rename my city bag.](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/8edd4c4a91e4c71bd6776d710c6663f9.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/fd7355e6c11f95296a2de43a83266fd6.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/c0c8372c3f6b8f0edbec1c9c3c0e7835.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/92a62d0b22ce1c92fbb84057be032ee7.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/f5ff6375e883114e36d91185f3b84802.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/3d3e419c2a55f090eb13140623bb2eca.jpg) ![](https://jimmydnet.com/blog/assets/uploads/270a1e41da6d4d2b9b631503e61f6a7c.jpg)