Category — Road Trip (2008)

Many people have asked me what the best part of my road trip was. Well, there weren’t any particular spots that beat out all the rest. Although, the Black Hills National Forrest in South Dakota was gorgeous. I loved seeing family members, getting to know some friends better, meeting new people, visiting places I’d only seen in pictures, and seeing states I’ve never been to. All those reasons made the trip [insert another word instead of "awesome"] Awesome! [Oh well.]

But, I think my favorite part of the trip was the randomness. The way I didn’t plan it out too much. I would wake up (stumble out of the car and into the gas station bathroom, half asleep, and then back) and then check out my atlas for somewhere I’d like to go. I’m sure this method caused me to miss many opportunities and tourist spots and cool must-see places. But, it also allowed me to live in the moment and focus on the “now.” I guess I liked the “stop and smell the roses” aspect of the trip. I experienced a lot of neat small town diners, drove down scenic roads through back-county places, stopped in a corn field to watch the sun go down, and in a wheat field to watch the sunrise. I discussed places to see with veteran truck drivers over coffee, visited art museums with strangers from the internet, saw the “bests of Kansas” with an old high school classmate, frequented libraries in several states to capitalize on free wi-fi, snuck into a campground bathroom in the middle of the night to snag a quick shower before continuing down the road, and enjoyed getting reacquainted with myself.

The experience was also pretty humbling. Without the luxuries of kitchens and showers, I learned how to make do and adapt. It made me appreciate what I had, more than before. I’ve always been one to weigh the costs and benefits of my decisions, but while on the trip I kept justifying that another night NOT in a hotel meant another tank of gas, and another experience I could enjoy. (I actually managed to not stay in any hotels on the whole trip. Only camping, car-camping, hostels, friends, family and internet friends.) I believe I spent just about $850 over the course of the month, mostly gas (avg $3.30/gal), and food, souvenirs, park fees, camping fees and entertainment.

Many people expressed concern or astonishment that I went on the trip alone. Quite a few mentioned that I must be really brave. I don’t see it that way. I have many fears, many that seem to cripple me in some ways. But, taking off on my own allowed me to escape a little from my own head, which I tend to get caught up in - thinking too hard about too many things. Traveling took my thoughts outside myself, to think about what I was experiencing rather than feeling. It was wonderful. At no point in the trip was I ever concerned about my safety. When I slept in my car, it was at well-lit truck stops with plenty of witnesses. The strangers from couchsurfing.com, that I stayed with, were super nice and welcoming hosts. I made sure not to put myself in any position to welcome trouble, but I think in general people are good and most places are pretty safe. Although, I did feel more comfortable car-camping in small towns rather than bigger cities.

So, the best part of the journey… was the impulsiveness (or waywardness), the peaceful single-tasking focus on the current moment, and the humility of experiencing each day not knowing where I would be by nightfall or if I’d manage a shower, or a couch to crash on.

I’m totally going to do it again. :)

Dad passed away three years ago today. I miss him terribly. I keep deleting sad posts.

He was awesome. My rock. I was daddy’s little girl. He taught me to always question what people told me, he would say, “never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.” Whenever I said a smart ass remark he would look at me above his glasses with his eyebrows raised, like an old schoolmarm. He liked calling me at 5 a.m. to tell me I was missing the best part of the day. He woke up early every morning, read from his bible, drank black coffee and surfed sites about conspiracy theories. He was a truck driver, had a green diesel truck, wore flannel and boots, sported a foo manchu mustache, chain-smoked Camel cigarettes and drank plenty of beer. He fixed my cars when they broke down, laughed at the clothes I wore, and always asked me, “what do you know?”

He loved me.
I miss him.

Forget the air guitar photos, this guy did it right! Horrible dancing all over the world. I can dance…horribly. :) He used a camera similar to my little Canon Elph, but used the video part of it. I guess he started it as a joke, made a video, it got youtube-famous and then Stride asked him to do it again for them. So, with their money he traveled to something like 39 countries and filmed it again. His website is popular enough that if you google “Matt” his site comes up first. Check it out.

He even got Stride to sponsor another trip and he made another video. Pretty awesome.

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P.S. - Went to the doctor today. Just like I feared, it’s just a virus. Which means I keep doing what I’ve been doing, I don’t get antibiotics, and I wasted some cash. Oh well.

Hey there reader, how are you doing? I’m stoked to see I have some votes to keep up my blog. I will try not to disappoint.

Lets see, what have I been doing lately? I’ve visited with friends in the area, stared at my boxes that need to be unpacked, read four or five books, watched a season of Dexter (awesome series), and now I’m uber-sick (the reason I’ve been a homebody as of late). Anyone want to cut out my tonsils for free? I’ll give you my undying gratitude. Seriously, should the sides of my throat be touching my uvula? I said “uvula,” that thing that hangs down in the back of one’s throat, you sick perv. [I was going to post a picture of my throat, but looking at them just icked me out. So I won't subject you to that.] Anyway, I think I’m finally going to hit up a doctor tomorrow and see about some antibiotics. However, I will be pissed if I fork over cash for a doctor’s visit (what is insurance?) and find out I just have a cold. Being sick sucks.

Well, I’m off to take a swig or two of some NyQuil. Soon, I will probably re-design this blog a little, and organize the travel posts from the regular wayward-thoughts posts. See you soon.

P.S. Since Halloween is coming up shortly. Here is an old picture of me and my brother Todd in costumes our mom made. (From back in the day when I swam everyday and actually had a tan.)

What do you think?

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The last few texts, which I sent to my blog, didn’t go through. Hmm. I wonder why. Anyway, I left Colorado and made it back to Salt Lake City, UT today, just in time to go to the weekly Thai food dinner with my friends from Jitterbug. *waves to Bruce and Matthew.*

It’s kind of good to be home, to relax, and sleep in a bed. I’m looking forward to getting a few jobs, storing up some cash and then hopefully go to Europe by May!

So, my wayward trip is done for now, although I may post some insights in the next day or so. And now that I have consistent internet I’ll try to update flickr with more pictures from my trip if anyone is interested. :)

wayward melissa

Heading back today. Probably.

I went out with my friend Tiara last night for “a beer.” Haha!

We ended up surfing the couches at her friend’s house afterwards. (It’s definitely a small town when you go to a friend’s friend’s house and discover you know two of the roommates from high school and college.)

At the bar, I ran into my step-brother Luke. The bastard snuck up on me and planted a double-wet-willie from behind. So not cool dude. I know where you sleep, and revenge is best served cold.

We were signed up to sing Bohemian Rhapsody karaoke-style but didn’t get to. Next time. Here he is singing something solo, I can’t remember what. (cell phone picture)

Tiara and I woke early this morning and visited a little with her friends, went to the mall (yeah, weird), and ate some breaklunch. Now, I’m back at mi madre’s and in dire need of a shower so I’ll talk at you later.

wayward melissa

With Tiara.

I’ll be done house sitting in the next hour or so and then I’m staying at my mom’s for a night or two. And then what? I originally planned to head to Durango and then check out Mesa Verde and maybe the Grand Canyon. But, with the current cold weather I may skip it for now. I dunno. I may just head back to Salt Lake. I’ve enjoyed this month of traveling so much I won’t be disappointed no matter what I decide. :)

I’ll let you know.

wayward melissa