The Evolution of a Roadtrip

Not the most poetic but, nonetheless all I can think to tell you about in this blog on the trip!

I woke up this morning and realized I was in my own apartment. It took me about two full seconds to realize that my road trip companions weren't in the bathroom, weren't eating breakfast, and weren't going to be strolling through the door. It wasn't a dream; the road trip is over.

So here I am sitting on my bed, reliving the memories I so recently created and I find myself with a twinge of depression. The months of planning this trip are now done. The memories have been made and I won't be able to just drive west any time soon. My excursion is done but my appetite for adventure has not been satiated.

I believe that each trip we take, literal or otherwise changes us. Looking at me you'd see nothing different. Yes, I'm technically a year older [having had my birthday on the road]. Yes, my skin is a little bit more brown than before I left and yes, I have 5 gb of pictures and video on my camera [what can I say I love photography and making montages] but I don't seem any different.

My car has a few more miles on it [4100+] and I managed to put a grapefruit sized dent in the back bumper [those rocks in Yosemite are tricky] but other than that, it too is the same.

So if I haven't look like I've changed and my surroundings are the same then why do I feel unsatisfied to be sitting here telling you about my trip? Maybe the 'travel bug' bit harder this time than I expected. I can't sit here and complain though, that would be selfish, and eventually we all have to come back to bills, junk mail, school emails, and the ever present tuition fees. My list of things to complete in the next week is already longer than I wish it to be and my motivation to complete it has never been so low.

But I know what you really came here to hear about is how the trip went and see some pictures. The video and pictures will be up soon. For now you'll just have to sit through the stories as I recollect them.

Sunday May 9th - Sunday May 23rd

I decided not to pack anything or get any of the food I would be preparing for the trip together until Sunday because I knew I'd be impatient to leave. Of course, with so many things to do I ended up slightly frazzled before I went over to pick up my tripmates. I was only a half hour later than expected and for me, that's pretty good. Monica and I had to wait on Jessica doing her Mother's Day afternoon shift until 4:30 so we sat impatiently waiting for her. In the moment she returned excitement for the journey grew tenfold and we were off in minutes. Our first stop would be outside of Amarillo to visit Jessica's aunt, a nun. Yes, we stayed at a convent and it was wonderful. Not so surprisingly, we've all stayed at a convent before.

It is so interesting to see how God lives in these women. His love leaks out of them. You can see it in their smiles, in their stories, in the singing, and in their hugs. Before we left the following day I hugged 30 nuns, I am not exaggerating.

Our first big driving day, 12 hours in the car with enough food to feed an army and enough music to last [almost] the whole trip. The scenery changed drastically as we drove out of Texas and through New Mexico and most of Arizona. It was both amazing to see how vast and open the west is and somehow still boring enough to fall asleep for a few hours.

We were heading to Phoenix to visit Marcus and his wife Gina, two people so enamored with life and helping others that knowing them makes you feel more hip. Yeah, that's right, I said hip. They've got the artistic vibe that I believe many people crave but most won't have the gumption to just go after. Trusting in God got them to where they are, in a new area of the country with new plans and a fresh start. Looking back on the trip I realized we stayed with people at all stages of life. Gina and Marcus' stage of life is exciting and inspiring. But that mirrors who they are, exciting and inspiring. Thanking them for letting us invade their lives doesn't seem enough.

So that first day when we got there in the evening we climbed 'A Mountain' [hope that IS that correct name]. The evening sun was setting over Phoenix and all its surrounding towns and we stood at the top of this mountain to look out and watch the last part of the day sizzle away. Planes flew overhead and there was something magical and peaceful about the views.

On this day we hiked up Phoenix's highest peak, Camelback Mountain. It would have been Gina too but their dog, even though full of energy, couldn't manage to climb up the mountain much. Thankfully Marcus had done the hike enough that he knew where we needed to go, especially on the hairier sections nearer to the top.

Climbing up, and even back down got me thinking. My life is a mountain, or at least many things in my life act as such. Starting new things isn't always the most exciting for me, mostly because it takes adjusting. It's funny to think though. I'm the type of person that orders something different on the menu each time [variety is the spice of life] and I went for undergrad to a school no one I knew went to and survived. What makes it funny is that I'm still hesitant toward change. The motto I've created for myself - "Nuttin to it but ta do it" really is fitting. The first step is always the hardest. Okay, back to the mountain metaphor. When you look at a mountain you are about to climb all you see is the peak, the shape it forms in the distance from your view so far below. Imagining yourself at the top seems impossible but that is just an illusion. When you start to take the steps towards things, when you look at the mountain as pieces it is much easier to conquer. Each step counts, they're all important in the 'mountain take-over'. They can be scary but they are always worth it. You can no doubt stumble but you'll make it if you keep moving forward. Eventually you get to the top, sweaty, but the view is what makes the hike so worth it. We could see Scottsdale and Phoenix, Tempe and Glendale, even the Indian Reservation. They seem so small and you wonder how you ever thought twice about giving things a hike. It was worth it. I'd never been a person to take things step by step. I still don't really stress over details, but with the changes in my life this past year you realize that the big picture isn't made fully until you get through the steps that got you there. So I've found my own peak and it seems so high up, but there are still more mountains to conquer.

After that hike a much needed homemade pizza was necessary and boy was it GOOD!

From Phoenix we ventured just a short drive [ha] to Yosemite. Another driving day. This time we made our way to Yosemite National Park [my favorite stop on our trip]. To ensure that we got there in ample time, mostly before dark and the bear boxes were still visible for us to set up camp, we left by 6 a.m. This is a large feat for two girls that are rarely punctual. Of course, wanting to prove to our third party we could get out in time we did it with a few minutes to spare.

Our trio stayed in the Housekeeping Camp [where I am sure I lost a precious life saving wool red plaid blanket]. I digress. The housekeeping camp is located in the valley so our views were amazing. Our cabin was right by the Merced River and we had views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome from our tent.

We packed enough food to feed an army while we were there so we had a lot of food to munch on [after a long hike we were much like rabid beasts, so that was good]. Note to you the reader, there are small holes in bear boxes that squirrels can nibble through. I only tell you this because we had a hole chewed through in our pasta salad bag that did not come to our attention until after we finished eating. I have not contracted any rodent diseases that I know of...yet.

Let me address to you the importance of pants. No matter what time of year, no matter where you are, pants are always important to pack. Having told my two travelmates that it would be cold at night in our tent [being that the fourth curtained wall did not really block any cold from seeping in] I failed to pack more than a pair of cut off capri sweats. And I don't just mean some cute pair from VS, I mean boys sweat pants that I'm sure were either a hand me up or down from my beloved brothers. Lucky for me my sleeping back and said wool blanket kept me warm. I cannot say the same for Jessica and Monica, they rented blankets at 6 that next morning. Rule: Always, always pack pants. A jacket [which I did have, also comes in handy].

Our first, and unfortunately only, full day at the park we walked the Happy Trail and then the Mist Trail. The Mist Trail included the hike up to Vernal Falls and past that to Nevada Falls. What with it still being May the weather was still a little chilly we tried avoiding the water we came in contact with. I touched it once to know it was indeed very cold.

Not much to say about the views, you'll see the pictures/videos once I get them up. They were breathtaking. It's so nice to feel like you accomplished something, conquered the world.

Our next day [being as sore as we were] we decided to do some easy walking around El Capitan, Half Dome, as well as Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls.

I was sad to leave the shade and comfort of the trees, seeing them reminded me how much I miss them at home. Don't get me wrong, the desert plants in Arizona and New Mexico are fascinating, but I do miss the shade and green. And we all know I LOVE green! We pressed on for our next stop in Fresno to visit a roommate of Jessica's. The park got to keep some of my paint on my back bumper however, when I accidentally backed into one rock to avoid another. I now have a grapefruit size souvenir from the trip! I've never actually fancied myself a good driver so luckily that was our only car issue the entire trip [besides those scary wind noises in Nowhere New Mexico].

There were no shortage of laughs during those few days and the heat was intense compared to the cool weather of Yosemite [and we would find out soon enough LA as well]. We spent our first full day touring wine country in outside of Fresno. I cannot understand how anyone [besides the DD, which was myself] would get out of a wine tour without getting sloshed, and I mean SLOSHED. You think “refined” when you hear wine. Now, what I think of when I hear the words vineyard and wineries I think of sloppy people in decent dress. It was comical, driving through nowheresville California, amidst apricot and orange trees and everything smelled lovely.

We were fortunate enough to stumble upon the owner of the second winery we stayed at. A few of us wanted to see the stock room where things were barreled up [it was also nice and cool in there]. We followed a man who was getting more water to rinse your glasses out with and ended up following him right into the owner. I'm sure Joey loved talking to tipsy 20 somethings for the near hour we had with him. A good Italian man who had his heart set on joining the air force raised two sons with his wife to be grape and wine connoisseurs. He even let us take wine out of the tap before they were placed in the barrel; talk about tasty! We even were able to take a picture with him and our wine glasses.

On one of our other stops I ran into a classmate from my university, which we know is small. He had moved to Fresno after he graduated. I'd just like to know the odds of seeing someone from a school that has 1200 students total. I thought it impossible to really be him and so Jessica decided to whisper his name until he turned around to be sure it was him. Yes, that happened, and yes, it WAS funny.

We spent the next day heading to Millerton Lake outside of Fresno. It was intended to to be a beach day and it turned out to be comical if nothing else. It took us 20 minutes just to decide where we wanted to park ourselves. It made the situation that much more comical. We arrived early and only saw one other person at the muddy watering hole. She brought an over sized rug with her and had skin like leather. Apparently she went there often. Over the course of that morning and afternoon we were attached by bugs, played cards [thankfully we had four people so we could play Euchre], and had our ears overtaken by a large Hispanic group yelling at their dog. “CHICOOOOOO” They also had something that sounded like Spanish Kids Bop. The sun was so warm I ended up drinking practically boiled water and got a stellar [and by stellar I mean awful and funny] back tan; I didn't quite reach every part of my back. So, drinking water it is essential to relieve oneself. Yep, I peed in a muddy half dried up lake and it was awesome.

After we hit up the pool back at the apartment complex [and witness ducks mauling a young mother duck, EVIL] we set off for Los Angeles. Thanks to the working of my mother, we ended up staying with her cousin-in-law in a suburb of LA. That could not have turned out better. It was lovely. The weather on the way there was smoggy, damp, disgusting, and cold and wasn't in the works to let up. Tomorrow would be my birthday I didn't have a good feeling it would turn out quite as I had hoped.

The morning of my birthday we decided to be tourists but since I had no pants we ended up getting awkward stares form foreigners. We paid too much money to see Hollywood Blvd. blocked off for a red carpet event, walked three miles and yet didn't manage to figure out what was so great about the Sunset Strip, got lost too many times, and ended up sitting in the car longer than necessary. Venice Beach, I have decided, is quite possibly the most disgusting place to go [especially when it's cold out]. I'd rather pee in a watering hole than the toilet I had to use there. Skater dudes there are funny to watch fall, the list goes on and on. We ended up going to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner and eating dessert from the Cheesecake Factory. I was happy for the day to end.

The next day we toured Santa Monica and Beverly Hills on our way out of the city. SoCal redeemed itself in them and looking back I wish we had visited the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Ventura Highway [everything not in downtown LA]. I suppose I'll have to visit it at some other point and avoid all things stereotypical about LA. Yuck.

Our next stop was to Las Vegas to stay at Harrah's. We were upgraded to a suite which we didn't use but it was free. Since we were there midweek it cost us far less than it would have if we were there on a weekend.

I wanted to look presentable in the city of Sin and actually wore makeup and dried my hair. I brought heels to wear. As we rushed to make a showing of Menopause the Musical on the opposite side of the strip I acquired a blister so bodacious we did a video about it. I walked the majority of the strip barefoot [disgusting, no?] and washed them off in the bathroom before the show began. Again, I have no communicable diseases to speak of, as of yet. After the show ended by the time we made it to our restaurant of choice it was 11 p.m. I had only eaten breakfast that day. We were starved. With dinner we had coupons for margaritas. I ate and drank so fast I was uncomfortable by the time I'd gotten into my second drink. Or maybe it was impromptu lap dance from a random shirtless stranger that I received for my birthday [this is me cringing]. We ended up looking at the rest of the strip before heading to bed. Rather tame time in Vegas, again, another taste for something I'll have to go back and explore more.

The next day we took our time lounging at the pool in Las Vegas and driving to Williams, Arizona where we stayed before our hour drive to the Grand Canyon. We ate at Roger's Steakhouse. Their menus were steer shaped pieces of paper [I acquired one for scrap-booking purposes].

The Grand Canyon tour consisted of a small aircraft tour of the canyon, a Native American dance, an open air truck ride to Antelope Canyon to see the artistic work of flash floods, a boat ride down the Colorado River [thank you for the tan!], and finally an RV tour of the canyon's wildlife. FYI, it costs $25 to get into the park for the week. Since our driver would not let us off to take pictures we had to pay that much to simply look down the sides of the canyon. In the end, it was worth it. The whole two days we were there were worth it.

On our way out of the Grand Canyon we decided to go another 100 miles to see the Four Corners. They have a monument. The monument is closed. At least we didn't have to pay $3 per person to view the chain linked fence and pee in their portapotties. By the way, they do have regular toilets there [but were out of our sight because all we saw was a hole in the ground and construction. Needless to say, another funny video was taken to document this historic moment in our trip. What's a few more hundred miles when you drive 4100 anyway.

We stopped in Albuquerque to sleep part of the night before we ended up back at the convent outside of Amarillo the next day.

That last day at the convent we attended mass, had our prayer service, and were prayed over by the nuns. Talk about safe travels back. The time there was peaceful, but I'm still not sure how they were their habits in the Texas heat.

We made it back Sunday night. Two weeks. Gone in a flash. Totally worth it, and luckily UNDER BUDGET!!! I'm ready for another trip, another experience to help open my eyes.


Rules I've learned on this trip in no particular order:
1. 25 Road trip music compilations were a good idea but I could have made ten more and we'd still be repeating. Lesson learned: You drive more miles than expected.
2. Heels are cute but not worth the blisters in Las Vegas when you're hiking down the entire strip to see a show about "the change."
3. No matter the time of year or the weather, bring more than one sweatshirt and pack pants.
4. Sleeping bags are God's gift to campers in Yosemite [even if the zipper breaks].
5. Stop and stare at the stars for as long as your neck holds out when you're in a national park. The view will never be topped.
6. Cheese sticks only hold out only so long before their liquid separates and they must be milked out of their package.
7. Watch out for rocks. Period.
8. Pissing off locals while you're lost in a car is bound to happen. Politely wave and say this Great Escape Motto : "We're not from arouuuuund here" It works most times.
9. Most truck drivers don't want to honk for you, thank those that do with extra flailing of the arms.
10. Even though you may want to, chasing bears is not safe. Keep your 150 feet distance. And yes, I have bear chasing footage.
11. Makeup is never required on a road trip [unless you are in Vegas, then more is necessary]. Showering, too, is not required daily. You're likely to put on dirty clothes anyway.
12. Unless you plan your birthday to a T in the appropriate locations downtown LA is likely to disappoint.
13. Even though one tripmate may consider trees to look similar, Yosemite is much more than a forest. Stay a few days longer and book earlier. I could go back and hike the same thing tomorrow and still be satisfied.