theneener.net

The Beginning

I think there’s a method of traveling that everyone connects with. Some prefer walks, examining every bug and twig along the way, and some prefer flying with the rush of liftoffs and landings, the greater span of land covered. While I have enjoyed most forms of moving along, I still remember the joy I felt when my parents gave me the keys to my first car and I could go. Of course, there were limitations as to where I could go but I could still find new streets, routes and neighborhoods while getting lost in music and thoughts. It was magical.

And, I think it still is. As we’ve gotten older, grown up and scored jobs, traveling by car has probably translated into traffic, stress, accidents and anxiety for a lot of us. I mean, I’ve moved closer to a job because I couldn’t bear the hour drive both ways. So, we’ve forgotten what it feels like to just get in our car and go.

So, Let’s Go!

I’m about to be in between chapters in my life as I put in my two weeks notice since I have accepted a new job which starts in May. Sure, I could stay at home, sleep a lot, reorganize the closets and garage, and relax but really, I can do all those things any weekend I want. What I can’t do any weekend I want is see mountains, forests, or beaches. Not in two days. Not in DFW, Texas.

So, I’m packing up Ol’ Blue-Purple and hitting the road. I won’t have a co-pilot but that’s where the world wide web comes into play. After I posted my initial map of action on Facebook, I received over 40 comments, suggestions, tips, and well wishes. Thanks to the Power of the Internet!, this will be a trip all my friends can join but I still have freedom to go.

So, send me your trip suggestions, recommend a band or five that I should load up on my iPod, or send me five dollars via that yellow Donate button that goes to PayPal for beef jerky.

Because even though we can’t all fit in my car that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of this adventure. And, if you contribute to my trip enough (I mostly want your non-monetary support), I’ll send you a postcard. Heck, give me a dollar bill and a high five if you run into me before the 17th and I’ll make sure I save a stamp for you and a postcard.

But, I’ve got to get back to planning my trip. Second draft coming soon!

Thanks, Craigslist!

Prior to my official job offer and before I even started thinking about this trip seriously, I asked the internet if I should dive into the hobby of collecting vinyl and buying a turntable, or staying digital and buying an iPod. Thanks to the this trip, making the decision was easy ’cause I imagine it ain’t easy listening to records while in the car, yeah? Diligently, I checked Craigslist daily until I found a decent deal in Denton. Enter Clicky, my “new” 60GB iPod.

I already have an iPhone but with all the apps I purchase, it isn’t a viable solution for keeping me company for two weeks. But, thankfully I found a UNT student that would rather have books for his classes than music in his pocket so it was a win-win deal. With all the touch-enabled technology out there, it almost feels foreign to have buttons on an Apple product. Hence the name “Clicky.”

Clicky came preloaded with songs so I thought it’d be fun to imagine how my road trip would be if I kept the young schoolboy’s tunes on there. So, with shuffle on, here is what an hour’s worth of his tunes sounds like:

• Jay-Z “Run This Town”
• Zac Brown Band “Toes”
• Zac Brown Band “Whatever It Is”
• Esmée Denters “Love Dealer”
• Etta James “At Last”
• Timbaland “Carry Out”
• Brad Paisley “American Saturday Night”
• Ying Yang Twins “Drop”
• Lady Gaga “Lovegame”
• Train “Hey, Soul Sister”
• Michael Bublé “Come Fly with Me”
• Michael Bublé “Cry Me a River”
• Keith Urban “Only You Can Love Me This Way”
• Clint Black “A Better Man”
• Michael Bublé “Try a Little Tenderness”
• The Fray “We Build Then We Break”

No, I wouldn’t have survived this episode of Fear Factor. Too much country and “Hey, Soul Sister” for me. He sounds like good boyfriend material though, sensitive and ready to two-step, right?

Now it’s my turn to attempt to fill Clicky full of tunes. 60GB = approximately 15,000 songs. I’ve been rebuilding my iTunes library which only has 14GB of songs and podcasts right now. We’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ve gotten a few good suggestions so far but I need more. What would you listen to while traveling across the United States? Or, what music are you listening to now that I need to check out? Podcasts? Remember, awesome suggestions may result in a postcard! Monetary donations a la PayPal will definitely get you a postcard and a virtual high five.

Quantity vs. Quality

When I first decided on celebrating my two week freedom from employment with a road trip, I had the grand idea that I would be able to cover 5,000 miles in twelve days. Denver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego… these were all cities I wanted to visit. The map looked promising and caused much excitement amongst my Facebook friends.

Then, I started crunching the numbers.

According to many seasoned road travelers at roadtripamerica.com (which has been an invaluable source throughout this planning process), a single driver should limit themselves to about 500 miles or 10 hours of driving each day. These magic numbers ensure sanity and safety. And, I agree, as I’d like to be able to feel America under my feet more than I’d like to sit on my butt for half a day. I also don’t want to endanger my life or the life of others simply because I want to cover more ground for kicks.

Less Sexy, More Doable

I started with removing Seattle. My extra dream of crossing the Canadian borders were dashed but it cut off 100 miles. Um, only an hour and a half. Finally, I posted my trip on the forums at roadtripamerica.com and someone confirmed the fact that the trip, although doable, would confine me to my car for most of the time. So, with the Northwest out of the way, I created a second draft. Then the forum members pointed out that no one can enter Yosemite from the east due to closed mountain roads plus Highway 1 is closed by Big Sur and Carmel. Enter third and fourth drafts. However, I think I’ve finally settled on my general route. Here’s the less sexy but much more doable 4,000 mile trip:

The United States of America is big, y’all! I will still be pressed for a little bit of time but will be able to relax and enjoy an extra day in San Francisco and San Diego. Now, the next part… where will I stay in each of these places?

Way Too Calm?

You wouldn’t think I’d have 4,000 miles ahead of me tomorrow based on the fact that I’m blogging and jailbreaking my iPhone (4.2.1) at 3AM. You wouldn’t think I’d have 13 stops on my trip based on the fact that I only have 4 verified places to stay along the way. My suitcase isn’t packed either, and I leave in less than twelve hours. Does knowing all that stress you out? I’ll admit, there’s a tiny voice in my head saying, “Uh, wouldn’t you rather watch stay at home, sleep until noon and watch every single episode of the Cosby Show on Netflix for two weeks instead?” But, it’s an itty bitty tiny voice. And Netflix will still be around when I get back.

Well, I've got my food ready!

Ready or Not!

I may not have my clothes picked out and I may wake up groggy but I’m ready. I’m ready to be free of responsibilities. (Well, most of them.) I’m looking forward to seeing how this trip will unfold especially seeing as how I don’t have much of it planned. I’m prepared to meet new faces, accidentally get lost, pose by ridiculous tourist attractions, eat delicious foods, and take risks within this risk.

Well, my brain has checked out so I should probably get some rest before the first leg of this trip. Amarillo by evening!

The Best Laid Plans

…The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew…
- Robert Burns

But what about the sloppily planned schemes? Sunday morning, I woke up after 4-5 hours of light sleep, finished my last minute packing, booked my hotel for the night, and bid adieu to my roommates, the pups, and a dear friend who sent me off with a meal and a hug. To my knowledge, I only forgot an extra pair of contacts and shampoo. And this hotel I booked at the last minute has been awesome… even though I still don’t know where I’m staying for six out of the thirteen nights of the trip. So, I suppose sloppily planned schemes go slightly askew?

Hello, crazy arm! See ya later, Denton!

Amarillo By Evening

The drive from Denton to Amarillo was one that I have made a few times before so no surprises there. However, due to the wildfires across the state, much of the drive leading to Wichita Falls was filled with smoke. I didn’t see any of the fires so I can’t imagine how bad the fires actually are. This is one of the few times you’ll hear me say it but Texas needs rain now. In the meantime, please consider donating to the Texas STAR fund which will help farmers and ranchers who are affected by the fires.

My only goal for today was to reach Cadillac Ranch before sunset so I had a little bit of time to wander. I hit up roadsideamerica.com and set sight for a few quirky Texas tourist attractions. After all was said and done, I visited the World’s Smallest Skyscraper (as the people of Wichita Falls were duped by a con man back in the 1920s), Cadillac Ranch (how I managed to never visit this while at Texas Tech is kind of a sad fact) and some giant legs (which I regretfully didn’t climb the fence for a close-up).

The cutest building ever

Cadillac Ranch - I didn't have spray paint so I improvised.

Check out those legs!

I checked into my hotel before sunset, marveled at my room, scarfed down Mexican food and a margarita at Ruby Tequila’s, and called it a night. Of course, I’m not sure how I’d feel if I pushed myself hard on the first day but I’m really loving the easy-going pace so far. You don’t want to break an axel before you even reach the river, you know? Welp, time to get more than five hours of sleep!

My choice of bed? Why, thank you, Sleep Inn and Suites!

Day 1 Stats:
Miles traveled: ~350
Hours traveled: ~8
Pit stops: 2
Sights seen: 3
Weather: Sunny with a few clouds, 70-75F

(Note: This post will go live in the morning while I’m already on the road.)