YEEHAW! WE WENT ON A ROAD TRIP
You’ve probably heard me talk about or have read about my funemployment over the last few months. To be honest, one of the best part of it has been the agency I have to kind of be wherever I want to (obviously, while still being respectful of the fact that a whole ass global pandemic is going on). This meant that I would be able to travel for almost a month with a cross-country road trip included.
I headed out to Fresno in mid June, where my boyfriend, Clark, had been stationed for a few months on a work assignment. On a very early Friday morning, we packed up his car and hit the open road with his dog, Marshall. We drove from Fresno to Chicago (and then a week later to Columbus). Our journey was about five days long and definitely the most time I’ve ever consecutively spent time in the car. It’s crazy that even ~50 hours on the road and ten states later, I’m down to do it again. I don’t know that I would’ve ever been driven (no pun intended) to really do under any other circumstances, so I have thank the universe for this one!
Our first day, we drove about 10 hours to Zion National Park. We passed through Southern California then Nevada and Arizona before hitting Utah. The drive was exciting and fresh, and it was fun to pass the time listening to music and podcasts, telling stories, suggesting plans and stopping at state signs (while eagerly trying to recreate the Hailey and Justin Bieber pic). We drove through Vegas but didn’t stop which became a decision we regretted later.
We made very good timing to Zion and landed a great spot at Kolob Reservoir, where we planned to car camp for two nights, rolling down the pack seats and pulling out our belongings to make a “bed.” I freaking loved Zion and all of its beauty. While Arizona with its incredible red rock scenery was my favorite to drive through, Zion was absolutely breathtaking. I thought it was so interesting how its so desolate and dry, almost Mars like on one side but lush and green on the other. We enjoyed hanging out, swimming in the lake, admiring the stars and attempting to off-road.
Our second day/night in Zion happened to be Fourth of July, although it felt anything but. We did a long drive in the day and got lunch at River Rock Roasting Company, which has an AMAZING view in the back.
After parking back at our lakeside spot, we ended up chatting to some people next to us and ended up going back to their house for dinner and drinks. The day and its unexpected turns ended up being so fun. The most beautiful part, though, was the sunset/moonrise. Holy fuck. I wish I could put words to It or share photos that really did it justice.
We hit the road again and headed to Denver for the night. Once we entered Colorado, I was, again, left speechless at the beauty. I laughed at the Electric Hawk tweet about how Colorado looks like a Charlesthefirst song because IT WAS SO DAMN TRUE! We stayed in a hotel this night with Clark’s friend and his girlfriend. I was able to catch up over dinner and drinks with my friend, Amanda, who lives there. The city is so beautiful and so cute! I (half) joked about moving there one day. I think it’d be such a sick place to be, and the music scene is obviously just *chefs kiss.* Maybe one day.
Very hungover the next morning, we got a late start. I insisted that I needed an açaí bowl and a Dunkin’ cold brew. We were going to stop in Omaha that night but decided to go a little further to Des Moines. We figured it was better, even though we were hungover and exhausted, so that the next day, our drive to Chicago was only five hours instead of seven or eight. The countryside (?) of Colorado and the entirety of Nebraska were very…bland. I ended up driving for the bulk of Nebraska, which was tough. I have to thank Liquid Stranger and Yheti for some good mixes and also Who Weekly for some good episodes to keep me awake and alert. We entered Iowa and were shocked at its beauty! Compared to how flat Nebraska was, we loved the luscious rolling hills of Iowa and watching the sun set over them. I *almost* might’ve killed us, and my boyfriend might’ve *almost* killed his dog, but I’m very glad to report we all are safe and alive.
We spent less than 12 hours in Des Moines, which was actually pretty cute, and did our final five hours to Chicago, where’d we stay with my mom for the week. As we ventured down the freeway and began to see the Chicago skyline, I was excited to be sedentary for a few days. I will admit that after the first day, it was a little weird to not be moving. Clark used to live in Chicago, so we spent the week catching up with his friends and going to visit some of our favorite spots.
My family was there for the weekend, too, so I was happy to spend time with them. It was a hot but cute little week in Chicago. I love Chicago in the summertime, and it’s fun to have this sorta home there.
The final leg of the journey, for me at least, was another six hours east to Columbus. Clark grew up in the area, and his parents and sister still live there. It was nice to have a few days of relaxing summertime, filled with good food, hot days, gin and tonics and backyard games. We were so exhausted from our few weeks of travel that I, at least, found it nice to have this downtime together.
It’s crazy how much we packed into not even a full month. I arrived back in DC sad and tired but so, so grateful for these weeks. If anything, this was kinda my ~big summer trip~. I’m really lucky to have these memories with my boyfriend and for him not getting sick of my music and constant talking.
To anyone considering a road trip, I say DO IT!!! Trust me when I say you will not regret it. Life is an open road…
