Going into this trip, I honestly didn't know exactly what to expect. Although I did have a few expectations that were not met. I thought: I'd sleep in more Wal-Mart parking lots, there would be a bigger sense of community at campgrounds, there would be more bugs still out, and that the weather would still be much warmer with a lingering summer heat.
My plan going into this, aside from chasing music and visiting my two sisters, was no plan. In my opinion, plans stress people out because all you can think about is the next place you have to be. Instead, I planned to meet people along the way, ask them questions, and go where they suggested. So far, that idea has served me well: Teddy Roosevelt Park was a suggestion of a man in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Minnesota, and so far, that's been a favorite.
My plan going into this, aside from chasing music and visiting my two sisters, was no plan. In my opinion, plans stress people out because all you can think about is the next place you have to be. Instead, I planned to meet people along the way, ask them questions, and go where they suggested. So far, that idea has served me well: Teddy Roosevelt Park was a suggestion of a man in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Minnesota, and so far, that's been a favorite.
I have come an incredibly long way from the girl who spent
30 minutes trying to set up her tent in her front yard in DC, unsuccessfully, before my roommate
came home and found that I had just shoved the poles into the ground, in turn shoving them full of dirt -
completely unaware the pegs of the tent go into the holes of the pole. That's
how incredibly green I was before I began this trip. I didn't even having a
sleeping bag - which I needed from the very first night. In retrospect, perhaps I can understand why
everyone was so concerned for my life before I left.
However, despite my naivety, I seemed to have prepared for every
possible scenario in my preparatory purchasing and packing. Meeting up with the
guy in Yosemite - who was trying to teach me everything I needed before I got
there, only to get there and I kept having to supply him with things out of my
car - made me feel quite proud about my planning and packing. (I will give him credit for being the one to insist I buy a sleeping bag though.) But, despite my six months of
preparation and psuedo-planning, nothing could have
prepared me for everything I have learned thus far - including little hacks
I've picked up along the way:
- No man is an island. It's okay to ask for help. Struggle is normal; just keep going until it gets better.
- Gas station coffee creamers and condiments packets - always wear pockets into the gas stations. (I always buy a small coffee when filling my purse Sophia Petrillo style, so who's to say I don't put relish packets, chopped onion packets, or 15 creamer cups in my coffee?)
- North Dakota hates Ginger Ale; good luck finding it in that state.
- Put If lost, Contact information in your wallet. (Oddly, this had never occurred to me before I dropped my wallet in South Dakota.) I also added an If found, please email wallpaper on my phone.
- Along those same lines, I learned to spread out my credits cards when traveling and hide cash around my car. Putting all of your sources of money in one tiny, easy-to-lose package is pretty dumb.
- Call for student loan deferment; no run around with paperwork. They will give you three months if you just call in and say you're having "financial hardship."
- Hotel coffee packs are the best for camping/cooking out of your car. They come in a little filter pouch, so all you have to do is boil your water and throw in the coffee pouch. (Plus, they're free!)
- Most national parks let you pick up wood off of the side of the road for firewood (unless otherwise specified) - in fact, they encourage it. Don't buy it; find it.
- BLM land means free camping. Bureau of Land Management land is basically just back country dirt roads. If you drive off of the main road, unable to be seen, you can camp for free on many of the west coast states. (Some require a wilderness permit though, but apparently this isn't strictly enforced.)
- Even though I ended up picking up a Year National Park pass, getting in and out of national parks for free is fairly easy. Simply enter after the ranger gates close for the night/before they get their in the morning; you'll also have to exit using these same rules. (Entering and exiting the Teatons via Yellowstone's south gate will be free.)
- Reusable water bottles need to be washed out regularly. Remember when I thought I was getting sick in Yellowstone? Looked at my bottle in Denver and discovered mold growing. Cleaned it out; better immediately. Whoops - and ew.
- If you look like you belong, no one will suspect that you'retaking that shower for free - or try to pick you up on bourbon street. Just hold your head high; walk with intent. And all is well!
10K Favorites:
Moment(s): Being surrounded by Bison in TRNP, Sidewalk Jazz in New Orleans, Austin City Limits
Camp Meal: Knorr Pasta sides, add a small can of peas (and carrots) and a can of tuna
Trip Purchase: Foo Fighters hoodie (with thumb holes!) at ACL
Lesson(s): Self reliance and that humanity is better than humans give it credit for (or would it be vice versa?). Also, that I cannot be trusted alone in a small space (e.g. car) with Sun Chips or Salt Water Taffy.
City(s): Bozeman, Montana; Austin, Texas
Camp Meal: Knorr Pasta sides, add a small can of peas (and carrots) and a can of tuna
Pre-Trip Purchase: Coccyx Pillow (that thing has saved my ass -- literally! my bum used to ache after two hours driving; now I can drive for 10 without issue)
Lesson(s): Self reliance and that humanity is better than humans give it credit for (or would it be vice versa?). Also, that I cannot be trusted alone in a small space (e.g. car) with Sun Chips or Salt Water Taffy.
Songs on Rotation: The Fear by Ben Howard, Vagabond by
MisterWives, The Captain by Guster
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| Also learned: Your dash will take on an interesting look after a week camping at Yosemite and 'showering' in bathroom sinks. |
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