Road Trip: I am Tired!

The driving is exhausting. Period. And while the thrill of passing through one place to the next and having a new adventure each day is really great, I'm tired!

Most of each day is spent driving, only to arrive at a place in the evening, grab something to eat, and find a place to sleep. Then it's early to rise, pack in the sightseeing, and get on the road and drive. Then drive, drive, and drive some more. It would be one thing if we were passing by beautiful scenery and coming across great stopping points for photo-ops, or cute roadside cafés, but we are not. Instead, we are driving on roads where all you can see to either side of you is nothing (or red rocks in the Southwest). 

The cars on the road are fairly sparse and you are usually sandwiched between a truck or three. And to make matters worse, when driving at night, everyone wants to play the bright lights game. Now, this is a very delicate matter. You must turn off your bright lights at precisely the right moment or else you are in trouble. Accidentally forget to turn them off, and the driver will flash you repeatedly with blindingly bright lights. Turn them off too late and you may still get flashed. Turn them off too early and the oncoming driver might think you never turned them off because your regular lights are bright enough, and flash you anyway! We spent the better part of the drive trying to find just the right time to turn off the bright lights and were met with flashes, honks, and only the occasional polite driver that did nothing. It seems the best bet is to turn them off just as you see your opponent turn off their own. Oh the things you learn on a road trip.

And the music has run out. You would think between two ipods filled with songs, that you could get pretty far without hearing much twice. But 2,400 miles later, I am hearing repeats. I have actually had moments of longing for my old cd collection, just to get a little variety. 

Some days the food is really tasty and I am saddened that I must leave it behind, and some days we eat nasty pre-made burgers from gas station cafés if we don't get the timing right. My camera dies on a regular basis and I am forced to post blogs if and whenever I can because in these desolate dead zones, I have no idea when my next internet fix will be. And sometimes when I am faced with the option of going out on the town after a long day of driving/sightseeing/driving, I almost, just almost, want to say no, curl up in my pajamas, and close my eyes. 

But this is the greatest adventure. I have seen more of my own country in the last three days than I have seen in the last three years–or really ever. I have experienced a million wonderful (and strange) things that I would never otherwise be discovering. So, I will take my copious amounts of driving, various nasty burgers, and severe lack of sleep any day. I can sleep when I get home. Or maybe on the beach in Florida...

Road Trip: Grand Canyon Unlit and Illuminated

Never arrive at a campsite at night, especially for your first visit, and especially if you have any inclination towards wimpy-ness.

It was way too dark. And it was cold. All we could see were shadows of the looming forest trees, the barely discernable street signs and the occasional brave (or slightly crazy) person headed into the blackened forest for a nighttime shower. I was just a little bit leery.

Okay, time to set up. We shone the headlights toward our lot and took down the camping gear. Well, when I say “we” I really mean my much more savvy camping companion, who very confidently claimed that he could assemble the tent with his eyes closed. Don’t need my help? Great, no argument here. I’ll just sit patiently in the warm safety of the car, and write. Lost in my thoughts and words, I hardly noticed when ten minutes later the tent was still in a flat pile on the ground. Maybe I should be helping…the consideration of lending a hand vanished as quickly as it appeared when I saw an unidentified flying creature breeze by the windshield. I’m sure he can figure it out on his own.

He eventually got it, lined it with sleeping pads, bags, and warm blankets. After a quick cup of hot tea courtesy of Jetboil (the greatest camping invention of all time) it was time for bed. Thankfully, the pure exhaustion of the day kept my wimpy fears at bay and I fell asleep.

The morning came faster than I wanted it to, but since we had missed the sunset over the Canyon last night, we had to catch the sunrise. So at 5:30 am (I hope this ridiculously early rising is not becoming a habit) we loaded up and headed for the nearest Canyon viewpoint. We were just a tiny bit late for sunrise–it had kind of already risen–but it didn’t matter.

Wow.

Awestruck would not do justice to the feeling I had when the Grand Canyon first came into view. This natural wonder is beyond amazing. Its vastness is something that cannot be explained or comprehended unless you are standing at the Canyon’s mercy on your own two feet. It was bigger, grander, and more incredible than I could have ever imagined. As I stood at an unnerving point to pose for photos, I was literally and figuratively at the edge of life. I had never felt more alive–or freaked out–but I wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything.

We took a bike ride around the rim in the 56-degree morning air. It was cold and the air was thin, so I didn’t last long before taking a much needed food break. A peek into the Hopi house to look at the beautiful, hand-made Native American treasures, and a full tummy later, it was time to head back. The difference between the Grand Canyon unlit in the starry night and illuminated in the morning sun was stark. Its glory is much better appreciated in the safety of daylight. It is sad to leave this place knowing that we have barely scratched the surface, but our time was well spent. I am sure the power of this Grand Canyon will call me again one day and I will come running. But for now, on to New Mexico…

Road Trip: The Adventure Begins

I know I am a little bit crazy. But what can I say? I am living with the travel bug and when travel calls, the only way I know is to answer.  I just wish travel just didn't have to call at 5 a.m.  It's really not a time for waking up, ever. It should be reserved solely for returning home to begin sleeping post party and late night eats, not for beginning the day. But there is a long way to travel and plenty to see, so early it is. I am ready to go.

Of course, we must say our goodbyes, eat a good breakfast, and be sure the car is packed with everything we could possibly ever need. Our families wouldn't have it any other way. Five hours, a yummy breakfast, a stack of extra maps, and a wealth of motherly forewarnings later, the open road and I are officially one.

It's almost like we were meant to be together, like the road has been wondering where I've been all its life. I am actually starting to wonder that myself. The sense of complete and utter, untainted freedom has been hiding on the Interstates all this time and no one ever told me. I am immune to scheduled flight times, tour plans, or outlined destinations, and I can pack as many shoes as I like. I am free. This road is mine to map and I love it. I am fully prepared to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn, sunglasses donned and scarf fluttering in the hot Southwestern breeze...though I suppose it will be slightly different since we are missing the convertible. Oh well. We made it, we are finally here. After some minor hurdles, and explanations for yet another trip, this adventure has begun.

Hoover Dam!

I watched as the cities slowly faded into nothingness as we traveled farther from home and closer to the unfamiliar. California slowly melded into Arizona and Arizona into Nevada as we head for the Grand Canyon. We were on a roll. Aside from a quick check point in Arizona where we were "randomly" stopped (who knows...we could very possibly have had a tiny immigrant packed into our overhead cargo box) the ride was uninterrupted. We jumped out of the car at the side of the freeway to take a picture at the Arizona state welcome sign. We stopped again for the Nevada one. Wait...Nevada? That doesn't seem like where we should be...Ooh the Hoover Dam? Let's go! What's a road trip without a little rerouting anyway? And we get to see the Hoover Dam!

Too bad the little rerouting was more like a huge two-hours-out-of-the-way rerouting! It's okay, we are close to the Grand Canyon, right? No? Okay, so maybe we are getting there a little late, but we will get there, set up camp, and be fine. It is getting a little dark though...

From an Empty Room to the Open Road

Every noise I make echoes off the empty walls in this now foreign place that was once my beloved bedroom. Four things hang in my closet, and the last of the bags and boxes wait to be loaded into my car (help?) I guess it's really over. After five wonderful years, my apartment, roommate, and I are separating.

It feels like a divorce, the end of an era. Was this movie yours or mine? You can keep the cheese grater, I'll take the curtains. It all sounds silly when we stop and listen to ourselves. We have grown up together in this apartment, my roommate and I, and now we couldn't be headed down more divergent paths. Hers to stability and mine to the unmapped, open road. An incredible cross country road-trip lies between my painful departure from this apartment and my somewhat vague future. I should at least be excited for the trip. 

The sight of my packed bag, roadmap, and notebook should awaken the familiar and endlessly sought after rush of excitement that travel usually brings to me. But it is different this time. I don't just have one bag packed, they are all packed. When I return "home" I cannot simply place everything neatly back into its designated area and settle back into life. "Home" will no longer be the old apartment with the leaky faucet and the beautiful mountain views that I so adore. Instead, my life will hang somewhere between a storage unit and my parent's garage. Sigh. The power of this travel bug never ceases to amaze me. It has slowly driven me out of my cubicle, out of my apartment, and out of my life as I thought I knew it.

But I am forging my own path. It may not be the one anyone, including me, expected it to be, but it is my path. It will be filled with happy times and sad times, overworked and underworked times, and hopefully sprinkled with lots of travel. I will make it to my destination, but I am stopping to smell the roses, and the tulips, and the daisies, and...anyway, I am going to enjoy this journey that is my life.

Au revoir, my sad and empty room. The open road is calling me, so I'm answering. Wish me luck...

8 Things to Love About Toronto

From the Exhibit "Late News" by
Dan Perjovschi at the R.O.M.

Toronto, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. Cultural Diversity. Toronto has it all. You can "travel" across continents without ever leaving the city! There are so many areas and neighborhoods where you can find people, culture, and delicious food from all over the world. There is something for everyone here. This portion of Dan Perjovschi's "Late News" Exhibit captures it best; there are so many elements that make up greater Toronto, and to me, that's the beauty of the city. Plus, I really love to eat. 

2. Ample Places to Meet People. You can meet people everywhere here, and for young singles this is of vital importance! There are people to be met on public transportation, while walking around the city, on the streets after clubs and pubs close when everyone is out at the same time, and even en route to emergencies (more on this later). Not being holed up in your car and actually being out in the world can make a big difference. In Los Angeles, people drive everywhere. No one thing is that close to another, making for very little outside-of-your-car time. Unless of course you are trying out the latest diet, then you might go sans vehicle to do some walking on your lunch break, or take your tiny dog out in the morning. But there aren't many people to meet doing either of those two things.

3. The TTC. Oh, the Toronto Transit Commission. They can get you around the city quite easily with the convenient combination of subway, bus, street car, and rail car. And they have gone to the trouble of having each mode in collaboration so that you only pay one fare to get to/from your destination whether you use one, or all four different modes. So thoughtful.

View from Panorama

4. Panorama Bar/Restaurant/Lounge. A supreme view from the 51st floor, a full bar, tasty edibles, and the occasional proposal (yes, I actually did see one–the romance in the air is thick all the way up here!) What more do you need?

5. Cute Firefighter Boy. As two fire trucks sped down Bloor Street, sirens blaring, I waited at the crosswalk for them to pass. A third fire truck slowed to a safe crawl, and the driver (also known as cute firefighter boy) glanced in my direction, looked back at the road, then turned back to smile and wave. En route to a potential emergency! I felt like a giddy teenage girl at a concert. Sure, I will never see him again, and sure most visitors to Toronto are not likely to encounter him either, but he represents the dating potential in this city, and reinforces Reason #2 that there are ample places to meet people!

6. Caribana. As the largest Caribbean festival in North America, people travel into Toronto from all over the world to be a part of this humongous party cultural celebration. Being of Caribbean heritage myself, it is nice to catch a glimpse of home even when you are far away from it. But let's be clear, even if you are not Caribbean, don't know anyone who is Caribbean, and/or have never even visited the Caribbean, you can't beat the fun to be had at this festival. You just have to be ready for it...

7. Proximity to NYC. New York City is near and dear to my heart, so being just an hour and a half's flight away from everything that I love is a beautiful thing. It is convenient to be so close to New York. Besides, who knows when you'll have to see a Broadway show or update your fall wardrobe?

8. Ronaldo Billboard. Okay, so maybe this isn't a legitimate reason to love Toronto, but we don't have this at home and it's kind of a pretty picture. Plus, it's 8 things I love about Toronto, so it makes the list.

There's a little bit of everything in Toronto, and any place that fosters eating, entertainment, and culture is just about perfect for me. Now, if only it were warm all year round...