In the fall of 2018 I went on a long road trip. It lasted six weeks and covered a little over 8,000 miles. I learned a few things and feel compelled to share them.
1. I listened to over 10,000 songs. My thought is that no song needs to be more than three and a half minutes long. Maybe four minutes if you're writing the next "American Pie" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" But really, most songs rely on repetition after the two minute mark, and repeating it once is enough. Would you like me to repeat this paragraph 3 or 4 times. Nope, I didn't think so--songwriter's take note.
2. Pack snacks you like, not one's you think you should eat. That way, you won't have to throw out those slimy carrots or those inedible rice cakes.
3. If you're in Nevada, get gas and go to the bathroom when you have a chance.
4. People are kind, people are weird, people will smile in return, people like to help. Maybe I just got lucky and only met the best of the best--but to a person, everyone I met and interacted with, was polite and kind. They smiled back when I smiled at them. A few went out of their way to be helpful to me. Several brightened my day with their comments and talk. I'm not denying that there are some people who cause mayhem and violence and bad feelings--but my experience didn't include that.
5. The national parks are amazing and surely one of this nation's greatest treasures--individually and collectively. I made it to about 20 national parks and each one was well run, uniquely beautiful and sometimes breathtaking. I rarely ventured in past the roads there than short hikes and still was impressed with each one.
6. I loved my time alone, loved, loved, loved it but I was well aware that I had people at home waiting for my return. Being alone when you know you have someone to come home to makes all the difference.
7. GPS is great but sometimes you just have to look at a paper map to get a sense of where you are. And where you want to go.
8. Go your own speed--whether you're hiking, at a museum, eating alone in a restaurant, or driving on the LA freeways for the first time. Go your own speed and don't worry about what anyone will think.
9. Sometimes you're better off putting your camera/phone down and just looking.
10. Don't worry about how you look, I promise, someone will always look better and someone will always look worse. It just doesn't matter that much.
3 comments:
Good advice if I ever go on a long road trip!
This post spoke right to my heart! I love road trips and National Parks in particular. Some of the observations were exactly what I would have said. It brought memories of our own family road trip just this past summer... except I wasn't alone except after G went to bed. It's a bit different traveling with 10 people. Thank you for jumping back in. I look forward to more. Jean L.
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