Saturday, July 30, 2011
Day One: It still doesn't feel like we've left yet... somehow.
Greetings from Iowa! Technically, I'm writing from Illinois, which is better than Indiana. Sorry guys, but after getting very lost and losing an hour in travel time because your highway system falls apart as soon as there's any construction, not to mention the smell of sewage that permeates half the state... well, let's just say it wasn't a fun drive. I'm sure Indiana has some redeeming qualities... like Nascar fans. It was really funny to see the Amish postcards in the stores... like, what, you think your Amish really compare to Pennsylvania's? We invented the Amish. You can't compete with us. Not gonna happen.
Anyways, we're OUT of Indiana and into Illinois, which so far has been full of construction warning signs, but absolutely zero actual roadwork going on. Typically that wouldn't bother me, but the roads are so rough, a cobblestone company offered to smooth them out. Maybe I'm just grumpy from driving all night. I"m sorry, Illinois. You have some very nice trees. And some nice farmland. And one very nice lady at a rest stop who wished me a good romance because I'm a nice young man. I don't think anyone's ever told me they hoped I found a nice girl and had some good romance before...
We're on our way to meet up with Moriah near Des Moines for breakfast... or lunch, at this rate. After that, it'll be back on the road towards South Dakota. We're all pretty excited to get out and camp for a full night's rest rather than driving all night again... of course, we're just kind of assuming we can find a good boondocking location that won't get us in trouble with the state. You shouldn't need a permit to sleep on the ground. In theory, state land should be fair game... but it's just a theory.
Fun story about Indiana - it currently tops my charts of CREEPY AT NIGHT. If you ever want a horror movie set, just drive anywhere (and I mean ANYWHERE) off the freeway in Indiana. It's even creepier at, say, 4 in the morning. As soon as you're off the freeway, you're IMMEDIATELY as vulnerable as you can be. According to Metric, "It's like an unholy union of a place where aliens would land and axe murderers would strike." And to be completely honest... I agree. I'm sorry, Indiana, but you have a bad combo of scary movie sets for towns and bad odor on your expensive highways. But don't worry - if you're good enough to be American, you're still good enough to be my neighbor. Just keep on your side of the fence, eh?
We also managed a stop in NY on the way to surprise the prettiest girl in the state with a visit before we left... *totally* started the trip on the right foot. :D
We're about an hour away from Moriah, and it's almost lunchtime, so we anticipate spending money on some good real food before shopping for our first night of camping in the Badlands. It's still hard to believe we're finally on our road trip, but so far it ROCKS.
Anyways, we're OUT of Indiana and into Illinois, which so far has been full of construction warning signs, but absolutely zero actual roadwork going on. Typically that wouldn't bother me, but the roads are so rough, a cobblestone company offered to smooth them out. Maybe I'm just grumpy from driving all night. I"m sorry, Illinois. You have some very nice trees. And some nice farmland. And one very nice lady at a rest stop who wished me a good romance because I'm a nice young man. I don't think anyone's ever told me they hoped I found a nice girl and had some good romance before...
We're on our way to meet up with Moriah near Des Moines for breakfast... or lunch, at this rate. After that, it'll be back on the road towards South Dakota. We're all pretty excited to get out and camp for a full night's rest rather than driving all night again... of course, we're just kind of assuming we can find a good boondocking location that won't get us in trouble with the state. You shouldn't need a permit to sleep on the ground. In theory, state land should be fair game... but it's just a theory.
Fun story about Indiana - it currently tops my charts of CREEPY AT NIGHT. If you ever want a horror movie set, just drive anywhere (and I mean ANYWHERE) off the freeway in Indiana. It's even creepier at, say, 4 in the morning. As soon as you're off the freeway, you're IMMEDIATELY as vulnerable as you can be. According to Metric, "It's like an unholy union of a place where aliens would land and axe murderers would strike." And to be completely honest... I agree. I'm sorry, Indiana, but you have a bad combo of scary movie sets for towns and bad odor on your expensive highways. But don't worry - if you're good enough to be American, you're still good enough to be my neighbor. Just keep on your side of the fence, eh?
We also managed a stop in NY on the way to surprise the prettiest girl in the state with a visit before we left... *totally* started the trip on the right foot. :D
We're about an hour away from Moriah, and it's almost lunchtime, so we anticipate spending money on some good real food before shopping for our first night of camping in the Badlands. It's still hard to believe we're finally on our road trip, but so far it ROCKS.
And so it begins...
Day one. It has begun.
The trip started off a bit slow, mainly because I forgot my longboard (much to the frustration of Hollywood and Metric). But eventually everything came together and we headed out.
After traveling for a couple hours, Hollywood discovered our route would take us close to a camp where a close friend of his was working, so we made a quick stop to see her, had a couple slices of pizza, and resumed our driving.
I have to say, I’m really looking forward to the rest of this trip. I almost forgot just how much fun I have had with Metric and Hollywood in the past. I grew up with these guys, and they’re just incredible people. The funny quips, the engaging conversations, the inside jokes – passing time in the car is as good as it gets.
To top off this post, I just want to throw out a “thank-you” to Metric’s mom for the delicious muffins and chocolate chip cookies!
…and the odyssey continues.
This is Record, signing off.
The trip started off a bit slow, mainly because I forgot my longboard (much to the frustration of Hollywood and Metric). But eventually everything came together and we headed out.
After traveling for a couple hours, Hollywood discovered our route would take us close to a camp where a close friend of his was working, so we made a quick stop to see her, had a couple slices of pizza, and resumed our driving.
I have to say, I’m really looking forward to the rest of this trip. I almost forgot just how much fun I have had with Metric and Hollywood in the past. I grew up with these guys, and they’re just incredible people. The funny quips, the engaging conversations, the inside jokes – passing time in the car is as good as it gets.
To top off this post, I just want to throw out a “thank-you” to Metric’s mom for the delicious muffins and chocolate chip cookies!
…and the odyssey continues.
This is Record, signing off.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Blast Off!
This is it! All of the final preparations have been made, all of our supplies have been packed, and all of our psyches have been psyched. By the time anyone reads this, I will be on my way to meet up with Hollywood and Record to take this show on the road. It will be glorious. We will drive with steadfast purpose, the Muppet Movie soundtrack issuing forth from our speakers, never straying from the road that lies before us (except, you know, to use the bathroom). We will leave a sense of wonder in our wake, those we pass will pause for a brief moment to wonder where that black, box-shaped chariot is taking its passengers.
Let me tell you about this box-shaped chariot. It is the mother of all box-shaped vehicles, the very one that first made it cool to drive wheeled boxes in an age when cars are becoming more sleek and streamlined. But appearance is only a fraction of its appeal.
To step into this car is to enter C. S. Lewis’ wardrobe. No other vehicle has ever given me the impression that it is bigger on the inside than on the outside, and the illusion doesn’t fade as I fill it with stuff. We could take a small piano with us and still travel comfortably. Other subtleties of convenience abound throughout its spacious interior—it is the poetry of practical design. Even its name speaks its virtues: no matter where our journey takes us, we will be in our Element.
Let me tell you about this box-shaped chariot. It is the mother of all box-shaped vehicles, the very one that first made it cool to drive wheeled boxes in an age when cars are becoming more sleek and streamlined. But appearance is only a fraction of its appeal.
To step into this car is to enter C. S. Lewis’ wardrobe. No other vehicle has ever given me the impression that it is bigger on the inside than on the outside, and the illusion doesn’t fade as I fill it with stuff. We could take a small piano with us and still travel comfortably. Other subtleties of convenience abound throughout its spacious interior—it is the poetry of practical design. Even its name speaks its virtues: no matter where our journey takes us, we will be in our Element.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Practice Makes...Things Potentially Easier Later On?
Another update coming at you from Record:
Last night, Hollywood, Metric and I got together just about everything we'll be taking on the trip to practice packing it into the vehicle: Metric's Honda Element.
This is basically our packing list:
Oh yeah, and special thanks for Metric's parents for giving us an updated atlas of the USA!
Last night, Hollywood, Metric and I got together just about everything we'll be taking on the trip to practice packing it into the vehicle: Metric's Honda Element.
This is basically our packing list:
- PERSONAL ITEMS
- 1 duffel bag of clothes, toiletries, towel
- 1 sleeping bag
- 1 mug
- 1 water bottle
- THINGS TO BRING ONE OF
- 1 tent
- 1 small drink cooler
- 1 water purifier
- 1 camp stove
- UTENSILS:
- Pan
- Pot
- 3 Fork, spoon, knife sets
- Spatula
- Big spoon
- MUSIC:
- 1 Guitar
- 1 Mandolin
- 1 Violin
- 1 Ukulele
- 2 Ocarinas
- RECREATION:
- 1 Frisbee
- 1 Hacky-Sack
- EMERGENCY:
- Trauma Kit
- Flares
- Fix-A-Flat
- Bottled Water
Oh yeah, and special thanks for Metric's parents for giving us an updated atlas of the USA!
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