Haulin' Auss
Day 1 - LA to Vegas
I was nervous to embark. Roci had always struggled with carsickness and rarely traveled further than a few miles without struggle. But after the first day, most of my anxieties are alleviated. From LA to Vegas she was content to look out the window between naps and we arrived in time for dinner. My friend and colleague Evan, his wife Penny, and their puppy Gil were kind enough to host us for the first two nights.
Day 2 - Real Rest
We originally intended to hike Red Rocks Canyon, but at 42 degrees with extreme gusts, the weather called for an adjustment. We read on the sofa, napped, watched the Barbie movie, and basked in stillness. After the holidays, catching Covid, planning & packing, there was little rest to be had.
Until today.
Day 3 - Long Road to Albuquerque
Vegas to ABQ was going to be the longest single day drive at 8.5 hours, excluding stops. We left at sunrise and arrived 20 minutes before sunset, with just enough time to feed and walk Miss Roci. Couldn't have asked for a better passage.
One thing that I really didn't expect was to see snow in Arizona & New Mexico. During our one gas stop, it was in the mid-20s with 30mph gusts. I didn't prepare well enough for the cold, in my mind the Southwest never gets below 40. I was terribly wrong.
Day 4 - PIVOT! & Police
The plan was to spend today hiking around ABQ, but...
So I changed the plan and pushed through to Oklahoma City a day early. 8 hours went by rather unremarkably, expect for getting pulled over in Texas with only 10 miles left to the border. So close.
The reason?
Following a semi too closely.
The reason for that?
I saw him gunning it at +100mph in my rear view and changed lanes to let him pass. I was at the speed limit and figured braking behind the semi would look sus. He issued me a warning, which when I asked how a warning affects me, mentioned that it's mostly to prove to his boss that he's been making stops. I served as proof-of-work and came away with a nice souvenir 😅
Day 5 - OKC to Memphis
It seems Roci has gotten more comfortable at facing forward while in motion, I caught her stealing glances from her new hangout spot.
We arrived in Memphis in time for her and I to both have dinner and catch the sunset.
I dare say we're thriving.
Day 6 - Memphis to Huntsville
Things finally got easier today. Far easier. After only a 4.5hr drive, we arrived in Huntsville Alabama. Along the way, I finished my second audiobook and the drive flew by. We got in around noon, and the weather was perfect for a hike.
We visited Monte Sano State Park and put in 7 miles on foot, so very needed after sitting for days on end.
In the evening we arrived at the home of my dear friend Nelson where we'll be staying with his family for the next three nights. Not having to pack in and out every morning is such a treat. We were fed so well, and I'm writing this in the afterglow of a delicious bottle of wine. Finally some rest, we've put in 2,000 miles already and it's time to relax.
Days 7 & 8 - Rocket City, USA 🚀
Staying in one place for a few days saved my soul. We stayed with Nelson's wonderful family and they were exceptional hosts. We played board & video games, ate scrumptious Cuban food, explored the city, and relaxed together over a long weekend.
On Saturday, Nelson and I visited the Space Museum and I couldn't stop wiggling with joy and squeaking with delight.
We left on Sunday morning well fed, rested, and deeply grateful for chance to connect.
Day 9 - Snow Day in Nashville, TN
We drove 2 hours north to Nashville to visit my friend Nick and his family. Nick and I travelled the world together in 2018 on Remote Year and I haven't seen him since 2021.
We rolled in just in time before a huge snow storm hit. Roci finally got to experience snow!
We played board games, ate comfort food, and settled in for an early night. The vibe was very mellow and soothing as the flakes fell fast.
Tomorrow we're hopefully going to be able to get out of the city safely as we head to our tiny cabin in the woods of Asheville, North Carolina.
Day 10 - The Little Civic That Could (Nashville to Asheville)
The snowfall was way, way heavier than I expected.
And it was going to keep falling all day, no sense waiting around. We left at 10am and hoped for the best. The next 5.5 hours were some of the most challenging winter driving I've ever done. Including all my years in MI.
The freeway was hardly plowed or not at all for long stretches. Semis and cars were in ditches, and more than once everything ground to a halt for a collision. The third and final Blizzard Boss was the most brutal of them all.
But we made it, my grandpa's little Civic kept us safe. We're now listening to the rain falling on the roof of our little hillbilly cabin in Asheville, having finally arrived in our new home state. We'll be here until Wednesday morning, before reaching Raleigh to pickup the keys to our new home.
Day 1 - Baby it's cold af outside (Asheville, NC)
Dear friends & family, today was the day that I saw, with my very own eyes, the origins of the phrase "hot shit". Normally I have to scan a bit after Roci goes potty, but this was no ordinary day. A smoke signal arose from the earth as I stared in amazement at a genuine steaming turd.
It's clearly very cold out. 10° without factoring in windchill. I preemptively remove the battery from my car and brought it inside. There's no way in hell I'm going to miss my date with destiny tomorrow.
To pass the time, we went antiquing at a warehouse in the River Arts District and I bought a 1955 Zenith radio on the cheap. It powers on but I think the speaker is broken. Nothing a little solder can't fix.
I'm about to light tonight's fire and settle in for some reading. By this time tomorrow, we'll finally be home.
Day 12 - Home in Raleigh
I awoke like a kid of Christmas to hurriedly pack the car and push through the final 250 miles. At midday, we reached our final destination.
If you've made it this far, I'm very grateful for your attention.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a damn fine life to build.