So as I am typing this it is approximately 1017pm mountain time and 917pm pacific standard time right now. I have the Macbook hooked up to the newly jailbroken iPhone, I finally gave in thanks to a lot of persuasion. So up to this point this whole trip it has quite the journey. Filled with easy driving in cool weather to bad driving conditions in horrible weather. I do admit Aaron and driving in snow do not mix. And I also came to the conclusion that I will not be living where there is a possibility of black ice or where snow plows are a registered vehicle.
It is now Tuesday morning and I think we all got some of the best sleep we had in a really long time. I actually woke up at 630 in the morning and got to witness some of nature’s most beautiful scenery. Where we are located is a little north of Colorado Springs right by the Air Force Academy and surrounded by plenty of mountains. Pikes Peak is very visible from the house and a place I will definitely check out when the weather is warmer. The mountain range at dawn was quite the sight to see. It was one of those moments where you realized you were a small part of this large world. To bad I was to cold to try and find my camera or really get out of bed to enjoy it as much. Also I went back to bed soon after in hopes to jump back into the dream I had prior to awakening.
One of the things we joked about during the trip is how the state and the area we were staying is very friendly and very community oriented. This was prevalent yesterday as I left a bottle or windshield wiper fluid on top of the car, planning to go back and retrieve it after we ate. I even mentioned that to the group. But no less then 3 people came up to us and told us about the fluid sitting on the rooftop waiting to spill over. I was one of those things that surprised me. But then I thought about seeing a group of people sitting in the car, not knowing they were eating because of the dog and inside was to crowded and think that I would probably say something.
The roadtrip definitely was one to remember, well as they all are. But I had not been on a roadtrip in general in many years and never one this far. And never have I traveled in weather that could be hazardous to my health. During some moment’s it was apparent being the passenger was just a scary as being the driver and believe you me did I feel that way. I appreciate being with guys that have driven in snowy, icy conditions and can handle the car better then this all Californian boy. It is very interesting to see how the weather can change so dramatically in the Mid-West. In one city it could be 38 degrees with no ice or snow on the ground. The next less then 20 miles away it could be 20 degrees with a wind chill of -1 degrees, then the next back to 32. Even in the mountain range it was amazing to be sunny with clear visibility on one side of the mountain, enter a tunnel and come out to snow on the ground with overcast skies.
Being enclosed in to a vehicle with 3 other humans and one dog was not as horrible as I imagined it would be. Maybe it is because I had tried to mentally prepare myself for the journey as best as I could. I am surviving out of one backpack, which I would not even attempt to do over a 3 day race weekend. It is also more amazing if you consider the fact that we were piled into a Mini Cooper S and I was the second smallest person on the trip. But we made it through. There was good conversation, good natured ribbing and of course a lot of music being played. Sleep was tough though as through treacherous weather it is not in any of our minds to sleep but to help keep an eye out for any potential hazards. But the ending was worth the time. The chance to see some of the landscape as the sun was rising was awe inspiring even through bloodshot eyes. The Mid-West has a lot of natural beautiful spots that I am lucky to have seen. It helps to get out of the city and just enjoy natural beauty in this world.
The ironic and funny thing about the trip was that somehow when I drove is when things went amuck. Somehow the frame of mind to have me drive the “easy” parts of the drive backfired. When I drove initially is when we had to put on snow chains and I gave up the driver seat. The next time the same. Black ice, no lights for the freeway and no cars around us. Ice and snow covered the ground. During this venture we actually turned around and took another route, adding many hours to the trip overall but ensuring the safety and sanity of all. I also almost hit a white rabbit on the freeway as well, luckily I had the lane next to me open and Thumper was avoided safely.
Although I am flying home on Thanksgiving to be with immediate family I look back and realize the trip was worth the time and cramp quarters we endured. The roadtrip is a timeless tradition. You take it with family and good friends. It has been a long time but something that I really enjoyed and hope to do again soon. Hopefully in a better vehicle with more room and better weather conditions.
wooooooooo road trip ftw!
I”m heading to so cal to spend thanksgiving with family, too bad I’ll be going down by myself. Mini Cooper S ftw!!! I almost got the clubman ^^;