Road Trip Part 1

 

Three Doors Down is playing over the car speakers, Reya is sleeping in the backseat, and we are surrounded by rolling valleys covered in Pines with a backdrop of craggy mountains that look like they burst up from the earth years ago. Rocky, dusty, patches of snow, bushy green dotted with ice blue lakes, fields where cows roam freely, campsites and cabins, and a small town every 50 miles, this is the heart of the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho. We’re leaving Idaho a day early, but not for lack of beauty. I think we’re just excited to flex our freedom muscles and see what lies yet to be discovered on our road trip across the country. It’s finally beginning to sink in – that this is not just an extended camping trip, but a new adventure, a big life change. We are headed to North Carolina with our Jeep and our dog, and we’re going to explore our way across the country.

 

The first day of driving we made it from Eugene to a campsite on highway 21, just past Boise. Long days of driving are hard to get used to, but now that we’ve reached day three we’re starting to get the hang of it. Every time we tear down our campsite and repack the car, I get better and better at knowing what items go in which crevices, which is a very important skill if you’re trying to fit your entire life into a Jeep. Our second campsite was beside a beautiful lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness, but the dust came up like a cloud wherever we walked and the mosquitoes and horseflies had a field day with our skin. We conquered a short but blazingly hot hike into Yellow Belly lake and Reya swam while we read on the shore. We hiked back to camp and decided to pack up the campsite that night and do a night drive to Utah. Good decision! We not only avoided huge construction areas that are sure to be congested during the day, but there’s also something about night driving that makes you feel like you are on a genuine road trip. The sun set over the Sawtooth mountains as we headed down highway 75, and on to Salt Lake City. One last blessing of the day, we got to stop and say hi to a good friend of mine who lives in Nashville, but happened to be in Idaho! It was so great to see Melissa, even if it was a short visit.

Today we venture into Colorado, one of my favorite states! I’m so excited to drive through the Rockies – I’m sure there will be pictures and stories later. Internet access is hard to find when you’re camping, but we’ll try to get another posting up when we can. Until then, enjoy the sunshine!

* Must haves for a long road trip: jolly ranchers (thanks Faith!), mint gum, a John Grisham novel, plenty of music, sunglasses, and water, water, water!

*previous post*

North Carolina, here we come!

On a recent trip to visit and interview at Duke's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I had a wonderful time visiting my friend Katie!  We wandered around the Duke campus and gardens, and tried to find the Durham downtown area (we were either unsuccessful or it is pitifully small; at least I've heard good things about their farmer's market).  It was so fun to have an entire day to walk around and catch up on life!

As for the school update...After seeing several different programs, Ethan and I have decided to move to Durham, North Carolina this August so I can attend Duke's program.  Goodbye mountains, hello humidity!  This summer will be dedicated to packing, hanging out with friends, seeing family, and enjoying a few more camping trips in the northwest.

We are excited for this new adventure!