Day Six - finally, people I know!

multigrain/spinach/tomato/swiss/egg/avocado

Looks like I jinxed myself two days in a row - my speakers in my car randomly stopped working (if you know why a 2011 Hyundai Elanta would have this happen across the radio/bluetooth/cd audio, let me know...) So its a good thing I prefer no music, because my longest day of driving is about to have no music. Cant wait.








Today I kicked off Houston with an eggcelent breakfast, follow by what started as horseback riding but ended up as a massage. Luckily for me, those places aren't super busy on a Tuesday, so I was able to schedule a massage at the last minute. Its probably for the best... my body is pretty ravaged by 6 days of driving so far.

One thing I didnt realize is how many toll roads there are in TX, I definitely got on one without realizing and for sure will have a bill mailed to me. It was dark and I saw the flashes from the photo when they got me - but their signs are confusing and its hard to see them all in the dark! They do have very wide roads here though, which is nice. Maybe because they seem to have so much room? Everything is so spread out, I went just barely outside Houston but the drive to my massage place was 45 minutes (would have only been 25-30 if I used the toll roads, but they require the pass I don't have)

when someones in your photo doing a pregnancy shoot

full body + reflexology

After my hour long massage, it was time to wash the 1.8 mil bugs off my car and after I was headed to the infamous whattaburger for lunch and then the Water Wall attraction in the city. Whattaburger was definitely better than the other burger chains, and they had fun toppings and more options. I opted for the original because I wanted to taste the real thing.

Then I decided to set up for my drive to Austin. Strategically I tried to explore Houston as much as possible, but still leave before rush hour and get to Austin.

The drive from Houston to Austin was the easiest day of driving that I will have on the trip, so I enjoyed the lack of traffic and muscle stiffness today.

I arrived in Austin to another friends house who was kind enough to offer their guest bedroom - we went to grab some delicious and very "Austin" tacos and they did not disappoint. I still need to figure out what I am doing in Austin for the next few days... but I got some great ideas over tacos tonight!!

Torchys Tacos

ps. I am literally writing these as I go to sleep at night, literally falling asleep at the computer - please excuse any bad grammar, run on sentences or misspelled words. thx

Day five - I find alligators

starbucks time!

Welp, it happened today. Somewhere between New Orleans and Houston I finally, and very randomly, cried. It was much shorter than I expected, and was provoked by a Broadway song (not shocking, but also not what I expected). Of course, it was the only day so far that I have worn any eyeliner/makeup in general - but I should have figured I was jinxing myself by wearing it... If you know me at all, you know this isn't a bad thing, and personally I'm glad it finally happened so I don't have to worry about it possibly happening in public or anything - phew!


People are checking in on me, I am getting approximately one million reminder to be safe (um, duh), and asking if its sunk in yet/if I'm starting to question my decision. The long and short of it is that it still feels surreal, keep in mind that I don't technically have a place I am actually moving into. Maybe then it will feel real? And also that amidst all this driving, and despite my mini crying episode today, the whole trip I have felt very at peace with what I am doing. I actually don't really prefer to listen to music because I feel like it distracts me from the experience (don't worry, I'm sure I will change my mind once I get to the long Texas roads)

All this calmness is shocking I know, because going on a trip alone across the country with no plans from one day to to the next doesn't sound much like the usual me - just ask anyone who has seen or used my standard packing list! Today was a perfect example...

swamp trees

shrimping boat

I spent last night at a friends house again, since I knew there was more I wanted to do in NOLA before I left. Did I get to all of it? No. Is that okay? typically also no, but clearly this isn't my typical trip. When I woke up this morning I wanted to make sure I had some time to address the mounting stack of work emails in my inbox, about 150+ so I gave myself 1.5 hours at starbucks to sort through that. Then I had scheduled a swamp tour for the afternoon, which I found on Groupon and went really well! Who knew that alligators were such big fans of marshmellows!?

baby gator!

Once that was over (by the way, its like 84 degrees here) I got in my car, did some thinking and decided it was too hot to do anything else outside and it was time to keep heading west.

another state down!!

By the time I got to the TX border it was already dark, even though it was just like 5:30pm. Houston seemed a reasonable distance away, so that was my new destination. I booked a cute little room at an airbnb northwest of the city - and drove through the city on my way so I could check it out on my stop for dinner.




I finished my first audio book (finally) and then got to the place where I ordered my first ever bowl of ramen noodles, a hip restaurant where I could eat at the center community table aka not feel so lonely when I ate solo, since the bar area was full. I do have to say, driving up to and through all these cities is pretty crazy. All the skylines at night look so cool.

ramen dinner

Tomorrow my goal is Austin, but ideas of the Grand Canyon and a few other nature-y places have popped into my head... so who knows where I will end up!

Day four - NOLA

I have noticed that if I don't write this post before I go to sleep, I forget half of what happened that day. You're all welcome that I'm staying up late just to get all this info to you!

Last night I also talked to some people about fun things to do while I'm here and on the rest of my journey. Got some good ideas on outdoors experiences near El Paso in NM, so I'm excited to have some motivation there! The drives will be long/boring once I make it out that way I've heard.

Today was the first day that I woke up and didn't plan to drive 6-8 hours - and that felt amazing. I got to be a tourist, and it was a blast! I started at the French Quarter around 9:30/10am and went through the whole flea market, and then the food marketplace. Started considering Groupon for some fun things to do in the area - but its not the best for last minute plans. I think tomorrow I'm going to see if I can squeeze on a tour since Mondays will be less busy, hopefully.

string dolls - custom star wars even!

artisan work for sale

I considered a couple of items for purchase, but ultimately got nothing. Which is fine, because I literally just got rid of half my stuff since I have too many things already. My next and most vital stop was at Cafe du Monde (obviously) for some beignets. They were delicious of course, and also pretty quick - which is good when youre me and trying to do as much as you can. I walked all up and down the streets between Jackson Square and the French Quarter, so many shops/bars/restaurants/art galleries to see! Then I went to Jackson Square and explored around there as well. Lots more artists actively painting, and a whole block full of fortune tellers/tarot card readers. I skipped on that opportunity though.

obligatory stop!

this is all the hype!!

Next I stopped in a sports bar on the way back to my car to catch the second half of the Ravens game. We did not win, but we didn't play as terribly as we have - so I'll take it! Then I headed out to check out the Tulane campus/area and pick up some snacks.

masks

beads

boas

Apparently my gracious hosts insisted on making dinner, which was outstanding, and then we all watched some Stranger Things together. Overall a really great day, and I was so happy not to spend the majority of it in the car!

Tomorrow I continue the super touristy stuff... possibly some more planning and updating my itinerary to reflect some recent updates. Should I try to squeeze in the Grand Canyon? some beach time? An extra day in Phoenix?

The beauty of all this is that every day I wake up, I have the world at my fingertips and get to decide what I'm going to do. Its been such an adventure so far, and I have loved it!

Day three + updated itnerary

Woke up in ATL, and quickly got on the road - destination: NOLA! My route was 85 to 65 to 10, it was so easy I didn't use a GPS except when I first mapped my route.

Stopped at a few rest stops, these welcome signs have become my progress markers - so anytime I pass a new one, that's one state closer to LA :)

Luckily almost no traffic, probably because its Saturday - but its not like I really know what day it is anymore. I was trying to avoid rush hour still, haha. When I got close to the FL state line and started seeing signs for Pensacola while it was 82 degrees... I did consider taking a little detour.

First, Alabama rest stops were so terrible - especially after how awesome the ones in Georgia were. Also yes, this is my life now that I am comparing the quality of rest stops from one state to the next... ugh save me, haha. Mississippi was just a blip on my journey, I literally just stopped to take the photo. People have seen me doing this and offering to take it for me - but I have the selfie angle down so I tent to pass on the offer. Even though I clearly look like some crazy millennial taking selfies. Sometimes I just wish I could have a sign on my back that says "my mom asked for this photo" so people understood. But oh well!

At some point during this drive, I crossed time zones - I only realized because I thought I must have been driving so fast to be making such good time! (yes, I was speeding but not THAT fast) Getting to Louisiana was fun, but also sad. I was on the phone with my sister, and literally got off for about 5 mins to take my awkward selfie and run back to the car. I thought as a milestone, it was closer to LA than it actually is. Disappointing temporarily, but quickly got over it because I was really looking forward to getting to New Orleans!!! Luckily for me, I had a cousin of a friend who welcomed me into their home and their plans, so I got to watch the LSU game at a house party in the Garden District and drive down the parade route for Mardi Gras and see all the beads in the trees. Makes me excited to come back for the real thing!

After the house party, we went to a dive bar a few blocks away. Apparently bars in Louisiana don't have a close time (until Baltimore at 1:30am) which seems like a terrible idea to me, because nothing good happens in Baltimore on a night out after 2am! I guess people here are used to it and are good at knowing when to go home. Or they are all well seasoned alcoholics, who knows?









Either way, it was nice to get somewhere on time - and I was absolutely exhausted by the time I fell asleep. I updated my travel plans now that I seem (knock on wood) to be on schedule. Don't hold me to it or anything, but generally here is my plan as of night 3:
 

Day two - hotlanta

yoga time

Today has been so long it feels like 3 days, but I guess that just means I am making the most of this adventure! I let myself sleep in after staying up till 2 am last night trying to figure out what my travel should look like moving forward... finally got out of bed at 8:50 to grab a few bites of the hotel breakfast that was over at 9. Needless to say, it was less than stellar but I really don't care - I just needed some protein so I could get on the road and those watery eggs did the trick.










I set my destination as Atlanta, trying to be realistic even though it was only supposed to be 6.5 hours away. I was hoping to get here before dinner time so that I could find somewhere awesome to eat and make up for the terrible breakfast (not looking for pity here, I clearly do this to myself). After a few hours of driving I left NC, made a quick stop to stretch at a rest area - and just went all out LA and popped my yoga mat on the grass under the shade of a little tree and did a quick flow. The weather was gorgeous and it just seemed right. Not doing yoga/working out for a few days and missing those happy endorphins can really start to mess with your head. I'm sure all the random truckers also at the stop thought I was a weirdo, but since I basically live in my yoga clothes - at least I fit the part.

Quick break for lunch and gas at the next exit I found, but nothing exciting to report there (except I decided to let myself get a chocolate chip cookie). Then I headed through SC but got sleepy shortly after switching states - plus your butt literally starts to hurt after about 3/4 hours of driving. I decided to pull into another rest stop (those are very convenient along 85) and grabbed my yoga mat again but just used it for a little power nap in the shade.

Feeling very refreshed (YES I AM BEING SAFE AND NOT DRIVING WHILE I AM TIRED) I headed for Georgia. Wow - they have such nice rest areas in GA compared to NC/SC!! So clean and fancy, they even have vending machines that just sell "healthy" stuff. I would have killed for an apple or banana, but was too determined to go find a real store to buy those from.

am I good at these welcome sign selfies yet?

I also found and booked a hostel online for tonight (my delayed plans means nothing was/is booked ahead of time). Ended up not being a place I wanted to stay, so I'm at an airbnb instead with the sweetest lady from South Africa. Before I got here I stopped at the ATL International Night Market - that event blew my mind. I have never seen so many different kinds of food in one place before, plus they had performers and live music! The $5 was wayyy worth it. I ended up eating caribbean, thai, and mexican but I could have stayed there trying/eating everything for weeks.