Portland, Or
Day 43
Wednesday, July 04, 2018
I wake to my mom curious as to when I’m coming home. As I said goodbye to Izzy, I made the decision. This is a perfect end to an utterly fantastic 42-day adventure. It’s time to go home.
So, I grab a pizza and on this American anniversary, I head back into the clutches of nationalism. I get to Portland at the perfect time, Curtis and Rene’s familiar faces and welcoming arms dissolve any regret that might have lingered. As the fireworks began, I was reminded that connections are what I am all about. I don’t believe I was in the right headspace to spend a grip of days in the Great White North all alone, especially with the last half of my trip being friendless.
Check-Ins
Day 43 – July 4, 2018 ∙ 2:34pm
Hey look, a Brooklyn pizza join in Vancouver! As I sat here and ate some pizza, I contemplated all I had seen, all those people I met, all the calories I drank, and I smiled. Then, I grabbed the rest of the pizza for the road. It was time to go home. What I didn’t realize was that pizza would literally be my treasured driving companion for the next couple of days.
Day 43 – July 4, 2018 ∙ 8:30pm
After five hours on the road, I was super glad to be greeted by these fine folks!
Day 43 – July 4, 2018 ∙ 9:01pm
As if it didn’t have enough to bomb, the US decided to continue to wage its annual one-day assault on the night sky. So, there were a lot of bada-booms for American pride. We had a great view from the rooftop of Curtis and Rene’s building.
Check-Ins
Day 43 – July 4, 2018 ∙ 2:34pm
Hey look, a Brooklyn pizza join in Vancouver! As I sat here and ate some pizza, I contemplated all I had seen, all those people I met, all the calories I drank, and I smiled. Then, I grabbed the rest of the pizza for the road. It was time to go home. What I didn’t realize was that pizza would literally be my treasured driving companion for the next couple of days.
Day 43 – July 4, 2018 ∙ 8:30pm
After five hours on the road, I was super glad to be greeted by these fine folks!
Day 43 – July 4, 2018 ∙ 9:01pm
As if it didn’t have enough to bomb, the US decided to continue to wage its annual one-day assault on the night sky. So, there were a lot of bada-booms for American pride. We had a great view from the rooftop of Curtis and Rene’s building.
Placerville, CA
Day 44
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Saying goodbye to great friends and to the Pacific Northwest. I drive.
And I drive.
Hey look, a mountain!
And I keep driving.
All day I drive.
Hey look, friends!
Check-Ins
Day 44 – July 5, 2018 ∙ 1:30pm
A day sailing the asphalt seas. Hey look, pizza.
Day 44 – July 5, 2018 ∙ 5:28pm
After my longest stretch on the road for the entire trip, silly me was so exhausted and excited to see this amazing couple that I forgot to take a photo with them. So, here is an image stolen from their Facebook.
Check-Ins
Day 44 – July 5, 2018 ∙ 1:30pm
A day sailing the asphalt seas. Hey look, pizza.
Day 44 – July 5, 2018 ∙ 5:28pm
After my longest stretch on the road for the entire trip, silly me was so exhausted and excited to see this amazing couple that I forgot to take a photo with them. So, here is an image stolen from their Facebook.
Brea, Ca
Day 45
Friday, July 6, 2018
Saying goodbye to great friends and to Northern California. I drive.
And I drive.
And I keep driving.
All day driving.
Hey look, Home!
Check-Ins
Day 45 – July 6, 2018 ∙ 5:14pm
45 days and 4,225 miles traveled. Perfect weather every single day of my trip. And what does home have? The most intense 115°F heat you could imagine. My face feels like it is going to melt off. I could have been hiking in the snow-covered mountain of British Columbia today. An uncomfortable return to a comfortable living. Life is funny sometimes.
Day 45 – July 6, 2018 ∙ 8:00pm
Financial Breakdown
Gas
$568.93 (4225 miles - 12.7¢/mile)
Biggest single expense
$83.68 (AirBnB w/Aquarium pass)
Most expensive meal
$41.87 (Lyasare Berkeley)
Estimated Bar Tab (68 stops)
$725.65 ($10.67/stop)
Total Lodging (includes camping fees)
$113.68
Tolls/Mass Transit/Ferries
$32
Parking tickets & Fees/Moving Violations
$0
Total Cost of the Trip
$2262.13
Stay breakdown
Friends/Friends of Friends: 29
Couchsurfing: 11
Camping: 2
Car: 2
Airbnb: 1
Check-Ins
Day 45 – July 6, 2018 ∙ 5:14pm
45 days and 4,225 miles traveled. Perfect weather every single day of my trip. And what does home have? The most intense 115°F heat you could imagine. My face feels like it is going to melt off. I could have been hiking in the snow-covered mountain of British Columbia today. An uncomfortable return to a comfortable living. Life is funny sometimes.
Day 45 – July 6, 2018 ∙ 8:00pm
Financial Breakdown
Gas
$568.93 (4225 miles - 12.7¢/mile)
Biggest single expense
$83.68 (AirBnB w/Aquarium pass)
Most expensive meal
$41.87 (Lyasare Berkeley)
Estimated Bar Tab (68 stops)
$725.65 ($10.67/stop)
Total Lodging (includes camping fees)
$113.68
Tolls/Mass Transit/Ferries
$32
Parking tickets & Fees/Moving Violations
$0
Total Cost of the Trip
$2262.13
Stay breakdown
Friends/Friends of Friends: 29
Couchsurfing: 11
Camping: 2
Car: 2
Airbnb: 1
Saturday, July 7, 2018
I sit here at Home. One night after I have returned.
I ran away these past 45-days. Away from a place I’ve called home most of my life. And while I didn’t explore as far as I had planned, my days were dense with profound experiences. Many times on this journey I felt grateful and guilty, wishing everyone could have these adventures. I said before, I love other people, different perspectives, and introspective conversations. That I want to learn and grow from others and to share myself, as open and honestly as I know-how. With this, I believe I succeeded tenfold.
And now, back safe in this comfortable space I have constructed, I sit with a different perspective, and I look to the future. My future. And a seed of thought has germinated in the lush soil of my trip. As I thought it might. After years of cultivating this home, it’s time for a new chapter. These new cities and new people have shown me contrasts and opportunities. And I’m invigorated and terrified to take the first steps to move on from this sleepy little north Orange county town and my beautiful home I’ve made here.
But it seems like it’s time to run away, permanently. And really see how it all gets rebuilt.
