This is part of the #WinosOnTheRoad trip series with Diana of D Travels ‘Round as we drive across country to start her new chapter in life.
I wrapped my arms around Shaun and refused to let go. My hands entangled themselves around the bottom of his shirt. I inhaled into his chest deeply.
While we were only going to be apart for a week, this was the longest we had been apart in many years. But as Diana was starting a new chapter in her life, I wanted to be there supporting her on her way.
I sat back down at the table.
“Call us when you get into every state!” Diana yelled at Shaun.
He was making the 17 hour drive home by himself and I was less than comfortable with this endeavor. Apparently Diana was in the same boat as me.
And without realizing, I looked up and Shaun was gone.
Panic arose and tears welled up in my eyes. I felt like I didn’t even give a real goodbye.
RRRRing! RRRRRing!
“Hello?”
“I’m in Colorado!”
And just like that, a smile returned to my face while Diana giggled away at the absurdity of Shaun’s call.
It was going to be a good trip. My first girls week out. Why not make it interesting and hop in the car with a girl I just met for the first time and a week and a half on the road across America ahead of us?
=-=-=-=
“It is a baby elephant!” Diana exclaimed as we stared out the windshield at the puffy, dancing clouds.
Well I’ll be damned. Apparently Shaun and I aren’t the only ones who play that game.
I think I like this chick.
I’m always saddened when people talk about how boring the road is. It is the ultimate entertainment and definitely gets the imagination going.
Here are a few pictures of the beauty of the United States on the road. While we were supposedly driving through the most “boring and ugly” states in the nation, we fell in love with the stark landscapes and rolling hills.
When all else fails and you find yourself bored when confined for hours in a vehicle, look out the freaking window!
=-=-=-=-=-
And while we’re at it: Happy birthday United States! Happy 4th of July! Happy Independence! Look how beautiful our country is! 😀
I can’t see a llama without thinking “here’s a llama, there’s a llama…llama, llama, DUCK!”
Also, gorgeous photos and processing! PicFX?
Really nice pictures. You must have had a lot of fun during the road trip. Happy Independence day 🙂
Oh my goodness!! I read this last night just before I was going to bed and instantly missed you even more than I already do!!!!! I am so blessed that you wanted to come along on the crazy trip and am so thankful for our time together. In an instant, you became one of the most important people … and a very close friend. I guess that is what happens when we spend 10 days together. xx
Great photos-made me want to hop in the car!
I look forward to seeing the same trip you took and thank you
for the pictures. Have you ever seen more beautiful sunrises and
sunsets than in Texas.
Cool set of pictures. They definitely grasp the feeling of being on the road…
Also, you got to tell me where you found that dinosaur, it’s awesome!
I could stare out the window for hours on my Oz road trips, and your photos remind me of some of the beauty I loved seeing on the open road!
I won’t have an opportunity to go on a road trip til this time next year, but if you’re ever looking for another trip and another gal pal to hit the road with, let me know 🙂
I like the magical mcdonald’s cup floating in the sky in the one pic. :o) (reflecting in the windshield) Your sunsets are pretty!
Whoa, suddenly..awesome dinosaurs!
Road trips are the perfect excuse to be silly and admire the scenery. Even though you went through a lot of states I’ve never had any desire to visit, I’m sure they were beautiful. I love how you can see reflections of stuff in the car (fast food cup in one?) in some of the photos 🙂
As for leaving Shaun for longer than you have in years, I can understand. You’d think I could handle being away from Andy since the first year of our relationship was long distance, but now I hate being away from him for a few hours while he’s at work, so my RTW without him was tough.
Looking out of the window makes everything more fun. I can’t sleep when I travel as I always have my head pressed up against the window of whatever vehicle I’m in.
Can’t wait to read more about your and Diana’s travels – just read her Omaha post over on her site. Sounds like you guys had a great time 🙂
I agree — American road trips are the best! I’m always shocked when people don’t find driving for 20 hours appealing.
Love it! I think once Rodolfo and I make our way back to the US, we need to do a good, old-fashioned US road trip.
I love road trips. You’re in control, but you also get to move at a slow enough pace to take in the landscapes and other random sights. Great photos!
Half of the photos were via lightroom and my camera and the other half were done by Snapseed. I’m really trying to take advantage of my iPhone 4S!
Thanks Tanya! And a belated 4th to you!
I miss you like crazy lady! It was nice to have a partner in crime. I don’t get the opportunity to have girlie moments like those too often. I’m looking forward to seeing your life unfold and am ever so grateful I got to be part of it.
DO EET!
I do have to say that there are really amazing sunsets/sunrises in Texas but there are so many other places where it is equally as amazing.
BUT – there really is no place like home.
It is right outside Lincoln, Nebraska on I-80! We caught it a bit late so Diana flipped a U-y so we could grab a picture. SO AWESOME.
I would love to do the road trip through Oz one day. Maybe we will even do the caravan thing. 😛
If you’re serious about another road trip, we can totally do something in the future!
I can’t believe Diana made me go to McDonalds! But hey, we were hungry and it was the only thing available. 😛
Yeah, they are sneaky like that, right?
Ali, I NEVER imagined I would EVER be in Nebraska. EVER. But it was pleasantly surprising. The people were nice and the scenery was magical.
When we came back from the trip, Shaun being at work was SUPER HARD. 9 hours is a long time!
If I’m in a car I can’t sleep. If I’m on a bus, I crash out. Like, seriously. 2 minutes. I’m like Pavlov’s dog or something.
While I am usually not excited about the driving for 20 hours part, I am usually excited about what we will see. I’ve driven out to West Texas 10+ times but it is different every time as well.
YES! With lots of pictures with random things in the background!
I do like the control factor. I cry a little inside when I’m on a long distance bus and we pass something cool and I can’t yell, “PULL OVER!!!!!”
Great story and I love your pictures. I wish I had a car here in SEA and could go on road trips! So much more fun! Keep it up!
I miss road trips so much… I know I am on a trip around the world, but nothing beats a road trip. It’s you, your car, your music and the open road. Amazing photos!!!
This reminds me of the countless hours Kali and I spent on the road in Mayhem. I’d see so many picturesque scenes and want to pull over to take a photo, but there was never enough room to park an RV…. and when I finally would find a spot, there’d be trees or power lines in my way!
Your photos will just have to suffice. 😉
Your beautiful American photos are great and all, and your tearful goodbye with Shaun warmed my heart… But I have never, ever in my life seen anyone so happy about reaching New Mexico. Some people love it here, OK?!
I think we’re looking into scootering it up when we finally make it that way. Taking pictures while being a passenger is always interesting…
The music totally makes the experience too! I’m in love with driving long distances. There is something so satisfying about reaching your destination after seeing the beautiful landscapes.
I can imagine that an RV would be difficult to pull over lol!
We’re still half considering doing the RV thing. We are just so content traveling internationally right now to fully commit.
Hey now! I was so stoked to reach it after 9 1/2 hours of driving – mostly through north Texas. It is nice to see a change in scenery after going through the hell that is flat, desert Texas.
Great photos – you guys saw some crazy stuff!
Totally. It really was a quintessential American road trip.