Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Road Trip



It has been a tough year. It's quickly winding to a close. These last couple of months always seem to zoom by. Don't they? I've decided to slow down a bit and give myself an adventure by taking the last two weeks of the year off and going on a road trip.

My plan is to drive from Los Angeles to San Antonio and make several stops along the way going to and fro so that I can check out some of the local scenery.

When I moved to California from Dallas ten years ago, I took the northern route, that's what we called it anyhow, through Albuquerque and Flagstaff. This time with the help of Yahoo trip planner, I'm taking the southern route. I think on the way out I'll stop at Phoenix and Las Cruces and on my return trip, I think I'll stop in El Paso and Tucson. But, I haven't quite nailed the details down yet.

I'm a bit nervous to do it alone but at the same time it excites me to face a challenge. I look forward to having time alone to do whatever I want. I'll have to force myself though to not put my pedal to the metal and whiz by all the roadside attractions. I have a tendency to look at road trips as a timed challenge to beat the clock. "Yahoo says it takes 19 hours. Ha! I'll do it in 18!" Most of the time I win. However, the one and only speeding ticket I have ever received was in Arizona, so hopefully that will be encouragement to keep it this side of 100 as I drive through there.

15 comments:

Lisa :-] said...

Bummer that you're not coming north... though I suppose the weather wouldn't encourage it. I think you will have great fun. Wish I was going, too... :-]

V said...

Sounds like Fun!
And thanks for all your kind words!
Hugs,
V

aims said...

I haven't checked in with you in a couple of months! I'm a little glad to see that I wasn't behind on 60 updates, LoL! It's so much easier to keep up with people who update sort of like me, a little here and a little there. ;-)

I admire women who say things like, "I'm taking a road trip ... BY MYSELF" That is something I've always wanted to do, but I just haven't the guts. I have this terrible fear of driving outside my city limits, which "limits" my travel. I'm looking forward to reading about your vacation. Take care and I'll catch up with you again, hopefully not two months or more from now. Maybe within the month. ;-P

alphawoman said...

This sounds like an adventure of a life time.

tiny dancer said...

Oh, one of the best trips I ever made was solo! It's empowering. Just a girl and her road, nothin like it. Man...
And the last minute decisions you'll have are always the best!

Lee said...

Sounds like a great trip planned, Robbie. I prefer traveling alone. It allows time to do lots of thinking. Time to do some 'mind filing' without having to make conversation with someone else. I prefer silence when I'm driving...perhaps just having the music I like playing as I sing (howl) along with it! You can 'moo' at the cows along the way and nobody other than the cows will think you're insane. I'm not sure if cows think...maybe they do, but they won't mind! ;)

Enjoy your trip.

Lee said...

I've tried twice to post and it failed to pick up my comments so I wrote them in '43Thingies'....just to repeat some of what I said there...have a great trip. There's nothing more fulfilling than doing a road trip alone...I've done many and I've always found them to be a soul healing experience. Just don't stop for anyone along the way, even if he is a Brad Pitt look-a-like! ;)

Lee said...

I give up! This is my fourth try to post a comment! Arrrrrghhhh...why do I have a flat forehead? I'm tearing out my hair...I have posted in '43thingies'...without any problem...I know not what is going on! :) But I shall try again....

Unknown said...

I hope Mexico takes over Texas.

Lee said...

Do your trip! It's great travelling alone. I've done a lot of road trips by myself and it gives one time to think, ponder and answer all those questions of life that have baffled you through the past year! Just make sure you carry a can of hairspray with you...it's a good deterrent if mace is illegal! ;) Put your CD player up and sing-a-long...doesn't matter what you sound like or if you don't know the words...no one is there to complain! ;)

Anonymous said...

I have taken this road trip, just add in from Sumas, Wa to TX (well,
to Florida) but, I have taken this route. It's not a bad one. I almost died from exhaust in modesto, Ca...but, I survived. :P lol. Just make sure your car is ready for trip as well as you. :)
should be fun!
enjoy.

Lee said...

I think you all get my picture! ;)

Or do I need to repeat myself again?
Hehehehehehe! Sorry! :)

Becky said...

Las Cruses! I'm so jealous! I lived there as a young child. Of all the places I lived as a military brat, that was my fav.

Smukke said...

For most people, crossing Arizona isn't a big challenge. Crossing West Texas is the part that is mind-numbing. I enjoy it because you can just put the top down, crank up the iPod and sing as loudly as you want, and there's nobody to hear you or (mostly) even see you rockin' out while you drive. I also enjoy seeing the wind turbines up on the big mesas out there, although some say it 'ruins the scenery.' They look so small and inconsequential when they are far away, but if you drive on I-10, you're likely to see trucks hauling out new ones, with blades bigger than anything you can imagine.

You'll enjoy the drive. Just stay awake. And hey, if you add another three hours or so you can come visit me in Houston heh.

sunflowerkat said...

I've been on a oouple of short roadtrips by myself (2 or 4 days) and I've always loved it. You'll find your stride once you hit the road. I'm envious! Have fun!!!