Blue Ridge Mountains

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  ... Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." - Max Ehrmann

This quote has stuck with me throughout my trip but especially today as I was hiking up Mount Pisgah just outside of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Maybe it's going to creep up on me later but since I've left I haven't once thought, am I doing the right thing? Because I know somewhere deep down that this is what I need to do and that my life over the next few months will unfold as it should. And that there is such beauty in the silence.

Before I got to the parking lot to Mount Pisgah I was driving through back country roads jamming along to Nickel Creek and took a few missteps before making it on the Blue Ridge Parkway which is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful roads I've ever been on. It's also a bit frightening, driving on super twisty roads with hairpin corners, drooling over how incredible this spot of the world is, while also being very aware that there isn't any guard rails and that you can veer off the road and tumble down to your death.. but this made it all the more memorable. Once I was able to pry my hands off the steering wheel, I was nearly squealing with excitement that I was going on my first hike since Acadia National Park this past summer. This is my second time hiking Mt Pisgah and I think it's more beautiful when it's cloudy, getting to see a little glimpse of the sun hitting the mountains just right and noticing all the green and blue tones will leave you in awe. If you haven't made it to the Asheville/Blue Ridge Mountain part of our world, pack your bags now. I can't wait to come back and soak it all in again and to find a little piece of myself that will always be in these mountains.

First stop: Georgetown

Yesterday, I officially made it to my first stop on my cross country tour, Georgetown. Getting there wasn't as smooth sailing as I would have liked and after being in the car for 9+ hours my butt was ready to get out of my car and so was I. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, the bluest skies this girl has seen in months and everything was so green and lush and as I was making my way further and further south, flowers of every color were bursting to life. After surviving the Boston winter from hell, I didn't know if I'd ever see plants and trees look so... alive. It was incredible to be outside and not need a light sweatshirt or jacket, I almost didn't know what to do with myself. While in Georgetown, I stayed with my cousin Daniel and his boyfriend Andy and had such a wonderful visit, exactly who I needed to see as I start this massive trip. After many laughs that made my sides hurt, a delicious meal, filled with great conversation and a nice night's sleep, I got back in my car to do it all over again. Today I had another picturesque day driving (mother nature, I wouldn't mind driving on cloudy and rainy days too, just sayin') even further south to get to Shelby, North Carolina. I'm staying with a very dear friend Laura's parents who are, and I'm not exaggerating in the slightest, the most lovely and kindest human beings on the planet. It's been such a treat reconnecting with them, since we haven't seen each other in 8+ years!

While I've driven close to 1,000 miles already, I've had a good amount of time to think and stay in my driving reverie. One idea that I've ruminated on recently, why don't they have rest stops but for napping? Like you'd go into a room/pod like they have at Google (or so I've read) and just nap. It would be way more comfortable then your car and who doesn't feel rejuvenated and ready for anything after a nap?  I could see the potential hiccups and creepyness factor but guys, I think I'm on to something!

In all seriousness though, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for all the love I have in my life. All of your support, encouragement, and well wishes mean a great deal and are helping me be braver than I thought I could be, so thank you.  Tomorrow morning I'm headed to Asheville for the day, my legs are jonesing for a hike! More to come....

And so it begins...

Today is a day I've been planning for and thinking about for months and months. It's an indescribable feeling having everything that I've planned for actually begin. I've left my job, moved out of my apartment, packed my car for the next 3-4 months, and will be starting my close to 4,000 mile road trip this morning.

On Monday I was at my last yoga class, feeling very overwhelmed and on the verge of tears with everything I had to do before Saturday. At the end of my practice during savasana I felt this energy around my heart. And I instantly felt calm and at peace and the sense that everything was going to be okay and that this is the right choice for me. For the past week I've continued to feel calm and at peace about it all and I'm hoping that will stay with me on my travels.

And so it begins. As Lao Tzu once said, a journey of a thousand miles (try four thousand!) begins with one step. Or in my case, turning my car on and driving west. First stop: Washington D.C!

I have this thing with birds.

I have this thing with birds. Maybe it's a special connection or maybe they're my spirit animal or a reincarnated loved one. Or maybe I just have a thing with birds. A month or so ago I was driving and stopped at a stop sign and this big, beautiful hawk ever so gracefully landed on my windshield. Seriously. At first I thought, did I kill it? Then I wondered if it was an owl. I realized no, it was a hawk who was very much alive. And by the way, when do you ever hear of or see a hawk gently land on a windshield?!? The hawk proceeded to turn and look at me for a few moments and then flew away. My mom thinks it's a good omen; I think it blessed my car for my travels.

When I told my friends about this story I was reminded about another bird incident, while in Victoria Falls last spring. I was enjoying my food reverie, which often happens after delicious meals, and this tiny little bird flew down to my chair and we proceeded to stare at each other for at least two minutes and then it flew away.

What is it with me and birds? Hopefully some day I will find out.

 Thanks hawk for your travel blessing, me and my car are forever grateful!

Four weeks

Four weeks. Four weeks from today I will be starting my month long drive to Los Angeles. I have a list which seems a mile long of everything that needs to get done between now and then and at times it seems incredibly frightening and daunting and other times it can't come soon enough. It is hard to put into words the feeling that in four weeks I will be starting my trip that I've been planning and thinking about for months and months and months. That all of this is happening because of a thought that turned into an idea that turned into a road map that turned into this.

Four weeks. I'm trying not to freak out.

My route

This will be my route from my home in the Boston area to the west coast, specifically San Diego and then on to the Los Angeles area.  Four weeks.  Driving close to 4,000 miles.  Going to be amazed and explore as many National Parks as possible.  

Bring it on, America! 

What am I doing?!

What am I doing?! This is a question I've been asking myself ever since I came up with the idea to drive cross country by myself and to spend time volunteering on an organic farm in Hawaii. It's been hitting me more and more as my departure date is getting closer. Today marks my eight week mark. Eight weeks from today I'll be starting what will be one hell of an adventure. I'm going to be driving cross country by myself with my 2003 Toyota Corolla, hoping that me and my car don't end up in a ditch in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception. I've been having some pangs of fear mixed with thoughts of, what the fuck am I doing?! I'm leaving my job, my source of income, my apartment, my life for the past two and a half years. Leaving what has been my normal to travel solo (for most of my trip) for a solid 3+ months and supporting myself with the money that I've been saving. Am I fucking nuts? Maybe I am a little. But this has been something I've wanted to do for a while and I've thought about it over and over and over again and I know if I don't do it, I'm going to live in regret. I don't know when I will have this opportunity again, to leave my job and home and just hold on tight to my wanderlust and see where I end up.

Even though I've had some freak out moments, I can't properly put into words how excited I am for this epic adventure. Seeing months of thinking, planning, researching, decision making, starting to form a true honest map is pretty damn amazing. I'm also slightly scared but I think it's important to do things that scare us because it shows us that many times, we have nothing to be afraid of, that the fear we are harboring are just thoughts that we've given too much power. So I'm trying to quiet those scary thoughts and remind myself why I'm doing this. I'm doing this trip for me, myself and I. I'm doing this to accomplish a travel dream, to experience our beautiful country and to remind myself that even though I love being with my family and friends, I'm also good on my own. That I am enough.  

The next eight weeks will be busy and sad and wonderful and filled with lots of change, laughter, goodbyes and excitement. But I'm getting ready, day by day by day. Eight weeks.  The countdown is on!