Road Less Traveled

I will never forget the feeling I had leaving. I was nervous, sad, and excited all at the same time. I had an amazing last dinner with my family and gave them all a hug good bye. As I was pulling out of the parking lot of the Palomino Room I remember looking back at my nieces and thinking how am I suppose to go two months without them? Without their hugs, smiles, laughs and conversations. Anyone who knows me knows that my nieces have a huge part of my heart. So there I was driving out thinking how can I leave them? I had to remember that it was just a few short months. That this wasn’t good bye it was a see you later.

So there I was driving down Highway 36 out of my small town I had absolutely no idea on what I was doing. I remember thinking it’s not to late to turn around, you don’t have to go. And then I remember thinking you are already 40 miles down the road and you HAVE to go. This is an opportunity that not everyone gets, so you have to make the best of it. Pretty soon I was 100 miles from home and then 200 miles from home which is where my first stop was. Reno Nevada where I was staying the night with my friend from home Jessica.

Day 2 of driving was across I80. Anyone who has traveled on I80 knows it is a LONG interstate and sometimes you definitely find yourself saying “am I there yet?” But then I would remind myself this isn’t something everyone gets to do. Find the beauty in the Desert, look at the scenery, and take every moment in because this is a moment you will remember forever. After driving all day I ended up in the beautiful city of Salt Lake. I pulled up to my cousins Ashley’s place and thought ok day 2 is done and now you get to spend time with Ash. Ashley always has a big warm hug to offer every time I get to Salt Lake. She is definitely one of my favorite stops when I am driving through.

Day 3-8 I was going to end up in the small town of Hamlet Nebraska at Uncle Brian and Aunt Heidi’s. Now every year they have a pumpkin party. Uncle Brian plants pumpkins and all the local kids come out and pick them with their families. I have always heard about it but living out in California I have never attended until now. Getting ready for the party included of course a Wal Mart store run and the rebuilding of a turnip launcher. Yep you read that right a turnip launcher. Eventually the day for the party showed up and a party it was. Uncle Brian’s place has always been one of my favorites. The memories there are priceless.

Day 9 I was back on the road again with the final destination in sight Elkhart Indiana. Now the farthest I have ever driven east was Hamlet Nebraska so back on I80 I got and headed east. I pulled into the town of Elkhart at night. Had no idea what was there or in the surrounding areas but I was excited that I had made it and was ready for this next chapter of my life. I got to Martin and Jenny’s town house and snuggled in for the night. Little did I know that the next day I would wake up to what is now one of my favorite states and places.

The road less traveled is an amazing one. And getting to Elkhart Indiana was just the start to this step of the journey. .