Liz's Gypsy Journey

The time came for me to go to my orientation with Indiana Transport. This was the opportunity I was looking for. Walking into that building I was so excited because this was my chance to travel the USA while I was able to work.

Orientation was definitely an eye opening experience. I was sitting in room full of men. Old truck drivers and some that had never pulled a trailer. Now at Indiana Transport we haul brand new travel trailers so when you are working you are pulling a trailer. Sitting there listening and looking around it hit me. Not only am I the only woman sitting in this room I am also the youngest.

After the room orientation was the driving orientation which for someone who grew up pulling trailers wasn’t a big deal. I was actually excited about it because Jenny was with me. The drive was pretty simple and when he told me ok you are ready to book your first load. I was so excited because I now got to go see more of this amazing country.

Jenny also works for the company so we booked my first load to a dealership in Ohio. It was a quick little run but with the fall colors and the scenery is was awesome. The first drop off went great and I loaded my truck up on Jenny’s truck and back to Indiana we went. Driving with Jenny is always fun. We always have something to talk about and I can also pick her brain about life and work. She is one of those people in my life that I have no idea where I would be without her.

After that first run I booked a run to Florida. At the time a couple of my cousins lived there so I made the journey from Elkhart to the Destin Florida area. I was able to spend time with my cousins and even surprise my cousin Garrett who had no idea I was there until he got home from work. We decided since I was there for one night that we would take a drive to Destin. We ate at a restaurant on the beach and just had an amazing time. My drop off was 6.5 hours east from where I was so back on the road I got. I meet Jenny in a town just south of Jacksonville. We got the trailers dropped off and made the journey to Jacksonville where we met up with my life long friend Taylor and her family. I was able to eat alligator for the first time which is amazing. We had a great time catching up and I actually stayed with them that night at their home. The next morning Jenny and I were headed back north to Indiana.

Getting to ride shotgun in the truck you definitely see a lot. What amazes me about this amazing country is how every state has something different to offer. Some states are flat, some are over grown with trees and brush, some are hot, some are cold, some you drive through and fall in love. The trip to Florida was great I was able to drive through six states going down and back. That was six more states that I was able to check off my list. Six more states I was able to take in the sites. Six more states that I was able to learn about and just enjoy. I was so hooked after my first long delivery because I knew this was something special. This was something I was meant to do. I was where I needed to be and I wasn’t sitting around still longing to travel. I was actually living my life and seeing the places I wanted to see. I got to feel that sand in between my toes in Destin Florida, I ate alligator in Jacksonville, I got to see the peach trees in Georgia. How could I not be happy? How could I not realize that I was blessed? Over the last 26 years of my life I have come to the realization that life is short. So live it! And this was just the start to me living it and seeing the country. 

So there I was waking up in what would now be my new home away from home. You know when you try something new and your heart beats like crazy because of the excitement and fear that you are feeling? That was me. I was sooo excited to be there and I wanted to see what the area had to offer. I had a few days to drive around and check it out before my orientation with the company that I work for. But I will get to that later. Right now it was about getting to know the area.

I was talking to young Martin (who is like a brother to me) who was living there in Elkhart as well. He told me about some of the places to go and see. And when he told me about visiting the Amish community that was only 15 miles down the road I knew that’s where I was headed. I have always heard about the Amish community but living in California I had never gotten to experience it for myself.

The drive was absolutely beautiful. I made it back to Indiana October of 2016. I was 26 years old and living out one of my dreams. The fall colors out in Indiana were to die for. All the trees were vibrant in color. The skies were blue with some clouds and I just remember thinking this is amazing and exactly where I need to be at this time in my life.

All of a sudden I see a buggy in front of me and I remember my heart beating with a little more with excitement. Because I had never seen a horse and buggy jogging down the side of an interstate before. I realized that I had made it to the Amish Community.

Now there is an amazing store in Shipshewana Indiana called E&S sales. If you are every in the area take the time to stop. Not only is it a grocery store it is also a place to buy hand crafted outdoor furniture, cabins, and many other amazing handmade items. One of the neatest things to me is that aside from a normal parking lot for vehicles the side of the building is dedicated to buggy parking. The horses and buggy’s are a sight to see. And the homemade goodies that the Amish make are amazing. The breads and pastries are to die for.

Across from E&S Sales is a pretzel shop called Ben’s Pretzel and that is also always on my list when I am in the area. I mean how do you pass up a homemade pretzel? The answer to that is you don’t.

Driving around I saw some of the prettiest colors, amazing farm land and was just soaking it all in. I had no idea how amazing the fall colors could be and seeing them in person is something everyone should do. Little did I know that in a few short days I would get to see even more of those amazing fall colors.

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. .