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Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Road Trip Details

This will be my life over the next few days. It is going to be a long trip. 2,679 miles door-to-door to be exact. 8 states. 4 timezones. And I couldn't be more excited. I've waited for this moment for years. The cross country drive to the one city I've always kept in my heart - San Diego.

The plan is to make the drive in about 3.5 days. My dad [and Stella of course] will be accompanying me and helping with the finalization of the move once we make it to Southern California. But first, we'll have to make it through several states:


I'll be taking the Southern route along I-40, which is a route I have wanted to take for quite some time now, as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico will all be new territory for me. I've been trying to find some roadside attractions to stop and see, such as the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. Where else should I go?

I LOVE the Wild West! Growing up in over-populated Northern Virginia, I was blessed with rich history and colonial culture as well as beautiful trees in the Fall but the only taste of nature I got was the outline of the Blue Ridge "Mountains" way off in the distance. When I ventured out West and drove myself from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City, I was astonished at the beauty of our country. It is un-touched out there. Quiet. Peaceful. Genuine. It was the first time in my entire life where I could look ahead of me, next to me, and behind me and I was the only person on the open road. Looking out at the mountains, the mesas, the earth. Not just trees as I was so tired of seeing in Virginia, but the actual earth of this planet. The rock. The dirt. The shapes that Nature created.

Anyway, I most look forward to those parts of the trip. Seeing this country of ours so raw and up close and personal has hands-down been the best gift I've given to myself :) Now, moving on to other things. What shall I bring with me on the trip?


1. Pain-killers - I always have to carry these bad boys with me because of headaches, especially on long trips. This should also help with any aches and pains from being cramped up all day.
2. Chocolate - You know me and my chocolate. If I'm stopped at a gas station and just need a little boost, I'll pick up a Snickers or Coconut M&Ms if I can ever find them again!
3. Water - Stayed hydrated. Just not too hydrated. Spend your time on the road, not at rest stops.
4. Sunnies - This [much more expensive] pair looks just like my favorite pair from H&M.
5. & 6.  Comfy top/pants - I admit, when I travel, I don't travel in sweats. But I still like to be comfortable! A long-sleeved, loose-fitting chambray top & stretchy colored skinnies. Bam!
7. Slip-on shoes - It's good to take advantage of a nice stretch break by slipping your shoes off for a second to keep the circulation going. I've packed my TOMS as well as some ballet flats!
8. Big Travel Bag - I received the Vera Bradley Grand Traveler a couple years ago as a gift and since then, it has been my go-to travel bag! It has a compartment to secure your laptop as well as lots of other sections to keep all your belongings organized. #9 also fits perfectly inside!
9. A nice camera - I totally use my iPhone camera more than my DSLR camera but for beautiful sights like those on a cross country road trip, you need to have the real deal available.
10. iPhone - Where would I be without it? Not only do I use my iPhone as a communication tool, I use its GPS, Internet to look up hotels on the road, Instagram to fill you all in on my adventure, Twitter to say hi, and most important of all... MUSIC!

So, those are my essentials while traveling coast to coast! Now here is where you come in: What songs need to be added to my playlist? Music is very high on my list of priorities.

Where have your favorite road trips taken you?
What were you always sure to pack in the car?

13 comments:

Katie said...

If you were passing through Ohio, I'd totally make you stop. Can you re-route this plan? ;) SO EXCITED for you!! and to come visit. Seriously!

Amber said...

Oh I love that Vera bag, maybe Santa will bring it :)

Good luck on your trip, sounds like fun!

Carolyn said...

Have a safe trip!!! :)

Ash said...

we LOVE driving to utah- it's so pretty going from the barren mojave desert to the wilderness of the rockies. i LOVE IT.

we want to eventually do an epic roadtrip: CA, AZ, NM, CO, WY, MT, ID, and back down the coast of CA... it is our DREAM road trip!

you are so right: the wild west is the perfect place for stealing your heart (: cant wait for you to get out here! and, youll have to come up to our place so we can show you some non san diego southern california (;

julia rose. said...

It's happening, sister, it's really happening!! That is soooo incredibly exciting!! I have never been out west but I have always wanted to go! I cannot wait to see pictures of your 3.5 day road trip and of course more pictures when you get settled in! Stay safe and have fun with your daddy-o!

Miss Sparkle said...

I've been to most of the states you've included, and if you're anywhere near Dallas, stop at Culvers! It's a northern midwest fast food chain, that's really good, and apparently they opened one up near Dallas! Here are some other places you might want to stop:
Las Vegas. (It's a couple hours out of you're route, but if you're into that sort of thing, it might be worth it.XD)
Memphis. It's a really cool place, especially for music. :)


Just look up some other cool things online! There's lots of fun websites. :) But one thing in San Diego you'll def want to do is the beach! The beach there is lovely, and the shops right by the beach are so fun! You'll only be a few hours away from LA so if you feel like getting back in the car you could drive down there. Also the San Diego Zoo is AWESOME. :)

Britt said...

We took the southern route as well! New Mexico has the most amazing sunsets. Driving through there made me want to move there, not LA. haha

Drive safe:)

Heidi's Wanderings said...

Hope you have a great trip. I envy you. I love road trips. There used to be a great place just off of I-40 in Santa Rosa, NM. It's right off the exit across from the Holiday Inn Express.

http://heidiswanderings.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

We will be taking a road trip soon too! I love this list- I totally agree on the clothes you chose- I hate wearing sweats unless I'm at home and even then I don't love it- maybe that's weird. My favorite stretch of road is through the canyons in CO. I love CO. I think it is the most beautiful state.

Kaity said...

I see Coconut M&Ms all over the place (and usually buy them!) so I bet you'll find them somewhere. so tasty, right??

Shayna @ The Fancy Yancey said...

One of the best things about road trips is everything that you get to see - not just the final destination! Be sure you have plenty of batteries/charger for your camera & your phone! As far as music, I LOVE me some ZZ Top - Rancho Texicano: The Very Best Of. It has a lot of their greatest hits & some other really great ones! I'm just a girl who likes to jam sometimes & ZZ Top knows how to bring it! Safe travels!!!

P.S. I wish Amarillo was closer to FW!!! :(

Kristen said...

sounds like you have everything covered!

Renee Arianna said...

I made that exact drive recently on I-40 with a few pit stops that were out of the way but so awesome! Road trips are so much fun to me! Tiring, but fun!