Yikes - I'm back in the Midwest

I'm back in Michigan. Don't I seem thrilled.

My road trip was a success, with a whopping 6,000 miles and two oil changes in two weeks, bald tires, and an empty wallet. Sleep deprived and slightly delusional, but overall highly satisfying. I will write all about it in a separate journal - I kept a travelogue for most of the trip.

Time to find a job. Use that mountain bike I bought but never used this summer. Hit the indoor climbing gym. Get rid of my pack-rat cache of crap. Sell Focus. I'm a little torn about getting rid of her - I mean, I picked everything out, had her built, and she acted so wonderfully on the road trip that I feel bad thinking of trading her in for something with more clearance and 4x4. I could always get the suspension raised... HAHA! Wouldn't that just look stupid.

Apparently I am an insomniac after 2 weeks of poor sleep. That, or I'm a vampire. Tired during the day, awake all night. Maybe the fact that I am anxious and fidgity already by being back at home. But at least I can finally watch some quality Red Wings hockey!

The Road Trip Countdown!

The countdown begins!

Tomorrow is my last day here at Rocky. It's really quite sad, and a bizarre mix of emotions. I hate to sound corny, but this whole summer really was about self-discovery and adventure! It is such a strange feeling, to live somewhere for half a year, see the seasons come and go, fall in love, and have to leave. Forcefully, too. They aren't even giving me 24 hrs to pack and leave. I do love Colorado! I may end up back here in a few months, before I journey on to Montana for grad school (probably). Not even much time to say goodbye to my friends, who are going to every corner of the US.

BUT IT'S ROAD TRIP TIME, BABY!

Yeah, it's intimidating going on a road trip by yourself. And I sure hope Focus holds up. I'm not worried, it seems the kinks are finally worked out of it. I'll probably sell her when I am done with the trip though. ;)  Wanna know the plan?

Leave here preferably Fri, probably Sat, and head to Arches Nat. Park (Moab, UT). That's a 6 hr stint, not too bad. From there, to Zion National Park, another 7 hrs. From Zion to Red Rocks, NV (Las Vegas). From there, maybe to Death Valley? Then to Yosemite to visit Jon, who is with the hotshots there. Then up to Redwood NP, then up to Oregon somewhere, maybe just straight to Portland to stay with Bill.  From there, I'm off to Seattle to visit Brian! That will be a good time. By that point I probably won't want to drive any more. But I must! I'm hoping to head east, hit Montana State at Bozeman, Badlands in SD and head home thru da' U.P. I think I am being overly ambitious but I'm excited! I might cut out everything between Arches and Yosemite, since that adds quite a bit of distance. That's the pre-plan though, so wish me luck! I'll send plenty of postcards!