Day 1
So It Begins
The best place to probably start is to explain the motivation behind this trip. So here are the bare bones. If there are any questions please ask though :)
Who?
Myself. Brittany Staddon. Ripe old age of 22.
Gnu. 2007 Chevy Equinox.
Gerard. Garmin GPS.
Gandalf. Spot GPS tracking device.
George. iPhone4.
Gregorovich. Gregor for short. 15″ Macbook Pro (as named by Nate)
What?
Will be traveling 17,000-ish kilometers [11,500 miles] around the United States and Canada as shown on this map. My goal: keep to a ridiculously tight budget (post to come on that later I am sure as I sit here marveling over the same-same-but-different green bills in my wallet), eat ridiculously good but cheap food, experience each city for what it is worth, meet with amazing people.
Where?
When?
September 10 – November 5
Why?
I love to travel. I live to travel. After nineteen years of first days of school this seemed like a delightful plan. I need some time to learn more about myself and explore what the world has to offer. This trip sounds so crazy to some people. I have had reactions from absolute support and delight to people scoffing – both parties or just one may be correct but I’ll know come November.
Crumb.
Oh crumb.
I have officially started my almost two month road trip around the States. As I sat at Dani‘s table yesterday evening I had this “oh my goodness. I am on a two month road trip vacation” moment that I am sure is equivalent to the “oh my goodness. I am getting married today” moment that most brides have as they are about to put on their wedding dress. [Ernie encompasses my expression at this realization above.]
It is such an overwhelming joyous and terrifying jumble – to know you will not be seeing familiar faces for such a long period of time mixed with the absolute delight of meeting new and old friends and the countless number of experiences that lay ahead. I’m practically giddy with excitement.
So as you can see this trip will revolve around good eats. May I just start by saying I have officially been spoiled rotten and should just turn around and head home as I strongly doubt any foodage could usurp the meal I had at Dani and Nate’s in Kamloops. I’ll need to get the details later (ie. probably read the comments in a day. I bet Dani will set my ingredient-stupid list correct) but in the meantime I will describe it to you.
1. Ridiculously delicious homemade lasagna that practically implodes your palate with amazingness
2. Homemade cream soda. Yes. Nate is kind of brilliant with creating syrups. As in I watched branches of birch became a delightful drink. It was a curiousity!
3. Squash blossom pesto. It looked like this and was grand with bread.
So pity me. Pity that I got to spend my first day singing at the top of my lungs driving through some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada. Pity that I know 85% of the Phantom of the Opera lyrics (no really I am serious. Do pity me. That is a sad statement). Pity that I ate amazing food in some of the best company this land has to offer.
If this is any indication of what is to come in the next 60 days I am in for a treat.
—–
So, being a science student naturally I need to see numbers. This trip is so ridiculously quantifiable it is great. I just want to apply p-scores and Tukey’s tests it is so exciting!
Traveled today: __(I forgot to check when I got out of the car. Will fill it in shortly)__
Traveled total: __
Eureka Springs Arkansas. I’m not kidding. If you do nothing else on this trip, go to Eureka springs. You won’t even believe that kind of beautiful would exist in America.
I’m so excited for you! saw your post and I am in Toronto at the end of October if you want to cross the border in the buffalo area I would love too meet up and give you a tour around the city!!! Just send me an email!! I just added your blog to my reader, I can’t wait to follow your travels!
PS: That was supposed to be “some parmigiano reggiano” and also, that photo of Ernie is unceasingly cracking me up.
Filing in ingredients as per Brit’s request:
-The lasagne was fresh pasta with squash, spicy Italian sausage with tomatoes, bechamel, and som parm reg. I say this with all humility: it was awesome.
-Nate’s cream soda was made with real vanilla bean and is divine! He also made some birch beer syrup, which was lovely and refreshing!
-Brit makes and excellent kitchen minion and picked squash blossoms, chopped onions, etc for me. Dinner wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting without her.
She also makes one of the best house guests EVER, for the record. She gets grateful for something as simple as a cup of coffee and entertains our rather invasive pug pup. While all of your are jealous that I have had this time with her, I will be equally jealous of all of you that get to see her for the next couple of months.
I’ll echo Kat here and say I’m so jealous. The one thing I’m most jealous about is that this trip will probably change your life. There’s nothing like being behind the wheel of a vehicle with no one but yourself and your own thoughts. Meeting people, discovering new places, new sunset/sunrises. You will come back a new person. You will have answered many questions and stumbled upon new questions which answers could completely change your outlook on life.
So again….so jealous! Can’t wait to hear and read all about it
AH! I so wish I had done this too!! Have so much fun!! Hope I’ll get to meet you in LA! :)
I AM SO JEALOUS!!! Seriously, I wish I’d done this when I was 22. Come to Jupiter and I’ll take you to the best restaurant in Florida. But I’ll make do with Orlando if that’s what it takes ;)
Have fun on your travels! I can’t wait to see the pictures you take!