The main reaction we hear when explaining our trip to people is delight and amazement. “That sounds great,” “how cool,” “wish I had done that for our wedding” (that’s my favorite).
However, a surprisingly frequent response is “that sounds so relaxing” or “what a great vacation!” I hate to break it to everyone, but… this is not going to be a pleasure cruise.
- We’ll be covering 11,000 miles in 42 days, visiting around 38 cities and 200 people. That’s a lot of sensory input.
- Mapquest estimates some of our drives as 14+ hours. I get antsy after 3 hours in a car.
- As a personal dare, we are driving without a CD player or iPod, and just relying on AM radio. (Ok, I’m kidding.)
- iTunes claims I have almost 5 days of music on my laptop. That should cover us for the first quarter of the trip. By the time we reach Philly, we’ll be pretty tired of every song we own and very sick of NPR.
- We won’t be spending more than three nights in any one place, and will be guests of friends and family almost every night.
- We may not like some places. For example, I’m a little edgy about Texas, since I imagine that anyone who’s ever voted to the left of Barry Goldwater is viewed suspiciously outside of Austin. On the other hand, I love BBQ, so Texas is worth the visit for the food alone.
- I still have no idea how we’ll do laundry.
Now don’t me wrong, I am so looking forward to this trip – to see friends and new places, learn different ways of life, and get a break from the ordinary. But there is very little relaxation planned. Every place we are visiting is with the intention of visiting people. We considered side trips to the Outer Banks and Montreal…but we would have had to cut out visits to some friends and that’s not the point of the trip.
Before you feel bad for us, though, Jaime and I already know that we are not fans of relaxing vacations. Last year we went to Mexico for a week and tried relaxing on the beach, just clearing our minds and decompressing. But within a few hours, we were talking with people, playing volleyball or bingo, and planning excursions. We just like being on the go.
And any day you drive from Santa Fe to Dallas for 10 hours, but get to see Oklahoma City for the first time, eat some great BBQ, and visit old friends – well, that’s a good day.
Love it!
well, i had to make sure that youd answer me, you know
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so you guys are going to be rolling back through mizzou on the 5th or 6th of July? I might be in st. louis at that time- both my sisters live there now. im sure that you are superbusy right now (this was the first time in a few days ive been able to check the site for your reply), but i hope we can work something out.
and good luck on the road trip- it really does not sound relaxing, but im sure it will be a great experience. and seriously, congratulations to you both.
Cory, that was THIRTEEN years ago. Let it go, man, or I’ll bring up the incredible hair bleaching experiment of 1996. Any chance you’ll be around for an extra day or two?
I’ve traveled with Chris before. And I would not use the adjective “relaxing” to describe those travels. Comic at points- ask him about the “Silver Fox” aka Fabrizio Ravenelli, interesting at times (ask him about the Kiwi pilot), disturbing at times (ask him about giving a light in Verona), annoying at times (ask him why there is a UMich person no matter where he goes), didactic at times (ask him about a one hour plot summary of some random sci-fi book to Zach in the gardens of the Belvedere)and happy to part at times (ask him about a disgusting white t-shirt and parting in Wien). But for all its trials and tribulations, relaxing is never a word I would use for travelling with one Chris Hodges. On another trip, the Moritzbastei kicked ass. BTW, I am currently in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri until 02JUL. Jaime, I’d offer congragulations to you, but I don’t know you, and I do know Chris! Kidding folks- I kid because I love….
I recommend podcasts. They’re (mostly) free, generally more entertaining than NPR, and you just might learn something ‘fore it’s done. Lemme know if you want specific reccos.
You guys can do laundry at our place.
For many years, I did my laundry at the laundromat because the washer and dryer at my apartment complex was just gross. For about $10, I could wash everything I owned (because you can run as many machines as you want at one time), including towels, and I was done in about an hour and a half. Total time saver!
Do not, I repeat, do not get in the car without an iPod! Are you crazy!
May be you could download the Bible to your iPod for the point when you just can’t listen to more music.
“iTunes claims I have almost 5 days of music on my laptop. That should cover us for the first quarter of the trip. By the time we reach Philly, we’ll be pretty tired of every song we own and very sick of NPR.” – You can totally borrow my Backstreet Boys Greatest Hits. You know you want to.
I think you should make signs and hold them up at other drivers. But maybe not in Texas.
i just live here. i claim ca. texas has been good to us for 4 yrs. and perhaps one more…
So does this mean you want BBQ when you guys come to Dallas?
Thanks, Carey! I agree. And Heather- Oklahoma City is one of my favorite places in this country. It completely changed my mind about the Midwest.
Um, I beg to differ. Is it EVER possible to get sick of NPR?
Nothing about Oklahoma says ‘good day’ to me.
yeah dont bag on texas. it rules. go to barton springs. or Hamilton pool or both.and definitaly drink Big Red from a fountain with rabbit turd ice. you may move here. i mean there. i just happen to be here right now.
I can’t wait for Texas. You’ll love it, I promise.