Roaryngitis.....

First night in the Tear Drop! Cozy

"Nevada- when will it end?" I think this was the comment I may have said to Cooper half way through my day. But be careful what you wish for- after Nevada comes Utah. I-80 East is pretty uneventful, except for morning.

Not much to see.
Characters will be annoyed through this

Amazing camp breakfast!!

Tuesday started off with a bang, and ended with a bunch of RV's stuck way too close together, and a patch of grass. This is what people do on vacation? But even at Donner State Park campers want to connect, and mostly I don't mind, but I'm starting to see some trends. My friend reminded me when she called and I was complaining about "campers" wanting to talk and become FB friends?!? 


She said, "Did you tell them you're camping alone for a reason?" I guess "alone" equates to lonely. Another good thing to remember when writing my character. She is a single mom (now be aware- she only resembles certain parts of my life- her story is not mine. I am traveling to Chicago because she does- not vice versa) But to answer the question of roaring, and letting people know that I don't want to talk is a problem for me, but my character doesn't yet see it as a problem- she still believes that when others ask a question, or borrow her time- she is obligated to give it. In some ways yesterday, I slunk back into passivity, as well. It's hard to stand guard of that piece of myself- I am a connector, and willing to share- but it can be overwhelming. So,  I just grinned, listened, and let an Australian elderly woman follow me around my campsite telling me her whole life story and migration into American culture. She was waiting for her husband to get back- I guess she thought I needed company while I cooked my amazing breakfast out in the middle of NOWHERE- peaceful, quiet, solitary space. Even her dog wouldn't leave us alone, and when I said my dog was too docile for her- she insisted that her 9 year old spazzy dog was just "playful". Cooper was happy when I put him on a leash, and contained him. You know when containment is a viable option- that the alternative isn't good. 

In the words of Guy Woodson, "This Tear Drop is Rad!" 

Tear Drop is holding up well. It's a conversation piece, though. But who am I kidding- I knew this. I pulled over the other day in Trader Joe's parking lot to make a sandwich and feed Cooper. I was way in the back. So many people drove by, stopped talked, pet Cooper, took pictures...who knew? Some sweet woman drove by and rolled down her window and said "You're a curiosity!" Asked if I was having fun, and I said "An absolute blast!" 

Winnemucca, Nevada.
A town with bad names!

I'm more inspired now than ever before. I hard a long stretch of nothingness to think about my story. I feel sorry for my characters driving through these parts. They won't be as carefree and happy as Cooper and me. I realized yesterday when ruminating over something a friend  said to me. He said "You're a women who roars!" It's funny to hear this. Helen Reddy's song was one of my favorites when I was little. I used to sing it at the top of my lungs. and also that one "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan...." I was always this way- pushing past what seemed normal, or traditional. My mom even asked me once when I was playing Barbies. Barbie was driving a sporty orange Porche, and Ken was in the passenger seat. My mom said, Are you going to get married some day and your husband will buy you a Porche?" Definitely a sign of the 70's thinking- but I was seven, and tradition was all I saw. I clearly remember being insulted by this statement- I said "I'm buying my own Porche!" 




I roar! Sometimes- I wonder what happens if I get roaryngitis? My character has a case of this, and it's chronic for her passed down from generations of taking it, nicely! By the time she gets to Chicago-she better roar!!! I'm looking for hints along the way to help her. 




Saw this in Winnemucca, Nevada. I'd just love to live on this street! 

Clean and crowded.
 Getting out of here without breakfast.
I'll stop elsewhere.

Okay- today I am heading out of Salt Lake City- into heat. Wyoming, and Nebraska today. Should I get an Omaha Steak. I think I need to go to a bar and grab a stiff drink in cow country....I will keep you posted!

First days journey

I think I may have misspoken in my first posting. I said you could ride along in the passenger seat- it's too full- there's no room, sorry! Did I have amnesia on Sunday when I was packing? I brought clothes that are good for a nice hotel-and a lot of them. Well, I'm not a camper...I like nice sheets. Mostly, I like home- that is why this is such a big journey for me. 

The plan, however was to leave Monday, but in my wisdom-and scattered plans- it changed to Sunday. So many "planny" people would hate to travel with me. But Sunday "early" turned into Sunday late. After straightening up and sealing down the hatch at home for the house- sitter, and listening to my mom's millionth "You sure you can make it to San Francisco?" I was spent. But when the car is packed- you definitely don't want to go back and lay your head back down on your pillow, and wait til morning. I needed to go!!! So I called a friend of mine who owns a winery J&S Winery outside of San Luis, and ask if he minds me staying the night- you may have heard of it?. He doesn't only oblige- he stays awake until 1:30 am with a warm cup of tea. 

Outside of J&S Winery. Great Town.
I love how Cooper  is looking-
as if he understands the journey!

Here's the thing, I am learning and continue to learn- journeys don't happen on time. I know those of you that know me are saying "Nothing happens with her- on time!" I'm a horrible keeper of time. I've learned to accept it over the years because it is not in arrogance. It is not that I think my time is more important than others. In fact it is just the opposite. I used to beat myself up and feel horrible about my disorganization. I'd compare myself to others that always knew where the receipts were, had their tax papers neatly in a file, and showed up with a matching set of shoes- never wondering or double checking their path behind them. I'll save it for another time- but I actually did go to a wedding with shoes on the wrong foot- pointy high heels- pointing in the wrong direction. Man that killed- and took me awhile to figure it out. I guess what I'm saying is forgive yourself for your weakest points. My script is similar to this theme. My main character is much like me in the sense that she's frazzled. She forgets to take care of herself, and says " Yes" too much- so she runs behind on herself and loses the enjoyment of the moment. I refuse to lose the enjoyment of this trip however- late or not. 


My first day was amazing. I ran late- stayed with a friend who celebrated my journey. I picked up the teardrop and packed it up. When I pulled up and saw it may have hurt it's super ego. I said, "it's so tiny!" I really thought I'd made a mistake. The more I considered it, and Joe of www.vacations-in-a-can.com showed me around the thing I was excited. 

Joe- The Tear Drop Maker

 I headed out toward Reno but made it to Donner's Pass. I was driving through the pass- finally off the congested part of the I-80 and was in awe of the trees, and silence of the road. Beautiful. Amazing! This is why I am here. This was the reason for this trek. 


My character is going to come alive slowly- she's going to remember who she once was, and embrace that strength within her. I really believe that so many of us forget along the way...that belief in ourselves we once had. The little boy or girl that said " I can fly!" or brought an umbrella to the top of the rooftop thinking they were Mary Poppins. (It didn't work, by the way)- but the power of that belief is wondrous. My character in the script has no belief in herself- She thinks she needs others (mostly men) to help her. 

Sunset at Donner Pass.....
Way to end the day!

This whole area of California is beautiful- Truckee, Donner Pass- I couldn't resist. I wanted to wake up here- so I stayed at the State Park. But I'll save Tuesdays event for tomorrow. I am inspired beyond what I would have thought. I keep thinking to myself how amazing this whole thing is- that I was so scared, but I stepped into the unknown and am having a blast. This has been one of the best trips so far and it's just begun. For all of you calling me brave- to steal the Nike motto "Just Do It" or do laundry instead! 




 See you in Nevada/ Utah ......