The Best Trip Ever!

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The Best Trip Ever!

The. Best. Trip. Ever.

Can I say it again? The best trip ever! We finally made it from California to Maryland. I became overcome with mixed emotions as we approached the end of our road trip. I was partly sad that I would be giving up the
freedom and uncertainty that comes with exploring different cities, meeting new people
and sharing it all with one of my best friends. Yet, I was also excited to be ending in
Maryland, a place I had lived for 22 years of my life. The experience gave me a whole new
appreciation for my home state. The air smelled different, the colors of the
trees were more vibrant, and all the friends and family that awaited my arrival
seemed all the more special.

I arrived in time to celebrate my younger sister Natasha’s 22nd birthday, hence all the red cups (I didn’t play party planner this time).

To the far right is my brother Corey.

My sister Natasha, the bday girl, is snapping the pic.

Me posing with my younger brother Troy. I’m the oldest of six kids. WOW!

I “bored” everyone at the party with hours of stories from my trip, but they all seemed entertained and excited to plan their own cross-country adventures. They were especially interested in the $50 a day aspect.

Keisha is back with her family and dog, and we will do lunch today for one last laugh before I get on a plane back to Los Angeles. I’ll be flying Virgin America for the first time. Very exciting. But this time when I look down on those small, twisty roads through the desert and forests and ask, “who lives down there,” I’ll have a very clear answer in my head – WE ALL DO.

My only regret about the trip is that I waited until I was
thirty years old to embark on such a journey. I’ll forever have so many memories:

3421 miles
786 digital pictures
$460.32 for gas
$260 in hotels
94 pictures with complete strangers, now acquaintances
$105.00 in food
$69.00 state attractions
$18 in ATM fees
15 states
14 state sign photos (the Welcome To Maryland sign was too
hard to stop and get a pic)
10 bags of luggage
5 hotels
2 friends
1 flat tire

A big hug to everyone who helped make this
trip a possibility:

Keisha for making a bi-coastal move and persuading me
to take the journey with her

Chris for his thoughts on taking our unique route

Tasha for being my electronic bookie

Simone for editing all my rushed blog entries and for picking me up from the airport (this will happen on Wednesday)

Khary for our two free nights in ATL and a good deli dinner

Kamie for my free night in Charlotte and for being an amazing friend

Shalaine & Angel for a great dinner in Charlotte

Brittani for a fun talk over coffee

Kristi for taking care of my apartment

Sarah and Rosa (our Moms) for checking in on us while on the road

Montie for all his tech devices (i.e. portable navigation)

Jen for her encouraging words on keeping my budget low

& Everyone who read and left encouraging comments!

Here are some more artsy images to celebrate America The Beautiful. I encourage everyone to Dare To Be Domestic and try this enriching cross-country experience for yourself.

Now it’s time to get back to being domestic at home. Get ready for some exciting
posts on ways to make home-life easy and fun!