Day 10 of 20 Days WEST; California
Our journey began with sunshine and clear skies. We had a sweet seven hour trip ahead, with the California coast as our prize!
I will always remember Rimrock’s respite. The home was a solace and sweet resting spot for our family of five.
A New State!
Upon entering CA, the tollway was our first introduction to the costs of this great state. Prices would be high, but the experience had that once-in-a-lifetime kinda vibe. Go in and enjoy!
As we made our way in Interstate 70, google maps showed us a more scenic and adventurous route to navigate. Little did I know how very scenic and treacherous it would be!
The more I pinched my phone screen to zoom in, the more tangled the knots became.
The Scenic Path
We traveled directly West on Route 111 in Palm Desert, CA. The houses on either side of the road had lovely yards with palm trees reaching to the sky. As we kept climbing, we could see the mountain range ahead: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains.
This dangerous ride through the mountains included a very narrow 2-way road with steep lookouts, nearly impossible winding roads, truck traffic going the opposite way, rocks and trees practically overhanging or rubbing on the side of the van, and a construction crew of 2 men to boot. They were most brave!
This excursion was so directionally challenged that the Google Maps App could not stop spinning around and around. It couldn’t keep up with our twists and turns.
After feeling ALL the feels, we finally began to make our way down-hill, which had it’s own thrills. I think I both laughed and cried on this trip. It was surreal!
Memories Made
This scenic path is one of the most remembered moments of our entire trip. It was one of those, special first-time experiences for all 5 of us, and we refer to it often.
Even though this “excursion” looked like a smart or even adventurous idea for our trip, it became the most emotion-inducing, thrilling, and shocking road experience for all of us. Similar to a roller coaster; we all yelled on the first big hill!
As I asked my son about it, he remembers mom experiencing all the emotions: Happy/excitement, Tears, then Fear, and even Anger! It was quite the “short cut.”
Of all the places we had experienced so far, this dangerous drive became the memory we bring up and laugh about together the most from our vacation West! It’s the most practical to our “every day.”
“Every Day”
Every day we have highs and lows. Most of the emotional moments are unexpected or unplanned. We are not searching for these testy times. We are usually looking for the most-cost-effective, peace-giving, and efficient way to get through the day.
When life throws us a surprise (like this mountain-top-drive-to-be-remembered), it shakes the table or rocks the boat, and our reactions to these moments make for remembered times. We’ve since shaken the table and spilled full cups of coffee all over the cloth or taken a wrong turn in the suburbs when traffic is already frustrating and we’re almost late. We’ve since had these moments in our “every day” that stir up our emotions.
I believe that is why this scenic drive is one of our most talked about moments from the trip WEST. We experience this every day, and I hope my family can keep laughing through them and feeling all the feels they bring.
Oceanside, California!
We finally made it to our new stay in Bonsall, CA, just 20 minutes from Oceanside!! Many beach days lie ahead for us while experiencing the West coast of California!
A Long Road Trip
Oceanside California is 2,095 miles from our starting point at home! At 60 miles per hour, that’s about 35 hours in the car – together – in a small space – sitting down in one seat – sharing the auditory space – and temperature: A whole lot of sharing!
|
Day |
Start Point |
End Point |
Miles |
RUNNING TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Illinois |
Missouri |
320 mi. |
320 mi. |
|
2 |
Missouri |
Oklahoma |
400 mi. |
720 mi. |
|
3 |
Oklahoma |
New Mexico |
550 mi. |
1,270 mi. |
|
4-9 |
New Mexico |
Arizona |
375 mi. |
1,645 mi. |
|
10-15 |
Arizona |
California |
450 mi. |
2,095 mi. |
|
16-17 |
California |
Colorado |
850 mi. |
2,945 mi. |
|
18 |
Colorado |
Keystone, SD |
560 mi. |
3,505 mi. |
|
19 |
Keystone, SD |
Sioux Falls, SD |
360 mi. |
3,865 mi. |
|
20 |
South Dakota |
Illinois |
575 mi. |
4,440 mi. |
By the time we get home again, we will have experienced a lot of moments on the road and in a small space together. Our mountain-top-drive was one of them.
Conclusion
Life is in the Journey. I’ve heard this quip and others like it. After a road trip across the country, I can see the truth to this statement first-hand.
The moments of my life are made up of all the small (and large) habits I choose to do and all of the steps I take to do them. I guess all of the big goals and dreams can be broken down into tiny steps. I hope I experience these moments well, and I want to give myself grace when I’m not as well or when the experience itself is trying.
I’m so grateful for our road trip out WEST. I hope I can do it again someday!
Have you ever gone on a long road trip? What was your experience like?
I’d love to hear about your story. Please share below or reach out to my e-mail: keepwalkingfriend@gmail.com.
Keep walking friend,
Christina
Motherhood, Marriage, Homeschooling;
It’s a journey.
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I hope you walk away from the blog with a chuckle or a new idea; renewed hope or a bit of comfort. Thank you for stopping by!
20 Days Traveling WEST
- Day 10 of 20 Days WEST; California
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