One year ago today my life changed. The only way to honestly relate is by doing this yourself. Get some stuff (books, food, a car-top carrier too big for your car), get in your vehicle, and drive.
Across the country.
Knowing, or learning, or at least getting a taste of the “land I call home” has been something entirely crucial to my existence. I want to spend my days traveling- everywhere, but before I began that journey, I wanted to see my own country first.
Cory, Don, and Kelsey had desires of their own which put us all inside of my 4 door cavalier and across 21 states in 2 1/2 weeks. Yes, that was not enough time to experience NEARLY all of the wonder tucked inside of the places and people that populate the United States but it was thus far, one of the most worth while experiences to date.
It honestly is because of what our country once (and still tries) to stand for: freedom. Waking up in a new state each time your eyes open, taking photos of Colorado sunrises and standing in front of skys so breathtaking that I couldn’t bring myself to use my camera at all.
Kelsey is now one of my closest friends since going on this trip. Cory has been my unrelated brother since I was 13 but quite truthfully, spending this long in a car with someone gets you to know them on a completely different level entirely. And Don, I had been dating him 7 months at the time of this trip and after experiencing this with him one thing became clear in my mind- I found someone that wants to adventure with me as much as he does for himself.
Driving through the night with the sound of Cory’s voice being the only thing to keep me awake behind the wheel. Don HAVING to purchase Chocolate milk in every state. And Kelsey’s complete and utter joy in walking the street of Haight and Ashbury. And then there is me. For me this trip showed me how much in life we are blind to. How many different people and places and food and camera angles for which our personal scope can be influenced and changed. I want to see the world, I want to drive across this beautiful and enchanting country again, and I want to photograph all of it.
Happy Anniversary Don, Kelsey, and Cory!
