Week 2 (ish...)- How to Survive a Road Trip

Who likes road trips anyway?:

Recently I traveled ten hours to Myrtle Beach, SC to see two great friends get married on the beach.  What a beautiful day that was! My boyfriend was my traveling companion and a great one at that. The only problem with traveling such a long distance with only one other person is what do you do when your companion needs to sleep so they can take over and then you can sleep?! Tricky, tricky. Not to mention stressful if you, the driver, start to nod off while your co-pilot is already asleep.

I've tried music. This usually lasts for five or so minutes until I realize I already have every song on my iPod memorized and am not interested in the junk they call music on the radio. I tune out when I already know a song and am not interested in hearing new music, at least when I drive. I've tried coffee, Redbull, pop, sugar or any other means of artificial energy. I think I am the only person alive that can fall asleep after an entire cup of coffee. I think I get that from my dad. I'm useless.

Solution 1:

Podcasts! Simple right? But for some reason, even with all of the technology nowadays, I had never thought of that. I must admit that if it wasn't for my boyfriend turning me on to NPR (National Public Radio) I probably would have never given public radio or the whole idea of podcasts a first or second thought. I thought each were either for the very cool 'hipster' types or the elderly. Of which I am neither. But, I am happy to report, I was very wrong (mark that one for the history books). I find that all manner of topics can be discussed and discovered and often the NPR show is in itself a podcast. Man, sometimes I feel pretty slow on the uptake! 

Why it Works: 

Behind the wheel, I find that a good podcast, such as 'Fresh Air' or 'This American Life' or 'Let's Speak Italian' or 'The History of Rome' (whoops, my geek just slipped out a little) can be very mentally stimulating, thus allowing me to be an alert, active driver even in the middle of the night with my co-pilot happily snoozing away. I guess books on tape, or CD, or via Internet would also fall under this category, but I prefer interviews, situations where I'm learning something new, or news worthy programs- that don't shove the presidential election down my throat- to fictional stories. But, to each their own. 

I'm also fascinated with how much I realize I don't know or have never heard about when I listen to podcasts. For example, did you know that the city of Baltimore claims to own the word 'hun'? Who would have thought. Here I was thinking it was a term people all over the states use when they forget someone's name or are politely trying to be condescending. One small business owner even trademarked the word which promptly brought about a shit storm and even a boycott of her cafe! Baltimore is serious about their 'huns'! http://stateofthereunion.com

Other great podcasts:  
Fresh Air: Book of Mormon Creators on their Broadway Smash
Let's Speak Italian  
This American Life

Solution 2: 

Chelyan, WV at Dawn

Be in the moment. Of course this is difficult if you're nodding off or struggling to stay awake so maybe see solution 1 first before attempting this. I also know this is very cliche and I'm a bit sick of hearing this phrase myself. Take away all my money worries, job trouble, etc, etc, and then maybe I'll live in the moment. Until then, buzz off! That is unless you are driving through the mountains of West Virginia just before sunrise and experiencing what feels like the earth rising for the coming day. 

There wasn't much light yet and I couldn't tell if it was fog or the clouds just waking up and making their morning ascent, but it was breathtaking. It felt like I was driving through the clouds and if I stuck my hand out the window I would know the feeling, first hand, of what it felt like to touch one. A feeling most will never experience. I was struck with a sense of wonder. Now that's something I don't feel everyday. It's a feeling that keeps us young and excited about living and hopeful that more of these moments will fill up our cup of life and leave us with those overflowing feelings of joy and excitement. It's awesome. Period. And I look forward to many more.

Closing Statement: 

I wasn't quite sure what the point or significance of this blog was when I started. I thought, "eh, I'll just write about my recent experiences and turn it into a information sharing blog." But I was wrong. After going over and editing and adding bits of memory to each section- especially solution 2- I realized that what I was writing about was what not only that which keeps a long journey in a car interesting, but also that which keeps life interesting: discovering something new. Adding moments to your memory bank. Moments that don't need a physical photograph because the mental one is so strong and vivid. Moments that change a little piece of you. Give you hope again if you are down. Make you realize you are just a small piece of this great earth. Allow you to understand- even if just for the briefest second- what life is all about: keeping your eyes open and focused on the here and now. Now will never be again. 

There are many things in life that remind us to be grateful, to focus on the now because we don't know how much time we have left. Whether it be an illness such as Alzheimer's that makes you want to record everything about your life in case you forget or are unable to retell it to your children, a death in the family that makes you wish you had more time or more memories, or simply a lack of time because of your demanding job. Whatever it is that makes you stand up and take note that time is precious, USE IT NOW to make a change in your life. Let it motivate you now so that it won't be too late later. I know for sure that life is not about money, clothes, houses or status. It is about hope, love, family and experience. I just hope I haven't figured that out too late. Thank you to all in my life that have helped me to finally see. Especially my wonderful boyfriend, Matt.