Thursday, July 2, 2009

Summary


Dude, this was awesome!

States: IL,MO,KS,CO,NM,AZ,UT,NV,CA,
OR,WA,ID,MT,WY,SD,MN,WI,...IL
Miles: 7,516.11
Weather: Relatively Nice... NICE!!!


$$$

Total: 2,140.45

Signatures: 58

We've been told this is the best thing to do after high school, with two other friends, to go on a road trip. We've been told advice from across the helpful list, to write books, and good luck. We've met people you'd never think we would ever meet, seen people you'd think we'd never see, and have plainly interacted with people in ways we never thought we would ourselves. I believe we've changed for the better: We've been jaded, excited, awed, delirious, hungry, hurt, depraved, scared, and ecstatic. These emotions in the different places we've been in such a short time is what creates the character and personality within us. Dude! We've experienced more in 18 days than some will in a lifetime! I loved this trip, and I'm sad it's over. Truly i believe this was an amazing experience. Dude, this was awesome!

MJ

Well, what to say about the trip as a whole... there's so much to say that I can't possibly squeeze it all into one paragraph, but I will attempt to anyways. We had an AMAZING time. Honestly, I couldn't have hoped for things to work out better. We had our fair share of disagreements, but we didn't let those get to us. There are so many things about this trip that I will never forget...how could I? The success of this trip was measured, in my opinion, by the number of great people we met and spent time with, and by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the places we went. The experiences we shared while on this trip cannot be reproduced. To be honest, I can only be grateful for how lucky I am to say that I had the opportunity to see all of these places (places I never thought I would see all of, let alone on one trip), and that I saw them with two of my greatest friends. There are loads of stories to tell (so if you care to know, just ask), but that's about I have to say for now. It's been fun writing to you all. Dude, this was awesome!

Matt

From the beggining I was very excited about a trip to the west, with my two best friends. Over two years of planning we finally hit the road in the early morning on the 15th of June. I was so excited I didn't sleep. (I was awake for 36 hours!) The whole time I was filled wih wonder and awe of the vast America that we live in. I never thought I would experience so much in so little time. It was truley an AWESOME experience. I enjoyed all of it. YES! Dude, this was awesome!

Phil

Lessons Learned

- Don't bring a portable bench... it's completely pointless.
- All national monuments are rip-offs.
- Allow more time at each place and not more things in less time. You'll get jaded.
- Expect the unexpected... trust that one!
- Never think nothing will happen on an unplanned day...NEVER!
- You will always have fun on a road trip... always...

The Signatures

We didn't get a hundred, but that's not the point. Our goal was to meet and talk to people who meant something to us. People we actually had conversations with, helped us, or we just got a good impression from. We actually met hundreds of people, but only some of them met these requirements. We didn't want nobodys (pardon those people hehe) signing our Memo Book of meaning.

Conclusion


Dude, this was awesome!

Day 18: "Homebound"


Will we ever be the same? No, never...

States: Wisconsin - Illinois
Miles: 200
Weather: Cloudy, but we saw the sun!



$$$

Going Home Meal: 67

Total: 67

Signatures: Don't ask... 58/100

Matt wakes up... Mj wakes up... Phil wakes up. Matt goes to get book, Matt finds MJ wading in the river. A very relaxed noon. Bacon is cooked... 36 pieces to be exact. Phil works on car. Matt and MJ read in the hammocks. Phil wanders and wonders. Matt and MJ canoe with a large plack of wood and red spicket with a nail for oars. Current too hard come back to Phil lying in car. Get in car and look for the beach. Too much effort and return to the cabin. Matt and MJ play checkers and chess. Matt loses. We decide to leave.

We eat at Moretti's. An excellent going home eat. We go home... The adventure is over. And what an adventure it was!

Matt/MJ/Phil

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Day 17: "To Quincy's Quiet Acres"


How did we fall into this tourist trap?

States:South Dakota - Minnesota - Wisconsin
Miles: 739.7
Weather: Cloudy



$$$
Gas: 133.89
Ice: 2.07

Total: 135.96

Signatures: +0
58/100

Well, here we are, another day into our trip, and still experiencing new things. We wake up in our nice, cozy little motel room (yeah, right…) approximately ninety minutes late, as has become the norm. We clean the room, shower (once again, a necessity), and hit the road for a long day of driving.

We leave Rapid City, devouring the rest of the cold pizza from the night before to get us going. We drive the short distance (roughly sixty miles) to the famous Wall Drug Store of Wall, South Dakota, and feel extremely touristy is doing so. What I have heard from other travelers is true, you really do see an incredible amount of signs for this place when you get within fifty miles or so…It’s obnoxious, but keeps us somewhat entertained during our morning drive. Upon our arrival, we browse Wall Drug for a short while (which is a massive store, by the way), and then head back to the car, as we had received our tourist fix for the day in a matter of minutes.

So back onto the road we went, with our only goal in mind being to reach Quincy, Wisconsin by this evening. We pass through the rest of South Dakota and into Minnesota, which is an entirely uneventful drive. Phil has the desire to drive much of the way today, which MJ and I clearly do not object to, as it allows us valuable time to read and sleep. (For those who care to know, MJ finished Dark Star Safari, and is now reading Life of Pi, and I finished In Cold Blood, and am now reading On the Road).

We reach Wisconsin around 8:30 p.m. and proceed towards Quincy, as we are now in familiar territory. It’s a bit sad though, as I almost feel as though we are not on our road trip anymore, but rather a simple weekend camping trip to our beloved northerly neighbor. We arrived in Quincy as it was getting dark, set up camp on the shore of the Wisconsin River just outside of a cabin, and cooked a scrumptious dinner of instant potatoes. The cabin belongs to Maurissa (thanks so much for letting us use it!!), but we were not able to go inside, as we did not have access to a key. No matter, all was well in the world of roadtripping. After a nice evening of campfire talk, we went to bed a few minutes after midnight.


Matt