Thursday, August 3, 2017

The Trip So Far: Two Weeks

The first week was really interesting, and a huge learning experience. Couch surfing wasn't happening, I was super, super unorganized. I was tired and finding myself really overwhelmed by the littlest of things.

Week two has went much, much better. Couch surfing is working out better. I'm in a much better mood and have a better outlook on things going forward. I'm getting better sleep. I'm planning a little better. And I still have so much further and longer to go.

But I think I'm having fun. I'm doing new things, seeing some truly amazing places. I'm getting the hang of it.

I'm still finding myself getting really emotional at times. Several times in the last week I've experience literal breath-taking moments, and been in complete awe at what is in front of me.  It's usually accompanied by a big stupid grin and being on the verge of tears. And knowing what is around the corner, that will only continue.

WiFi hopping is still a constant, and for reasons unknown to me through much of South Dakota and now on the east side of Wyoming, I continue to have no cell service. I expected at least roaming. So WiFi is huge for me. Looking at a service map it looks like it won't be until I get to the west coast that cell service will be consistent again -- which is OK, but at least a week or two away. Canada part two will be coming up and I know I won't have service there. So lots of libraries, coffee shops, and fast food restaurant parking lots until then.

I have a ton of pictures to go through from Minnesota and South Dakota. When I feel the urge I'll go through them and pick the best ones and post them and write a little bit about my experiences in both of those states, I'll be writing a post/a couple of posts. But it's a lot of pictures, so I kind of have to work myself up to it. That alone will probably take hours.

As strange as it is, because it's a "vacation" and because I'm trying to relax and take my time, and because I'm not working, it seems like, in a way, it should be easy going. Just goof off for a couple months. But I'm finding that I'm actually busier than I've been in a long, long time, and it's all essential to the task I'm trying to complete. It is taking a lot of work in planning, then executing a plan, and making sure I'm stocked, ready to go on each new leg, not forgetting things, etc. Every time I sit down to use the internet there is something I need to do. Maps, maps, maps, and more maps. Reading park info sites. Sending messages.

It's a lot. But because I'm alone I also am trying to keep all this social media stuff updated so I have some connection to the outside world and home. It's silly, but seeing the same handful of people hitting like on so many different things really does make me feel a little less alone, and like I'm actually getting to share the experience with all of you. So things like typing this up are actually really important to me, even if only a small handful of people are reading it. I say "small handful," and that almost sounds bad, like I want more people to see and like everything, but it's not. I keep seeing the same names on everything and it makes me feel good.

This is part of how I keep finding myself overwhelmed. There is a lot to be done. But beyond that, it's not even necessarily what's going on, but just the possibilities. I could go anywhere and do anything; trying to narrow it down to what I really want to and will do takes a lot of mental energy and a lot of planning.

Anyways ... posts from Minnesota and South Dakota coming. Some cool stuff.

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