I’m a little late with the posts for these past few weeks because I was out there living life. I’m sure I’ll write longer pieces about my experiences later, but for now, tiny snippets to follow and this quick note:
Sometimes life presents itself with opportunities to realize just how full and rich and silly and wonderful it can be.
Take those opportunities.
Sunday
While I don’t love the implications for the furry members of families, I do kind of love that when Utica officials decided to wait to officially celebrate the Fourth of July until Monday evening, the residents of my city were like, “Nah. Tonight, bro.” The riDICulous display of fireworks set off in the local park was a combined effort of lots of neighbors. And it was legit.
Monday
My dad and I set off for Ohio to the tunes on my “Embark” Spotify list, hit up the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and then made it to Toledo, where Packo’s shameless use of its M*A*S*H connection to draw in customers was on full display. And I loved every bit of its tackiness.
Tuesday
From Ohio, it was on to Dyersville, Iowa. A place no one would ever hear about if it weren’t for the movie Field of Dreams. I watched my dad disappear into the cornstalks and pretend to run the bases.
After, we detoured to see the Buddy Holly crash site and accidentally ended up in Minnesota. But, as the famous author wrote:
Half the fun of travel is the aesthetic of lostness.
Ray Bradbury
Wednesday
Our first “real” stop (after passing through Sioux Falls) was Badlands National Park. These things sneak right up on you in every way. I was not anticipating finding them so magical and so inspiring. I could have spent days gazing out at the colorful rock formations, hiking the trails, and pondering the glory that is the ground. What a simple concept: rocky earth. Corroded by time and weather and water. But sometimes a concept just doesn’t sink in until you see the thing.
We boondocked here (a fun word for dispersed camping). We had a *perfect* spot. You know, until a monstrous storm rolled through out of nowhere and blew my tent away towards the cliff edge (with me in it). It’s cool. I survived.
Thursday
A short drive through Bear Country and we landed at Mount Rushmore. Actually, we took off at Mount Rushmore!
Friday
The Tetons were EVERYTHING.
Saturday
Yellowstone was a bit overwhelming, but we hit the necessities. Old Faithful had a bison lazily grazing around it, I paralleled parked the shit out of Ozzie at the Grand Prismatic Spring (with a line of cars behind me! I was so proud!), and we took in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. All in all, a successful first handful of days headed west.