Here we are! After all this time preparing for this trip,
it’s hard to believe that it’s really here. In some ways, this day seemed as if
it would never come; and yet, here it is.
With
our car full of gas, we departed at eight that morning. Beginning our journey,
we first drove to a McDonalds to buy breakfast. We ate quickly, and then zipped
quickly over to Walgreens to buy snacks. We bought two liter-sized water jugs
to avoid dehydration, and some various snacks in order to keep us energized
during the day.
Our snacks from Walgreens!
While
at the pharmacy, we noticed a newspaper near the front of the store. It said
that all tolls for the day had been raised by 25%! Our route did have a fair
amount of tolls that we were required to pay, so Trevor and I sat in the car
for about half an hour, and mapped out an entire route without tolls.
After
that, it was time to get on the road. The tension in the car was palpable: we
truly had not idea what lay ahead for us in the East. With butterflies in our
stomachs, we began our journey east.
Knowing
that Trevor had ADHD, I knew that this trip would be difficult for him. I
volunteered to drive the first half of today’s trip so as to make it easier on
him. I tried my best to keep him entertained, and I think I succeeded. Having
known each other since a young age, we remember the “good ‘ole times” from
preschool, the playgrounds and play dates, the easiness and freedom of it all.
We spent time getting to know each other again; after all, we had changed a lot
since our Ross Valley days! Before we left, we made a playlist on my iPod with
some of our favorite music, including Bruce Springsteen, the Fray, and Counting
Crows, and it was nice to have some familiar voices in the car. With laughter
and giggles filling the car, time passed pretty quickly.
After
driving for a little over three hours, we stopped at the Coalinga-Avenal Safety
Rest Stop for about half an hour. We used the restrooms, filled up our water
bottles, and stopped outside for a little snack. It felt nice to breathe in the
fresh air, stretch our legs, and spend some time not being cramped in the car. The
rest area was quite crowded: it seemed as if some people had the same idea that
we did.
The rest stop in Huron, CA
We
spent the next couple of hours playing some car games, like the license plate
game. The car was filled with the joyous crunch of Lay’s Potato Chips, which we
happily munched on as miles and miles of land passed by us. Cold air blasted us
in the face through the air conditioning vents in the car, shielding us
slightly from the strength of the sun. We soon fell into a comfortable silence.
As I watched the terrain flash by my eyes, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. We
had no idea what lay ahead of us. Would we be able to find jobs, or even a
place to live? I decided not to mention these negative ponderings to Trevor. It
wouldn’t benefit either of us if he knew that I was not hopeful for our future.
I didn’t even know if we had enough money to get to Sarasota.
We
reached Tehachapi around one in the afternoon. Trevor could barely keep his
eyes open, and I knew that we needed food and we needed it fast. Since we were
low on gas, the first thing we did was drive to the Sunnyview Gas Spot in order
to fill up our tank. Then, we drove right down the road to Denny’s. While walking
into the restaurant, we met another family, the Wilsons. They were also on
their way east! We wished them luck on their journey, and then rushed into the
building to calm our whining, aching stomachs.
Denny's in Tehachapi
I stare up at the sky and squint at
the gleaming sun. The flaring, bright ball of flame is pretty high on the
horizon, so it must be around noon. I wipe my mouth with a napkin and look over
to see the satisfaction gleaming from Kate’s eyes. It’s incredible what a meal
can do. One moment you are angry and worried and the other you feel for a
moment as if everything is peaceful in the world. We both stayed in our seats a
moment longer, not wanting the moment to end and then we heaved ourselves out
of our seats. The burn running through my stretched muscles like a wildfire was
agonizing and we slowing stumbled out the door. Jumping in the car I felt a
feeling both of pleasure and sorrow. This car is the path to many more
exhausting and bitter days, but it is also everything we own. Our
transportation, possessions, and even past memories all lie within the rusted
metal frame. With a jolt and a heavy rumble the car started and made its way
back on Highway 40.
Before we left, Kate and I
discussed a scheduler for the responsibility of driving. Although we are not
driving through the night, many hours on the road with nothing but dead shrubs
is surprisingly, extremely mentally exhausting. Kate offered to drive for the
rest of the day until we reached Needles. I turn over trying to find a better
position to rest but can’t get comfortable. The combination of scorching heat
and rusted suspensions doesn’t make the ideal conditions to sleep. Annoyed and
defeated I sit up and stare out to the horizon. Although it is still hot, I
could tell there was a slight drop in temperature. I gaze as far as I can in
hope of spotting some form of civilization besides passing cars, but the heat
waves obstruct my view. What if Florida undergoes a drought and resembles this
landscape? I know the idea is absurd, but if the conditions are just as bad as
everywhere else, where we will go? I discard the thought and offer to take the
wheel. Kate pulls off to the side so we can relieve our self’s and to allow the
transaction of the driving. I take the wheel and start it forward, feeling the
vibrations of power radiate throughout the car. I step on the gas, lean back
and sigh. The first day I am already longing to get as far as I can away from
the car as possible.
In a hazing reverie, I slowly make
out many black shapes on the horizon. By now it’s almost dark and our cars dim
lights poorly illuminate the road. I shake myself in order to awake myself as
well as Kate and exclaim my finding. 10 minutes later we pull up in front of
the KOA camping facility.
Our camping site in Needles, CA
Truthfully I expected more, for the
compound consists of one main building and a couple small others surrounded by
a bleak desert, but at the time, I was so glad we arrived I didn’t even care.
We park the car and get out of the car. Again I feel as if I have rid a horse
all day, and my legs are stuck in awkward positions. Kate and I rush through
the doors and head directly toward the dinner hall. Strangely, I am more
famished then I have been in a long time. Both Kate and I pile enough food to
feed multiple families. The rooms come with free meals so the thought of money
for once didn’t even cross our minds. We relish our meals and finally go and
check in. The owner points east and tells us our tent is already set up.
Quickly thanking her, we stroll out to the camping grounds and find our tent.
Two mattresses supplied with pillows and sheets are already made and seem to
call me in. I drop my bag in the corner of the tent and glance at my watch. I’m
started for I feel as if it was midnight, but the clock reads 9:30. I look over
at Kate and a smile spreads across my face. She’s already sprawled across the
mattress and sound asleep. Too tired to laugh, I slowly made my way to my bed
and with a sigh fell asleep.
Details of Day 1:
Route:
We went south on I-5 through the San Joaquin Valley. Then we
went southwest through Bakersfield, and then picked up Highway 58 to Barstow.
From there, we took I-40 to east to Needles, California.
Breakfast:
None. Ate some of our snacks from Walgreens.
Cost: $0.
Lunch:
One cheese quesadilla ($2) and one classic burger ($6). No drinks. Refilled water jugs ($0).
Cost: $8.
9000 Magellan Drive
Tehachapi, CA
Ph. (661) 823-7380
Dinner:
Amenity included in campground. Pasta with tomato sauce and
salad.
Cost: $0
(included in fee for campground).
Snacks:
Bought one bag of pretzels ($2.25), one bag of Chex Mix ($1.75), one
bag of Lay’s Potato Chips ($2),
one container of Pringles ($2),
one box of Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars ($1.98), and one bag of tortilla chips
($2.10).
Should last us almost whole trip.
Cost: $12.08.
Walgreens
790 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA
94102
Ph. 415-292-6155
Supplies/Repairs:
Two one liter water jugs at Walgreens.
Cost: $3.98.
790 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA
94102
Ph. 415-292-6155
Hotel:
Slept in the car at Needles KOA Camping Ground.
Cost: $24.
5400 National Old Trails Road
Needles, CA
Gas:
Bought at Sunnyview Gas Spot in Tehachapi. Got full tank of
gas.
Money spent on Day 1:
$107.56
Money left after Day
1: $1092.44
Miles Driven: 553 miles
Hours Driven: 9 hrs., 16 min.
Bibliography:
Claman, Kate. Various Snacks from Walgreens. 5 February
2012. Web. 15 February 2012.
Unknown. Denny’s Restaurant. TripAdvisor.com. Web. 15
February 2012.
Great start! Love the pics and all the details. Nicely done.
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