Monday morning I drive to Matt’s house where we meet with Nancy. After we have enjoyed a cup of Matt’s delicious home-made coldbrew coffee we drive to Disneyland which is only about 15 minutes from his house. Perhaps because it’s Monday or that it’s a cloudy day, it’s not so busy today. Walking around in Disneyland is a lot of fun, even before we get on the rides. Everything is so beautiful, it really makes you feel like you’re in a different world.
Travel
Relaxed day in San Diego
A little after I landed, my friend Brittany picks me up from the airport. As usual I love seeing the skyline of San Diego when we drive from the airport to her house. We catch up for a while and she mentions how sometimes your body can travel really fast by airplane, but your mind is still where you came from. I find that an interesting idea and during the night I find out what she meant. When I dream I’m still in the Netherlands and thinking in Dutch, but when I wake up during the night I remember I’m in San Diego. I go back and forth a few times until I get up around 6am. I’m thankful I had a long night of sleep and feel well rested.
Taking off to a new adventure
I heard some time that airplanes use the most of their fuel during take off. It feels like for me that’s the same. When the days before the journey get closer, I usually get a bit nervous and it takes quite some effort to get ready. Fortunately years ago I’ve made a checklist for myself that I still use these days. It makes it a lot easier to pack everything needed.
Preparing for a new adventure
It surprises me that even after more than 10 years of traveling I still get nervous around booking a new journey. For a few weeks I had been thinking about where to go this year.
Hollywood once more
I wake up just before the sun comes over the mountains and enjoy the peaceful view. When I try to get dressed I notice how my camper car is slowly becoming quite messy and I’m getting a bit annoyed by that I can’t find my socks. After searching for a while, I give up and decide to drive to Walmart to get a few new pairs. Haha, I’m thankful that Walmart is everywhere here. The drive to the nearby city is very beautiful and goes through hills covered by trees.
Through the desert to the mountains
As I drive out of Boise, I can’t help but feel a bit like waking up from a happy dream. There is always so much laugher and happiness with my Hufford friends that it takes me a while to adjust to being alone again. While driving through the city I see the supermarkets we went to together and the waterpark we spend a whole day in the weekend and good memories come back. I wish I could have stayed longer, but it’s time to back.
Montana to Idaho
On Thursday it’s finally time to continue traveling. The last weeks of the adventure have started and it’s time to head back towards California. In the morning I have breakfast with grandma and Josh and he also makes me a delicious smoothie for on the road.
Yellowstone park
It’s very chilly in the morning, just like last summer when I camped here. Back then there was ice on my tent in the morning, today there is no ice, but still cold: 7°C / 45°F. I wait for the sun to come up to dry the outside of the tent a bit. When most of the morning dew is gone, I break down the tent and attempt to pack it back in the bag.
Long drive to the Grand Tetons
On Friday it’s time for me to continue driving and Jeff gives me some good recommendations for the route of today. We say goodbye and I drive to a cheap gas station that I found on Google Maps. I’m really happy that gas prices have gone down again since last year, my record on this trip is now $3.40 for a gallon of gas, which comes down to about €0,80 per liter and that’s about half the price as back home. It surely makes it easier to drive thousands of miles here.
Coffee, books and tea in Denver
When Jen and Jeff go to work in the morning, I drive to the cozy neighborhood Littleton. It’s one of my favorite areas in Denver and there is a great coffee place called Dirt. Last year when I was here, I worked at this coffee place for a full day. I don’t plan to work the whole day here today, but stay for a few hours to work.