Take a roadtrip across the US

It really started with “On the Road”. Cliche, I know, but also very inspiring for me. I thought I could do it after I graduated from college. Two months later, I’d blown through my graduation money and got a job at a restaurant/bar back home. I bought a new car and have lived on my own (with my best friend) since finishing college. Over over two years have passed. And I finally have a plan to get on the road!

I figured how long until I paid off my (new) car… Early 2012. Two and a half years and she’s all mine! That car was meant to cross the country (I guess I probably should go easier on her then list) Then I figured how much I need to save. Three months seems like enough time to cross and return across the country [starting south, returning north]. I’m also staying open to the idea of falling in love with locations enough to stay…. who knows. I also want to continue paying on my student loans, so this is factored into my overall budget. Then I broke it down to weekly savings goals.

Before the plan, I had a change-jug I filled with dollars. I’d match the money spent on two common culprits—cigarettes and lattes. I’ve since quit smoking and started using my French press more often. But now I have plan, so I still stuff the jug with bills. I also keep myself accountable in my planner—knowing that every time I check off on Mondays I’m one week closer to the road.

When 2010 starts I’ll begin the more serious research and planning. For now I have my personal financial contract and a map on a wall. I have my dreams of what Texas is like at dusk, wondering if I will love California as much they say, if the Rockies will scare or awe more, who I will meet and where I will sleep. And then there’s all the food!

In the end, I have the desire to understand America more fully before I travel abroad again. And I desperately want to travel abroad again….. for the rest of my life.

so..I’m looking for someone to go across the country with me!

Here’s the thing…by the end of this year…
Me my brother Josh and best friend Ryan are taking a road trip across the US…
Three cars…
From Sacramento to New York City…a total of aproximately 3200 miles…
(of course with hella stops on the way) lol

It’s a point-to-point race…
We will have designated stops along the way to meet up at…
The trip will be timed….from stop to stop only…
We’ll have lots of time in between stops to sight see and visit people….

There are going to be rules though…
Basic rules like:
There are no speed limits…BUT…
If you get a speeding ticket you lose 3 hours of time.
(Even if it takes 2 minutes from the time you get pulled over, ‘till the time you leave again…)

And NO flying solo…basicaly you need a passenger with you at all times when you’re driving.
For safety reasons….in case you somehow can’t drive….or to look at the map….ect.

THAT’S WHERE YOU COME IN!!!!

I need to find someone that would be willing to
travel across the country with me in my car!!!
Preferably someone that’s already in CA…

Guy or girl…doesn’t matter to me..as long as you like going on trips and having fun!!!! :D

I don’t know how long the trip will take…
Anywhere from two weeks….to a month!

If you wan’t to go, you can ask me….I’m not going to make any promises though…I need to make sure you’re good for the job…. ;) lol

-BJ

Dream it…
Live it…
Be it…

I drove from Florida to California. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. A lot of land to look at from Texas to Cali.

so I’m thinking of moving to California once I graduate and I think I’ll take the opportunity to sight see on my way there.

across the country is an adventure I would highly recommend to everyone!

You see things and meet people that you would absolutely miss on a train or plane. Our country is a beautifully diverse place on this planet where we can freely move about to enjoy…don’t waste that opportunity. It is very rare.

but i went kinda crazy. this summer was crazy because of school. now i’m working but maybe if i save money next summer i could do it. sometime.

i should try to make friends in many different states first. i have some, but not enough to make it travelling every day. it would be awesome though. who knows who i would go with.

I love traveling by car…
long days, the road less taken

I loved my trip to the Carolinas
(and the Outer Banks)

One year I drove to New York City!

..and then there were all those trips ‘cross Canada

My favorite thing to take: espresso maker and gas stove for coffee breaks along the highways

One thing I learned: people are friendly in laundromats

One thing I appreciated: restaurants that were not chains…

One of my favorite sights: Blue Ridge Mountains, the smell in New Mexico after a rare summer rain, coffee in New Orleans, Saskatoon Berry Jam, the arch in Saint Louis, the Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, Glenwood Springs, CO, roadside museums, balancing rock, Moab, Ut, and coming home again…..loved it all!

completely worth doing!

i lived overseas for a few years and i have spent a lot of time in europe. i realized that i had barely seen my own country.

i ended up driving cross country 3 times from florida and oregon. always a good idea :)

the thoughts that cross your mind on the 20th hour through kansas can be a bit strange though.