Biggest Hole in the Ground I've Ever Seen

Okay. I was more impressed by the Grand Canyon than the title of this post suggests. However, it is still the Biggest Hole In The Ground that I have ever seen!

It was also my third road trip after Grandma died. First trip after Grandma died was Monterey. Second was a birthday trip to San Francisco. Grand Canyon was the third.

It was also the first one I took with my new truck (my beloved Chevy having been totaled a few weeks before my trip).

 See? Shiny new truck, getting its kicks on Route 66.

I love having time to take the scenic route and just stop to take pictures of whatever catches my eye, so instead of just staying on I-40 all the way from Barstow, CA, to Williams, AZ, I hopped onto a loop of old Route 66 for a while. I think I saw all of two other cars the entire time. It was great.

I totally walked out into the middle of the road to take this photo. I regret nothing.

I finally cruised in to Williams around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and after getting settled in my room, I went over to the train depot to pick up all my documents. See, I was doing the Grand Canyon Railway trip, and needed to pick up my train tickets and meal vouchers. They've got a pretty nice set-up there, with the hotel right across the parking lot from the train depot, and I loved how the Cafe faced the tracks. 

That day's train pulled into the station while I was eating my dinner, and it pretty fun watching it roll into the station. What can I say? I like trains. 

See? Train!

Friday was when I actually got to ride the train, and it was as much fun as I'd hoped. I actually got to enjoy the scenery without worrying about accidentally driving off the road. Seriously, this is the biggest selling point for me when it comes to taking the train for trips to places like the Grand Canyon. 

And the views of the canyon were well worth the long drive from Orange County.

Breathtaking, am I right?

Some people say pictures don't do it justice.

I say, "Have you seen my pictures?"

Just kidding. I'm not actually that arrogant.

Then there was the train ride back to Williams. I opted to ride in the luxury dome car on the way back, and it was worth it. First, the view is amazing from higher up than in the other cars, Then, the refreshments are better than in the other cars (much better). Plus, there were no screaming children (apologies to anyone who has kids), and finally - I got to go out onto the back of the caboose! 

I think this was my favorite part of the day.

Or maybe leaning out over the side to get this picture as the train was rolling along was the best part of the day. 

Suffice to say - I had a great time at the Grand Canyon. I met some really nice people there who were shocked to hear that I was travelling alone, but hey - if no one is available or interested in going with me, why on earth should I let that stop me?

What is travel, anyway?

Most people think of "travel" as something dramatic. They see it as going to far-off lands, distant places. As an exotic adventure. It's seen as something that most of us dream of, yearn for - and likely never get to experience.

I see travel as something a little simpler, though. It's not always about going halfway around the world on a grand adventure. In fact, it can be as easy as embracing your own locale. Maybe you can't afford a trip to Europe. Odds are, though, that you can afford a day trip to nearby city to go to that art museum you've heard so much about, or to the theater for a ballet that's only going to be in town for a few nights.

While I was living with my grandmother in California, I was limited as to how far I could travel. Due to her health problems, I needed to stay within a couple hours of home, in case something happened. However, that didn't stop me from grabbing my cameras and driving to San Diego, or a little ways up the coast for a day of sightseeing and photography.

La Jolla, California. 

Sometimes I'd go by myself, and other times I'd go with a friend. I'm lucky enough to have some great friends in California who've also embraced the sheer joy of going out and doing things. Danielle and I hit up almost every aquarium in Southern California, sometimes together, and sometimes solo. 

 Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla, CA

 Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA

  Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA

I have great memories of the time I spent exploring the area when I was living in Southern California. And after all, isn't exploration the true heart of travel?

Planning my next adventures...

I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm planning my 2nd trip to Europe. Well, it's more than planned. It's booked. I'm going to Italy at the end of September.

I'll be making other trips this summer, and having additional adventures, but this is going to be the big one. At least for this year.

On Being Asked Stupid Questions

I know. "There's no such thing as a stupid question." In many situations, I would agree with that sentiment. However, there really is such a thing as a stupid question, and I got asked a seriously dumb one on my trip to Monterey.

See, I ran out of film on the way up Highway 1, because I spent so much time photographing the elephant seals.

Can you blame me for taking a bunch of photos?

Anyway, I stopped at one of the little tourist traps along the coast, and asked someone if they had any film. I didn't care what type, even, as long as they had film. The woman I asked responded by asking, "Don't you have a memory card?" 

I didn't even know how to respond. I mean, why would I be asking for FILM if I had a digital camera that I could just stick a fresh memory card in? I had a good laugh once I was back in my truck, and suffice to say, had to wait until I got up to Monterey before getting more film. 

So, since I didn't get to take all the pictures I wanted to on my way up the coast, I obviously had to drive back home the same way so I could use my fresh supply of film.

Getting home later than planned was completely worth it, since I got the pictures I wanted to take.

Monterey, CA 2013

Since I'd made a point of starting my weekend by driving past LA on Friday night, I was able to really take my time driving up the coast. Even though I spent over an hour watching the elephant seals, I still had plenty of time to stop in Andrew Molera State Park for a trail ride that went through coast redwoods and right down to the beach.

There's nothing quite like riding a horse through the woods, smelling the ocean getting closer until you can hear the waves over the sound of the wind in the trees. It's magical. Definitely something I recommend.

Once I finally cruised in to Monterey, I had plenty of time to enjoy dinner on the bay and explore a bit to get my bearings for Sunday.

Sunday morning was spent grabbing breakfast at a little cafe in Monterey. I wish I could remember the name of the place, because it was incredible. Then I wandered over to the Aquarium, taking time along the way to take pictures of everything that caught my eye. Wandering down Cannery Row was great fun. Between people watching and stopping to look for seals and dolphins in the bay, it was a very pleasant walk.

Monterey Bay

The Monterey Bay Aquarium didn't disappoint, either. In addition to the interior exhibits, they have an outdoor observation deck, where you can watch for wildlife in the bay, like dolphins and otters (both of which I saw while there).

 Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, CA 2013

The drive up the coast was peaceful. It was just me in my truck, with no pressure to follow any particular schedule, or hold up my end of the conversation. I could stop where and when I wanted, and do as I pleased.

I stopped for almost an hour just to photograph the elephant seals just north of San Simeon, CA. They're pretty ridiculous, and fun to watch.

Travel Revelation

I've always wanted to travel, but it always seemed like a pipe dream. Like something other people got to do. So I'd read, study, and dream. I'd try to get other people on board to go places with me, to do things with me.

Then I realized something: if I keep waiting for other people to do things with me, I'll never do anything at all.

NOW YOU CAN'T STOP ME.

I started with weekend getaways and day trips while living in Southern California, and 2 years later, I'm planning my 2nd trip to Europe. And almost every trip has been solo (with a couple exceptions made for AWESOME people).

The first test of my "travelling solo is great" theory was Monterey, CA.

 

Prague, Czech Republic. Fall 2014.