Day one
Last night while bored out of my mind as I was trying to connect to the free wi-fi at the hotel (which ended up being completely useless) I typed up a blog to post whenever the chance arose. Well, the chance has arisen. Err…
While waiting for service at Denny’s, I jotted some notes down into my iPod for blogging later. The hostess asked “table for two?” and I said, “one.” She reiterated, “Yes, one table for two?” I wanted to *headdesk* right there but sadly I was not able to at that moment. So I corrected her that no, just one table for one person. She looked at me like I was high and quickly whispered to a waiter “she’s solo!” I don’t know if they were keeping an eye out for available chicks for Joe Singlewaiterdude or if they thought I was like a Mystery Eater type thing or what but lord. They could not have been any ruder unless if they went straight out and said, “God, people must really hate you for you to be going to a restaurant by yourself.” My waiter kind of redeemed himself just because he looked like a 1950s version of my friend Tor. I miss Tor…
All day today (once I got out of the Bay Area, that is) I caught myself smiling at the small things. I am still smiling at the most minuscule things despite being so friggin’ exhausted. It’s amazing. I was smiling earlier because of a perfectly round rock. I was stunned by it’s beauty. I felt like I was high but I haven’t had anything like that for quite awhile so it’s just the old Jana making an appearance. Hopefully I can keep encouraging her to come out.
A few hours in, I was able to be reminded that I am able to fend for myself. I don’t have anxiety or paranoia and I haven’t had to take any extra anti-anxiety medications at all. Or at least I didn’t until about 8:30 when I suddenly realized that I was far away from anyone that I know, in a strange city, and I was in a hotel by myself for the first time. I doped myself up with Klonopin and Benadryl and passed out shortly afterward so it wasn’t too big of a deal.
I saw Roosevelt elk (in the wild) today. There were just a few of them but they were soooo gorgeous and I was able to get some pictures. I drove a little bit longer to this field where a huge herd is frequently seen and it was off a little paved road. I got most of the way down and got excited because HOLY CRAP! Seriously, 30 or so Roosevelt elk grazing about 500 feet ahead. Unfortunately there was an obstacle of a flooded section of road. I was contemplating going over it but I wanted to wait for another car to drive through it to see how deep it was and I’m glad I did because it was much deeper than I had thought. It was about a foot and a half deep and a good 25 feet across. If I had Gavin (my old Explorer for those of you not in the know) I totally would have done it but not in my little Focus, by myself, about an hour’s drive from the nearest non-abandoned town, with no cell reception. I’m a bit bummed but I’m hoping that I’ll get out of here early enough to see some about a mile down the road from my hotel where I saw some as I came in to possibly get some more pictures. They are so gorgeous – almost as gorgeous as moose. I love moose. Like seriously. Note to self: buy SUV ASAP pls.
I mentioned it in the last paragraph, but there are a lot of abandoned towns up here. I’m not sure if they are abandoned because it’s the off season and everyone has gone to their real homes and jobs or if they’re abandoned because of the economy. I’m thinking it’s the latter. It is so depressing. Small town after small town completely barren. What’s even worse are the towns that have only one house being lived in and/or one store working. I gotta have respect for those people though, trying to stick with it no matter how hard it gets.
Some of you more religious or those who are against public urination might want to skip this one. I peed at the base of a Conservative Evangelical Church sign. I desperately needed to pee in pretty much the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately I don’t have the right appendage for peeing on the sign like I wanted so I did what I could. Atheists represent.
Conclusion of day one? I’m enjoying the fresh air, solitary travel, and reconnecting with myself. I think I might need to do this three or four times a year.
Conclusion of day one in picture form:
