I recognize it has been a long while since my last update, however I underestimated the effect that revisiting events of the past would have on me. Essentially I had opened old wounds and they needed time to heal back up. Thankfully these types do not cause additional scarring! ;) 

As I was working out today, I decided to play some of my old favorites from Tiesto and one verse from "In The Dark" really stood out to me. 

     "As you walk in the crowded empty spaces
     And you stare at the emptiness around you
     You wanna go to the city and the bright lights
     And get away from the sinners that surround you"

Although this song didn't even exist when I had begun my journey cross country, it says exactly how I was feeling about leaving behind small town Minnesota.

It was a sunny day, that August morning-my last day as a Minnesota resident. My car was packed and I was pumped and ready for a new beginning. I said my goodbyes and I was on my way.  It's kind of funny to think now, how I navigated my way across the United States all by myself with nothing but a road map. GPS wasn't really a thing back then, and if it was the average citizen didn't have it! To be honest, I don't even think I could make it across the US today with just a road map, although the thought it very intriguing!

I don't recall much of my drive. I spent a lot of hours blaring the music--you know, the 12 track cd that I had with me--and letting my hair fly in the wind. I was free. I was starting a new life where nobody knew me and nobody could judge me for mistakes I had made it the past. My slate was clean and I was ready to make somebody proud. Anybody.

The drive itself was rather boring, but I was on a mission so I didn't take much time to explore anyway. I remember bits and pieces of interesting looking towns that I never got a chance to revisit. Nebraska and Colorado stink. That's the one thing I remember from my trip!! The first night I stopped I believe in Colorado (I really wish I had made a journal...). My main concern was getting a place to stay with a pool and a comfy bed. I don't even think I called to check in with anyone during my trek. I think part of me wanted to escape my old life altogether, which is pretty depressing to me even now thinking about it. Each day I drove about 10 hours of so and then checked in for the night.

I was really drawn to the natural beauty of Utah. You see, in Minnesota we have a lot of flat land and pine trees, but Utah was just so much more! The mountains, the landscape, the openness...it was everything I had ever dreamed of. Lucky for me I got to spend a little extra time in Utah because I was having car troubles. My 1995 Grand Am had got me this far and I wasn't about to let it stop me!! I made extra stops at all roadside rests to add "water" to my car to keep it from overheating and stopped one last time for the night. I sought the help of some locals, but unfortunately the shops in Utah didn't open early enough for me so I once again began my journey.

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, I was pulled over by a Utah Highway Patrol who claimed I didn't use my signal (LIES), however after explaining to him that I was having car troubles and just needed to get to Vegas he let me off despite the fact that I didn't even have my registration in my car. I guess luck, or what I thought was luck, was on my side that day.

I drove a few more hours until I came to the top of a hill and down below was Las Vegas. I'll never forget the feeling of seeing Vegas for the first time from the road. Sure, I had been there once before, but it's a different feeling when you see it for the first time driving, after your long trip, and you've reached your final destination....

I had finally made it! This time I was going to do everything right with no mistakes and no regrets...