The opportunity came for a short get away to Phoenix Arizona, which was to include children. Being that we currently reside in Los Angeles, the most cost beneficial way to make this trip work was to drive. Unfortunately for me, my husband ended up having to fly off elsewhere for work, leaving the vacation to me. I was excited to have special mom/kids quality adventure time, but was definitely a little worked up about the driving! I’m not someone who feels bold on the road. I am always the passenger on long road trips and have never driven more than 2 hours myself. Lately my attitude towards fear has been to pretend I’m someone who really enjoys doing it instead. There are people who love roller coasters, and flying and heights! I decided to take on this 6 hour drive with that same attitude.
Thanks to my GPS, and amazingly chill kids, I was able to be a smooth rider and conquer the trek. For a while it felt like a party on the road, because we kept passing ‘Carpoolchella’ painted cars. Droves of people were on their way to the Coachella Music Festival and they were flashing each other peace signs. I have to admit I enjoyed sneaking peaks at the hairdos and outfits! On the whole trip I only felt uneasy twice. The first was when we passed a whole field of wind turbines. I don’t know if this is true for anyone else, but I find these to be really ominous. I immediately get chills and feel like I’m in a horror movie. This little video clip was taken by young Master Mason in the back seat.
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The second time I got worried was after we had been driving through a really long stretch of desert towards and through a place called Desert Center. I was watching my gas go down and down, and I could see nothing up ahead, except for more desert. My mind was formulating a plan. I saw Call Boxes every mile on the highway so I thought if I ran out of gas we might just have to walk to one of those. I pictured myself waving down a truck, because I know they can be helpful, but also saw that going very wrong. Just when I was trying to come to terms with my options, a gas station finally popped up! Everyone there was freaking out at the close call and some were expressing anger that there weren’t any signs warning you to fill up before beginning the long stretch.
The station itself was really creepy, with quite the characters working inside and a sign for ‘Massage’ beside the restrooms. The kids got the vibe and hustled in and out extremely fast. We all busted a gut once we got back in the car, because just a mile further up the road a whole wonderful looking little town appeared. The creepy gas station would only get us this once, because if we return again, we will no longer be amateurs to this road!
At the end of the trip I drove into Phoenix feeling like some kind of great achiever. I felt empowered, and the next morning I woke up inspired, wondering where else we could drive to. The old me would have even been afraid to drive around an unknown town, but necessity forced me to change my attitude and I was greatly rewarded for it.
Kudos! You are a great achiever – every day thousands of people don’t get off the porch due to angst and fear about any number of things.
I’ve road tripped (in very long hauls) across the US a few times and you can drive for hours without seeing so much as another car. Always have that tiny thought in the back of my mind… what if something goes wrong here – if I can get a call out, how do I tell them where “here” is? 🙂
Thank you! I feel like a new freedom has been opened up to me, and I’m excited to plan our next trip. I also realize how much it does for you just to get away for a weekend. We’re always thinking you need a week off for a vacation, but that’s hard to get, so we often never go. Weekends can happen a lot!
I’m impressed with your long haul driving! I guess it’s good reason to learn how to change a tire ourselves ; )
Oh, thank God you made it at last. You took the bold step and overcame the fear. If you had not, maybe waited for your husband to come back and do the driving you might not be able to break that barrier. And before I forget, the video was very short, though I know it was taken by little Mason. Hope you guys had a nice time?
Thank you! I do feel pretty triumphant for taking it on and I’m happy to report that since this trip I’ve handled a lot more scenarios on my own by just jumping in and going for it…though, when my husband’s not around I still might be known to bribe the kids to kill the big ugly spiders and bugs in the house for me!