Roadtrip in Rewind

My grand adventure has come to an end. I set out with the hopes of seeing new places, meeting new people, and opening up my eyes to something other than my little Santa Cruz bubble. All these hopes were realized and even exceeded.

Arizona. Utah. Colorado. Nebraska. Iowa. Minnesota. Wisconsin. There is surprising beauty and excitement in these out-of-the-way states. We visited friends. We made new friends. Grand Canyon. Monument National Park. The Million Dollar Highway. The Garden of the Gods. Seven Falls, Colorado Springs. Rocky Mountain National Park. College World Series, Omaha. The Great Mall of America. Laughs and more laughs. Comments like: 'What the heck is that?' 'How do people live all the way out here? Where do they get their food?' 'Um, this little town is so adorable!' 'This little area looks like (insert a place we've been to)'

Often times, when embarking on a trip of any kind, I experience and enjoy the destination but am always subconsciously comparing it to home. And usually, nothing ever comes close! But I wanted this trip to be different, no comparing; just experience and enjoy. It turns out, that with that sort of a mindset, there are actually a lot of really amazing places out there! Living exclusively in such a coastal paradise creates a lofty and somewhat arrogant outlook, because not everyone gets the privilege of enjoying such beauty and every other place just seems to be lacking. I have known this about myself and wanted to shed that perception by appreciating what other cities have to offer. Yes, maybe there is no ocean in the middle of the country, and maybe there is no coastal fog to cool off a heat spell in July, but maybe the people aren't pretentious and maybe there is actually a job market and affordable housing in landlocked states!

This will always be home to me, but there is life outside of California! It is important to have a place that is 'home' and no matter where you happen to be living, home holds a prominent place in your memory and your sense of self. I am thankful for the sense of home I have and all the components that make this place so special to me! But middle America, much more than it's given credit for!