As Brett, Data and I sit relaxing on this Sunday evening, I think of where our journey began 31 weeks ago, on the Sunday night before the beginning of our trip: excited, anxious and completely unsure of what to expect. I have to admit that I had my share of doubts, about the trip, about us, and about myself in particular. Part of me questioned whether we would actually survive the trip and each other. Call me pessimistic, but deep down I doubted our ability to find vegetarian options in beef country, sleep in the car in negative temperatures, and in general face the day to day unknowns. In the end, though, my insecurities and uncertainties were quelled by our ability to rely only on the security of each other.
Brett and I have certainly had our share of fights, whether over what to order for dessert or where to park the car for the night. However, when you live with someone for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you learn that even a two-hour car ride can seem like eternity when it’s done in silence. Despite the ridiculous arguments that we may have had from time to time, we also developed an incredible knack for communication – arguments were always resolved, and always resolved quickly. I think that Brett and I have been changed by this trip, both as a couple and as individuals. Our relationship was transformed by an incredible sense of trust and love, as cheesy as that may sound. I don’t think I know any other couple that could spend 7 months non-stop together and actually continue to enjoy each other’s company day after day. We have had so many fantastic experiences together that can never be explained, and I can’t imagine doing them with anyone else – they just wouldn’t have been the same. Brett is my best friend, and every moment we have spent on this trip together, even those spent fighting or in silence, are memories that I will carry with me forever. Brett played a large role in my personal transformation; he showed me that it IS okay to live day-to-day without a plan or understanding of what will come our way, and that sometimes it IS okay to go days without showering or brushing my hair (he seemed to love me regardless!). But mostly, he helped me understand that in the end grades and perfect postcards aren’t what matters. I think this trip made me realize that I can’t always be perfect, even if I would like to. Ultimately I’m better for it, and I’m better for it because of him.
I also learned that, despite its many faults, the United States of America truly is an incredible place, with the most amazingly varied landscape and cross-section of American people. Brett and I often marveled at the fact that South Dakota could consist of both the most incredibly boring, endless flat lands, and also the miraculous geological marvel that is the Stronghold of Badlands National Park. Or that California could contain the imposing Sequoia and Redwood forests, as well as the humbling Death Valley. We saw bison, bears, moose, ostriches, bald eagles, and our fair share of elk and horses. We explored sulfur pots, grand canyons, hot springs, caves, deserts, forests, dunes, mountains and coastlines. We attended Wakestock, Lollapalooza and the Exotic Erotic Ball. We visited parks, museums, monuments, aquariums and even a ballet. We “Zorbed,” hiked mountains, gazed at eclipses as well as stars, and swam in Great Lakes. We celebrated birthdays and mourned untimely deaths. We saw more than I ever could have imagined.
With every one of the 21,768 miles of our journey also came a new face. We saw family and old friends, and met plenty of new friends too. We discovered that, despite how differently people live throughout America, there is an overwhelming amount of kindness to be shared. This was evident in Cody, Wyoming, where the residents treated us like their own at the seasonal rodeo which, while a stereotypical event of the west, gave us an idea of the incredible sense of community often found only in small towns. It was also evident at Coyote Buttes in Arizona, where we encountered and talked for lengths with an incredibly friendly pair of hikers from Colorado, one of whom was recovering from her battle with cancer and extensive chemotherapy. Along the trip, we often met people who were as interested in our lives as we were in theirs. We must have given out upwards of 100 of Brett’s business cards so that these people could keep in touch or follow up with our blog. While we don’t know how many of these people actually remembered or cared enough to keep up with our travels, we were happy just to spread the word.
And what role, you may ask, did Data play on this trip? He was, without a doubt, an immeasurable element of our experience. Regardless of his tendency to have diarrhea on the backseat of the Suburban, snort like a pig while pacing excitedly, eat the crotches out of our clothes, or beg for French fries like a pro, I can’t imagine that Brett and I would have enjoyed our trip as much if our 80-pound companion had not been along for the ride. Even when he didn’t have room to romp, or had to spend days stuck on the back seat or in his crate, he loved us unconditionally. Brett and I must have spent hours just turning around to glance and laugh at Data “nuggeting” on the back seat, playing with his toys, sleeping in some cute way, or letting his lips flap in the wind while sticking his entire head out of an open car window. In a way, he made this trip the incredible experience that it was, and I like to think that he had a pretty good time with us as well.
Certainly, there are things that I imagine could have been different about our trip. I regret how infrequently I posted, for the majority of the trip, because I know that what few posts I have I will cherish and reflect on in years to come. I know that I will look back and read posts that I made and think to myself “how the hell did I manage to live out of a car for 7 months?” and then I will remember that those months were some of the best of my life. I regret not having taken more photos, which I attribute mostly to laziness but also to true admiration (and probably jealousy) for the ease with which Brett can so easily capture incredible moments, and even ordinary ones, in such a detailed and unique perspective. But whenever I start to think about what I could have done better or differently, I remind myself that, as my mom always says, I did as much as I could. I finished two incomplete courses and completed one independent study. I wrote tons of postcards and thank-you notes. I visited old friends and dear family. I was awarded two internships. I loved Brett more each day. I faced my fears. I let go.
And as I write the final sentences of this final post, with tears streaming down my face, I want to turn my attention to you, the reader. Regardless of who you are, you have been as much a part of this trip as the three of us. You have put a roof over our heads. You have given us restaurant and sightseeing recommendations. You have provided us words of encouragement. You have reminded us that we were not alone in this journey. We hope that when Data On The Move is closed, and we move on with our lives, that you will continue to stay in touch. We hope that, should you ever find yourself in our neck of the woods, you will know that what awaits you will be the same kindness that you offered to us at times when we most needed it.
Regardless of what tomorrow, or next week, or next year brings for us, a trio of travelers, I know that I will always have this trip and the experiences and memories that can never be measured or matched.
All My Love <3 J
edit 2/11/08: In the last 24 hours, while I have had time to think about this final post, I find that my mind has come across various events or characteristics of the trip, which may or may not have been worthy of an addition and/or edit. While I would like to keep the post as it was originally, I feel that what it lacks, surprisingly, is any mention of a crucial element of our incredible journey: our parents. My parents, Frank and Mary, and Brett’s mom, Ann, were so incredibly supportive of our exploration that it might not, it WOULD not, have happened had it not been for their endless support. We are so lucky to have parents who think outside the box, who love us and trust us to make the right decisions for ourselves and for each other. To them we are forever indebted.
