We started planning this trip over a year ago... it started with that impossible idea that we needed to "find" ourselves. We thought putting our bodies on the road would put us closer to the earth and closer to each other... but the grand idea of a road trip across the US seemed so cliche that neither of us wanted to admit that we really wanted it. So at first we thought it was mostly a joke... not something you do, just something you talk about and then forget.
Then somewhere during our junior year of college, between the mountains of papers, books, and exams we both agreed that we had to make it a reality.
As the vague plans began to solidify, we loosely mapped our route across the Western half of the US, including some of Canada and possibly Mexico. We reminisced over the thought of being on the road together, seeing places we've never seen, and making new friends along the way. The summer of dreams...
Phew... done with the cheesy. Now here's what it really took to plan a trip like this. We decided to cut down on all our crap before moving all our possessions into storage, and we thought a garage sale would be a great way to do it. The garage sale was the most difficult thing we did to get ready for the summer, other than giving over our beautiful kitty-cat Dexter to Remy's mom for the summer. You can see below he had a pretty good time basking in the sun at the sale. Packing, pricing and organizing tons of donated junk during midterm week was not exactly an easy task. The stress of school, combined with a serious lack of sleep did not make for a very cooperative couple. Luckily my mother was there to keep us in line, but it was rough.
Shortly after the garage sale we had to move our 2 kitties and bunny to Moorhead to live with Remy's mom for the summer. They have other cats and dogs, so we figured our furry little buddies would get some great loving there and maybe make some new friends... besides, they wouldn't really take to the road well :P It was still a sad day for both of us.
Remy and I must have some sort of pet addiction though, because the day after the departure of our three little guys, Remy let me get a puppy. And I don't mean a 1 or 2 year old dog, I mean a 5 month old puppy! Who in their right mind would let me get a puppy but my enabling sweetheart (probably because Remy is not actually in his right mind)? His name is Spencer and he's a little 4 lb. Maltese Poodle (Maltipoo). Now I'll try to keep you all updated on his major achievements here, but I've also decided to do a separate blog called "spencer's adventures chronicling his journeys through puppyhood. Check it out!
I go back and forth between thinking about how insane it is that we got a puppy only 3 days before setting out on the road, and really believing my astonishment at how well he already seems used to a life of constant motion. Little Spencer is the toughest little scruffy maltese poodle you'll ever meet. If you think 4 pounds isn't a lot of dog, you should see him plow head-first down a flight of stairs or dive into waves over his head. The little guys is fearless! Except of course when mommy and daddy put him in his kennel for bedtime. We've got to work on the kennel training, and we've had quite the task of getting the potty training down... we're not quite there yet with either.
After the pets, all our stuff disappeared. People don't usually describe me as sentimental, but it was a little eerie seeing most of our belongings piled up in our tiny 5x7 ft. storage space. Remy and I were doubtful, but we got everything into the space thanks to some great help from my dad. One more night in the apartment allowed us to clean and get any remaining supplies we still needed for the trip, and Saturday afternoon we finally left town.
Woo hoo! It's Saturday! We're seeing the Minneapolis skyline for the last time in 4 months but we're headed on a great adventure! Nothing can stop us! Nothing... except the wind. We stopped in Mankato to see my mom and dad one last time, and as you can see below also give Spencer and Francis (the Springer Spaniel) a chance to meet...
which was great, but the wind really started to pick up as we left. Forty-five minutes outside of Mankato the 30+ mph winds wrenched off the rack carrying our bikes from the roof of our car. It had already gotten dark so we stopped at a gas station for light, and Remy spent the better part of an hour getting the rack clamped down more securely while I entertained the pup. We also tied the front of the bikes down so there was no way it was going anywhere... but we were still paranoid all the way to Yankton.
The next stop was Worthington. The highway was smooth but we ended up lost in Worthington so it was midnight by the time we got there. We felt so bad to keep my grandparents up so late but they insisted we stop by and get some vegetable stew. So we did, and the stew was marvelous. After a quick birthday gift for me - since I'll be on the road over my birthday - we were back in the car. Thanks Grams!
Back on the road again the pup and I start to get pretty sleepy coming across the South Dakota border. Goodbye Minnesota! Luckily Remy is up to the task of navigating Jon's directions and we make it to Jon and Robin's outside of Yankton at around 4 in the morning. We followed the signs to our bedroom and just crashed. It was a comfortable temperature that night so Spencer slept in the kennel in the car.
Sunday morning (May 23) rises on South Dakota as Remy tends to their poopy puppy. Spencer's previous owners assured us he was well trained for a puppy. I guess "mostly potty trained" only meant during the day :( Once that was over we joined Jon for some homemade granola at the breakfast table. Their house really is beautiful. It's a rustic cabin-turned-home with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lake created by dams in the Missouri River. It's the kind of place where you find yourself dozing on the deck during the afternoon and no one but the mosquitoes bother you. Relaxation. Breath. Those things come easy here.
After the wind the previous night, Sunday afternoon was clear and calm. There wasn't a ripple on the lake so Jon and Robin suggested we go kayaking. Following a hearty lunch of grilled potatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, and veggie burgers we set out for the lake. Neither Remy nor I had ever been kayaking before, but it wasn't that difficult and we both got the hang of it right away. It was an amazing experience. Talk about being close to nature, we saw a couple of muskrats, a beaver, and a giant fish basking near the surface. It felt like the perfect start to our travels.
Monday was just as low-key and wonderful as the day before. It was slightly windier, but I tell you I'm liking the pattern that's developing here. Perfect weather, good people, good dog, and spectacular scenary... what else could I ask for? We took Spencer on a long walk down by the lake and he played like crazy! That fearless little guy jumped right into the water and splashed in waves over his head. He did it over and over again. He looks so sad and small when he's wet, but he doesn't care, he's all PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!
After swimming we all went to ace hardware to get a piece for the rack that goes over the rear tire of Remy's bicycle, and we ended up getting a little wicker basket for Spencer! You can see more pictures of Spencer's outings on Spencer's blog: "spencer's adventures"
That evening we had a delicious tempeh stir fry. All of this good cooking is going to spoil me, I should be getting used to crappy camping food! Actually I think Remy and I are going to do quite well, we're pretty good at eating healthy. And with all the free time we're bound to come up with lots of new and interesting meals. We're also planning to go raw vegan for a month this summer. We haven't really decided when we're going to begin... probably because it's so hard to think about giving up cheese, but we'll let you know when we start that undertaking.
Today (Tuesday, May 25) Remy and I slept in and had kind of a lazy, cloudy day. In the afternoon the sun came out for a bit and we put Spencer in his new wicker basket on the front of my bike. Robin, Remy, and I took Spencer down to the Lewis and Clark park and took him for a spin on the bike trail. He was such a good boy, and it seemed like he had a pretty good time! He loved the wind in his face, but the bigger bumps scared him a little. We also had a little beach time down at the park, and the three of us dug a big hole! By the end of the afternoon we certainly had one very tired pup.
Back up at the cabin we found Jon beginning to prepare veggie lasagna! Another fantastic meal! And I haven't even mentioned the great conversations we've been having while we've been here... all four of us. I feel like I'm getting to know everyone on a new level. It's wonderful.
Tonight the sun hit the limestone bluffs across the lake, making them shine gold and red through the evening. It's a site to see, and I'm glad I got to see it while I was here. Thinking about all the beautiful views out there ahead of me is really inspiring. It's been a wonderful stay here but I'm already excited to explore some new territory. Thursday we're headed out to the badlands for some camping, and then we might join some friends for some canoeing at the Angostura Reservoir. I'll update you soon!
Night!
-Cheyenne
Great to read that your trip has started out so well. Please keep us updated!
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