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Well, at least I didn't get raped
Arethusa
Universal Cathode
in Zocalo v2.0
Literally, anyway. Figuratively, pretty much did.
Trip started off ok. Bit of New York I went through was alright, and Pennsylvania was bland and weirdly hickish (unlike the coastal area, which is just depressing post industrial), but nothing terrible.
Ohio was another matter. Ohio is a terrible, terrible place. Depressingly post industrial and determined to turn out of state drivers into sources of revenue. Got my first speeding ticket for driving just as fast as I would during the day.
Next few states weren't memorable, but nothing bad happened. Indiana was bland, but nothing bad. Illinois wasn't much fun around Chicago, but farther out, it's actually kind of pretty.
Then I got to Iowa, and my engine cracked a piston rod. Spent the night stranded at a rest stop, then spent the day trying not to get fucked by the local Nissan dealership. By the end of the day, I'd run my mobile bill up $150 in overages, gotten a rental, and sold my car for scrap.
Good times! Pushed on to Nebraska that night, which was pretty terrible, and fell asleep at a rest stop on the Colorado border. Drove into Colorado, which was quite beautiful in places, and pushed on through Utah (which was actually also beautiful in places), and made it as far as Arizona (which is most fucking [i]not[/i] beautiful in [i]any[/i] places). Then fell asleep at the side of a road somewhere in Arizona.
Not sure why, exactly, I decided to take advice to see the grand canyon, especially after how terrible the trip had gone so far, but I did. Woke up, drove to the grand canyon, paid the $25 entrance fee, and was summarily unmoved by its majesty. Big brown hole in the ground was impressive, but not exactly pretty, and not worth the entrance fee or the money and time out of my way.
Kept on through the rest of Arizona, where I discovered small town American on Route 66: the only place you'll find a depressed local economy completely dependant on $3.60/gallon gas. Turned right back around and got my ass back on I40. Kept on through the rest of the day, and closer to the California border, Arizona has apparently discovered sane gas prices and cell phones. From there, ignored speed limits into Barstow (where the drugs started to kick in), then did about the same and headed towards LA and into Orange County.
And that was where I discovered that the person I was originally going to be staying with had apparently changed her mind, and I really can't stay here for very long without wondering if my stuff's going to get thrown out the window.
So, I have a rental car, a speeding ticket for a car that no longer exists, and no place to stay for very long. Called basically everyone I knew, and the one guy I knew out here isn't really in a position to help me. A friend at Stanford said I could probably crash with him indefinitely, and I know one guy in LA that I might meet tomorrow. If Stanford/Palo Alto doesn't work out, I'm very seriously considering turning around and driving back to Connecticut, where I'll either try school there or finally join up (hoorah, etc). If I disappear again after today, well, more of the same.
Ohio sucks. Internal combustion sucks. California sucks. 'Merica sucks.
Trip started off ok. Bit of New York I went through was alright, and Pennsylvania was bland and weirdly hickish (unlike the coastal area, which is just depressing post industrial), but nothing terrible.
Ohio was another matter. Ohio is a terrible, terrible place. Depressingly post industrial and determined to turn out of state drivers into sources of revenue. Got my first speeding ticket for driving just as fast as I would during the day.
Next few states weren't memorable, but nothing bad happened. Indiana was bland, but nothing bad. Illinois wasn't much fun around Chicago, but farther out, it's actually kind of pretty.
Then I got to Iowa, and my engine cracked a piston rod. Spent the night stranded at a rest stop, then spent the day trying not to get fucked by the local Nissan dealership. By the end of the day, I'd run my mobile bill up $150 in overages, gotten a rental, and sold my car for scrap.
Good times! Pushed on to Nebraska that night, which was pretty terrible, and fell asleep at a rest stop on the Colorado border. Drove into Colorado, which was quite beautiful in places, and pushed on through Utah (which was actually also beautiful in places), and made it as far as Arizona (which is most fucking [i]not[/i] beautiful in [i]any[/i] places). Then fell asleep at the side of a road somewhere in Arizona.
Not sure why, exactly, I decided to take advice to see the grand canyon, especially after how terrible the trip had gone so far, but I did. Woke up, drove to the grand canyon, paid the $25 entrance fee, and was summarily unmoved by its majesty. Big brown hole in the ground was impressive, but not exactly pretty, and not worth the entrance fee or the money and time out of my way.
Kept on through the rest of Arizona, where I discovered small town American on Route 66: the only place you'll find a depressed local economy completely dependant on $3.60/gallon gas. Turned right back around and got my ass back on I40. Kept on through the rest of the day, and closer to the California border, Arizona has apparently discovered sane gas prices and cell phones. From there, ignored speed limits into Barstow (where the drugs started to kick in), then did about the same and headed towards LA and into Orange County.
And that was where I discovered that the person I was originally going to be staying with had apparently changed her mind, and I really can't stay here for very long without wondering if my stuff's going to get thrown out the window.
So, I have a rental car, a speeding ticket for a car that no longer exists, and no place to stay for very long. Called basically everyone I knew, and the one guy I knew out here isn't really in a position to help me. A friend at Stanford said I could probably crash with him indefinitely, and I know one guy in LA that I might meet tomorrow. If Stanford/Palo Alto doesn't work out, I'm very seriously considering turning around and driving back to Connecticut, where I'll either try school there or finally join up (hoorah, etc). If I disappear again after today, well, more of the same.
Ohio sucks. Internal combustion sucks. California sucks. 'Merica sucks.
Comments
Im sorry to hear that. Of the few places Ive been in usa (the east coast), I liked Pennsylvania the best (mostly because it was hickish, and the people were nice).
Good luck man, life sucks sometimes, hope you meet someone you can stay with.
Sorry that the trip sucked. i mean it does sound like you had a run of bad luck, but you can't blame Ohio because you were speeding, Iowa because your car died, or Arizona because you were unimpressed by their hole.
As for a place to stay, if you can't find a friend to stay with, you might try Youth Hostels, they are usually very reasonably priced (some are even free as long as you do some work for them, cleaning, dishes etc)
Good luck with finding a place to stay, or getting back to CT.
[B]Sorry that the trip sucked. i mean it does sound like you had a run of bad luck, but you can't blame Ohio because you were speeding, Iowa because your car died, or Arizona because you were unimpressed by their hole. [/B][/QUOTE]
I'll bet that you most certainly can. ;)
Tennessee is definately much better to me than CA. I met another individual from CA that just moved here less than a year ago. He came from Northern CA.
Sold his house, packed up his stuff in a trailer, and drove across Amerika...
If I might ask, what was the appeal of CA that had you trying this move?
And yes, California is a hole, no way in hell I would ever move back there. Hell, my companies headquarters is located in Los Angeles and I avoid every trip possible to go there.
Texas is growing on me, I like it here.
[B]I'll bet that you most certainly can. ;) [/B][/QUOTE]
Well yes, you CAN. you can blame anyone for anything.
[B]Are you seriously suggesting that my "bad attitude" has caused any of this? Obviously I do not literally blame Iowa for my engine seizing (I [I]do[/I] blame Ohio for rapaciously opportunistic "policing"; that ticket would not stand if I could make it to an Ohio courthouse, and that cop knew it, which is exactly why I got the maximum fine possible). This really changes nothing for me. [/B][/QUOTE]
Oh no, i'm not for one second blaming anything on you or your attitude, I was just making a point of the fact that you seemed extremely negative about every place you went, I live and work in a "tourist" town. and what we've learned, is that when people have a negative attitude, negative things happen.
i didn't mean for it to sound like i thought yuo had a really shitty attitude that caused all this.
[B]Trip started off ok. Bit of New York I went through was alright, and Pennsylvania was bland and weirdly hickish (unlike the coastal area, which is just depressing post industrial), but nothing terrible. [/B][/QUOTE]
I take offense. EVERY state has "hicks" (even Connecticut). Moreover, I don't know what you saw that would qualify as "weirdly hickish" but just driving through hardly gives you an idea of what the state is really like. Hopefully, next time you look out the window on the Turnpike at 70 mph, you'll be a little less judgemental and actually see what PA has to offer.
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Messiah [/i]
[B]Im sorry to hear that. Of the few places Ive been in usa (the east coast), I liked Pennsylvania the best (mostly because it was hickish, and the people were nice). [/B][/QUOTE]
Thanks... I think. :D
As for the grand canyon, I was equally unimpressed. However, about an hour from the Grand Canyon is Marble Canyon, a purely spectacular "hole-in-the-ground."
In my experience, the Super Tourist locales (such as the Grand Canyon) are boring, mostly becuase they have been designed to handle such a high volume of tourists that you never really get to see the natural setting that they are. The Grand Canyon is far better from the north rim than the south rim, simply becuase it is undeveloped into a tourist magnet.
You should have visited some of the indian ruins. There are a few really impressive locations not far from interstates in New Mexico and Arizona.
--RC
You should have stuck north and gone through Seattle, or Spokane. Lots of fun and nutty types there. And not to hard to land a job doing whatever. If your gonna stick around California check out the local Jack in the Box and try the tacos can't recommend any better tacos in the whole world. (if you can send me the recipe) Denny's is one of the classiest diners around too much like Friendly's via East coast.
You should have made a Pilgrimage to Salt Lake City and made yourself a Mormon!
Did you happen to see or eat at the Mcdonalds thats in a train car at Barstow. My grandfather always liked that. Never could get over Barstow's stench though...Oil, raw Oil drills pumping nearly 24/7.
Next time pick up some girls theres always one or two that are trying to hit the road. And guys too watch out for them!
Road trips are best when you have the freedom to determine your own path.
Any roadtrip should have the following: A big V8 station wagon with fold-down seats (such that you can sleep in the back if you really need to), A computer to dump digital photos onto and a cellphone with a datalink, stamps, envelopes, and writing supplies to send progress reports along in the event of no data connection, and the most detailed map you can get.
Combine those with some basic supplies and you're set.
[B]
Any roadtrip should have the following: A big V8 station wagon with fold-down seats ([/B][/QUOTE]
A FAMILY TRUCKSTER!!!
<-- hums holiday road...
[url=loltruckster.ytmnd.com/]lol, truckster[/url]
[B]Yes, everyone on IRC will know my addiciton to the place, but I thought this was slightly relevant and amusing.
[url=loltruckster.ytmnd.com/]lol, truckster[/url] [/B][/QUOTE]
it's time for a trip to wallyworld
[B]You know, I have to say I'm not quite sure what to make of most of this thread revolving around my attitude and my sightseeing in states I passed through. Considering I am now nearly homeless and stranded at Stanford until I can buy a car, these would seem, by quite a fair margin, the most insignficant things one could possibly focus on. [/B][/QUOTE]
Unless you belong to one of the schools of thought that your attitued and actions influence your surroundings... course that could all just be religious babble, but who knows.
I still have the same advice as before, If you can't find anywhere else to stay, Hostels are usually cheap or free if you are willing to do some labor for them. a friend of mine got 6 months free in a hostel in NYC by maintaining their computer system for them.