thisguyeli
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Road Trip Jan 2021
🕑 Added 2021-02-03 20:39:51 +0000 UTCHello there beautiful people! I went on a road trip to California last month to celebrate my birthday and to spend some much needed time outside of the house (don't we all want that right about now.)
I took quite a lot of pictures and some videos of my 26 hour drive, however quite a few didn't turn out right, or just didn't turn out at all for some reason. But for the ones that did, I have made a fun little folder of things to look at for you! (Filter by name if you want them to be in order.)
I was never a picture-taking person, always more interested in living in the moment myself, so I didn't take pictures on the way out, but I did take them on the way back. I had to force myself honestly. I was just blown away sometimes and completely forgot to pull out my phone. There were quite a few times I just pulled over, got out and leaned against my car and just... looked. It was amazing.
Below are some descriptions of the states as I drove through:
-California's northern forested mountains were gorgeous let me tell you. "Breathtaking and massive" don't even begin to describe it. You really have to be there to understand. And once you get farther north and you can see the caps covered in snow it's a whole new world. Beautiful. I can't wait to go back someday.
-My drive through Nevada was a lot of mountain paths and tunnels. (The first two videos that should show are actually from the drive out.) Driving at 80 miles an hour down a winding mountain path is not new to me having been in Greece, but it was still nerve-wracking with semi trucks and lifted jeeps and pickup trucks on either side the entire time.
-Utah also had fantastic mountains, but they felt different. Especially once you got to the Great Salt Lake where it feels like you're on Mars, not Earth. On my way back I took a detour route (due to some traffic accidents and construction) that led me across the Bonneville Salt Flats instead and that felt just as alien. A vast plain of nothingness with enormous shadowed mountains looming in the distance. Just bizarre, pasty ground and a long, thin stretch of road. It's so crazy to drive 80+ miles per hour for more than 30 minutes and still not see the other side. Really makes you feel how empty large parts of the world are, almost untouched by humanity.
-Wyoming makes me understand completely why there are still people who don't work on ranches, but want to dress like cowboys in the 21st century. Its clifftops, mesas, and open plains were beautiful if a bit haunting with their emptiness. Tiny towns in the middle of nowhere that seem to pop up as if summoned from the very dirt itself. A place where it really does feel like it's you and the land. First time I've ever seen tumbleweed too. So that's cool.
-And then South Dakota. A lot of it felt very homey compared to Minnesota, as I'd imagine a lot of the Midwest does. Grassland plains and hills with winding rivers and streams dotted here and there. The Black Hills were gorgeous as well. Dark trees even during the day keeping the winding roads covered in eerie shadows as you drive through. Beautiful. Just beautiful. I also kept running into funny things in South Dakota: The beginning of the Oregon Trail, Deer using the train tracks (silly deer), a farm co-owned by the "Boner family" I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP, and gas stations called Kum & Go. Because of course they are.
26 hours is a drive I wouldn't wish on anyone, but the amazing sights along the way made it all worth it. It's been years since I've been on a proper adventure, and I relished every minute of it. Cheers 2021. What a way to begin a new chapter.
Comments
This_Guy_Eli
Pictures never do the real thing justice. You can see the beauty, but you can't feel the awe. Feel that raw power of the natural world just by seeing it on a flat screen. Being there, smelling there, hearing there, feeling the wind on your skin there, it's a such a vastly different and more powerful experience. Just amazing. I'm glad you enjoyed my little storytime! I can't wait to go back! 🥰💕
This_Guy_Eli
I always loved just looking up at open skies out in the wild. Absolutely beautiful. I'll definitely have to go back sometime, and I'll make sure to take more pictures! 🥰
angela
As someone who likes taking pictures of landscapes, honestly pictures can sometimes never do the real view justice. Definitely get what you mean by sitting back and just taking everything in 😌 I’m glad you enjoyed your roadtrip, and thank you for sharing your adventure! ❤️
Tiff0128
You should definitely take pictures more often!! The sky was gorgeous in so many of the pictures. Hope you have a fun and relaxing trip!!
This_Guy_Eli
I didn't even think about the 26 hours/years comparison! But yeah it was quite an adventure, and I was so happy to be free for a few days. Just out by myself, enjoying the world. I can't wait to go back to Cali though. So much to see! 🥰💕
This_Guy_Eli
I'm glad you were able to visualize it. It was magical to be there, so I'm glad to share with you. And thank you. Best birthday ever for sure. 🥰💕
This_Guy_Eli
I listened to about 15 hours of softer more melodic rap music, and then about 20 odd hours of rock music. I also went through a podcast of horror stories to keep my mind active during the later hours of the drive. Definitely a good idea to plan that kind of stuff in advance! 😁💕
This_Guy_Eli
I'm glad you enjoyed! It was an adventure, and I was happy to share it with you in our own way 🥰💕
This_Guy_Eli
Wow that sounds so fun! I remember taking the train across Greece many times, but to travel across the entirety of Europe and Asia? Magical... 🥰💕
This_Guy_Eli
"Driving with Eli" huh? Hehe that could be fun... I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and the videos. It was quite an adventure, and I was happy to share it with you lovelies 🥰💕
This_Guy_Eli
Thank you! It was so fun 🥰
This_Guy_Eli
It's nice definitely. Mostly I took the pictures for my friends and family, but I'm glad to have them.🥰
dangerfloof
so wonderful, 26 hr drive for 26 years. I remember driving up the west coast when I moved from SF to Seattle and the mountains, volcanoes (!). So magical. Also, I tend to not take pictures either when I travel :)
shea
Thanks for sharing these with us bestie, I’ve never been on a road trip before, so this was so exciting to read about (you’re also quite the writer!! I could imagine all the descriptions in my head, very cool) Happy belated birthday once again, this was awesome broski
♡, Fernanda
Please the kum & go LMAONSND 2 years ago I drove 2 hours into the mountains past the fancy Colorado ski towns and also came across my first kum & go and had to u turn to take a picture of it as well 💀 Your story absolutely sent me into a fit of giggles haha. Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I loved every picture, I can sense the excitement and awe you felt while traveling ♡ Also can I ask, what did you listen to on your trip? I'm always curious about peoples roadtrip playlists
savannah
thank you for sharing parts of your life with us. it makes us so happy!! 🥰🥰
Uc
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. These pictures and videos gave me more motivation to hop on the world’s longest land journey by train, starting in Portugal at Porto and finishing in Vietnam.
👑 Coco Kimmie 👑
Thank you, Eli, for sharing these with us! It’s been so long since I’ve taken a road trip, so I’m living vicariously through you with these! The videos were actually kind of calming for me! But driving next the the big rigs, always makes me nervous, lol. Oh and the pictures were quite beautiful, you have a good eye. I’m so glad you had a wonderful time. That 26 hour drive is killer, but the memories are what matters. ❤️ *sidenote You should totally do a “Driving with Eli” series, I know I’d love it!
Reese E. Cups
So beautifully said Eli!! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and free time!!!
Savonne
These look good! I like to take at least one picture during a trip just to at least remember the time.
