I just returned from a six-month road trip across America during the pandemic. With my life plan dissolved and my dreams shattered, I had to find something productive to do with my time. Yes, we had orders to “Stay Home and Stay Safe,” but I knew I would never make it at home alone with nothing to do for months on end. So, for my own mental health and out of curiosity wondering what a pandemic road trip would be like, my little dog Ozzie and I headed out with the Jeep packed to the hilt, and our destination unknown
Road Trips are Hard on the Body
Only two weeks into the road trip, my back went out! If you’ve ever had your back lock up, you know what I’m talking about. I was loading a heavy ice chest into my Jeep and made the mistake of twisting as I lifted. That’s all it took to send me to my knees. It’s impossible to camp with a bad back. I could barely move, let alone erect a tent and sleep on a little foam mattress on the floor of my tent. So, I stayed with friends nearby while I recuperated. I soon realized that road trips are rough on the body. Sitting for hours on end is harsh. I gained ten pounds on the trip due to inactivity and snacking while driving. Ugh!
It’s Best to Wing-It and Put Agendas Aside
I only had a vague list of places and people I might want to visit. Planning ahead just leads to frustration because you have a schedule to keep. If I made reservations somewhere, I couldn’t stay longer if I found a place I enjoyed along the way. Winging it meant I was free to stay for five weeks on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I could stop when I needed to stop and proceed when I was good and ready. There were only a few times I had trouble finding accommodations due to holidays or trying to find a dog-friendly place to stay.
Staying Organized is Essential
I don’t know how many times I thought to myself, “Where did I put that book I bought?” or what did I do with Ozzie’s medicine?” Getting and staying organized was a constant challenge. It seemed whatever I needed was always in the middle of my Jeep. Sometimes I found myself too tired or lazy to put something back where I got it, and inevitably that would mean that I couldn’t find it again when I needed to. I soon learned that I had better find a good place for everything and always put it back as soon as I finished with it.
America is Wonderfully Diverse
I visited over 30 states during my road trip. Often, it was like going from one country to the next. From the hush puppies of Tennessee to lobster rolls in Maine to the desert of Arizona to the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, our geographical and culinary diversity is as extensive as the diversity of our people and the 25 lighthouses I saw. The COVID rules were different everywhere as well. What was legal in Montana was illegal in New York, from mask mandates to Cannibus; everything changed from one area to another. It’s one of the things I enjoyed about traveling across the country. I never knew what I would encounter next.
America is Hurting
I saw so many “Closed Forever” and boarded up businesses that the sight of it became mundane. It wasn’t just ma-and-pa shops either. I saw massive warehouses, and car dealerships boarded up, and graffiti and trash where once there were employees helping customers. I saw lots of people living in their cars and families living in cheap motel rooms. I drove next to political demonstrations and saw food bank lines over a mile long. Everywhere I looked, America was hurting, and it still is.
America is Beautiful
I avoided cities and spent most of my time connecting with nature. I visited any National or State Parks that were open (and plenty were closed). I was constantly searching the internet for hot springs, waterfalls, caverns, and parks. Each place brought me renewed strength and reminded me that America is beautiful. From the North Cascades to Acadia National Park in Maine to Big Bend National Park on the Texas/Mexico border, the stunning landscape images will stay with me forever.
America is Still Free
When I left on September 1st, there were rumors that some borders were closed due to the pandemic. Some of my friends were worried about my safety, and I appreciated their concern. But, despite all the rules and laws surrounding the pandemic, I was basically free to roam about unchecked. This is a stark contrast to countries like India, Spain, and Italy, where during their lock-downs, they were not allowed outdoors, except on rare occasions to get groceries or see a doctor. We are privileged to live in America, and I thank the Universe that America is still free.
Traveling With a Dog Brings Unique Challenges
It was so lovely to have my dog, Ozzie, with me on the road. He gave me a sense of purpose and someone to talk to when I felt lonely. Still, traveling alone with a dog created some unanticipated challenges. First of all, nearly every hotel chain, except Red Roof Inn, charges extra for dogs, no matter how cute, petite, and well-behaved they are. So, he cost me a lot of money over six months. Also, on the east coast, most beaches are not dog-friendly. It’s also illegal to leave your dog unattended in a car in Florida. That means just running into the grocery store, even if parked in the shade, was an issue. I had to skip many places that I wanted to explore because of “No Dogs Allowed.”
I also learned a lot about myself on my trip. It gave me plenty of time to reflect on my life and my choices. That’s the beauty of a solo road trip. You have an opportunity to heal and learn. I always say, “Life starts at the end of your comfort zone.” I’ll always be grateful for the life lessons I learned on my solo six-month road trip across America during the pandemic. I grew as a person, made new friends, and saw stunning places I’ll never forget.