The Big Trip

This afternoon, I was hanging out with Micah and Tyler, the world’s coolest nephews (don’t dispute it – this is a scientific fact). We went upstairs to their playroom, full of awesome, rad toys. Micah proceeded to “beat” me with a baseball bat until I was lying on the floor. “Here, Annie, put this under…

The 9-hour drive from Denver to Kansas City was uneventful. The most exciting thing that happened was pulling over at a gas station to lie down, belly on asphalt, and yank a tumbleweed out from under the car. Other than that, it was rattlesnake farms and “Come see the 5-legged steer!” signs. I almost ran…

This morning, I leave my hometown of Montrose, CO, for the next stage of The Big Trip. But before I do, I would like to provide you with some images of small town life. Let’s begin with the hair salons. These are some of my favorites: This woman is so alluring, I can hardly stand…

I figured that since I had already climbed one 14er this week, I might as well do two more. In one day. Yesterday, I summited both Redcloud Peak (14,034′) and Sunshine Peak (14,001′ – hey, when it counts, it counts – just don’t knock any rocks off the top). My dad and I met up…

Some days are very normal, basic, routine. Today was not one of those days. And actually, it deserves a long, thorough blog. We’re pretty good friends by now – I hope you’ll read until the end. This morning at 5am, my dad, our dear friend Dan Clader, and I left for Mt. Sneffels (elevation 14,150…

Last night, I attended a 5th-8th grade volleyball showdown, held in the gym of a local church. The contenders? The Christian Schoolers (the Knights) vs. the Homeschoolers (the Flames). I was there in support of my friend Kellyn, who was celebrating her 11th birthday on the volleyball court as one of the Knights. Technically, it…

This morning, I awoke in my hometown of Montrose, Colorado. My parents left Colorado for the glamour of Kansas City about 4 years ago, so over the past several years, my visits to Montrose have been few and far between. Anxious to get out for a stroll down memory lane, I decided to walk across…

Since I am traveling as frugally as possible, I am open to sleeping on anyone’s couch, as long as it’s free. Since I knew I would want to stop around Salt Lake City last night, an old friend from freshman year of college crossed my mind. And since I have no pride and feel no…

I am convinced that there are few feelings that can rival the thrill of crossing the border from eastern Oregon into western Idaho, where the speed limit leaps from 65 to 75. I accelerate, accelerate, accelerate, set the cruise control at 80, and FLY. As I drove across the farmland of southern Idaho this afternoon,…

How do you wrap up 7 years of a life? How do you tie off all of the loose ends, the unfinished business, the burgeoning relationships, the tried-and-true friendships, the incomplete conversations? How do you look at this breathtaking city, blue and green and gleaming, and then turn to walk away? How do you say…