I just returned from an eleven-day, ten-night road trip – the great American experience. Was I on a vision quest? No. I didn’t return with any spiritual awakening or thoughts of changing my way of life. I did come back with some great pictures, new friendships and a renewed appreciation for this country’s beauty. Mainly, I proved to myself that I can once again survive and thrive at high altitudes and just appreciate the quiet moments in life.
The Western part of the United States is gorgeous. I knew this from previous road trips. However, as I meandered through alpine, spruce and pine forests with rivers running next to the backroad highways and bright blue skies that go on forever, it reinforced my love for nature and open road. I can’t wait to do it again.
Along the way, I was extremely privileged to meet friends of friends who met me for a meal or coffee at one of my stops or along the route. They touched my life; I hope I did theirs as well. Some directed me to great local trails to hike, others just warmed me with stories. One hiked with me to the top of a local landmark and took my picture to prove it. These experiences reinforced my faith in people.
For those eleven days, I did not think much about my health status other than the four times a day I need to take a pill. My desire to hike to the top of waterfalls or to an alpine lake led me to strategize and plan for any hints of altitude sickness. Thankfully, with a good strategy in place, I was able to hike to over 11,000 feet this trip. Success. There is nothing better than hiking to the top of a waterfall, sitting down and having a lunch with the water splashing and the air pure (although thin).
I also realized that I am scared of cows. I’ll save that story for another blog.
The point? Avoiding limitations if at all possible (long road trips), overcoming past experiences (altitude sickness from low dopamine levels) and meeting new people in new places (friends of friends), can only add value to your life and improve outcomes. Oh, and the West rocks!
Sounds like it was a good trip overall. I did not realize that you were as worried as you were about the altitude. I am happy that it did not affect you badly!
Love the cows, kinda glad the video did not work out!