Though I am aware that this post is long overdue, I felt it was only fair I shared the adventure it took getting to Orlando. Let me start by saying this summer WOULD NOT have been possible without my parents (Tim and Connie, if you don't know them you should). I'm sure it can't be easy raising a daughter who loves whales but they are just as invested in my dreams as I am. Pretty cool if you ask me.
So, with my gratitude aside, here is a look at our trip!
Our journey began on a Tuesday where Tim and I departed after breakfast at iHop with my sister and mom (I know what you're thinking, what a classy last meal in Phoenix, it was.) And Just like that we were on our way.
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| All packed and ready to go! |
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| Saying goodbye is hard |
On the outskirts of Arizona we stopped to see "The Thing", something that even after seeing it I'm not quite sure how to explain it. By the end of day one we had passed through New Mexico and landed for the night in El Paso, Texas. As we set off for dinner that night we tragically had the first upset of the trip when my dad left his iPad on the top of my car which we believe fell off somewhere along the freeway access road. Good news is we probably made some hitchhiker's day, go us! (RIP iPad).
The next day we ventured through the wide open roads of west Texas. Even though it horribly boring and uneventful, it was kind of peaceful and beautiful in its own special way. Around dinner time, we reached our second destination; Austin, Texas. We got to spend that night and the next day there exploring a bit and visiting with old summer staff friends (Kasey, Lauren, Emma, and Joey. So great seeing old friends!) My dad and I got to witness the thousands of bats that come out from under the bridge downtown at dusk, apparently that's a thing there. It was a little anti-climactic, however we did make some new friends and got the inside scoop on good places to go in Austin.
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| Cute Coffee Shop in Austin |
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| Loved seeing Emma and Joey! |
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| Kasey and Lauren too! |
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| Downtown Austin |
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| Waiting for the bats |
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| Southern Dining |
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| My hot date |
The last and final stop before Orlando was New Orleans. This was also where we picked up Connie. Fun fact about Louisiana: The drivers are absolutely INSANE. You people think California drivers are bad, the Louisiana drivers are on a whole different level. After getting my mom from the airport we headed to Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans. I can easily say that was the most uncomfortable I've ever been with my parents. Naked people and strip clubs everywhere. The people in New Orleans are cray. But it was still an adventure nonetheless. Aside from the craziness of that city, I absolutely fell in love with the character that New Orleans held. So colorful and alive.
As quickly as it all began our trip was over! We ended in Orlando Sunday afternoon just in time to move into my new apartment (but not before passing a dead alligator on the side of the road). So many fun memories and a wonderful roadtrip! Once again a big thanks to Tim and Connie for tagging along! Adventure is out there people!
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| We did it! |
Whale that's a wrap!
xoxo Becks
WHALE FUN FACT:
An average Orca eats an estimated 550 pounds
of food each day or more.
