Driving Day Through Nevada’s Silence (Or Was It the Moon?)

At one point, Google Maps pops up with a notification: “Traffic is getting worse.”I laugh. What traffic? Does anyone even live out here? :))

Good morning, gorgeous sun!

You came out this morning—thank you for your warmth.

I know I will be sore today, since I no longer rush my travels as I did in the first year. I know I will be back to hike here again, so I take the day to enjoy some slow yoga and relax my aching muscles.

It’s been five days since I had a proper shower. I have fantastic wipes that help me feel refreshed, but nothing compares to running water. The visitor center has hot water, so I wash my hair and face. Since it’s not acceptable for me to get naked in a public bathroom, :) I return to my site, set up my outdoor shower, and take a cold rinse. It feels so good!

The forecast calls for possible rain again later, though the sky now shows no hint of it. I have learned to respect Mother Nature in the wilderness. I use the sun while it lasts and set up my solar panel to charge my power stations.

I go for a gentle walk on the big rock formation behind my site. I climb up and walk barefoot. The feel of the earth and stone energizes my spirit. It is so magical here!

Around seven, a gust of wind blows, and within minutes, dark skies and heavy rain follow. I think of Ian again and hope he made it to his site in time and found shelter.

This park receives an average of 9 inches of rain a year. I feel like the last few days have already reached that amount. The rain brought much-needed nourishment to the area—so who am I to complain?

After a rainy night, the day breaks with another smiling sun. I am leaving the Needles District a day early, as I have come to realize I packed my travel days with hikes and driving, but forgot that life is life, and laundry still needs to be done.

My next stop is Page, Arizona, where I booked an Airbnb for one night. If there’s anything I learned last year, it’s how not to burn out from roughing it too many days in a row.

I have about five hours of driving ahead—or as I call it, “Landscape Movie Day.” I make sure to take the route that passes through Monument Valley and Forrest Gump Point.

Funny—I sometimes feel like Forrest Gump with my writing. There are moments I feel like stopping, and interestingly enough, every time I do, the universe sends me a beautiful message or comment from someone, encouraging me to keep going. So, for now, I will continue.

The laundry is done, and now it’s time to find a corner for the night. My reservation at the Airbnb is for tomorrow. Walmart is the perfect place to park. Surprisingly, it’s the first Walmart where I feel safe—there’s a whole little neighborhood of RVs here. Tomorrow, I’ll take a library day to catch up on my writing. After all, it is part of my journey.

I must start my day early because I have a long drive ahead. Google Maps shows 7.5 hours of driving, which, with my many stops to eat and stretch, means at least ten. I set my route to avoid highways as I prefer backroads where I can enjoy nature as I drive.

I make sure to drive through Zion National Park—the drive is simply gorgeous!

So, what is my landscape movie today?

Am I on the moon?

As I enter Nevada, the channel changes. I love experiencing so many different landscapes. But today, the contrast is so wild I feel like I’ve entered another dimension. Silhouettes of mountains, winding roads, and pure beauty. There is so much flat land that I think I’ve solved the housing problem in America! :)

For four hours, it feels like I am the only person in the world. Now and then, a car passes by, but mostly it’s just open space. In that space, I find calm. A deep appreciation for raw, naked beauty. It is simple. And it is beautiful.

At one point, Google Maps pops up with a notification: “Traffic is getting worse.”I laugh. What traffic? Does anyone even live out here? :))

I am glad I downloaded a few audiobooks—some by Pema Chödrön, The Five Personality Patterns by Steven Kessler, and of course, my music.

When I know I’ll be traveling through “nowhere,” I find it essential to map out a few options for rest stops. My final destination is Miller’s Rest Area, just past Tonopah. A restful night after an exhausting day was greatly needed.

Holy moly, now that’s a view! What can I say? I am a sucker for snow capped mountains.

My drive to Mammoth Lakes, California, is nothing like yesterday’s. As I approach the Eastern Sierra Mountains, the landscape literally takes my breath away. The bold contrast between the desert and the snowy Sierra peaks is spectacular.

My beautiful welcome to California feels like a gift.