Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over” is a must add to your travel playlist.
What a perfect anthem for me being the reason Pennsylvania’s population was now minus 1.
Even though I got a pretty late start to my planned departure, I was not stopping for the night until I crossed state lines.
Finally hit Ohio about 10pm and found a Love’s to crash at. There were “no overnight parking signs” and I hate driving in the dark so I ended up going in & asking a (woman)cashier in private if they allowed it. They did, as long as I was gone by 6am. This seemed to be a common trend at most of the truck stops that have those signs. Looking back, it seems silly to have asked but, hey- it was my first time & I was scared sooo better safe than sorry 🤷🏼♀️
I found a comfortable parking spot & popped my window covers in. Crawled to the back into my bed but the in & out going trucks weren’t very sleep encouraging. Every internal and external noise made me jump up in fear to investigate. I now know it was just my nerves since I sleep like a baby at truck stops present day 🤣 It’s a tough phase to get through BUT you will get through it!
Woke up, found a planet fitness to work out & shower and be on my way.
I didn’t really have a plan but I knew the general vicinity in which I wanted to end up at was Sedona, AZ. I wasn’t rushing to get there but I wasn’t moseying either. If I was in an area worth exploring, I did!
Another jittery nights sleep at a truck stop….
At first, I was super scared to to sleep at rest stops. Some are pretty dark & sketchy feeling. Others are well lit & welcoming. Illinois by far has thee best rest stops! Well kept, well lit & emergency buttons every few steps. I won’t be entertaining any counter arguments on this 🤣 This was the first state I started to sleep at them. Polar opposite to the noisy truck stops, the first night sleeping at a rest stop was eerily quiet- too quiet to sleep. This too shall pass 🙂
Wake up-planet fitness-see if the area is worth exploring-repeat!
Every highway turn out & state line has gracefully welcomed me.
I felt the need to apologize that it took so long for me to arrive but they just kept whispering that I was right on time.
So, if you are thinking it’s too late to start your travels then here’s your friendly reminder that we are always exactly right where we are supposed to be 🥰
