Day 18-
I am going to change my life.
I like signs.
I wanted to know what the speed limit was. I sure found out - I got pulled over for speeding Wyoming. They searched our entire van. They were really kind. It was the first time I ever sat in the back of a police vehicle. Maybe it was the hoops in the back of the car, my green hair, and the tie-dye I was wearing.
I still broke the law. They left us with a citation and let us go. I learned. It was exactly what I needed in my life. A reminder. Treachery of beauty. Distractions.
Take your time to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy your surroundings. There was no rush. Nowhere to be. We had actually configured an extra day - that time was spent with Wyoming State Patrols in the middle of nowhere.
Our day began early at Devils Tower in Wyoming. We complete an early morning hike before getting on our way towards Yellowstone National Park tonight. Devils Tower was impressive. A sacred sight, it scared me and set the tone for the day. I didn't quite understand how it was standing. Land eroded around a magma plug for thousands of year. I learned that many of the sites we drove past were dated to their prehistoric existence. Dinosaurs began to make sense.
Once upon a time, there were rivers, oceans, volcanoes. Today we have mountains and plains, valleys and creeks.
I drove the entire day, we drove through 3 scenic byways: US-16, US-212, US-14... not sure exactly in which order.
We stopped by a lake shore to rest in Big Horn National Forest. The field of flowers was gorgeous. Purple and little white flowers filled the field by the lake. The sun was shinning and everything was perfect. Families were fishing. We sat by the lake and reflected on life. Fear of the unknown. being both scared and excited by all that life has in store ahead.
Carrying our excitement and taking in all the beauty, we continued on the journey. Life was so beautiful and amazing that I failed to find the speed limit. Life felt limitless. I learned how to use the speed cruiser. I thought that the speed limit was 75~80 mph. I was wrong.
I accelerated and passed the wrong car. I forgot to adjust the speed back down and had to pull over when that car began to flash lights behind me.
It was okay. I found peace during the situation. The officer was doing his job. I was thankful for his care and leniency. We had both gone to the same University. After the entire ordeal, I smiled. I was happy. Sure a citation is unfortunate but I accept it. It was ironic and hilarious. It was what it was and everything happens for a reason.
During the ride, after adjusting my outlook on life, I began to attach new memories to an album that has had heavy emotional significance to me. I let go of past memories. Grateful for all of them. Grateful for their significance. Now I saw life ahead of me. On a journey. Heading west. Staying illuminated. The future was out there. It was bright and oh so beautiful.
"My dearest friend, you'll soon begin to love again."
Devendra Banhart - My Dearest Friend - Thunder Rolls Down Smokey Canyon
History was behind us. Life is amazing. I am thankful.
(Moment hit me as we drove by the Jim Bridger Trail)
4 hours left, we proceed down the most beautiful route in the United States. Turns and curves, ups and downs, snow covered mountains, deep valleys - it became our own self guided tour of America. That is what this has really always been. Forging our own path. Every turn presented a different perspective on our landscape. I understood everything. I knew nothing.
We listened to Devendra the entire time. It was exactly what I needed in that moment. I felt so happy.
Eventually, we arrived to Yellowstone. We explored and wondered. We adventured, trying to find a campsite for the night. Now, here I am with a beverage in hand, sitting under the stars with a flash light. We saw beautiful bison! I had been getting depressed for the past few days knowing that the plains that had been dominated by them were populated by cattle instead. Bison were hunted to near extinction. The best part was seeing A BEAR IN A FIELD OF WILD FLOWERS AT SUNSET!
Tomorrow will begin our first full day of adventure at Yellowstone National Park. Tonight I will sleep in my makeshift bed across the back seat of my minivan. Our second night in the van.
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