This blog documents a trip taken by me (Steph) and my forever-boyfriend (Joe. Joe Porto. Porto.) We always knew we loved traveling... though life often gets in the way of that (due to jobs, lack of jobs, and not having a money tree.) We're not the type of people to take a vacation just to sit by a pool for a week- we like adventuring. The first big trip either of us took was probably when Joe worked on the Warped Tour for 2 months about 10 years ago. He saw something like 30 states... but only for a few hours at a time (and in the context of a concert set up at a fairgrounds) but had some idea of what he wanted to see more of. I had been to California once, and Florida as a kid (disney world) but was brought up by parents that were not necessarily as adventurous as I (My mom has never been in an airplane. All the traveling my dad has done was in the military 50 years ago. Their idea of excitement is going to Maine.) So- I knew the world existed, but hadn't seen a lot of it... but I knew that staying in my "safe place" wasn't very exciting, and that you don't really KNOW what something is like unless you've seen it firsthand. I wanted to discover the world in my own eyes. But where to start? Europe? Asia? I saw no sense in visiting those places until I had fully discovered what is right at my doorstep- the United States.
Why the United States? Well, because it's home, and it's cheap and accessible. But also, because it's oft misunderstood. We don't always agree with each other here, and we tend to sneer at each other from afar (north vs south, red state vs blue state, Fairfield County vs the rest of CT.) But- we have natural features (and man made features) here that literally can not be found anywhere else. The Grand Canyon, the Pacific Coast, Redwoods. Badlands and Bison. New England Clambakes. A Spam Museum. We have a colorful and varied past. We are a continual melting pot. There are still thousands of immigrants who come here in search of the "dream", the idyllic life for their families. We may not have the picket fence/dinner in every oven American Dream, but we still have something special. Plus, our history is constantly evolving.
And really, our continent is huge. There's a lot to see. And there's nothing like seeing something with your own eyes. We want to see what's really out there- the real American story- mountains, plains, and Spam factories included. And, we want an adventure. Which is why we didn't book any hotel rooms (except yellowstone, because it's memorial day weekend and that place is gonna be nuts.) And, we're driving.
(of course, We're driving in a BMW, so THAT'S not very adventurous. Makes me wish i still had that rusty Buick. OKAY GO AHEAD AND SAY IT- HOW CLICHE, YOU'RE FROM CONNCTICUT AND YOU DRIVE A BMW... yeah, i was laughing at myself in the parking lot of REI. It's used, okay? And at this point if Joe wants to drive a beemer it's his money, as long as he doesn't wrap it around a telephone pole, what do I care? And honestly, the service/warranty packages on it are pretty sweet. They do bend over backwards for their owners- so in that respect i can't knock it. But as a girl from the valley- it still makes me feel funny.)
Bottom line: We don't believe everything we see on TV. We like to see things with our own eyes. We like roadtrips. And we're gonna document it all- because we're a couple of photo nerds. And you bet it's gonna be snarky as hell, because we're a couple of sarcastic assholes.
We've been planning on going to Yellowstone for years... and this trip has fallen through a hundred times. First job loss, then job gain and job loss again. Saving all the money and then having to spend it on dental work. Hell, my mom is having some health issues right now and we weren't even sure if we were going to be able to DO THIS. For all i know, i might have to fly back early. But, as it stands- on Saturday May 19, we are packing the car, pointing it west, and putting a brick on the accelerator. Destination: everywhere (but mostly, everything between Stratford, CT and West Yellowstone, MT.)
Your hosts: Steph, the Trapeze artist/Vet Tech/Mall employee (no really, i'm a circus performer. And i work two part time jobs, because the arts are a bitch to get paid in.) Joe, the graphic designer/web developer/nerd/gamer/musician/beard grower (it's super scruffy.) One european car, and the open road...
Onward ho! Not yet, i have to pack. (I'm almost done, i gotta throw some shit in the dryer... and pack my shoes and toiletries.)
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