Hi, my name is Audrey. It’s late—12:10 am, to be exact—on July 26, 2024, and I’m writing this from a campground somewhere in “who-knows-where” California. It took me about three and a half hours to get here on a road that stretched so straight and so long, I thought it would never end. After days of winding along the coast, this surreal, unbroken stretch felt like driving into another dimension.
I arrived at the campsite late—almost 10:45 pm—after struggling to find it in the pitch-black darkness. There are no streetlights out here. Honestly, even the highways in California are pitch black at night, relying entirely on your headlights. It’s eerie how everything can go completely dark in an instant.
Earlier that day, I passed through Oakland, which was incredible. Driving through a big city I’d never been to made me pause and think, Wow, I’m really out here. It was the first time it hit me: I can go anywhere I want. Disneyland? Mexico? The possibilities felt endless. Just last week, I was in my apartment, surrounded by boxes, obsessively packing and overthinking every little thing. And now, I’m here, in the middle of nowhere, with the whole world at my fingertips.
The Morning After: From Peaceful to Blistering California Heat
Good morning! It’s July 26, and waking up at this campsite felt surreal. I had no idea what the place looked like when I drove in, but it’s absolutely stunning. Quiet, peaceful, and completely empty—probably because the forecast is predicting 103 degrees today.
I showered, tossed half my belongings out of my car in a sleepy haze the night before, and now it’s time to clean and reorganize. Hopefully, I’ll get everything sorted before the sun turns this place into an oven. There’s a lake nearby that looks peaceful and inviting, but the thought of swimming in it makes me pause. I used to love swimming in open water as a kid, but now I can’t stop thinking about what might be lurking below. Maybe I’ll muster up the courage later.
Nature and I are not exactly best friends. The bugs here are relentless, and the desert dryness doesn’t help. But the beauty of this spot makes up for it. Even as I’m sweating buckets by 10 am, I’m grateful for this peaceful moment to reset and reflect.
Decluttering My Life (and My Car)
Today has been all about letting go—literally. I’ve been sorting through my car and tossing or donating so much stuff, but it’s hard. Even things I don’t need or use are tough to part with. I keep asking myself, Why do I want to hold onto this?
The clutter is mostly clothes, food, and random odds and ends. The hardest part, though, is my paperwork—sorting through that feels like untangling my brain. Oh, and I still need to vote! My ballot is floating around somewhere, and I hope I can submit it in time.
Despite the chaos, I’ve showered twice today, which feels amazing, though the desert heat is relentless. By mid-morning, it’s already 90 degrees, and I feel like I’ve lost half my body weight in sweat. Everything is dusty—my car, my sandals, even me.
California Comfort Zones
As much as I love California, I feel like I’m stuck here. I’ve spent four days driving through the state, and it’s starting to feel too familiar. Maybe that’s why I’m still here—it’s comforting. But part of me knows it’s time to move on. I didn’t set out on this road trip to stay in my comfort zone, and I don’t want to waste time or gas circling the same places.
So, here’s to moving forward, even if it means pushing past what’s familiar. The heat, the bugs, and the dust might be frustrating, but this journey is about embracing discomfort and finding freedom on the road.
The Takeaway
California has been an adventure—a mix of peaceful mornings, sweltering afternoons, and big realizations. From driving straight into the dark to facing my attachment to “stuff,” this road trip is teaching me more than I ever expected.
Stay tuned for where I end up next, because it’s time to leave this desert heat behind and see what else is out there.
As always, don’t forget to share your revelations with me below ♡
Until next time,
Audrey
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