Westward Expansion

We have officially hit the Pacific Ocean. It took us over 4 weeks, but we made it from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I have no doubt that's not a record of any time frame. Well if were in the 1800's, then yes, they would look at us like futuristic space travelers for getting here this fast. We have stayed at countless hotels, camped and airbnb'd like rustic adventurers.  

This odyssey has led us through the depths of hell in Las Vegas. If you go to Las Vegas, don't bring your kids. Also though, don't go to Las Vegas. I really mean this in the nicest way possible, but Vegas is incredibly disappointing. I have now been there three times in my life and left with a sense of depression every single time. It has a way of sucking out a little bit of your life force every time. Don't stay longer than a day, or it will suck out your entire soul. It's like a Monet painting. From afar, it looks wonderful, but up close you see all the grime and desperation in peoples' faces. The people walking around are lost souls desperately searching for their next hit in the form of money, drugs or alcohol. I am here to tell you, if you find it, it's only temporary. Just avoid Vegas and don't try and take the shortcut to happiness there. It will suck you down into the depths of hell and you may never return. 

We escaped that hell, but ended up in the hottest place on Earth after. We drove through Death Valley in 124 degree heat that started to melt our brakes as we glided down to the valley. No joke, we half melted them. The smell of fire radiated into the car and we started to shudder as we slowed down to a vibrating jolt. In a moment where we had zero cell phone connection and would likely die if we walked for help, our car was not looking solid. An adventure angel must have been looking down on us, because we slowly coasted to the bottom and made our slow ascent up top. The time between the two points must have been enough for the brakes to cool slightly and we ascended to the other side safely. We made it out alive, but I won't necessarily know how close we were to fully destroying our car yet again. White Lightning is likely going to send us a therapy bill after this torture we are putting her through.

We have driven through tornadoes, sand dunes, beaches, giant forests, asphalt jungles, and large cities. We have roughed sleeplessness, overtired children, hanger, and overfilled bladders. We have fought wasps, disrespectful drivers, and Mother Nature's fiercest rain storms. We have used our car to the end of its line, and it keeps on going. I have a love for White Lightning who never quits. We our halfway through this journey, and I wonder what adventures the second half will bring.