What is the Continental Divide?

Yesterday we passed the Continental Divide. That feels momentous, but also, what is it? I know I should know this, but honestly, I don't. Either my brain is too tired or maybe it's not that big of a deal... We decided it was where the water either runs East or West. Given that no one contradicted us in the car of 5, it's decided. That is the Continental Divide. 

Passing the Continental Divide felt momentous, but we almost missed the sign. We almost missed the sign because we have seen a multitude of big markers on this adventure. I've officially hit maximum input for this trip. I'm ready to come home. It was truly bittersweet when we hit Eureka in California to see the Redwoods and I knew we would start our Eastern route back. We still had weeks ahead of us, but it meant the beginning of the end. We were starting our descent and prepping for landing. I mentally scrambled to make sure we wouldn't miss a thing on the way back. After experiencing three more National Parks along since California (Bryce, Arches and Rocky Mountain), I'm tired. 

At this point, even the area is telling us to go home. We miraculously snagged a hotel room in the middle of nowhere late in Colorado one night, to then travel hours in various directions trying to find a camp site the next day (we weren't successful), which then turned into a late scramble to find anything to stay in (hard to do in a tourist town), which led us to a weird little rental cottage that was slanted in a way that made your brain wonder if you were awake or asleep, to a throwing up 4 year old at dinner who just didn't want to eat her beans, to a thunderstorm in the middle of the night (which then made me grateful to not be camping), to a beautiful mountain hike with an insane thunderstorm that came out of nowhere and pelted us with hale at the bottom, to spending 5-star hotel money on the last available room at a Best Western (I mean, what the what?!?!). I am done. I am fried. I am ready for a little monotony. I am ready to not rewear the same 4 t-shirts over and over. I am ready to go to a grocery store and not think, "Will this fit into the cooler? Do we need more ice?". I am ready to binge watch TV. I am ready to see friends and family. I am ready to "plop".

I have loved so much of this trip regardless of the many downs. I have wanted to pull my ever growing hair out (my roots are not looking suave anymore so maybe it would be a benefit) while I hear the words "I am bored" in the most beautiful scenery in the world. I have been terrified so many times that my hair has actually gotten more grey. I have definitely smelled better. I have been up and down on this rollercoaster of adventure and I am good tired. The fact that long drives through Kansas and Missouri are actually sounding refreshing to me is a sign. It's time to go home.

Again, don't get me wrong about enjoyment. I have loved the scenery and people surrounding me. Everyday I wake up and have to pinch myself that we are even getting to do this. This is truly a trip of a lifetime and one we hope to do in a different iteration next summer (Pacific Northwest 2024!). 

I am tired. I am ready to go home, but I will do my best to enjoy every moment I still have on this trip. These bones be tired and ready for a massage, a haircut, an eyebrow wax, a long hot bath, and days of sleeping in. Jersey, here we come!

Surprisingly, this is not an abandoned building. They sell "hambugs aaad fries."

It's my store! I wanted to steal this sign, but a pocketknife wasn't going to cut it.

This cricket is about 3 inches long and now a permanent fixture on our front grill.

Late night laundromat is my jam.

Oh Bryce, you are too cute.

They call this soup. I call this cheese in a cup.

Why be one arch, when you can be two?!

Rocky Mountains, it's kind of breathtaking.

Hello 1990. I have missed you.


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