Epilogue:

September 4, 2001
It's now been a week since I returned from my trip, so I thought I would sit down and comment on my experience and reflect on all that graced my vision over the 19 days I spent traveling.

First... this was one of the most profound experiences of my life, and I am glad that I decided to do it.  The memories I have gathered on this trip will most certainly be with me to my dying day on this earth, and at times I become overwhelmed with emotion just thinking about the breathtaking visions I have absorbed in such a short time. At first the idea of the roadtrip was just a whim, but once I figured out that I actually could pull it off it was full speed ahead to make it happen.  The first day or so I was on the road I wasn't sure I wanted to follow through with the entire trip, but as soon as I hit I-70 east in Utah and started seeing some of the amazing scenery this country boasts, I knew I made the right choice.  The hardest part, though, was continuing to Texas after visiting Utah.  I nearly changed my entire trip plan to stay in southern Utah the entire 19 day period.  I'm glad I continued on to the big "T", though!

Second... my main goal of the trip was to see things I have never seen and go where I have never gone, and I can honestly say I accomplished that goal ten fold.  I can't even count how many times the magnitude of what I was seeing left me speechless.  There are tidbits that stick in my brain.... The echoes from inside Double Arch.  The sound of absolute silence occasionally interrupted by the cry of a soaring condor as I stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon.  The hot desert sun beating down on my face.  The sight of trees reflecting in the mirror-smooth surface of a mountain lake.  Sunset at Bryce Canyon.  I could list them forever, there are so many.  Hundreds of moments so beautiful they bring a tear to my eye.  Absolutely priceless.

Third... The thing that amazed me the most was the incredible hospitality and camaraderie of people who were complete strangers when I first set out on the road.  There were people I'd only briefly chatted with online who offered me a warm place to sleep and showed me around town, for which I am eternally grateful.  There were others who were just bystanders at various places I visited, who became my "single serving friends" for that day - people from all over the world.  It's kinda sad how cynical living in a big city can make you, and how you get used to people being rude and selfish.  It's nice to see that there are still good people in the world.  Thank you to everyone who helped make my trip that much more pleasurable, words cannot express the gratitude I extend to you.

Fourth... There are so many things you take for granted in life, and this trip was a great way to remind me to stop, look around, and absorb my surroundings.  All it took was something simple, like hearing crickets chirping at night.  I hadn't heard that sound for almost two decades.  Other things, like seeing a grasshopper, or watching a dust devil swirl across a open field.  The violence of a midwest thunderstorm.  I'd forgotten about them, and sometimes it's nice to be reminded.

I guess the question now is "what did I learn on the road?"

I learned that next time I want to spend more time in one place, and less time driving.  I learned that I really love southern Utah.  I learned that I really love to travel, I love hiking, and I love taking lots of pictures.  I love being able to share my experiences with all the people who read this site, too.  I learned that I could make very good use of a much better quality camera, and would be more satisfied with my photos if I had one.

Would I do it again?  Hell YES!  In fact, I plan to make this an annual event from here on out.

Thanks again, everyone.  Hope to catch you on the road next time!

-Zeke

Stats:
6551 Miles traveled
9 States
18 cities
6 National Parks
6 Time Zone changes

Supplies:
3 weeks of "everyday" clothes
8 days worth of dress clothes
Sweatshirt
Fleece pullover
"Seattle International Raceway" windbreaker
2 baseball hats
1 big floppy desert hat
Sleeping bag
Rollerblades & pads
National Geographic Road Atlas
Utah Gazetteer
Iron & travel ironing board
Box of Plastic Joe CDs
Dell C600 laptop w/DVD drive
Olympus D-100 Brio digital camera
Olympus Infinity 35mm camera
Cellular phone
12 rolls of film
20 AA batteries
Zaino Z-7 and car washing supplies
1 case of Mobil 1 & filter
1 gallon of water
1 roll duct tape
64 CDs
1 pack of smokes
4 Bic lighters
Stash box & supplies

Pictures:
950 with digital camera
144 with pocket 35mm
887 pictures currently posted (digital only)

Q: Why did you take this road trip?
A: No reason, other than I needed a vacation and wanted to do things I'd never done before.

Q: How many stops on this trip had you visited before?
A: Other than those in Washington State, only one - the Denver, Colorado area.

Q: How much did it cost?
A: Less than $1500 total, all expenses included.

Q: How long did it take you to clean all the bugs off your car?
A: Four hours!  Check out the Before & After pics.

Q: What was your favorite stop of the trip?
A: I think it's a tie between Arches National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.

Q:  How much did you vary from your original trip plan?
A:  Here's a chart that shows the changes I made while on the road: