Wednesday, January 30, 2013

RTW: A Dramatic Roadtrip

Road Trip Wednesday is a 'Blog Carnival' where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This weeks topic:  In celebration of the release of Kristin Halbrook's NOBODY BUT US (hooray!!) we're asking: Zoe and Will set off on the road to seek a better life and encounter loads of drama on the way. What's the most dramatic road trip you've ever been on?

It's been a long time since I last participated in RTW and it's almost fitting that this is the topic in which I make my return. 

The reason I have been away (and I have talked a little about this in the last few months) is that I was on a nine week road trip with my significant other across the USA. While I have done a lot of other road trips, I have to say this most recent one was easily the most dramatic.

It wasn't dramatic in that we had issues a long the road, we didn't miss flights, get food poisoning, get mugged or anything like that, but it was dramatic in that we had limited funds, a tight schedule and so much to remember - where we were staying, where we were going next, what time our bus or flight was, and that it was a nine week road trip!

Before we left I wrote out a 65 page guide. Each location we were visiting had a section which included maps of the transit systems, directions from the airport or bus stop to our accommodation, the details of our accommodation, supermarkets close by and restaurants that can deal with my gluten and onion allergy, a list of attractions for each destination complete with the price, address, directions and opening hours and then finally details of our departure.

It was crazy organised and that's the only reason the road trip went so smoothly!
It was an amazing experience though, and we were able to see so much of the amazing USA!

So that's my crazy dramatic last few months! Here's some pictures :D



With Jessica Khoury, the author of Origin


















22 comments:

  1. Wow! Some great pictures. It looks like you've definitely seen more of the US than I have, and I've lived here my whole life! Glad to hear it went so smoothly!

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    1. Haha a lot of people have said that to me! It was a lot of fun! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  2. Thank you for sharing the pictures, Samantha! It looks like you had a really great time here in the US. I would love to be able to take time out and travel the country. So much to see! And well done on planning the whole thing meticulously, which, I'm sure, helped you both to relax and enjoy the adventure. :)

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    1. Thanks Colin :) It definitely helped having such meticulous planning! And you're right - so much to see, I didn't even make it to the north of the USA, so I still have lots more to do one day!

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  3. Gorgeous pics, Samantha! Sounds like you had a great trip! The pic of the guitar made me smile!

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    1. That was in Nashville! Great place for live music, I loved it! :)

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  4. Aw, good times! Looks like you had so much fun! It was so fantastic hanging out with you guys and I am determined to come see you in NZ soon! =)

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    1. It was such a great trip! And it was so great getting to hang with you for the day. Definitely come to NZ soon - so much to show you!! :D

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  5. It is a dream of mine to drive across the States from New York to San Francisco. So jealous! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

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    1. Oh it's such a great trip - you should do it! Plan to do it and just leap, the only way to get things done :D Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Looks like you guys had an amazing time! That must have been a hassle traveling with a gluten & onion allergy. One of the big reasons we haven't traveled much is because of my son's peanut allergy. Makes it very tricky. Thanks for sharing pics of your trip!

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    1. It was certainly a challenge. I did extensive research before we left on our trip of the places that provided gluten free and then when we arrived in each city I did more research and then I'd talk to the staff about the onion allergy. A lot of people don't realise you can be allergic to onions, so it's tricky! I totally understand your hesitation, especially peanut allergies - they're full on!

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  7. Wow, gorgeous pics! I don't think I could ever stay away from home that long. I used to want to, but now I am such a homebody. Doesn't matter where home is, but I always need a home base of some kind.

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    1. Haha I'm a homebody too so it was certainly a step out of the comfort zone!

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  8. Oh, pretty pictures! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun (and got to see Mickey! hehe).

    And wow are you organized. The road trips I remember as a kid were lightly controlled chaos. Usually my parents had to stop and buy someone a pair of shoes or toothbrush because they left them at home.

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    1. Haha we did indeed see Mickey, although my favourite was Pooh Bear!

      HA i'm not great with controlled chaos, it stresses me out! I wanted everything to be in my control as much as possible hence the over planning! That's not to say we did leave a few necessary things behind in New York but we did manage to not lose a single thing during the road trip!

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  9. Those pictures are so good! I would love to travel across America. My American friend and I have been planning our trip from New York to Arizona for six years now, but I've still not managed to set foot in the country. 65 pages is a lot of planning. I'm not a planner, I'm a "omigosh I've forgotten my camera/phone/iPod" kind of person, desperately searching my bag while we're waiting to check in at the airport.

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    1. Hahaha I was worried that would be me, searching desperately for something I've forgotten! You should definitely work on your American road trip - it's so much fun!

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  10. Your photos from your trip look amazing. Looks like you had a lot of fun.

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  11. Amazing photos, I loved Las Vegas, it was like being in a movie. It sounds like you had a fantastic trip and I'm so impressed with your planning skills!

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    1. Las Vegas was insane! So grand and over the top, it was really like another world!

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