A dream come true - BFF roady to take place in 2 weeks!

So my last post I shared I had found an internship for the summer. In Cali. 90 miles north of LA to be specific.

Originally, we had planned on me flying out there, but since having a car is something of a necessity, plans changed. Dad threw that at me on Sunday night, mentioning that I will need somebody to go with me. (My first thought: "AWESOME! ROAD TRIP!") So as I drove to vespers (in a hurry, since I was yet again late...only because I forgot I was parked in hell), I kept thinking how cool this road trip would be with Chels, since I had always dreamed about taking a cross-country roady with my best friend.

That very night, Chelsea and I had went to vespers together. After which, just as my dad threw the news at me, I threw the idea of a road trip to chelz. Her reaction: "Perfect timing! but I don't know if I have the money for a flight back." She wouldn't have. Flights, for the most part, were in between 120-160$, which aren't that bad....but for a poor college student, it was a little more she can afford to spend. She had asked her mom if she could use the credit card and pay her back once her first paycheck of the summer came in. But even that was iffy. So she had told me on Tuesday that chances are probably "no."

My dear friend Sara and I then started planning out the trip. She had mentioned she wanted to come with me and I was excited for her to come along, since our "buddy" title is "travel buddy." But there's something to be said for counting your chickens before they hatch. (So sorry, yia yia! I really am!!! good news: traveling BACK is still open! 2nd week in August: keep it open!)

Today things started to really fall in place. Chelsea called me late this evening. After rushing to find my phone, (which in this crazy mess of boxes and packed up belongings is difficult to find) I started spouting off about how my room was a disaster and I had much to get done. When I was done throwing my stressed-out rants about packing and cleaning at her, she's like "Are you ready for this?" I was expecting a resounding "no" from her, nixing our trip. So outloud I just said, "Yes or no. Just tell me," fully expecting the latter to be it. Then she said the craziest thing: "I am booking my flight out of LAX as we speak...." I do believe "Shutup!" was the first word out of my mouth. The next half of her sentence was even more unbelievable. "....for $40 dollars." At this point I cannot remember whether or not I actually used words, but I believe my expression was something to this effect. "SHUTUP, NO WAY, AWESOME, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, THANK YOU DEAR GOD, THIS IS AMAZING *SCREAMS AND SQUEALS OF EXCITEMENT*".... all whilst jumping up in the air and repeating over and over expressions of disbelief. The next half an hour we talked about how excited we were, then some more about how crazy that $40 dollar ticket was. Remember, just the previous days, they were all $120. For the same day. The same flight. But for some reason, God and the airlines agreed that $40 would be a decent price.

And so begins our journey out west together. I am currently planning out which routes are faster, easier, better for my car and our sanity. It's more work than I anticipated.

What I'm most excited for is our journey down the coast of California from San Fran to Ventura. Taking Hwy 1, we'll be driving the coastal highway for 7 hours. 7 beautiful hours of beautiful waves. 7 hours of Colbie Caillat, Israel Kamaeagokhaole (or however you spell his last name), beach boys, and so much more. 7 hours of us just driving down the coast. Together. Probably singing songs from RENT, Wicked, and every other song we can think of. Talking and laughing, screaming and squealing in excitement, and just enjoying each others company.

All this in addition to 4 days of just driving (which I'm sure will be both happy and frustrating, full of enjoyment and exhaustion.) From Fargo, ND, back to Watertown, SD, all the way out to Buffalo, WY to spend the night at Jenna's.

Then from Buffalo to somewhere around Salt Lake City. And from Salt Lake City out to San Fran, across the golden gate bridge, and down the coastal highway.



I am scared. I am excited. But mostly, so completely grateful that this life-long dream is finally coming true: Best Friends finally going cross-country together.