Total Miles: 4,150
Hours on the Road: 82
Christina
So much of our trip was dedicated to learning something new, to finding some meaning, to understanding life. Therefore it is only natural that we would take a moment to pause and reflect on our adventures, the good and bad. I learned so much from the simple tasks we did. I saw how I could be responsible when our planning paid off (our estimates were only off by $10!). We learned how to check our tire pressure, to bargain and haggle, to make small talk, and to see beauty with an open mind. We were able to view a slice of the world with the innocence of youth and I know that this will be an experience I will hold onto forever.
But most importantly, I learned from the other girls. They taught me to be a better person as I watched each girl with a detailed sense of admiration. I loved how Katherine always let people sleep on her in the back of the car while she covered them with blankets and braided their hair. I valued Estrella’s motherly traits as she took care of the group with such thoughtful care (“Here! Here! Use my lotion! It will cure your back pain!”). And Haley, her lighthearted giggles would fill the car with ease when a dark mood would capture the group. Living with other people changes your view on life. You learn their habits. You catch a glimpse of the good and bad and only hope that you can see past their flaws and love them for who they are. Our group dynamic was based off of loving sacrifice: an invaluable quality that can only be taught through experience. In the end, I learned what friendship is about and I am so happy that these girls were the ones who inspired me to be my best.
I had so many great memories with KECH. We worked well together, so well that even the tense times were overridden by laughter. There was one incident where Katherine awoke from a nap only to hurl a tissue box into the front seat while Estrella belted out “All that Jazz” from the Chicago musical. I will always remember the late night conversations that I knew were irresponsible (you should never stay up until 4 to wake up at 7 for a 9 hour drive) but were so valuable because I gained some best friends from them (Kat and I at Bev’s). Even singing Youtube Karaoke off-key, in the middle of the forest felt special. I hope that one day my children will go on a trip like this so that they can have the same opportunity to grow as I did. Around these girls I felt like I could achieve anything, change the world for the better. And as a young, completely clueless 18 year-old girl, that is exactly the support I need. Even if I didn’t see these girls for 15 years until I suddenly received a random call, it wouldn’t be awkward because they have played such a central role in helping me discover who I am as a person.
I want to thank everyone for the support, it inspired us to write and track our journey when it was difficult, when it was 2 am and we had no internet. I couldn’t be more grateful for our following. I want to thank my parents for trusting and supporting me on this adventure. And lastly, I want to thank KECH for being so simply amazing, you will always be a part of me.
Estrella
Our trip to Canada was unlike any trip I have ever taken. Family vacations are awesome because it's always a total reflection of the Robin Williams’ movie RV. School trips are interesting because there is freedom in that we are away from home, but a sense of restriction placed as we are followed by chaperones. However, I can’t compare anything that I have ever experienced to the three-week journey with the KECH girls.
In planning the trip, we made a group decision to make the trip a somewhat organized adventure rather than a completely flexible and unrestrained trip. While complete flexibility sounded attractive, in booking the hotels ahead of time we were able to predict expenses with close to little error. Beyond our contribution to the physical progression of the trip, we each developed a selfless responsibility to help create a healthy emotional environment. I love that conversations arose from resentment toward childhood projects and that would-you-rather questions resulted in tears (I speak for myself). The blog can’t adequately portray the depth of each conversation we had within our group and with outsiders along the way, but the insight I extracted from our conversations will reflect the significance of our time well spent.
It would have probably been easy to spend time together at home with the KECH girls, but such conversations were specifically triggered by the constant changing aspects around us. The varying environments allowed me to reflect on certain aspects of my life. For example, in Banff I felt motivated to live a life in which I could incorporate such beauty where as the Redwood National Forest reminded me of the little power I have in this world. I love that on a couple days we were able to take a moment to reflect in isolation (especially considering we spent more time with each other in a day than I probably spend with people in general!). It was awesome to go off on our own to reflect, pray, and admire; and to return to each other rejuvenated and ready to experience more. Considering there is such a need for a physical, mental, and emotional balance in my daily life (and even more so in close knit situations), I would encourage other travelers to take a solo walk daily rather than just twice (as we did).
I am so grateful and overjoyed with the way every aspect of the trip unraveled. However, there is more that I would have integrated into trip aspects and my daily routine that I would suggest a future road traveler consider. On a surface note, I would have liked to be more involved in the blogging process. While I enjoyed being photographer, the couple times I did blog were pretty special to me. Touching back on the fact that reflecting was a significant moment for my overall trip experience, I would make reading passages of the Bible a more regular habit in a future trip for myself and frankly, in life in general (especially considering the book sat in the back seat). A quick refreshing reminder, like the reflection time, can make a huge difference in my own desires and attitude. Considering I don’t recognize these notes as regrets, I would love to remember the key components that could strengthen my future experience.
Traveling is awesome. Sight seeing is mesmerizing, but true meaning can only be squeezed out from those with whom we can share our experiences, finish each others' sentences, and feed curiosity. Reaching the top of the hundred foot rock and driving hour stretches felt at moments wearisome, but I feel accomplished after having conquered tasks with the support of KECH. I am so grateful for having arrived home alive, but every wrong turn and risky decision was worthwhile. I would strongly recommend a drive far from home, but don’t forget to take your goofiest and most considerate friends. Thanks KECH for an awesome experience!
In planning the trip, we made a group decision to make the trip a somewhat organized adventure rather than a completely flexible and unrestrained trip. While complete flexibility sounded attractive, in booking the hotels ahead of time we were able to predict expenses with close to little error. Beyond our contribution to the physical progression of the trip, we each developed a selfless responsibility to help create a healthy emotional environment. I love that conversations arose from resentment toward childhood projects and that would-you-rather questions resulted in tears (I speak for myself). The blog can’t adequately portray the depth of each conversation we had within our group and with outsiders along the way, but the insight I extracted from our conversations will reflect the significance of our time well spent.
It would have probably been easy to spend time together at home with the KECH girls, but such conversations were specifically triggered by the constant changing aspects around us. The varying environments allowed me to reflect on certain aspects of my life. For example, in Banff I felt motivated to live a life in which I could incorporate such beauty where as the Redwood National Forest reminded me of the little power I have in this world. I love that on a couple days we were able to take a moment to reflect in isolation (especially considering we spent more time with each other in a day than I probably spend with people in general!). It was awesome to go off on our own to reflect, pray, and admire; and to return to each other rejuvenated and ready to experience more. Considering there is such a need for a physical, mental, and emotional balance in my daily life (and even more so in close knit situations), I would encourage other travelers to take a solo walk daily rather than just twice (as we did).
I am so grateful and overjoyed with the way every aspect of the trip unraveled. However, there is more that I would have integrated into trip aspects and my daily routine that I would suggest a future road traveler consider. On a surface note, I would have liked to be more involved in the blogging process. While I enjoyed being photographer, the couple times I did blog were pretty special to me. Touching back on the fact that reflecting was a significant moment for my overall trip experience, I would make reading passages of the Bible a more regular habit in a future trip for myself and frankly, in life in general (especially considering the book sat in the back seat). A quick refreshing reminder, like the reflection time, can make a huge difference in my own desires and attitude. Considering I don’t recognize these notes as regrets, I would love to remember the key components that could strengthen my future experience.
Traveling is awesome. Sight seeing is mesmerizing, but true meaning can only be squeezed out from those with whom we can share our experiences, finish each others' sentences, and feed curiosity. Reaching the top of the hundred foot rock and driving hour stretches felt at moments wearisome, but I feel accomplished after having conquered tasks with the support of KECH. I am so grateful for having arrived home alive, but every wrong turn and risky decision was worthwhile. I would strongly recommend a drive far from home, but don’t forget to take your goofiest and most considerate friends. Thanks KECH for an awesome experience!
Katherine
I think the magical thing about a roadtrip is that you are always on the move—meeting diverse people, seeing spectacular landscapes, and thinking, lots of thinking during those drives. Yet now that I’m back home, I realize that time had slowed for me during those 20 days. I never felt busy. Life was just about the living. I think that’s what I’ll miss most.
A good day for me was one filled with exploration of uncharted environments, but a great day was one with deep conversation, being inspired by the wisdom of new friends. Each person we met along the way (from that random truck driver in the Jacuzzi to that “aesthetician” at the Vancouver bar) gave me advice for the future. Bev, who was truly adventurous and vibrant, influenced me with her life experience; her fervor for life, truth, and justice triggered the activist in me. The Vogels, with their loving family dynamic, were a joy to a listen to—Yoli and Charles both enlightened me with their faith, politics, and culture. Shaun, who was so easy to converse with, epitomized the ideal life of a young adult living in an urban setting—his open honesty, art/interior design, and utilitarian minimalism were no-nonsense and honest. Frank, who can be described as frank, yet nice, was a great acquaintance to observe nature with—he instilled soft practicality in me (grounded reality combined with kindness and passion). I expanded my mind to the ideas of people who had lived lives in completely polar ways. But even more than that, I was able to empathize with my fellow crew members. Estrella exemplified compassion and her inherent caring nature—tea tree oils, thyme crème, Metamucil, belly dancing…the list goes on for my funny guinea pig. Christina showed me that we were more alike than I had thought –she inspired me to never stop dreaming. Haley, my roomie/sista/ufo, taught me that a pure connection can last forever. Overall, the bonding on this trip linked us in an unspoken way that will probably stay with us throughout life.
A good day for me was one filled with exploration of uncharted environments, but a great day was one with deep conversation, being inspired by the wisdom of new friends. Each person we met along the way (from that random truck driver in the Jacuzzi to that “aesthetician” at the Vancouver bar) gave me advice for the future. Bev, who was truly adventurous and vibrant, influenced me with her life experience; her fervor for life, truth, and justice triggered the activist in me. The Vogels, with their loving family dynamic, were a joy to a listen to—Yoli and Charles both enlightened me with their faith, politics, and culture. Shaun, who was so easy to converse with, epitomized the ideal life of a young adult living in an urban setting—his open honesty, art/interior design, and utilitarian minimalism were no-nonsense and honest. Frank, who can be described as frank, yet nice, was a great acquaintance to observe nature with—he instilled soft practicality in me (grounded reality combined with kindness and passion). I expanded my mind to the ideas of people who had lived lives in completely polar ways. But even more than that, I was able to empathize with my fellow crew members. Estrella exemplified compassion and her inherent caring nature—tea tree oils, thyme crème, Metamucil, belly dancing…the list goes on for my funny guinea pig. Christina showed me that we were more alike than I had thought –she inspired me to never stop dreaming. Haley, my roomie/sista/ufo, taught me that a pure connection can last forever. Overall, the bonding on this trip linked us in an unspoken way that will probably stay with us throughout life.
