I learned more Latin from the movie, The Lost City with Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock: Dulcius ex asperis! Roughly translated: Sweeter after difficulties. It resonated with me because this week is my 1st anniversary of moving to Arizona.

NAY, it’s my first Anni-zonary. Or first Arizona-ary?

Regardless, the past 365 days have not all been easy, therefore while recognizing the difficult days I can appreciate the good ones. I can only hope that I have (had) more good days than bad. In fact, that’s all ANYONE can do!

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The Road To Arizona

So exactly HOW did I arrive to moving to Arizona? Well, it wasn’t as rash as it seemed from the surface. I was simply decisive, and moved up my timetable from June 2023 to March 2023. [See what I did there?]

Scott and I discussed what to do with his Dodge Charger since he would be driving a moving van with his brother down to Arizona. I mentioned I love road trips! I told’im that I would be available to, and willing to, drive it down from my home in Lake Stevens, WA to Gilbert, AZ, filled with the last of the items that didn’t fit.

Furthermore, we decided that the week of January 9 would be the time frame best for Jami and I to drive it down.

Well … Jami and I broke up on December 26, 2022.

The last thing you wanna do is long road trip with your ex. YEESH. My sister volunteered to step up as my co-pilot, but I suggested I use this time for self-reflection, and healing. The 1,418 mile trip would do me some good.

Some quick boy math told me it was a 24-hour driving job that could be spread across 2-3 days. Perhaps even 4. Since I was ridin’ solo, 8-hour driving shifts seemed reasonable.

I hit the road at Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:29 a.m. I knew the Dodge Charger approximate range but didn’t know exactly.

I would use the entire trip time to contemplate my life, and it’s trajectory. I also decided to document my time with my GoPro HERO 7.

From my home in Lake Stevens, WA to Gilbert, AZ there are two routes: I-90 E, I-82 E, I-84 E, I-15, etc (23h 12m) OR … I-5 S to I-10 E (25h) However, I had a hidden agenda of stopping by the Four Corners Monument on my way to Arizona since I was riding solo this meant the first route.

Rally Point #1 – Roosters Country Kitchen, Pendleton, OR [January 9, 2023 09:31]

I discovered the range for the Dodge Charger, my stamina, and my buttocks being flatten ended up being 5-hours tops or 300 miles. I had my heart set on stopping in Umatilla, OR. Once I got closer, I decided to keep pushing to a bigger city than that, and use up more fuel.

I rolled into the sleepy town of Pendleton, Oregon at breakfast time. I continued with my country fried steak and eggs vertical tasting of the Pacific Northwest.

For the children, there’s blank butcher paper, and Crayons but for this lone traveler it was an opportunity to express myself creatively. After I ate up, I decided to fuel up. It took me an embarrassingly long time to find the fuel cap door button for the attendant (Oregon will not allow you to fuel yourself)

I was ready to rock out with my 6-hour long #Spotify playlist. No road rally playlist is complete without at least one Chase Rice song!

Just east of Mountain Home, ID, the speed limit of 70 mph increases to 80 mph! I never seen a sign like that.

At this point in my journey the roads have been bare and dry. Fuel mileage is dialed in, and the tunes keep playing.

I felt awesome [as in awe inspiring]! East of Heyburn, ID is the I-86 and I-84 interchange. I-86 continues eastward, while I-84 is southward direction.

Once I raced past Juniper, ID, and towards the Idaho-Utah border the weather and road went completely sideways.

From Pocatello, ID to Salt Lake City, UT it was a terrifying, 3-hour long, white knuckled drive through white-out, blizzard conditions on I-15 South.

Rally Point #2 – Unnamed Motel, Salt Lake City, UT [January 9, 2023 20:12]

In retrospect, I should have researched Salt Lake City hotels that Scott would pay for, booked it, and then simply drove to it. Instead, I simply stopped at the first that had vacancy that was on the cheap (under $100 for the night) As I rolled into the reception area, I witnessed a drug deal happen in the parking lot. The attendant was uber salty, with the words of “$100 refundable cash deposit” was required for the $89 per night credit card rate.

I didn’t have the strength or brainglue to battle this guy. 100 USD was placed into an envelope, sealed and signed by me, and countersigned by him.

My nerves were absolutely frayed, so I briefed dipped out for alcohol. And I backed into the parking stall for a quick exit, if need be. The parking lot lights poured into the room, which I prefer a completely dark room to sleep properly. Then the shadows of the foot traffic in front of room ratcheted up my anxiety.

This was my friends car, AND my only way outta this armpit of the galaxy!

A four hour nap later …

I gave up trying to sleep, and just bounced after retrieving my $100 in cash. I was hungry, of course. I posted up at a nearby, open Denny’s. Country fried steak and eggs, as per my standard. I spied a gas station nearby. I fueled up once more because I was hell-bent on taking a run at the Four Corners Monument in New Mexico. It was on my agenda from the beginning, and I made such good time, I had the time needed for this side-quest.

Rally Point #3 – Spanish Fork, UT [January 10, 2023 02:13]

Hanging above Exit 257B on US Route 6 eastbound to Price, UT there’s a digital sign: Traction tires required, chains advised. I thought, “That’s ominous.” Scott provided chains for the Charger before the trip, and I had them in the trunk.

I started my ascent with snow lightly falling on the road at Spanish Fork. Then a few miles later, maybe even 10-12 miles into it, I was moving only 10 miles per hour on a snow-ice covered road. My 6-hour journey escalated to a 12 hour drive through a snowy hell in a heartbeat.

I passed stranded tractor-trailer rigs, some putting on chains anywhere they could stop and not crash. Passenger cars parked and littered the guardrail area.

Jesus EFFING Christ, this is insanity. Another white-knuckled ride, but this was completely unnecessary. My Geocaching, lizard brain thought this was a great idea. Finally, sensible Carlos wrestled control of this situation! I literally turned around on the inclined road on FAWKING ice.

I slid around a grip, damn-near crashed it into the ditch. After what seemed to be eternity, and crept down the mountain pass, I managed to return to Spanish Fork Pass. I drove until I found dry pavement, and an empty parking lot.

I parked, turned the Charger off, and wept.

I was so mad at myself! That was foolish, and scary. I turned the Charger back on, after 3 songs, I dried my tears, took a deep breath, and started counted my blessings / the good things in my life.

I’m re-routing outta this bullshit. Bitch-In-A-Box [Google Maps] suggested the mountainous route again for the fastest route of 9h 43m. Or I-15 to Las Vegas, NV, then US-93 / I-40 to Kingman, AZ for a 10h 20m grind.

30-minutes extra for NO SNOW, and safer driving, you say? Yes, please!

Rally Point #4 – Lunt Park South Rest Area, Paragonah, UT [January 10, 2023 04:35]

After the adrenaline dump ran its course through my mind and veins, I was very sleepy. I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and found myself in another dangerous situation. I parked at the Lunt Park South Rest Area. I was hungry too, but I succumbed to sleep quickly with 29^o F temperatures outside.

Snow and I have always had a tumultous, toxic relationship. Why the hell did I think this would be different is beyond me. I crashed hard for 3 some odd hours in the driver’s seat of the Charger.

To be continued …