LK's Final Thoughts

(Why should only Jerry Springer and Andy Rooney get them?)

America is a large and diverse country impossible to see within just 9 days, not even a whole month. But certainly, the parts you can get to are worth going to. Some parts of the country are really weird, some of the people are vastly different, but in the words of Sean Hannity (whom we took the advantage of laughing at since we had satellite radio), "We are all American." To understand your neighbors, your fellow man, you should visit them and try to understand them.

I would recommend a lengthy roadtrip adventure to absolutely everyone regardless of age or origin. Roadtripping is about freedom, the journey, and spontaneity. It was an awesome way to kick-off not only what will be a fun summer in Portland, but a new chapter of my life as a part of the workforce and on the path to full financial independence. This road trip was also a great way of bonding with Web on an adventure neither of us will forget.

Beef is the choice meat of America. If you are a vegetarian or vegan roadtripping and really experiencing America, you are gonna miss out on some beefy eats. I recommend lapsing into carnivorous sin before you get on the freeway.

Jesus is alive and well in America. The Bible Belt can get really hardcore.

America is actually creating some renewable energy from wind turbines. I have evidenced them with my own eyes. I know people sometimes complain about how they look or that they may kill a bat or bird on occasion, but 1) shiny glass building kill way more flying animals, and 2) I think the gigantic white titans, swirling their arms in circles are beautiful compared to a steam cloud from a nuclear plant or a layer of smog from a coal plant.

I went to school at an extremely divserse university. I was a solid minority in the vast majority of the places we visited along this roadtrip. I was in culture shock in places like Iowa.

I would totally do this again, at the first chance I get, once I get some vacation days and money. I think the next destination is exploring the Southwest and Texas... maybe New Orleans...

I also hope all my and Web's family and friends enjoyed following us on this journey. We were thinking of you along the way.

Johnson's, True American Work Ethic (More Colorado)

On Wednesday, June 3rd, we set off from Denver to Wendover, Nevada. While dropping off Tate's apartment keys and scouting for coffee nearby, Web saw an ad for Johnson's, which is a truck stop along I-25. We were traveling on I-25 anyways, so there seemed like no reason to not try their famous cinnamon rolls.

It didn't take long to get there, which is good, cuz Web really needs coffee to start the day:



Inside we not only found regular sized cinnamon rolls, but these cute mini ones!


The cinnamon rolls were good. I also finally found a decent cowboy hat that fit at Johnson's.

I'll also note the convenient truck stop chapel at Johnson's. It reminded me of the one from Bill Maher's Religulous.


Not very exciting I know. But wait 'til you see my cowboy hat later.

Iowa-80: The Biggest Truck Stop in the World

Not long into Iowa, we stopped at the largest truck stop in the WORLD, Iowa-80 in Walcott, IA. They made sure to give us a big welcome:

But before we could even explore Iowa-80, we observed a parade of super-oversized trucks transporting wind turbine blades! Being that I am a nerd about clean energy, this was thrilling to see in Iowa. Not to mention the length of the blades was impressive:

Iowa-80 had a lot of what I would have expected from the Heartland of America. There was a lot of Christian music for sale, Jesus Ts (I had to bring one home), fast food, trucker hats, confederate flags, white people, military dudes and vets, and chrome for trucks. I was def the only minority anywhere near Iowa-80.

We had brunch at the Iowa-80 diner and I indulged on some pulled pork. Yum.

But enough redneck fun, back on the road!

Keeping It Brief in West Virginia

So on our way to the great state of Ohio, one has to pass through a sliver of West Virginia, that which is WILD and WONDERFUL. It looked exactly like west Pennsylvania and east Ohio:



However, we came away with important knowledge: Jesus Christ was born in WV, contrary to popular Bible teachings. WONDERFUL! We clearly saw a sign for Bethlehem:


The entire WV visit was a disappointing 11 minutes. I didn't even see Jesus. And I missed the WILD too.