US Road Trip - Day I and Day 0

October 6, 2005

I had always wanted to drive across the US and experience its vast expanse first hand. So I set out one day from Los Angeles. I drove about 7000 miles, LA- chicago- newyork- boston- philadelphia- washington- atlanta- houston and finally back through new mexico. Its a trip I will never forget. During the trip I met all my old friends whose jobs had scattered them all over the continent. While it will be impossible to describe all my experiences in words, I thought I will ennumerate the salient points.

I started late in the afternoon with a Rand McNalley by my side and without any plan whatsoever in mind, still undecided on whether I was being a nut endevouring on this trip all by myself. I convinced myself that I would turn around the moment some sense dawned upon me. I decided to drive towards Arches National Park in Utah. I had always wanted to see the Arches, but it had always been a bit too far to drive from LA. If not cross-continent I should atleast get myself to Arches and back I decided.

Starting from 3rd and Columbia (my home in LA) - bang in LA downtown, I took took 110N to 10E and then on to 15N and got out of LA. I kept driving only stopping on the way for gas. Guess what, I passed by Las Vegas without stopping - something only the iron-willed man can manage. It was already dark and Las Vegas was lit and looked fabulous and tempting. The light from the pyramid reaching for the stars. I crossed into Utah at around nine and by the time I reached Cedar city I was quite exausted and famished. I decided to have my first stop here. Cedar city is a picturusque town with an alpine frame. People are exceptionally nice and satisfied here (unlike disgruntled drivers on 10W in LA). I went into an all you can eat Pizza for 5$!! The waitress was very welcoming with a great smile. After dinner and all that drive, the only place I could think of was my bed in the motel. Believe it or not the manager was from Hyderabad and spoke telugu!!

I slept very well and started very early in the morning (at around 4:00 A.M) back on 15N and then moved onto 70E. The night sky was unbelievable. There was no moon and it was pitch dark. I stopped the car at least three times and parked the car by the road to have a look at the stars. I have no words to describe how I felt lying on my car bonet looking at the stars - its something one can only experience for themselves.

The drive was simply fabulous. I stopped at several places to take photographs and relish the scenary. I crossed over from pacific standard time to central standard time. This was the first time I crossed the time-zone while driving a car early in the morning. Near the time-zone border sun rose an hour too early and within a few miles of driving I lost an hour. That was an indescribable feeling - crossing time-zone in a car.

I took 191S from 70E towards Arches national park. By the time I reached Arches national park it was about 10 A.M. Arches national park is perhaps one of the most amazing places on Earth. The valley looks amazing as one drives into it. The formations in the park were amazing. I did a few hikes here. I especially loved the one that took me to the double arch. It was sort of like a treasure hunt, there was a trail to follow. It was fabulous trail, quite hectic and a bit risky perhaps but immensly satisfying. My camera batteries gave away as soon as I reached the double arch and so I could not get a photo, but the image is etched clearly in my mind. It was not too hot but I was sweating profusely during the hike.

There was also a meuseum explaining the formation of the arches, I found it very interesting. It was 3:00 P.M when I had lunch at dennys nearby looking at the map. Should I turn around? I thought atleast I should cross into colorado, now that I am this close to the border. Perhaps I could turn around in colorado sometime in the evening. I drove on 128N and got back on track on to 70E heading towards colorado. It was 27hrs since my journey had begun when I crossed into colorado. It was getting dark and I decided to stop at a gas station to decide my next course of action.