Day One - Starting Fresh
From the Granite State to the Keystone State - and the direction of the website
The Reset
Now- I know what you’re thinking.
“Didn’t I already read about this part of the trip?”
The short answer, is yes, most of you have. But the longer answer is oftentimes the more inconvenient (and boring) answer, so for those interested, I will explain as quickly as possible.
The first few posts on our website were produced on a device that was not capable of making a website based on unreliable mobile data. Whether it be the format breaking down at random times, the website itself crashing and saving very little progress, or the struggle to even load the hundreds of images to select a few for the website. Progress was long and hard, and with us returning as we moved into our adult lives, free time started to become harder and harder to come by.
But now, because we’re dealing with a higher quality computer and a far more reliable internet connection. I plan on sending a little bite-sized story about the most unique summer I’ve ever experienced in my life to your inbox daily. These posts won’t be long for the most part (with this post serving as an exception), I simply hope to share a little bit of the same magic I experienced that summer with you, the reader.
So now, without any further explanations of the website restart, we will start the story of how one van, four freshly graduated high schoolers, and the open road lead to the journey of a lifetime!
Introduction
It all started during the COVID-19 lockdowns that defined the lives of almost everyone, but especially younger folks who had a wildly unorthodox educational experience. The feeling of being trapped inside, at home, was weighing on almost everyone mentally. So, as a freshman, like almost any idea that has ever been worth pursuing, it started with a dream.
I dreamt that I’d be able to explore the country when I was done with high school. See the beautiful, arid desert landscape of the west, the sandy beaches of Florida, and the serene Pacific coast. But it was all nothing more than a dream, a task so far away in time and so large in scale that it seemed impossible for me, just a fifteen-year-old in high school to pursue.
This idea, however, of a journey that would break me out of the shell of childhood and force me to develop the skills necessary for survival in this world did not escape me. Trying to come up with mini plans, maybe to visit a distant friend in Nevada, traveling to Chicago for a concert, any excuse to see what else the world had to offer.
None of these ideas would ever happen, until the winter before our trip, when I refused to let the dream die, and we started to save our money from the KFC/Taco Bell that we worked at.
The first person to join in on our plan was Colin Cyr. A reliable friend of mine who had been in contact with me since the second grade of elementary school. With survival skills, experience in Boy Scouts, and a wealth of other knowledge. Someone who I have known for long enough to feel like a brother, Colin also had the perfect skills to make an immediate positive impact on our adventure. (but a negative impact on the amount of peanut butter we had)
Next up, Elias Brodeur joined in on our plan. Another friend of mine since elementary school, that has shown time and time again that he has an unmatched will to win with unwavering loyalty. Coupled with his can-do attitude with his expertise in EMS and the fire service, he made for a great addition to the team.
Lastly, we had Dylan Dee join us on our adventure. Dylan completed the road trip crew, as we had all met him through work at the same KFC/Taco Bell. His positive attitude, and willingness to make everyone laugh made for perfect comic relief in some of the more stressful moments when we needed it the most.
We couldn’t have done it without each other, all of us possessing a skill or personality trait needed to make this mission possible, and as smoothly run as possible. But you can’t have a road trip without a car.
This is where our prayers were answered, and through the kindness of my aunt, we learned that an estate was selling its reliable minivan at a below-market price. This minivan had everything that we needed, less than 100k miles, no major issues with the engine, and plenty of space to carry a ton of belongings and food. The luck and generosity of this moment is what really made the finances around the trip possible, and I will forever be thankful for the people behind us getting the car.
Now, we were getting ready to go. With our supplies ready, a test trip to Acadia National Park in the books, a van, and the roster of who was going finalized. For the last time, right before graduation from high school, we would all clock out of KFC/Taco Bell, and prepare to go through this trip of a lifetime.
Day One
Stop One: Tri-State Monument NJ-NY-PA
With our trip starting in New Hampshire, we made our way out south and west, stopping first at the Tri-State Monument for lunch. The first day was mainly focused on driving to get out of the northeast as fast as possible and to cash in on our excitement that would make a long drive more possible. This was already over 4 hours of driving for that day, we were all collectively just excited to sit down and eat something. The monument itself wasn’t all too special, but it beat stopping at a truck stop!
Above is a picture of the monument itself.
Above is a picture of Elias Brodeur, Colin Cyr, and Dylan Dee from left to right posing on the monument.
Stop Two: Scranton, PA
Scranton is a city in northeastern Pennsylvania known for one thing, the hit TV show, the office. Without hesitation, when we saw Scranton on our route, we made sure that we’d stop and see it. Scranton was a little over an hour from the tri-state monument and was the first stop that we were going to make within Pennsylvania.
Above is a picture of all of us posing with a mural for one of the main characters from The Office, in Scranton, PA.
Final Stop: Raytown Lake, Huntingdon, PA:
The first place that we would be camping at, was Raytown Lake. The Lake was created by a man-made dam. We saw more deer in the area surrounding this lake than anywhere on the trip. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with this being our first night
Above are pictures of Raytown Lake.
This is the dam that built Raytown Lake.
Conclusion
As we went to sleep to end our first night, a summer rain started. With raindrops beating on the top of our tent, the first night of many on the trip of our lives came to an end.
Picture of distance at the end of the day from Mary Ann’s Diner in Downtown Derry, NH.
Wow so cool!
Thank you Jacob, very cool!