Amendments to the Plan

I've been contemplating this trip a lot lately. Of course, when you are planning to make a documentary, it's kind of required. After a little advice from a co-worker who has worked in filmmaking for a long time, I've managed to figure out many of the kinks in my plan and picture how I want this documentary to read to other people. I've also had a good response on couchsurfing about the project. A number of people have messaged me saying they want to help with the project and a few have offered me a place to stay while I'm in town. No word yet from Charleston, though. Guess I'll have to get moving on that next week. I'm excited to say that Sunday is my last night working as a waitress. I've managed to add quite a bit of funding to my budget, which is exciting for food's sake, haha. Having two weeks to finish up everything here in town and focus on the project itself will be good for me.

I've decided a few rules in my musing over this trip. Firstly, there will be no facebook activity from me for the duration of the time that I am gone. If family and friends want to keep in touch, they will have to call me. Secondly, I will have minimal contact with the people I already know. There is the exception of a guy in Chicago who I'm meeting up with. But I don't keep in touch with him on a daily basis anyways, so I don't believe this violates that rule. Thirdly, if I find an opportunity to make a little cash, be it painting a house, fixing a cabinet or working on a farm, I must take it. This might extend my trip a little, but I'm okay with that. Lastly, there will be minimal amounts of alcohol consumed on this trip. I can have a drink with some new friends, but no drunken party nights where I don't remember the name if the club I went to. (I'm not a huge fan of alcohol anyways, so this rule will be easy to follow.)

I think these rules will aid in the "finding myself" goal that I've set for this trip. I'm sure many of you are wondering if my husband will be an exception to these rules. The answer is no. I honestly think it will do us both some good to spend some time apart. We've not left each others side very much in the past year and I think it's starting to wear on both of us. So this adventure will be the perfect opportunity to take a step back. When I get home, it'll be like we're starting anew. :)

I don't believe I've yet posted my itinerary, so here it is, tentatively:

Asheville, NC               10hr drive            5/14-5/20

Cincinnati, OH             6 hr drive             5/20-5/25

Indianapolis, IN           2 hr drive             5/25-5/27

Chicago, IL                  2.5 hr drive          5/27-5/31
Minneapolis, MN          7 hr drive             5/31-6/2

Badlands/Rushmore    15hr drive            6/2-6/3

Yellowstone                 9 hr drive             6/3-6/6

Missoula                      5.5 hr drive          6/6-6/10

Glacier Ntl Park            3 hr drive             6/10-6/12

Seattle                         10 hr drive           6/12-6/16

Portland                       3 hr drive             6/16-6/20

Crater Lake Pk             5.5 hr drive           6/20-6/22
San Francisco               7.25 hr drive         6/22-6/25

Las Vegas                    14 hr drive            6/25-6/28

Grand Canyon              5.5 hr drive           6/28-6/29

Moab, UT                     5.5 hr drive           6/29-7/2

Boulder, CO                  6 hr drive             7/2-7/5

Wichita, KS                   8.5 hr drive           7/5-7/7

Tulsa, OK                      3 hr drive             7/7-7/9

Conway, AR                  4 hr drive              7/9