Life on the Road Begins

So here I am on a bus from Joshua Tree to LA and finally had a non-car sick moment to update you on my travels. I cannot believe this week will mark 1 month since I left NYC- my life has changed so drastically and I have been more places and met so many more people than I would have ever imagined. It all started when I arrived in San Francisco Monday April 6th around 11am. I had a few hours to kill before our welcome BBQ so I decided to explore San Francisco. The city is beautiful but extremely hilly so while things may seem close on a map, they are probably much further when you add in those uphill hikes. At this point I was pretty anxious, did not know where to go or what to do for 5 hours so...what else to do but find the nearest Soul Cycle!! Little did I know my days were about to be jam packed and I would barely have time to sleep let alone catch even a rooster ride. After soul I headed down to try and get a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Standing there looking up across at the bridge reminded me of the first time I stood in Times Square or the first time I looked up at the Duomo. It was never the places, but more what they symbolized to me- a new beginning, new adventure, and so many unknowns in between. There I stood, just as I have before every journey as I headed into the unknown.

On my first night in San Francisco G Adventures hosted a welcome BBQ where I met our training group, the previous training group and everyone in the company. It was a great first night and I knew right away I would fit in here. I thought back to when I started at FCUSA, how nervous I was in beginning, but also how that turned into lifelong friendships, amazing memories, and having no boundaries between my work life and personal life- but I loved it. Over the next 4 days we spent our time in training, passing our CDL tests and having physicals done. It was all in preparation for our first trip, the Wild West Wanderer training trip. We left San Francisco on Saturday morning and hit the road for our adventure. Our first stop was Yosemite where we went cliff jumping at Rainbow Pools and hiking up to Vernal Falls. I hadn't been to Yosemite in a few years so it was great to get back there and re-discover the beauty of the park.

Group shot on our way out of San Francisco.

Hiking Vernal Falls with my new buddies, Grace and Nelle.

After Yosemite we headed toward Las Vegas with a quick overnight at Lake Isabella and a stop at Death Valley National Park. It was about 90 degrees in Death Valley and I was told that was the coldest I would ever experience it....scary thoughts!

Looking over Zabriskie Point in Death Valley

Badwater Basin, Death Valley

After lunch and a few photo ops in Death Valley we drove into Vegas for a night full of surprises. I have been to Vegas several times and done the whole bottle service/tables/clubbing thing back in my promoter days, so I was excited to experience Vegas in a different light. First, we were surprised with a helicopter ride over the strip!! I mean come on, when was the last time your employer told you "surprise we are taking a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip!" It was amazing, and after the helicopter we were greeted with a party bus to take us around town! We had an absolute blast that night...I mean who can say no to Vegas?!

So pumped for our helicopter flight!

The whole gang ready for the party bus. 

With my friend Nelle on the party bus.
After 2 nights of camping it was great to get dressy again in Vegas.

The morning after Vegas was naturally another early start, but unfortunately we encountered a few minor technical difficulties when we went to head out of town. Thankfully, everything was taken care of by 11am and we were off to Zion National Park, all praying we would make it there in time to hike the famous Angels Landing. We made it there around 4pm and headed straight to the trail, although I was slightly hesitant when I read about the switchbacks and straight up climbs. The hike was ridiculously intense but so incredible at the same time. This hike was something so beyond my comfort zone that made me feel so alive and appreciative for this experience. Standing there at the top, over-looking Zion was simply breathtaking and a moment I will never forget. Hiking Angels Landing was by far one of the highlights of the trip this far and the pictures don't even do it justice.

Nelle and I taking a quick photo break.

Made it to the top

I am still on the road and about to arrive in LA, so stay tuned for the next adventures on my next wifi equipped drive!