Riding Solo

Last month I went on my very first road trip weekend vacation by myself. It was wonderful and not long enough. I went up to Arcosanti for the third time. It's only a little over an hour drive from my work, thus not much of a "road trip". I wrote a list of things while I was there to write about so I wouldn't forget the experience whenever it came time for me to write about it. 

Before I headed down there I stopped by the grocery store to buy some wine, water, and snacks to fill a cooler, flashlights and other basic needs. It was bizarre to me to buy my own stuff for my own trip. It's not far from what I've done before, but it was nice to buy exactly what I wanted and for me only. I couldn't help but to smile while I was shopping.

Me and my car made it the whole way, unpaved roads and all. I'm so glad I recently got new tires otherwise I think they'd be flat by that point. As I walked up to get my room key I had a big smile on my face. Went down to my room and unpacked then took some photos and uploaded them to my new Instagram account.

Here's a photo from my room looking outwards. I've always loved the view from the rooms, especially the screen doors that allow the breeze in, all making it feel like you're outside.

It was a lot hotter than my previous visits, which was sort of a let down, the breeze wasn't quite as much either. But I knew a storm would eventually come and night time was always nice. I was just wandering around in my room wasting some time til dinner. I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself since it was my first solo vacation. It was quite humorous at the least. For dinner, it requires a hike to the cafe from my room, which was an amusing test of my lack of shape recently. The dinner is always great, a buffet full of healthy foods and vegan/vegetarian options which was great for my stomach since I was recovering from a really bad stomach virus.

After dinner I walked to my favorite traditional spot to a canyon edge to watch the sun set with a water bottle full of red wine. On my way, I nearly stepped on a caterpillar, here's the photos:

Everywhere you are, PBR.

As the sun was setting my stomach needed some emergency care, so I hiked back. I stayed in my room most of the night, attempting to write, blog, play games on my phone and tablet. Insects of many sorts started to appear and started a marathon of catchings and some killings. I left one light on in the far end of the small room and noticed tons of little annoying flies were gathering around. Luckily I brought some mouthwash that I conveniently stored in a spray bottle which I periodically sprayed around the light. I went outside to sit in the chair and look at the stars, but the clouds prevented much of that so I spent a good amount of time watching bugs go crazy around the lights that lined the walkway. Later on a scorpion made its way out from under the sink. I trapped it with a glass cup that was available in the room. Slipped the Arcosanti map brochure under the glass and went on my way to set it free outside. As I'm attempting to hold the glass, bring my flashlight and open and close the door, the scorpion made its way out of the glass and onto my hand. I shook my hand immediately and lost placement of the scorpion outside. I was very fortunate that the scorpion did not sting, bite, or pinch me at all. Man, I love scorpions and have always had good luck with them. After that, many others showed up, spiders, beetles, and House Centipedes. I started catching bugs the same way and just dumping them into the toilet. The bugs then created a paranoia I was not really enjoying so I turned off all the lights and just lit the room with my laptop and tablet. I played music all night and played games because I didn't feel like writing but merely doing mind numbing things just because I could.

I went to bed fairly early, before midnight, and had thoughts and dreams that kept me awake on and off throughout the night. Since this vacation was after my first week back at work at the school, thoughts of the kids and repetitive work activities were keeping me up. In between awareness and sleep I could only hear my voice saying the kids' names and commands to them over and over and over in my head. I dreamt I was still at work and had to stop myself and remind myself I was no longer at work. I forgot that that happens. When I first started this job in January, I had a lot of dreams like this that lasted for most of the semester.

The next morning I woke up safe and alive, no bugs have made their way onto the bed nor onto me. I still woke up early, which was nice considering I was trying to keep my same sleep routine for work and I didn't want to spend my whole vacation sleeping.

The morning rises.

A picture of my favorite tree, always in view from the hotel rooms. It's a great hang out spot, although I didn't make it down there this trip.

The red wines that accompanied my trip. Casillero del Diablo was quite good.

Here is a dead dried up scorpion that hung out in the corner of the bathroom.

As predicted the second day, a storm was coming. I was eagerly getting prepared to go outside and enjoy it.

Once the rain started, I went for a walk. It rained pretty hard for about twenty minutes. Just within the first few minutes of my walk I was completely drenched. I was smiling and laughing. I had my hearing aids in my pocket, further protected by my hand. I got so wet that I was worried I would ruin my hearing aids so I turned back towards my room. It was extraordinary to hear the powerful roars of thunder on my pure, natural ears, no hearing aids. As I'm reflecting on the thunder a great roar came and startled the crap out of me. I almost felt like a child again.

Drenched.

Muddy Chucks.

As it was raining, I looked out my window and saw this little toad chilling on the window. He was so adorable. I went outside to catch it, which I did but he jumped away before I could photograph him in my hand.

Here is a view from the cafe window of the road to the hotel rooms.

Just before the storm I sat outside my room and finally started reading Richard Matheson's What Dreams May Come. I was able to do so without crying [which is why I prolonged the reading]. I noticed there was an ant and a moth fighting for the death, this fight went on for many minutes and entertained me greatly. It was nice to focus on something else for once. It was enlightening even. Soon it was time to hike for dinner. It was much nicer outside and I was glad to not have to protect my hearing aids. I ate by myself and it was quite obvious to the other few groups that were residing there. I haven't spoken many words during the whole weekend, which was really nice. It was still strange not to have to answer to anyone. Being alone takes some getting used to, that's for sure. After dinner I hiked back and read and drank some more. I spent the rest of the night in my room and went to sleep a little later. Not many bugs came out then, but that's when I noticed two House Centipedes crawling along the ceiling and those are just purely gross looking. I caught both eventually, for that's the last thing I want crawling in bed with me.

The next morning I awoke after sleeping much better, feeling refreshed. I had breakfast at the cafe and later packed up, and planned the rest of my day. I stopped by Anthem Outlets mall to buy some gifts for upcoming birthdays and for myself. Then had my first real meal out since I've felt so much better, stomach-wise, at my favorite Mexican restaurant in Glendale. Then I arrived home feeling nice but not missing the heat.

I plan to go back, alone, again once the weather gets better, for there will be less bugs too. Maybe even stay a few more days since a weekend is never enough at Arcosanti.