Stuck in a Truck

From California to Pennsylvania, I drove across the country in my Toyota Tacoma pick up truck. I had turned in my notice at the job I had happily worked for a little over 3 years as a home care aid. I sold my only set of furniture I owned at a consignment store, packed up the little blue truck (thankfully, I am a minimalist) filled up the gas tank (which was straight robbery, as gas prices in California are astronomically high, especially when driving a truck!) and then I was finally off! The anticipation leading up to this point was unnerving, to say the least! There were times that I had to force myself mentally to prepare, but also balance the daily tasks of life by just taking one day at a time. It was all I could do to just live in the moment, while also prepare for the future. Easier said than done. Securing a new, higher paying job was a complete God-send, as I was applying for remote work, and a variety of other jobs I was qualified to work for. It was a bit overwhelming to see so many job opportunities that were hiring. The main drive (pun intended) from moving away from California was that it was no longer serving me financially, and I had been in a long distance relationship for the last 6 months and we were anxious to be married. We filed our marriage license in the state of Pennsylvania and are happily engaged. Now, the real task is at hand that will test our relationship to the fullest when we make this long journey together. We said a prayer before we set out, and turned on our favorite music. Leaving California, we had to get through one of the Northern red wood forests. My stomach was all in knots as I drove through the winding road. Huge, looming red woods on both sides threatened to thwart me on my journey. But I sang my heart out to the music in order to gather my courage.

We agreed to take turns driving. Thankfully, this little truck is a four door passenger vehicle, so one of us would be able to rest for a power nap, while the other one drove. It was exhausting and I soon became delirious with lack of sleep, but it was well worth it! Eight states in 4 days, from CA to PA! Driving through Wyoming was my favorite. Strong, fresh wind blew and it was a beautiful countryside, as I imagined cowboys and Indians and covered wagons crossing the land back in the day.

Gorgeous sunsets and sunrises would greet us as we drove along. It always felt like that those served to remind us that there would always be light at the end of the tunnel.

The trip was somewhat uneventful, however. I had the best times to drive during the day, as my fiancée drove us through the night and early morning hours. Whenever we rested, he would sleep in the passenger’s side and I would be curled up in the back seat, as comfy as could be expected! I didn’t mind it. I stayed warm with my weighted blanket, as Stephen shivered away, but soon bundled up with more clothing and even bought a soft and fluffy white blanket from one of the gas stations we stopped at.

We now live comfortably in a brick house in Pennsylvania. During this trip we had a few spats along the way, mostly me telling Stephen not to drive past 2:00 in the morning, because he was determined to get us through, and so he did. We did it as a team, with God giving us traveling mercies throughout the drive.