Hello everyone!
The initial goal of this blog is to describe my journey as I drive my 2013 Genuine Stella 4T, henceforth known as DonnaStella, or Donna, from Bloomington, IN to the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Further posts may be made as I adventure even more!
The Plan is to leave Bloomington as soon as I wrap up three tasks in Bloomingtion (including selling my truck and Hammered Dulcimer…anyone want to buy? :D).
You may be asking any of the following questions:
- “Why are you going to SF?”
- “Why are you driving your scooter, and not a car/flying/train/teleporting?”
- “What will you do when you get there?”
- “Where do babies come from?”
The answers are simple:
- For the last 6 months, I have been applying to jobs across the country, including in Bloomington (IU, ID places around town such as LEO Learning and GP Strategies). Two things have become clear: (1)The jobs are not in Bloomington. They are predominantly in SF, Seattle, Chicago, DC, and Boston; and (2) The Bloomington jobs, for whatever reason, aren’t interested (Interviewed with GP, they said to contact them at the end of the month, and that cycle continued for 3 months; Interviewed for two positions at IU, and have since stopped getting interviews or any contact despite the many applications I’ve submitted). So, I chose a place I’ve wanted to live since I visited it: San Francisco.
- I’m driving my scooter for the ADVENTURE. For the Story. The Experience. The Bucketlist. To show myself I can. Maybe I’ll write a book about it. Who knows.
- I have couches I can crash on. I have a potential roommate already, provided I secure a job. Regarding jobs, I have many promising leads in the Bay Area, which will be increased when I am actually there (I’ve been told by a HR person “If you were here, we’d interview you and likely find a spot for you…” and “Come talk with us when you arrive!”). These range from full-time Instructional Design/Educational Technology positions, to a short-term motorcycle or coffee shop gig.
- Ask your mother.
The Planned Route:
As I am on a 150cc scooter, I plan on avoiding Interstates as often as possible (both for the adventure, and for the journey).
I have had my eye on two possible routes to drive cross country. One is to take US-50 (conveniently about a half hour south of Bloomington!), or US-6 (which comes highly recommended, but is further north). The selected route will earn it’s own blog-post here before I leave.
US-6
US-6, known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, would take me through Illinois, Iowa (Council Bluffs, Des Moines), Nebraska (Omaha), Colorado (Denver), Utah (Provo/SLC), and Nevada (Ely) before I transition to US-50 for the final legs. Some of US-6 runs on an Interstate, so I will be driving on roads near and in the same direction as US-6 when I can.
US-50
US-50, known as “The Loneliest Road in America” would take me through Indiana (I’d get on in Bedford, about 25 minutes south of Bloomington), Illinois (Springfield?), Missouri (St. Louis), Kansas (Kansas City), Colorado (Colorado Springs/Denver), Utah (Provo/SLC), Nevada (Ely, Middlegate, Carson City), California (Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, SF)
Straw poll: Which route do you think I should take?
Loading ...Want to Help? That would be super-cool!
Than trip should take an estimated 10 days maximum, and roughly 3,000 miles. That will take a bit of a toll on the ol’ wallet, so I am happy to take any donations my generous friends would like to offer. For reference:
- $3 will get me approximately 70 miles closer to my goal.
- $15 will feed me for the day
- $35 will get me one night at a Tent Campsite at a KOA Campsite
- $40 will buy me one tire when I get to my destination (as the rear tire will likely be spent by then!)
- $75 will get me one night at a hotel (and more importantly, a shower!)
If you would like to donate, feel free to leave a comment (they are private until I approve them, or you can email me at bryrhoey at gmail) and I can set that up. I’d prefer Google Wallet (since to my knowledge, it’s free), have Venmo Set up (contact me for the info), or you can send me money via PayPal! 🙂
If you live along the route, and don’t mind me camping/crashing/eating with you, I’d appreciate that too!
You’ll have my undying gratitude, and numerous shout outs on the various media I will be posting to (facebook, IG, this blog, twitter, maybe youtube, etc.)
Wish I was on your route and or could join you. Keep me posted! Also, where do I donate?
Updated with some more information.
IF you aren’t in recovery mode, please come. Traveling is more fun with others! Otherwise, you’ll just have to come visit 😉