The car was packed full; unsurprisingly we had both over packed. We’ve been best friends for three years but this would be our first time traveling together, and we had a twelve hour car ride ahead of us. Destination: Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where our best friend was waiting to complete our trio. Bring it on.
First thing is first, I’m Shaela.
And I’m Lea!
Put us together we make Shalea. And we’re the best of friends. Best friends or not, I was a little apprehensive about the road trip out to California.
This trip came about kind of last minute. First piece of advice: don’t decide you’re going to embark on an 840 mile journey the night before you’re supposed to leave.
I disagree! After the stress subsided, I thought it was very spontaneous of us. Everyone loves spontaneity.
Here is you’re second piece of advice; acknowledge you’re traveling buddy might be more of a quiet personality even if you’re a rather loud personality, and then accept it.
More like, acknowledge that your traveling buddy might be the kind of person who would rather talk to themselves than sit in silence for five minutes.
Third piece of advice: If your best friend is definitely NOT a morning person, be sure to take the first driving shift. Also, buy her some coffee.
I won’t deny the fact mornings aren’t my jam. So adding onto this make sure you bring your own travel cup to fill up at the pit stops. And be prepared to have to pee a lot.
Okay team, fourth piece of advice: Bring plenty of good c.d.’s for there will be time to listen to all of them. You’re traveling buddy will thank you.
I’m just going to point out that in order to play said CD’s, you first have to have a working CD player. And Shaela may or may not have broken the CD player days before the trip. Also, I will not thank you for making me listen to Scottish war hymns.It was one Scottish song and it kicks ass, you just wouldn’t give it a chance.
Fifth piece of advice: Make sure you have a reliable GPS. Your best friend’s directional intuition does not count as a reliable GPS.
I resent that statement. I mislead one time. One time folks.
For our sixth piece of advice; bring a car you both can drive. Also, if someone is adjusting from driving a manual to suddenly driving an automatic for the first time in a while, don’t judge when they accidentally slam on the breaks thinking it’s the clutch that doesn’t exist. It’s habit.
Expect some random break slamming. And some sass about the fact that you can’t drive her stick-shift car.
Seventh piece of advice: Bring snacks you will both enjoy. Nutter butters are our personal favorites.
NUTTER BUTTERS ARE BAE!
Eighth Piece of advice my dear friends: Don’t freak out and call your mom when you see a sign that says; Agricultural Check. They’re not going to steal all of your fruit and vegetables. You don’t need to eat all of your carrots really fast.
My carrots. They were my carrots.
Ninth piece of advice: Expect the unexpected. You’ll encounter some strange stuff on the road, like random rain showers, agricultural stops, jerks cutting you off on the freeway, and your best friend yelling, “SEMI TRUCK” for absolutely no reason.
I was simply keeping Lea on her toes, and making sure she was paying attention.
Now, for your Tenth Piece of Advice: Enjoy the ride. Road trips like these make for the best memories with your best friend.
True. I wouldn’t have it any other way!