After an enriching weekend (see recent post titled 'Reunion'), we arrived safely in San Francisco, CA yesterday afternoon. A six hour flight from Charlotte was all it took to get back to the West Coast and here we have been on the road for the past 12 days, spending very many hours to make it to where we stand today. Although we are thankful for the Wright Brothers and their commitment to inventing the airplane, we would never change the many moments of 'in-betweenness' that driving brings. Looking back, we likely would never have met so many unbelievable people in gas stations. Ok, moving on. 

Upon arrival, we found our exhausted beings immediately rejuvenated by the thrilling city of San Francisco. From dancing the cha cha slide with women in Chinatown's Washington Square (see video below) to sharing a Twix bar with a paraplegic outside of Walgreens, we are back in mission mode- working to find ourselves in situations we would never experience otherwise. 

Today, we decided to walk instead of take public transportation which gave us the opportunity to 1) work out our calves on the hilliest streets we have ever walked on and 2) get a feel for the various neighborhoods within the city. With each new place, we found immense diversity, intricate architecture, and a certain swag (this is a positive thing). 

There were beautiful pastel rowhouses (think Mrs. Doubtfire) mixed with hole in the wall coffee joints, super modern apartment buildings, thrift shops, and a plethora of places to get a mean burrito (#america). We did our best to say hello to those we passed by and with little effort, we grasped some inspiring participants for the selfless stranger project (if you are still confused on what it is, read the "about" page under the tab: "from:me to:you//the selfless stranger project). Every person we passed today was so unbelievably and beautifully unique. A man in leopard print. Cyclists. Wealthy tech men. Juice & yoga addicts. A women rocking green hair. Many homeless people with their grocery carts. Giants Fans. Dog walkers. Street musicians. The list goes on. The only place where we did not get a good sense of the local inhabitants was when we waltzed over to Fisherman's Warf. We knew this pier was the definition of a tourist trap when Hannah paid $67.39 for two hats and three stickers to place on Rhonda. With that being said, the number of people we saw and spoke with was refreshing in some ways, sparking some energy in our jet-lagged legs. From exploring around to the beat of 200 barking seals, to getting lost in a maze full of mirrors, to a quick stop in the bayside aquarium, the day was filled with spontaneity, zest and some true Californian culture. For those interested in seeing a bit more of postgraditude's day, please enjoy the video below or click here if the connection below is lame. 

Today we find graditude in the sun peaking through the clouds (evidently this city is predominantly foggy), a choreographed dance with those outside our immediate crew, and getting back to our main purpose. 

First and foremost, we would like to apologize for being extremely out of commission for the past few days. For those of you who happen to check in daily, we promise that the tomorrows will be better than the past few yesterdays.  We're going to go ahead and blame our adventures at Wake Forest Homecoming for our incomplete recent posts. Evidently, we were too preoccupied with taking selfies in front of Wait Chapel (Hannah), eating at all the local hot spots (Dioli's, Putters, Mi Pueblo, Elizabeths, etc.) and most importantly, spending time with amazing friends. [Disclaimer: Apologies if you did not graduate Wake and have no understanding of the previous sentence...] Although our trip to North Carolina did not directly align with postgraditude's previously established route, we found so much happiness in the reunion. There is something about a reunion. Without leaving, one would never find so much joy in coming back. Reunions are at times hard to explain because once you are back, you are somehow overwhelmed with the feeling that both nothing has changed and that everything has changed. 

Five months ago, we (members of Wake's class of '13) left the place we called home for the past four years. Since the beginning (in our opinion), Wake Forest introduced us to deeply profound and exciting experiences. It taught us the importance of working hard both in and out of the classroom. It challenged our reasoning behind social stance, political affiliation and religious mindset. It has bloomed true friends we have laughed with, danced with, explored with, learned with, fallen in and out of love with, and dreamed with. We would like to believe that it has enhanced our personal skills and taught us additional proficiencies needed for a successful future that may in fact be worth pursuing. We would also like to believe that most of the graduates have too grown into their own forms- whether it be intensified confidence, poise, realism, focus, positivity, willingness, etc. Now is the part in the post when we apologize for getting a bit "commencement-speech like" & overly sappy; however, reflecting on the past few days, we are reminded of what our school has meant to us. And sometimes all it takes is returning to a beloved place to remember how much you appreciate all it has given you. 

But as we travel 3,000 miles West to pick up where we left off, we also find the beauty in leaving, knowing we will always have a place to call home. So whether your life is in a roadblock or a bright spot, spend time reuniting and then focus on moving onward. 

"...It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out.
I want to repeat one word for you: Leave.
Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed.”
Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road

Today, we find graditude in lifelong friends, a home to come back to, and a journey to continue on with. 

Below you will find some B&W selfies of a few familiar faces we have missed seeing on a regular basis. 
[Note: Hannah did have the camera most of the weekend-hence the high presence of females...oh, and if you have any more gems, send them our way and we will post] 

We would like to first and foremost admit that we are indeed taking a bit of a hiatus from our hiatus. Before departing Michigan, we had made plans to meet Hannah's mother in Napa, CA, and after twelve days of meeting unfamiliar faces and learning more than we could ever imagine, we are now blessed with a bit of familiarity and comfort. While driving from Lake Tahoe to Napa Valley, the temperature dramatically increased (41 to 82 degrees), which put a huge smile on Hannah's face and had Blake feeling a bit vulnerable as he did not bring sunscreen for the deceivingly strong rays. Nonetheless, we are here and taking full advantage of the beauty California has to offer. 

One month ago today, this idea of postgraditude was born. Bringing the atlas to Hannah's mom, we began to create a rough outline of what we were trying to accomplish and where we intended to go. Who would have thought we would be here today, biking around the vineyards in the dry heat, exploring a place we had never been with someone who sparked our original excitement and supported us from the very beginning. Looking back, we realize how blessed we are to have family & friends who accepted our idea to take a chance at an adventure like this. 

Today, we find graditude in sharing stories with a familiar face over a glass of Chardonnay, switching out our hiking boots for hotel slippers (if just for a day), and looking back on 3,500 miles of memories. 

Yesterday, our eight-hour drive to Reno alleviated much of the driving time needed to tackle before hitting the California coast on Wendesday so today we penciled in a simple 90-minute drive to South Lake Tahoe, CA. And here we sit-peacefully tucked away at Camp Richardson, surrounded by a full moon (the same one you are looking at back at home), a warm fire, and almost too crisp of air.

While picking out our site earlier today, we noticed a large tree standing amidst the forest and soon realized that this was a Redwood- the first Redwood tree we had ever seen, commanding the neighboring trees with his presence. Tucked away in the woods 300 yards from the lake, the whole crew (including Rhonda and Frankie J) is embracing the slowness and simplicity that we often forget to relish in.

Blake has a thing for large bodies of water, lush mountains, and simplicity so he is clearly in a good place. Hannah finds comfort in wearing layers, breathing in the fresh western air, and uploading pictures from places that make her look that much more adventurous, so she too is also in a good place. After setting up camp, we hiked Vikingsholm Trail along Emerald Bay, a beautiful clear inlet that eventually opens up to the grand ol’ Lake Tahoe and let’s just say that this has been one of the most striking views of the trip thus far. While on the hike, we did not spend time talking in depth. Instead, we silently took it all in- the view, the weather, the people passing by, the little things we usually forget to pay attention to. Breaking the mentality of ‘faster is always better’ can be an extremely refreshing thing when you take the time to commit to it and we believe that this trip has introduced us to the idea that one may just feel happier, healthier and more productive when one slowly takes in all that there is there, before rushing into the next thing on the to-do list. 

In his TED talk titled ‘In Praise of Slowness,’ journalist Carl Honore speaks about his slow movement mission, believing that “the great benefit of slowing down is reclaiming the time and tranquility to make meaningful connections—with people, with culture, with work, with nature, with our own bodies and minds.” Today it was with nature that we made our connection, slowing down and taking in the beauty that was all around us. It does not take a genius to give out this whole phenomenon/idea but rather someone who is mindful of their surroundings. Don’t get us wrong, speed can still be a good thing…the buzz, business and bustle can be energizing but every once in a while, there is something enchanting about finding your ‘inner tortoise.’ Today, we did not race through the day, insanely planning the next; instead, we tried to simply be.

Today, we find graditude in sharing a burger with someone along the way (see photo), reaching the furthest western state on our trip, and taking in moments of silence to appreciate our surroundings.  

After a restful weekend consisting of enriching conversations over great meals, tempurpedic mattresses and interactions with Bruno (the Bergmann's italian greyhound) and Andrew (their 35 year old parrot), we are moving onward with a great appreciation for the city of Boise, Idaho. Boise was inviting, refreshing, and active. The north-end of Boise (where we stayed), is tucked up in the foothills and the dynamic terrain allows for bikers, hikers or leisurely strollers to easily explore the rolling hills. After being in the car for numerous hours on Friday, we attempted to explore these hills with a casual "trail run" on Saturday afternoon. Our overzealous nature initially took over as we sprinted up the steep incline but we quickly found that our sea-level lungs couldn't quite hang with the altitude. Walking at a very slow pace for the next 15 minutes, we tried to regain our confidence that was shattered right from the start by jogging again. However, the confidence again dissipated when a local teenager came sprinting by, leaving us in the dust. In the end, at least we tried. 

Today, we strolled around downtown Boise & relished in the crisp yet sunny weather. We ate the best eggs benedict of all time at Goldy's (the two hour wait was worth it), sipped on pumpkin pie spiced lattes at Flying M Coffeshop, and browsed through tunes at the local Record Exchange. Although we didn't buy any records, we further enhanced our hipster facade by purchasing a few more stickers to spruce up Rhonda's look from behind. We have no idea what a Rolling Stones or John Lennon sticker has to do with our trip's mission but we must admit they look pretty sweet (we will upload a picture soon). Anyways, after saying goodbye to our generous Boise hosts, we hit the open road with hopes of reaching California by Wednesday. Thus, next stop: Reno, Nevada. 

What is the one thing you can see and know you are in the middle of nowhere? If you guessed a tumbleweed then you are absolutely correct. Yes, we have confirmed that they do exist and are not just a Hollywood prop used in John Wayne movies. Along with seeing live tumbleweeds, three more things are worth mentioning: 1. We passed through three states in three hours (Idaho, Oregon, Nevada) 2. We passed a sign saying 'Next gas station: 120 miles'...luckily Frankie J was full 3. We passed through numerous towns that had somehow found a way to attach a Casino to every gas station, fast food restaurant, arcade and motel. All of these signs point to the fact that we are very far from home and in moving farther away from home, we continue to grow, learn and see more each day. And that is the best part of traveling. As Ryszard Kapuściński (try pronouncing that one) explains in Travels with Herodotus, “A journey, after all, neither begins in the instant we set out, nor ends when we have reached our door step once again. It starts much earlier and is really never over, because the film of memory continues running on inside of us long after we have come to a physical standstill." And with those words in mind, we say goodnight from Reno.

The trip from Riverton, Wyoming to Boise, Idaho very much so reminded us of our trip from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Kadoka, South Dakota- long, vast, and at times wildly intriguing. Yesterday, as we drove through Teton National Forest in Wyoming, we were shocked by both the magnitude of Mount Moran and the fact that we were able to actually drive through a National Forest. We were also amazed at how very small we felt during the scenic route. 

Many times, we embrace environments that remind us just of how small we are. Whether waiting for the city metro with thousands of others, driving hours through the foothills of the expansive American West, or loudly cheering as one fan in a sea of many at a sold-out football stadium, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and insignificant. But then, as soon as you text your friend about dinner plans while on the subway, look over the passenger seat to see a buddy driving with you or give your fellow fan a high-five, you find that, while feeling small, there are many connections that your 'small-self' can find greatness in. Over the past few days, we have learned that 1). those various connections can be comforting and 2). feeling small is totally okay (and normal). 

While on this journey, we would like to believe that our project is making a big change but in the end we truly have no idea. We are just two small beings hoping to inspire and excite people who have entered our immediate circle, even if just for a minute. And for us, finding the solace in those newfound connections is more than enough. 

Having the opportunity to stay with Blake's great family friends in Boise, Idaho (Suzanne, Michael, and Bayard Bergmann), we took advantage of Michael's pilot license. As we took a 45-minute flight through the backcountry of Idaho, we grasped a sense of how miniature everything looked at 8,000 feet and were again reminded that we are just one minuscule part of this world; however, at this high altitude, we clearly saw Frankie J and Rhonda parked outside of the Bergmann's home. The connection we made in the sky brought comfort when the world yet again seemed too vast and chaotic. Thus, may you too find serenity in those connections and use them to powerfully influence, despite how paralyzing the world can seem at times. 

Below you will find a little video that depicts the vast scenes we have come across in our adventures thus far. warning: we are not well versed in professional editing/filming, but hopefully some of the views astound you as they did us. 

Today, we find graditude in an 8,000 ft. perspective, the comforts of a home, and the small connections that have brought us 2,876 miles from home. 

Many social scientific studies confirm that we often remember events that result in negative emotional responses more so than recollections of the good times. It is human nature to point out the flaw before the beauty and so today, while experiencing a bit of adversity, we are doing our best to find ways to reflect on the beauty despite the flaws.

As you may have guessed from the introduction, today did not go according to plan in terms of logistics. Could this day have been executed more efficiently? Of course…but can’t every day? Without taking the extra five minutes to check the status of Route 14 W through Yellowstone National Park, we found ourselves in 80 miles of debt...backtracking to square one because the National Park was in fact closed (we suppose our stubbornness got to us). This would have been okay had we had planned to drive all day but since our mental mindset did not align with what ended up happening, we completely forgot to revel in one of the most beautiful drives thus far. Along with the Yellowstone mishap (which introduced an additional 4 hour drive), we shorted out our left brake light, had to evacuate Rhonda due to a carbon monoxide alert (don’t worry family, all is well), and almost ran out of gas 30 miles outside of Shoshoni, WY (population 664).

For most of the afternoon and into the evening, we were paralyzed with frustration and completely shut out all the amazing events that occurred before the unplanned backtracking incident. Thus, we are going to do our best to “backtrack” to the good, reflecting upon all the positives that today did in fact bring.

1.     We may have inspired some high school girls to start a “selfless stranger” project on their own. 

So, may you too try to look past the unplanned incidences of today and backtrack to find the good the did occur. Today, we find graditude in honest dialogue over hazelnut coffee, snapping a picture of the official Yellowstone National park sign before turning around, and learning that not all roads lead to the expected destination. 

This morning was different than any other morning so far in that we did not pack up and hit the road. Instead, we decided that today would be the day where we would take some time for ourselves. As we drove throughout the beautiful mountains that had been blanketed (well, actually bombarded) with snow three days prior, we creeped into the forbidden park of Mt. Rushmore and briefly saw the breathtaking intricacies of the four familiar faces. From jogging around the peaceful Legion Lake to stopping in Ken's Minerals Store and becoming a bit more educated in the way amethyst stones form, the simplicity of the day was quite refreshing. Will all of our days be like this? No, but we have to remember to be fully in tune with who we are and the simple things we forget we need each day. We hope that you too have found a time in your day to take a moment for yourself-oh, how precious and refreshing that can be. 

As millenials we are programed to believe that images do a better job than the talking so below you will see a little more from our day. 

Today, we find graditude in an agenda-less day, 60 degrees with a foot of snow, and the likelihood that tomorrow will be a whole new experience. 

Even though our day looked quite a bit different than yesterday, we still found ourselves in a few situations worth sharing.

Do you ever have those days when you know you were put in people’s path or they were put in yours for a reason? Sure, it may just be coincidence, but sometimes it feels a bit more than just that… it seems as though you were, if just briefly, put here or there to look out for someone else along the way.

Today, we felt that. Waking up a bit groggy after a ten-hour drive from Minneapolis to Kadoka, South Dakota, we slowly but surely hit the road with the hopes to make it to Custer State Park (yep… State Parks are still in session, people); however, we first had to get gas for the 938rd time (kidding, it is now more like the 11th). As Blake wiped deer guts off Rhonda (for those just tuning it, our camper is named Rhonda), a lovely elderly woman with big blue eyes and an honest smile approached us. Introducing herself as Cindy, she first wanted to know about Rhonda- how she drove, how big she was, etc. so we invited her in to get the grand tour. After the 0.4 minute tour, you could tell that there was something else on Cindy’s mind. Asking her how she was today, her response was quiet & uncertain and after a few moments of silence filled with limited vocal fillers, she said “well, I was just pushed off the interstate by an 18-wheeler and I’m a bit frazzled.” Not knowing how to respond, we asked if there was anything we could do. She said she just wanted to have someone to talk to while she took a break. Well, what perfect timing because we truly had nowhere to be at that moment.

After talking about graduating college, her work at the local library, and how crazy the weather had been, we asked her to be a participant in our “from: me to: you // selfless stranger project,” and she quickly and enthusiastically abided. It just so happened that VJ’s message filled with Jesus-loving encouragement was given to Cindy. She read the message from him and with a renewed voice said, ‘this is exactly what I needed… thank you.’ Did we really do anything? No, not really. But one could argue that making the decision to stay an extra five minutes at the gas station with Cindy gave her the additional strength needed to continue down the road after her traumatic event.

While on our own individual journeys, in some sorts of ways, we, the human population, all have the opportunity to look out for each other without even knowing it. So, maybe if we stop and take the time to be as present as we possibly can with any and all we do in fact come across, we will discover the predominance of good. We were again reminded of this principle tonight with our waiter at the local lodge. A twenty-four year old who originally grew up 20 minutes away from Blake (small world) took the time to give us a few extra corn muffins & sweet butter to go because he knew the nearest place for food was forty minutes north. It was a small gesture on his part but one that went a long way. So maybe in the end, these simple yet purposeful interactions that connect two separate paths are just what we need to make it through the day.

Today we find graditude in receiving extra corn muffins & sweet butter, being present in the right place at the right time, and the serenity of the South Dakota stars.