Day One: Maryland to Ohio

We set out this morning. Having said goodbye to people in the days before, I started the engine with bags under my eyes, a fresh oil change under the hood, and a fat hickey on my neck.

Th weather didn't seem to support our trip, and we packed the car under heavy rain that continued throughout the day. I had the road trip mix CDs blasting as we sped through the rain, and as fun as it was, I still wonder what West Virginia really looks like. The storm reduced it to a swamp with fog rising from the ground.

We wanted our close friend Martin on this trip; he filled the Reasonable Brain role. You could drop him off anywhere, blindfolded and possibly drugged, and he'd find a way to a hotel. I've gotten lost more times than I can count and Nick never asks for directions when he's lost. Unfortunately, it would be only the two of us, yet everyone agreed that at the very least, it would be memorable, and at the most hopeful, epic.

We stopped by a gas station to get beer, and after getting through the mumbled interrogatons of a local in line, we got a couple six packs and Nick took the wheel. The sun began to set. I've heard of beautiful sunsets out west, and how the stars actually displayed themselves (unlike Maryland where polluting cities like Baltimore help choke the view)  yet I didn't expect just how large the setting sun would be. It was like the windshield zoomed in, like a camera, and after we passed a few trees an orange ball would blast into view.

Now after much searching and disc changes, we're at a Hampton in Dayton, Ohio drinking a couple beers. So far we're making good time, chatting about friends and girlfriends, music and our upcoming internship. There's something so relaxing about a road trip, other than the obvious fact that we're not exercising much. Without internet on the road, without DVDs and people and phone calls, there's a serene little void that is filled up by music, conversation, and scenery. We both want to repeat a similar journey, but with motorcycles one day.

We're going to go eat. By the way, here's some good road trip bands.

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Air
Ratatat
Daft Punk
Cake
Zero 7
Sneaker Pimps

This part of Dayton closes around 10 PM, but the Steak N' Shake was still open. It's just as fulfilling and greasy and tasty as it sounds. And the infamous concept of the hyper-sugary midwest sweet-tea was proven correct. It's like someone's playing jacks in my head.