It's official, I traveled 8344 miles this summer interviewing over 140 changemakers throughout a country more beautiful than I could have ever predicted and managed to stay in 0 hotels. That's right- zilch, nada, nunca.
A little background behind why I decided on my 0 hotel rule when I first set out on this journey. A few reasons:
1.) I was on a budget, and wanted to prove to other college students that even with a budget, invaluable, unpredictable, and incredibly worthwhile adventures are always a possibility
2.) If I was going to spend the summer traveling across the country, why not make it a point to visit old friends and family and meet some new people along the way
3.) A healthy challenge only brightens the adventure... by making it a goal to stay in 0 hotels, I was constantly challenging myself to get creative; seek out those that I knew but also find friend's of friend's who lived along the route and when in doubt, there was an easy-to-set-up tent in the trunk waiting to be unfolded!
What did I learn?
1.) Hospitality is alive and well! (See #2 for more details)
2.) It is important to be safe, BUT, you are doing yourself a disservice if you cut yourself off from the kindness and generosity that awaits in the world. Maybe that means being invited in for a warm meal, or letting you crash on a friends couch, who knows- all I can say is open yourself up to new opportunities and experiences and you will not be disappointed!
3.) When in doubt, remember that life is beautiful. There is no point in avoiding this simple statement. Each time I try to remember this simple thought I find myself automatically smiling a little more and embracing the present moment a bit longer.
A little background behind why I decided on my 0 hotel rule when I first set out on this journey. A few reasons:
1.) I was on a budget, and wanted to prove to other college students that even with a budget, invaluable, unpredictable, and incredibly worthwhile adventures are always a possibility
2.) If I was going to spend the summer traveling across the country, why not make it a point to visit old friends and family and meet some new people along the way
3.) A healthy challenge only brightens the adventure... by making it a goal to stay in 0 hotels, I was constantly challenging myself to get creative; seek out those that I knew but also find friend's of friend's who lived along the route and when in doubt, there was an easy-to-set-up tent in the trunk waiting to be unfolded!
What did I learn?
1.) Hospitality is alive and well! (See #2 for more details)
2.) It is important to be safe, BUT, you are doing yourself a disservice if you cut yourself off from the kindness and generosity that awaits in the world. Maybe that means being invited in for a warm meal, or letting you crash on a friends couch, who knows- all I can say is open yourself up to new opportunities and experiences and you will not be disappointed!
3.) When in doubt, remember that life is beautiful. There is no point in avoiding this simple statement. Each time I try to remember this simple thought I find myself automatically smiling a little more and embracing the present moment a bit longer.
Oh yeah, so maybe you're wondering who I ended up staying with. Well, I'll tell you in the form of a few "thank yous". Many thanks to the following people who individually contributed to the whirlwind of adventures that took place from Cincinnati to Seattle to San Diego to Columbus and everywhere in between! Below is the general outline for where I ended up throughout those 29+ stops:
Chicago:
-Uncle Jeff, Aunt Gloria, Dana, Kevin, and Nikki; always fun to have family time and reconnect after a few months..
Okoboji, Iowa:
-side lawn of Brent’s parents house- thank you Sue for inviting us as impromptu guests and even feeding us and letting us shower in the morning!
Rapid City, South Dakota:
-Christine and her welcoming family from the campus ministry
Montana:
-camping after being told about a beautiful, free, secluded spot by some nice people working a late night shift at the gas station...
Seattle:
-Mari and Fanch= incredible hospitality + unlimited laughter + dog hair :)
-Megan and Nich and Sylvia (double bonus because of the hot tub and nearby wineries)
-Eli and the city of Olympia with dance-coops galore
Portland:
-Carpe Diem Headquarters; reconnecting with past study abroad leaders and incredible social changemakers, meeting some for the first time!
-camping on Oregon coast by the sand dunes of Florence, Oregon [camp site host let us camp for free as long as we left before her husband went on rounds in the morning-- how cool?!]
San Francisco:
-Graciela’s with Dad, full with yummy breakfasts and zumba lessons
-Berkeley hospitality always includes staying with the Davis's; thanks Tamar and Pia for all the late night chats and laughter!
Santa Barbara:
-George and Mina who taught me some of the most valuable lessons of vulnerability and remembering that it is never too late to benefit from testing your comfort zone
Los Angeles:
-Robert and family, and of course Paul; revisiting memories of Semester at Sea
-Jamie and Jordan, spending time relaxing in the 90210
-Joe and his sons for welcoming me in and enjoying a great "game night"
Long Beach:
-Anita and exposing me to California's famous froyo, thank you Alex for connecting me with your lovely Auntie!
San Diego:
-Lyndsi (house #1) our time together is always full of laughter and l'chaim
-Peggi, an inspiring author full of conversation and peaceful perspective that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from
-Megan and the University of San Diego cohort of inspiring individuals
-Chris and Jenn for letting me hang out with kids as cute as Cooper and Lucia
-Lyndsi (house #2) even in the midst of moving you made time for me... and Sea World :)
Phoenix:
-Adrianne; thank you for letting me stay among generations of friendship and good memories that is built between Nana and you
-Kat; it seemed only right to stay with a LeaderShaper along the way
Flagstaff:
-Mark and Robin; such enthusiasm for nature and your city was instantly contagious
-Amanda: the opportunity to reconnect with another Carpe Diem leader immediately fills my heart with joy
-Camping at the Grand Canyon...
more like sleeping in our car- but an adventure nonetheless
New Mexico:
-Dylan; I think of our conversations often, whether you know or not but you constantly inspire me to create the world I want to live in. You taught me that I have the option to design my own reality and pursue my passions in whatever way seems fit for me. I cannot thank you enough for the experience you provided Megan and I with for 2 of the most beautiful days among the
New Mexico mountains.
Denver:
-Kimberly and Steve- who says 18 years has to make any difference in a relationship?! Thank you for proving that time is just a length between one good memory and the next
Kansas:
-Tresa, so glad Sam connected us- who doesn't love celebrating birthdays!
Champaign, Illinois:
-Leadershape headquarters, it fits perfectly to end the physical journey at a place that taught me one of the most valuable lessons of all;
"have a healthy disregard for the impossible"
As you may have noticed, keeping up with TheDriven.weebly.com was one of my greatest challenges this whole summer. I really am sorry for the delay in posts and uploading interviews and please note that I haven't forgotten about them! I will be continuing to update the blog with posts from the final 2 weeks and am currently working on partnering with men from Marion Correctional Institution to turn the 14.5+ hours of footage from this summer into a culminating video. (My visits to prison could fill an entirely separate blog but you'll have to ask me about that in person if you want more details) Thank YOU for checking in and being a part of this journey by following along and showing constant signs of encouragement and support.
And of course unlimited "thank yous" to Jordan and Megan who are quite possibly the wildest adventurers of all- for putting up with me! In all seriousness, it was our hours upon hours of conversation, sing-a-longs, and constant moments of reflection and growth that shaped this summer into what it was. I could not be more appreciative for friends and family like the two of them.
As for Carly, Michael, Mom, Dad, Jodi, Allison, Nana and Pops and all the other inspiring people who continue to support me with each new dream I run after- thank you. Thank you for letting me live in a world where I am able to welcome a continuous flow of opportunities to better myself with hopes to impact a few others along the way.
My final thoughts? Simple, stay driven--
and remember that life really and truly is beautiful.
--Jordan
Chicago:
-Uncle Jeff, Aunt Gloria, Dana, Kevin, and Nikki; always fun to have family time and reconnect after a few months..
Okoboji, Iowa:
-side lawn of Brent’s parents house- thank you Sue for inviting us as impromptu guests and even feeding us and letting us shower in the morning!
Rapid City, South Dakota:
-Christine and her welcoming family from the campus ministry
Montana:
-camping after being told about a beautiful, free, secluded spot by some nice people working a late night shift at the gas station...
Seattle:
-Mari and Fanch= incredible hospitality + unlimited laughter + dog hair :)
-Megan and Nich and Sylvia (double bonus because of the hot tub and nearby wineries)
-Eli and the city of Olympia with dance-coops galore
Portland:
-Carpe Diem Headquarters; reconnecting with past study abroad leaders and incredible social changemakers, meeting some for the first time!
-camping on Oregon coast by the sand dunes of Florence, Oregon [camp site host let us camp for free as long as we left before her husband went on rounds in the morning-- how cool?!]
San Francisco:
-Graciela’s with Dad, full with yummy breakfasts and zumba lessons
-Berkeley hospitality always includes staying with the Davis's; thanks Tamar and Pia for all the late night chats and laughter!
Santa Barbara:
-George and Mina who taught me some of the most valuable lessons of vulnerability and remembering that it is never too late to benefit from testing your comfort zone
Los Angeles:
-Robert and family, and of course Paul; revisiting memories of Semester at Sea
-Jamie and Jordan, spending time relaxing in the 90210
-Joe and his sons for welcoming me in and enjoying a great "game night"
Long Beach:
-Anita and exposing me to California's famous froyo, thank you Alex for connecting me with your lovely Auntie!
San Diego:
-Lyndsi (house #1) our time together is always full of laughter and l'chaim
-Peggi, an inspiring author full of conversation and peaceful perspective that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from
-Megan and the University of San Diego cohort of inspiring individuals
-Chris and Jenn for letting me hang out with kids as cute as Cooper and Lucia
-Lyndsi (house #2) even in the midst of moving you made time for me... and Sea World :)
Phoenix:
-Adrianne; thank you for letting me stay among generations of friendship and good memories that is built between Nana and you
-Kat; it seemed only right to stay with a LeaderShaper along the way
Flagstaff:
-Mark and Robin; such enthusiasm for nature and your city was instantly contagious
-Amanda: the opportunity to reconnect with another Carpe Diem leader immediately fills my heart with joy
-Camping at the Grand Canyon...
more like sleeping in our car- but an adventure nonetheless
New Mexico:
-Dylan; I think of our conversations often, whether you know or not but you constantly inspire me to create the world I want to live in. You taught me that I have the option to design my own reality and pursue my passions in whatever way seems fit for me. I cannot thank you enough for the experience you provided Megan and I with for 2 of the most beautiful days among the
New Mexico mountains.
Denver:
-Kimberly and Steve- who says 18 years has to make any difference in a relationship?! Thank you for proving that time is just a length between one good memory and the next
Kansas:
-Tresa, so glad Sam connected us- who doesn't love celebrating birthdays!
Champaign, Illinois:
-Leadershape headquarters, it fits perfectly to end the physical journey at a place that taught me one of the most valuable lessons of all;
"have a healthy disregard for the impossible"
As you may have noticed, keeping up with TheDriven.weebly.com was one of my greatest challenges this whole summer. I really am sorry for the delay in posts and uploading interviews and please note that I haven't forgotten about them! I will be continuing to update the blog with posts from the final 2 weeks and am currently working on partnering with men from Marion Correctional Institution to turn the 14.5+ hours of footage from this summer into a culminating video. (My visits to prison could fill an entirely separate blog but you'll have to ask me about that in person if you want more details) Thank YOU for checking in and being a part of this journey by following along and showing constant signs of encouragement and support.
And of course unlimited "thank yous" to Jordan and Megan who are quite possibly the wildest adventurers of all- for putting up with me! In all seriousness, it was our hours upon hours of conversation, sing-a-longs, and constant moments of reflection and growth that shaped this summer into what it was. I could not be more appreciative for friends and family like the two of them.
As for Carly, Michael, Mom, Dad, Jodi, Allison, Nana and Pops and all the other inspiring people who continue to support me with each new dream I run after- thank you. Thank you for letting me live in a world where I am able to welcome a continuous flow of opportunities to better myself with hopes to impact a few others along the way.
My final thoughts? Simple, stay driven--
and remember that life really and truly is beautiful.
--Jordan
RSS Feed