LET'S GO! part 1

I'm back! So soon!! I think this is a new record for me as far as back to back blogging goes.  but I've got a trip to to take you on so LET'S GO EXPLORE!




Reno


My mom is an amazing well seasoned traveler.  Also the OG queen of creativity.  So my Mom, marketing guru and travel guide designed our whole trip with it’s own logo!






We even received scarves with the trip logo on there and I pasted some onto the fronts of “travel journals” or “field note books”. Like Mother like Daughter. 

We were very weary travelers arriving to the Whitney Peak hotel in Reno, Nevada.  Our two bedroom/bathroom suite with shared livingroom and kitchen was such a welcomed sight! 







I got out all of the fun stuff we have had to purchase four our adventure to show off.  And yes, Sealy got some new accessories too.  I know, it’s too much.  But you only live once! 








It's almost too much cute

The weather was beautiful.  Sunny and pretty warm and we even got to enjoy a thunderstorm while sitting outside (covered) during a thunder storm. 

Our hotel was hiking themed and catered to the type of travelers that were heading to Yosemite for some recreation.  That would be us!  They had this amazing water bottle filler on each floor by the elevators that offered cold, filtered and alkaline enhanced water.  Perfect for someone who drinks gallons of water a day, like me!

We walked along the river and enjoyed seeing locals and travelers in the sun and walking their dogs.  We stopped in a HUGE antique store.  OMG, if you are trying to get me to get out of somewhere fast, DON’T let me go into an antique store.  I love all the vintage pins costume jewelry.  There are a small list of things I look for as souvenirs when I travel: magnets for Eddie’s sister (we mail each other magnet whenever go somewhere.  They’ve done it their whole lives. I think it’s a cute way to stay in touch), snow globes, pins, items that are tiny enough for my dollhouse and antiques. 

-alone time needed in room

As far as keeping my anxiety and depression at bay, I realized I had to find a complete balance between experiencing everything and knowing when it’s time to be alone for a while.  Obviously, one may wonder why a depressed or anxious would want to be ALONE.  It is odd, however,  when I am in a maintenance stage of my illness, when I am functioning for the most part- I realize it’s because I take time alone with I need it- to chill out or meditate, I need to keep my diet right, get some sun, I don’t drink alcohol and I go to bed as early as possible.  When I am not in a severe depressive relapse/episode, I am unable to do these things, and much more.  But doing these things while feeling well helps me to feel well longer. 

-dealing with heavy exhaustion the first day

That first day where we got up, had breakfast, got dressed and went out into the masses…oh my gawwdd…I have to admit it felt a little surreal.  Not in a, “wow the sun feels great and the water is so pretty and it smells like summer” but surreal as in “I don’t belong here. I am house bound. I am out of my element".
Among the beautiful scenery and idyllic atmosphere, I had to fight my thoughts on a consistent basis telling myself that everything was okay.  I had a few small panic attacks. I can walk through these now because I’ve grown so accustomed to them.   I wanted to run and hide in the room so bad.  I forced myself to stay out and about with the everyone when all I wanted to do was run back the room.  When visiting a museum was up next, even though I LOVE museums, I decided to hang back at the room and do some reading. 

BTW
The book I brought on this trip, btw, is a must read.  It taught me a lot about Yosemite and the history and the behind the scenes.  It was written by a retired park ranger. The books is called "Death in Yosemite".  Pretty interesting given my laid back attitude talking about death...  I didn’t know it was that popular of a book until I saw it for sale in EVERY SINGLE GIFT SHOP of the greater Yosemite area.  My mom suggested a good book to which we read before the trip to help us plan it. 

So yea, that first day was where I right away recognized the parts of traveling that were going to be harder for me.  I kept these things in mind and continued on!


-daily life of a motion sickness prone traveler on a constant dose of Dramamine

Okay so I am one of those rare people who get extremely car sick.  I mean bad and it happens fast.  I have been that way my whole life.  I always have Dramamine on me in purse at any time because sometimes just running errands (as a passenger) will make me sick.  I have to sit in the front seat and I HAVE to take Dramamine.  Well, I found a whole lot more goodies for us motioned sickness prone people.  They all worked great. I am about to hook you up with the best motion sickness shopping list EVER:

I was battling drowsiness the entire time, unfortunately. Not every non-drowsy motion sickness med is fool proof. Just a disclaimer.

I hope your enjoying reading my travel journey!  I have been having fun writing this.  It really puts in perspective what mental illness looks like in modern-day life. 

xoxo,

Lindsay

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