Day 5

White knuckles, sore jaw, tired eyes, bedtime = early

The day started off great…until I saw the “violators will be towed” signs everywhere. I parked in a Safeway parking lot thinking I will drop my rig off there and meet up with my cousin and his wife and ride with them to our hike destination. Another lesson learned. Some businesses hate people parking in their lot. Okay, I get it. If everyone did it it would be a pain. But can’t I just come in and buy a couple items and we call it good?

Decided not to risk it. Parked in a mall parking lot and off we go. To an amazing hike, more laughs, gorgeous views, and cold ass wind 🥶. The sun and hike did me wonders for my mental health. I knew the drive ahead was going to be really stressful so the workout was great. We got to the top. We took our pics. Of course I had to get some selfies because why not?! 😜

Down we go through the mountain switchbacks and we make it back to the rig, have lunch and say our goodbyes. Shit, I realize my rear blinker and brake light isn’t working. So off to O’Reillys I go. Buy the lights and replace them both. Just my luck one doesn’t work still. 45 minutes later I say the hell with it and off we go.

Snow was supposed to be coming Monday so I was like I’m getting out of here and to the other side of the mountains. Off we go. An hour and a half in something doesn’t seem right. Brakes aren’t releasing and it’s barely above freezing. No cell service. No close town. Just the perfect storm for something to go wrong. I try a few random things and get them to mostly release. I’m determined to make it to the other side of the mountains though so here we go. Pushing through hands on the wheel so tight they still hurt. Stopping every once in awhile to check the rig and take in the views.

I decided before this trip I was going to battle my anxiety head on. I knew there would be moments I would feel lost, not know what to do, something would go wrong, something would break but I was going to win this time. My anxiety and depression have won too many times in my past. Some of those times have led to ER visits, weeks of shutting down, weeks of making loved ones worry, loss of jobs, missed events, missed family things, etc. Not this time. HELL NO. I’m going to win. I’m going to control you not the other way around. So that’s what I did and will continue to do. Figure it out. Move on. Make moves. Learn. Listen. Read. Believe. Strive. Love.

The views.

It’s so magical it takes your breath away. The river running below you. The road going in and out of the tunnels. (Of course I had to hold my breath through them 😜 family tradition). Imagining what it took to build this highway. The thousands of explosions and rocks that fell. The red colors. The waterfalls. The cars flying by while I just cruise slowly. It was magical. Through all the stress clenched jaw white knuckles and all it was beautiful. Finding the beauty in all situations is where my motto Support the Intended comes from. From a dream I once had 6 years ago to a motto I follow everyday. All the good and bad mean something in life. Take it in. Embrace it. Let it all be a part of you. Believe.

Love you all.

Bryce P

Support the Intended