road trippin
soy la misma newsletter
Arriving at 11:40 pm in complete blackness at Badlands National Park is like walking into a dark home that is not yours -- literally. Roque promised us a beautiful boondock (remote area not meant for organized camping, but camping is allowed) spot right off the cliff on Badlands. Good thing he can read a map because, surprisingly enough, the internet/ Google Maps is not always helpful in remote areas!! As we slowly drove south towards the area in an empty two-way lane, Roque and I moved our heads from left to right. We twisted the radio knob left to lower the music as if the silence would lead us to the right exit. Thankfully, we found it! I was afraid, not going to lie, especially knowing we were driving towards the cliff. We knew we were in the right place when we spotted all the large campers with my car's low lights shining on them. After driving almost a mile toward the cliff, Roque turned left. We went down for another mile and chose a dry, flat patch about 500 feet from what could turn to death. Now, I won't bore you with how we transitioned to the back of the car camping area, but we did a whole Speedy Gonzalez thing because the dark truly creeped us out! We ended up rising to a very cloudy sunrise the next day, but with just enough dim sunlight that we could see the incredible views of the Badlands! I immediately opened my car door, excited, and our car alarm went off!! Rookie mistake! Thankfully, I did not awaken our neighbors, or I think we didn't. I successfully walked out to witness the views until I noticed I was scratching my calves, neck, and arms. I looked down to see why I was so itchy -- I was surrounded by what seemed like hundreds of mosquitoes! It had rained during our camping visit, leaving the area humid. Another rookie mistake of mine! This was the first night of three car-camping nights on our way to Montana for my friend's wedding-- just filled with experiences!
Before we could drive away from Worthington for four days, Roque and I did a cool thing, and that was building an indoor car-camping situation! Two years ago, we purchased a used teardrop camper for our camping experiences at state parks. Unfortunately, the rear end of the trailer has water damage, so we are too afraid to use it. Another thing is we read online that a trip through Glacier National Park should be with a smaller vehicle. We slept for three comfy nights inside my Subaru Forester on a wooden platform that had three layers of bedding. Our five foot and plus inches fit so comfortably! We boondock right on a cliff of Badlands (as you read), at a Walmart parking lot, and a Flying J gas station lot! Truly, adventurous. But what I did learn from this first-time car camping experience is to make sure to buy shade netting for your car windows when you need oxygen and to keep mosquitoes/bugs away! I also purchased a cordless electrical fan! For the hot nights, we had that thing FANNING. Now that we're back home, I wonder what park is our next adventure! If you have any recommendations, please send them our way!
What's to come for 'Soy La Misma'
I plan to create a mini-interview series in my newsletter this summer before back-to-school days resume! I want to speak to first/second gen immigrant daughters and their experience post-undergrad, plus more! So make sure to share the newsletter with your friend(s)! (:
What I'm watching
Religiously watching Superstore
What I'm reading
The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (SO GOOD!)
What I'm listening to
My listening years have been on a country and African heat kinda vibe this summer
Enjoy your day off / paid holiday!! And see you all again before the month is over! You will get two of me in July + August (: