It may sound silly, but when we rolled along the gorgeous stretch of highway that led us into Wyoming, everything felt different than the rest of our travels. We had entered the great frontier of the West, and the rolling hills of green against a backdrop of the bluest sky we'd ever seen was practically breathing the history of America. It truly left us breathless. All we could see for miles and miles, was rolling hills and puffy white clouds that looked like you could grab a handful right out of that deep blue sky. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it looked like a painting or a postcard. It was nearly too much natural beauty for the mind to comprehend; you couldn't take the smile off our faces if you tried!
Traveling does something special to the mind, I think. Maybe it's that sense of time finally being on your side because you have nowhere to be but where you are at that moment. Traveling gives you the gift of time. Time to think, time to reflect, time to dream.
As Ty drove our trusty Xterra along little towns, and miles of nothing but nature, I found myself thinking again about this great nation. I was talking on the phone with my dad about how incredible it is to really see the countryside. Now, my dad is a man who loves his country, and has always been fascinated by the history of America. I told him that I finally understand why we fought, and continue to fight, for our country. My dad being the history buff that he is, said "This is, and always will be, the best country in the world. A lot of people fought and died so that it could be a place where people could live freely and choose where and how they would live their life."
During the past few years, we've all been witness to a nation divided. Anytime you turn on the TV, you'll see heated debates about issues that plague America. This entire road-trip has given me a new appreciation for everything American. I keep using the word "lucky" and "blessed" to describe how I feel during our travels. Luck has nothing to do with it though. Citizens fought so that I could enjoy a country where I'm free to believe what I choose, to speak my mind when I feel compelled, and where I could give birth to a baby knowing that he truly can dream as big as his heart allows.
As we rolled along that peaceful countryside, I felt, just for a moment, that we are all fighting with passion for a nation we all love so dearly.
This breathtaking country was worth fighting for, and still is.