Alex

Nothing eventful happened in the time span it took me to fill up.

So I got in the car, punched a coordinates into my GPS, and I was off, shaking off the hot encounter.

I hunkered down for some quality time with myself.

That first leg of the trip was a breeze.

I listened to my favorite podcast, which kept my mind very busy.

It helped make the driving not seem so long.

I finished both coffers, and I just cracked open the water bottle as I crossed out of Ohio and into Indiana.

I stopped at the first rest area in the state.

On my last trip, I was full of anxiety about not getting lost, having enough gas, and keeping a proper time schedule.

This time around, I was making a point to not be so anxious.

I'd already done it once, so I knew I could do it again.

This time, I intended on enjoying my stops, appreciating the fact that I was driving through multiple states, onto my own, and basking in the happy memories that I was able to create for myself.

First, I snapped a selfie with a welcome to Indiana sign.

I went inside, grabbed a few brochures, so I had something to use for scrapbooking.

I saw the attendant behind the counter and approached.

She was an older woman, had to be in her late fifties or early sixties.

She had white curly bouncy hair, a red vest over it, a white long-sleeved waffle shirt.

Finishing off the ensemble was a pearly white smile that I swear could have blinded me.

Hello, welcome to our beautiful home state, she said.

Thanks, first time stretching my legs today, I said, laughing as I bounced in place.