Lisana's Lines

My journey to Nebraska was filled with changing landscapes and exhaustion as I drove half-way across the county. I drove through the mountains of Georgia and Tennessee, the hills of Kentucky and the flatter land of Indiana and Illinois. I stopped in Illinois to visit a friend and to get some much-needed rest. After packing and storing most of my stuff for days, I was tired. I enjoyed the visit, and the sleep, but after only 12 hours off the road, it was time to move on.

The flats and hills of Iowa greeted me soon. The windfarms that were scattered alongside I-80 through Iowa made me feel hopeful for the future of renewable energy. I didn’t recall seeing those a few years ago when I travelled through Iowa.

When I reached Omaha, I remembered a day that I spent there once. On that visit, I covered all of the downtown area walking, and I visited the railroad museum. I was impressed with the city.

Upon leaving Omaha, I was reminded by gazing upon my GPS that I had about 400 miles more to go before I reached Sidney. I thought to myself, “that is the same distance as it is from Baltimore to Boston; I got this.”

I was excited to drive across Nebraska, because I had only experienced it from a Greyhound bus (that story is for another time). Driving to me is a big deal. I love road trips, and when I was stuck without a safe vehicle to drive any distance for about four months last year, I was climbing walls. So me + open road = happy. Unfortunately, darkness fell as I was passing though Grand Island, and I wasn’t able to see the changing landscape the remainder of the drive to Sidney. On the Greyhound ride, it was also dark when I passed through the same area then. This only means that I will have to take a drive during the daytime to see what I missed. That, I can happily deal with. And I can enjoy it without being cramped in my tiny car with my things.

Upon arriving in Sidney, I thought, “This is my town now. And the area is mine to explore.” When I awoke the next morning to see Sidney’s surroundings, I was excited. These desert-looking hills make interesting photographic subjects. Of course, as soon as I left work my first day here, I explored the area and took a few photos.That is when reality that this is now home truly engulfed me. Wherever you go, there you are. Now I am here and I will make the most of it.

Although this area has a very different landscape than what I have always been used to, I will enjoy it. I have always lived within four hours of the ocean, which I love dearly, but I will find solace in the new scenery. Life is an adventure, and everyone needs to enjoy its journey to the fullest.

Lisana Eckenrode can be contacted at [email protected].