Last week I embarked on a grand adventure to the land where dreams become reality — no, not the Corner after midterms — Walt Disney World. Several months ago, I applied for an internship with the Disney College Program and, next thing I knew, I was packing my tiny blue Ford Focus to the brim with shorts, tanning lotion and two oversized slippers shaped like Mickey Mouse’s golden clogs.
While the Orlando spectacle awaiting me was indescribable, I can describe my 827-mile, 12 hour journey from Charlottesville.
Road trips are glorious, but certain precautions must be taken in order to ensure the experience is positive. There are also several actions one should avoid, as I have learned the hard way. Here’s my personal list of do’s and don’ts.
Do: Create a glorious playlist. I recommend upbeat jingles with uncomplicated lyrics, such as the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack or musical theater scores. This playlist will help you escape the monotony of pop radio, which seems hell-bent on playing only Nick Jonas. Despite recent success on the airwaves, I believe the highlight of Nick Jonas’ career was the replication of the “Born in the U.S.A.” album featuring Nick’s butt.
Don’t: Forget to transfer said glorious playlist onto your iPod before beginning your journey. If you do, you’ll be forced to pull into a Starbucks parking lot to steal the Wi-Fi to sync the playlist. Also, don’t start crying during the super depressing song from “Quest for Camelot,” because the occupants of the car in the lane next to you will inevitably judge you.
Do: Hydrate properly. Pull over whenever possible to replenish your store of Powerade, cherry cola and good old fashioned water.
Don’t: Drink directly from a two-liter bottle of Diet Dr. Perky. Much like crying while listening to your playlist, hydrating in this manner seems to elicit repeated stares from passers-by of all ages. Personally, I think I-95 is just a little too judgmental.
Do: Make an impromptu stop in Savannah and explore the town. You won’t regret it. Savannah is like Alice’s Wonderland — mixed with a dash of bourbon and a sprinkle of Southern charm. Be sure to pop by a centuries-old bar, which most likely played host to an underground band of pirates who sold illegal hard liquor to daring Savannahians.
Don’t: Stop at a random Walmart in Walterboro, South Carolina after sundown. At the Charlottesville Walmart, I am just another broke college kid, meandering through the aisles at 1 a.m. At the Walterboro Walmart, I found myself amidst a herd of camo-wearing, unkempt male South Carolinians. Until you hit the Florida-Georgia state line, an increase in summer wear is accompanied by an increase in camouflage.
Do: Take the plunge. Traveling 12 hours to the muggy days and surprisingly cold nights of Florida seemed so intimidating before I set out on my road trip, but I can no longer imagine the alternative. The only thing harder than leaving Charlottesville would have been staying and not embarking on this adventure.
I am fully aware of everything I will miss during my semester away from our great University. I’m missing the last semester for most of my closest friends. I’m missing Beach Week — for the third time. I’m missing out on some fantastic courses in the Media Studies department. And, lastly, I’m missing auditions for the drama department’s spring musical.
However, the University will be waiting for me in August. It will always be there waiting for you, should you choose to embark on an adventure to Africa, Europe, Asia or even the Eastern Seaboard. Even if you’re unsure about the destination, the road trip alone is surely worth it.
Laura’s column runs biweekly Fridays. She can be reached at l.holshouser@cavalierdaily.com.
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