u/littlewing2733

I drove Route 66 with my partner while moving a few months ago in just four days. It was pretty amazing.

Unfortunately, things didn’t work out between us, and I’m planning on making the trip back solo with my cat starting tomorrow.

This time, I am not on a time constraint or budget, and won’t be driving for more than 7 hours at a time. I plan to make as many stops as I feel I need to.

Any tips for a solo traveler with a small pet would be appreciated. I’ve never traveled this far alone before, and I fear I missed out on some of the interesting parts of the drive. Thank you.

I am currently staying in a hotel for a few days. It’s a relatively safe area, most of the people here have seen some rough things but are genuinely trying to make the best of it. As am I.

I am a habitual smoker, and due to my rough last few days, I could not sleep. I sat in my car for awhile, but joined some folks who were also sitting outside and smoking, so I wouldn’t have to walk as far.

We didn’t talk, just stared at our phones, but it was fine. At one point, I looked up and everyone else was gone. Cool, bench space! I sat down with my cigarette and got on my phone.

Now, due to the nature of the hotel, there are a lot of people coming and going at all hours. I personally arrived at 4am and waited in the parking lot for the desk to open, so I saw a lot of folks who were early risers, too. Just families, workers, normal people.

But as I’m sitting there on my phone, I hear click-clacking behind me. I assumed it was someone getting out of a quiet car or in heels or something.

Nope. There’s a dude standing under one of the parking lot lights, wearing a fucking bowler hat and suspenders, looking at me while in what I can only describe as a Skyrim walk pose in transition to standing. Then he took a step forward, moving one of his arms up. I don’t know if he snapped or had some kind of noise maker, but it sounded like he was wearing tap shoes and clicking something in his hand.

He was far enough away to not be an immediate problem, but I tossed my cigarette in the cig bin and speedwalked right back through the front door and down the hall, checking behind me the whole way to ensure he didn’t follow me in. The front desk was empty, and most folks are asleep, so I wanted to be sure I was alone.

That was completely fucked. No I did not stop to take a picture. I know this is straight out of a creepypasta or short horror film but this was real and happened maybe ten minutes ago.

However, I locked all the locks on my room, shut the drapes, and I have my attack cat with me. I will be okay. Just honestly: what the actual fuck?

I moved across the country a month ago. Tonight was the first time I saw The Mountain Goats. I brought my partner who didn’t know them to Summerfest in Milwaukee just so I could see them.

There was some trouble with the amp and John’s mic during Up The Wolves. I couldn’t hear anything but drums, and it’s one of my favorite songs, but the crowd pulled through and sang most of it. It was beautiful.

Special thanks to everyone who was there singing along with me, and everyone who would have if they could have. You’re all real ones. ❤️