Chris hasn't written or called me, so I decided not to go through Salt Lake, but instead go through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Monument. I planned a route that goes almost completely on roads I haven't driven before -- I've driven the entire length of both I-80 and I-90, so I took a route in between the two. I start out on I-90, go through the Badlands, then continue on US Route 14 to Yellowstone, then I meet up with US Route 26 all the way back to Portland. I like the US Routes rather than the interstates; they're more windy and have prettier scenery. And I've driven the 26 across Oregon before -- it's the most beautiful six-hour stretch of highway I've ever been on.

The only thing I'm not super happy about is that my dad decided to come with me. I was worried about going alone, mostly because of the 32 hours of driving, so I kind of suggested that he come. But then I started having second thoughts, especially since we'll have to stay in motels instead of sleeping in the car. I like sleeping in the car. I like waking up at 6 am when the sun is rising, and starting to drive right away before breakfast or anything. I like doing everything cheap.

What really annoyed me is that both my parents latched onto the idea of my dad coming, for my "safety." Because they think it would be dangerous for me to sleep in my car at rest stops, which I've done a million times, alone, on other trips. I HATE people worrying about my safety. I worry about things too, but one thing I never worry about is being attacked or abducted.

Those concerns just seem like another way to keep girls "in their place", off the streets, out of exciting places, inside and at home. I don't usually express these types of feminist thoughts, but irrational concerns for my safety really fucking annoy me. Like when Jason says I shouldn't walk alone at night through Southeast Portland, which probably has the lowest crime rate of any city in the country.

Anyway, I'm rebellious and independent, but I'm hoping that my annoyance at him coming will be short-lived. It *will* help to have a second driver, and I'll probably appreciate the showers I'll get from staying in a motel. It's less "On the Road" and more "Little Miss Sunshine."

I'm excited to go through Yellowstone. I've traveled so much in this country, it seems like I almost never see anything I've never seen before. But this will be totally new to me. And I have my camera. I want to start taking pictures again, so maybe I'll be inspired.

I got a haircut yesterday, at the same place where I got an amazing haircut in January, but this time I got a different hairdresser and she did a crappy job. I look like a 3rd grader. It's not quite as bad as the cut I got in Bangkok, but almost. She didn't listen to anything I said, so I just gave up and figured I could fix it later. I have this stupid bob that flips around my cheeks. Oh well.