11th day - February 21, 2022

I wake up with a slight headache, I think the last gin and tonic was one too many. This time I'll skip the pretty uninspired breakfast here at the hotel. A bowl of cornflakes and 2 toasts - that's all I want. I'm not really sad to leave this place. I had much more positive memories of the establishment four years ago. But maybe it was just the first impression of America back then. Anyway, I don't plan on coming back here again. If I visit Tom again, which is quite possible, I'll stay somewhere else.

When I'm back in the room waiting for Mike, who's going to pick me up and my suitcase, a completely crazy guy starts yelling somewhere outside a room. He's so aggressive that I'm actually waiting for a gunshot. As a precaution, I lock my door. But after half an hour of screaming, either he lost his voice or the guys in white coats took him away. When Mike finally comes, I'm even happier to leave this place.

Before I leave, we go to Omelett House for breakfast. It's actually very tasty. Yes, breakfast is actually a great thing in America. You just can't rely on the hotel. Although there are exceptions too. But I'd rather spend a little more and have a good breakfast than eat this motel food.

At 1:30 p.m., we finally arrive at the car rental. The office is in a shopping center and there's really not much going on here. I get the car without any problems, and it's even bigger than I booked. A silver Toyota Highlander will be my companion for the next 18 days. It has a small chip in the windshield but it doesn't really bother me. At least Apple CarPlay works perfectly.

I take the opportunity to buy some water and other things for the trip at the supermarket here. When I go back to the car, I'm surprised that the tailgate doesn't open. It was working just now, right? Mike opens it by hand and then we realize that it's not my car. There's a Toyota behind us with the tailgate open. Too funny.

My farewell to the two of them is not as painful because I'll see them again in June. But of course, I'll miss them. I'll see Tom and Jen again.

I drive out of the San Diego metropolitan area on the major interstates and leave I-8 for Highway 79 through the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. You quickly gain altitude here and there are still some patches of snow at the top. Then it's off to Highway 78 towards Anza Borrego and down again, and finally, the beautiful desert appears. Now the road trip feeling really kicks in and I stop several times to take in the amazing scenery. The weather is sunny again unlike this morning's cloudy sky, but the wind still brings a little chill.

At Salton Sea, I turn right instead of left like 4 years ago, heading towards Joshua Tree National Park. Great memories come back as I pass by the spot where my first 🇺🇸 road trip started in February 2018.

I reach my first motel in Brawley after 30 minutes. The place is unspectacular but today I didn't feel like driving for a long time. The room is okay and there's a Carls Jr. next door. It's a bit strange to be alone after 10 days, but also exciting at the same time. Because I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. A completely new route along the border to Mexico through Arizona. And then I have the whole day to drive. Cool.