The Long & Winding Road
A Unique Way to Travel the World
Special Guest Ruth Taylor
When I started Instagram a few years back, I never dreamed of the connections and friendships I would develop over the years. I had assumed a lot of people were solely on IG to promote themselves, gain followings and grow their business - which to some extent they are. However, I quickly learned there is also a very tight-knit community of photographers and travel bloggers who are more than willing to promote and share each other’s work, offer mutual support and who are genuinely incredible people. Some I have met in person. Others I hope to meet one day.
What is “Spotlight Sunday” you ask? Well, I have now turned the table on Ruth and invited her to write for ME - not only to tell you about her INCREDIBLY unique way of traveling the world (which I find intriguing and a little crazy), but also to share how she promotes the work of others through her “Spotlight Sunday” and “Fan Favorites Friday Features.”
Here is what Ruth had to say…
🄾ver 🅃he 🅁oad
by Ruth Taylor
I’m pretty certain 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 thought I was off my rocker. Me, the high maintenance, high heeled wearing, get my hair done every month, “stuff” loving person, setting out for full-time life on the road. In a semi? Yeah right! Almost 10 years later, and much to 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 surprise, I’m still out here traveling over the road with my husband and loving it.
Loaded and at 13-axles, we can vary from 200,000 lbs. to 265,000 lbs. 𝘢𝘯𝘥 there are 50 wheels on the ground. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥 we take is done under permit issued by the individual states, sometimes to include counties and cities.
As you might imagine, there is a lot to keep up with and it all varies from state to state.
Being able to travel with my husband has been a blessing in so many ways. First, it’s allowed us to spend quality time together that we missed out on for many years.
If you follow me on Instagram (@elysian_reflections), you might think I’m from Montana. I’m not. I’m a native born Texan. I kiddingly say the stork’s GPS was out of whack when he dropped me off. Mind you, I do love Texas, but from the first time I set eyes on Montana, I fell in love and felt like I was finally home.
I leave all of that up to my husband. He’s the expert and I trust him fully - even if I do have my own (pretend) brake on the dash of the passenger side.
However, while riding, especially in places we’ve been to a number of times, I found myself needing something to do to pass the time.
I’d have a lot more by now, but decided to take summers off while in Montana and after last summer, decided to only do them every other week. In fact, Jen is a previous feature, number 24.
Everything is played out in my stories, accompanied by a musical selection of my choice. I love putting these together as it’s a great way to connect with others and allows others’ work to be highlighted.
This year I have a packed summer with friends coming from across the U.S., Belgium and even all the way from Australia.
Long gone are the high heeled shoes, since replaced by hiking boots. The need for “stuff” is far outweighed by the need for mountains, waterfalls, forests…and Montana.
𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖
𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽
𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒.
ℂ𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞
𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓
𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶.