Started from the bottom now we’re here! Nah, really! Join us in visiting the flashback, where we take you back to where it all began. Two “uni” friends, a car, a thirst for adventure and the rest is history. Fasten your seatbelts – for this is a ride to our first ever road trip to Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls that set the motion for our suitcase and stories journey.
The Birth of a Road Trip
Now, we can’t remember how we came up with the idea of visiting Niagara Falls. More than likely our decision was influenced by Instagram or Facebook. We just remember knowing that Niagara Falls is supposedly beautiful. So that day we randomly loaded up the car and experienced our first ROAD TRIP together! We drove from Ypsilanti, Michigan (shout out to our alma mater, Eastern Michigan University) to Buffalo, New York. Which was about a 4-5 hr drive.
Before any one of us would change their mind, we hurriedly readied our bags (don’t even ask how many essentials we forgot to take). But that’s the gist of it right? The randomness filled us with this thrill that’s hard to explain.
Now, what’s a road trip that doesn’t involve a little twist? Ours came in the form of flashing
blue lights. Yep, we got pulled over. And you will never guess why! Spoiler alert: Star still has
to find out whether that “following too close” ticket was ever paid. Anyhow, we arrived at
Buffalo safely but it started out a little rocky!
Buffalo: The Unexpected Charm
Our hotel for the weekend was at the Holiday Inn Express, the best place our pockets could afford. After checking in, we did what we do best: explore like locals. While driving around the city of Buffalo, we came across this hole in the wall soul food restaurant (can’t remember the name since it’s been so many years), anyhow – they “threw down”.
Sitting at the bar, we struck up a conversation with some locals who convinced us to check out a club later that night. Fast forward to a few hours later, and there we were, mingling with the club owner himself. He generously lined the bar up with shots for us. Buffalo might not be on everyone’s bucket list, but let us tell you – the people there know how to show visitors a good time.
Chasing Waterfalls: Niagara Falls – Our Wet and Wild Adventure
Fast forward to the next morning, these two college girls, slightly hungover from the morning after (coffee: our true savior), but buzzing with enough excitement to power a small city. Our next destination? Niagara Falls – aka nature’s ultimate shower experience. Thanks, Instagram, for planting this epic idea in our heads!
Let me tell you, no filter, no fancy camera angle could EVER do justice to these monster waterfalls. We’re talking jaw-dropping, mind-blowing natural power that makes you feel like a tiny speck in the universe. Standing there, with water roaring like a rock concert, we felt this weird zen moment – part terror, part pure amazement.
But want to know what the real magic was? The Maid of the Mist!
Pro tip: We were given some blue ponchos to wear which were far from a total fashion statement lol! We looked like walking Smurfs about to get the most epic bath of our lives. The boat rocked more than a Beyonce concert, and spoiler alert – we got SOAKED. Like, “did we just swim here?” soaked. But holy moly, was it worth every dripping moment! Hours flew by as we just… existed. Totally present, totally in awe. And yeah, we’re totally punning when we say we were “soaking it all in” – because we literally were!
Side note: Canadian side of Niagara Falls is still on our bucket list since we missed that! But we will soon visit it. Consider this our public commitment, universe!
From Broke College Kids to Suitcases and Stories
That trip wasn’t just a trip. It was our origin story. We caught the travel bug harder than most people catch a cold. Fast forward a few years, and we’ve leveled up from “ramen for dinner” college students to “occasional fancy latte” professionals. We’re not rich, but we’re not eating instant noodles anymore – progress, baby!
Buffalo was just the beginning. We’ve since explored cities that make our first road trip look like a warm-up. Beaches, mountaintops, random street markets – we’ve seen ’em all. And while we’re low-key proud of our travel game now, that first trip? Pure magic.
Why We’re Spilling the Tea on Our Journey
Real talk? We didn’t start traveling for the ‘gram. (Okay, maybe a little now). Initially, it was about pure, unadulterated adventure. The random conversations, the unexpected laughs, the “did that just happen?” moments.
Here’s our travel manifesto: You don’t need a trust fund or a life plan to explore. Curiosity? Check. Sense of adventure? Double-check. Willingness to wing it? Triple-check! Whether it’s a road trip that’s basically a glorified drive or a flight that requires three connections and a
prayer, the world’s waiting.
Travel Hacks From Two “Mildly Bougie” Explorers
1. Plan, but make room for chaos. The best stories come from unplanned detours.
2. Budget like a boss. Five-star experiences don’t need five-star prices. Our Holiday Inn
Express? Absolute MVP.
3. Talk to strangers (safely, obviously). That bartender? Potential local legend.
4. Baby steps are still steps. Our first “epic” trip was basically a state-line hop
The Road Ahead
Our travel bucket list is more packed than a college student’s schedule during finals week. Canadian Niagara Falls, cross-country road trip, and more – Bring. it. On.
To all the hesitant travelers out there: GET UP AND GO
Let’s turn the world into our playground, one ridiculous adventure at a time!
