The Long & Winding Road

A Unique Way to Travel the World

Special Guest Ruth Taylor

Photos by Ruth Taylor (@elysian_reflections)

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.

One of those friendships I have valued the most was with a woman named Ruth.

Ruth reached out to me complimenting me on my photos and the stories in my captions. We struck up a conversation, quickly became friends, and she invited me to be her upcoming “Spotlight Sunday” guest…

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.⁣

Our mode of travel is unlike the normal 18-wheeled semi. When empty, we are 106’ long and weigh in at 94,500 lbs.

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.

There are times we have one escort, sometimes three, normally it’s two. Some states require state troopers or city police.

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.

Second, it’s given me the opportunity to travel and see places I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Third, I’ve had the chance to meet some incredible people along the way, many that have become like family.

Fourth, a life of minimalism has taught me what truly matters in life.

Finally, I got introduced to Montana.⁣

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.

Since 2021, I’ve been spending full summers out there and in fact, have extended it by a whole month this year.⁣

I get asked a lot if I drive.

That answer is a firm NO!

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.

SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY

Being the creative type, I decided to create a feature of someone else’s account on my Instagram page. I decided to call it, 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮. Almost three and one half years later, I just recently shared my 120th feature.

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.⁣

FAN FAVORITES FRIDAY FEATURES

⁣Just recently, I also started another feature, 𝙁𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨. Nine of the accounts featured are chosen by my followers, with the tenth selection being mine.

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.⁣

One thing I’ve always had and something I enjoy, is being able to bring people together. Montana is a favorite place of mine to do just that. I have family and friends (usually from Instagram) that come there to meet me for fun-filled adventures, or just to witness the beauty of Big Sky Country.

This year I have a packed summer with friends coming from across the U.S., Belgium and even all the way from Australia.⁣

I often look back at the person I was and the person I’ve become since setting out on this journey. While this life isn’t for everyone, I firmly believe that God’s perfect timing put me right where I needed to be and He knew I was ready.

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.⁣

⁣“𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

⁣𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖⁣

𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽⁣

𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒.⁣⁣

ℂ𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞⁣

𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓⁣

𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶.⁣