My daughter and I drove 2,000 miles to college. It was the best goodbye I could've asked for.

The author and her daughter drove 2,000 miles to drop her off at college.

Courtesy of the author My daughter and I took the scenic route from Oregon to her college in Missouri.

We camped near Yellowstone, explored Wyoming, and visited South Dakota landmarks.

The trip gave us precious time together before she started her independent life.

After buying a car for my daughter to take to college, the problem was getting the little Mazda from Portland, Oregon, to Fulton, Missouri.

Maria and I are fun in the car, but awful at driving long distances.

We checked the miles, over 2,000, and groaned.

"Are we doing this?" I asked.

"Remember Eugene?" We laughed, thinking about the time after an exhausting day, we couldn't manage the usual three hours from Eugene, Oregon , to Portland without stopping every 10 to 15 minutes.

We took turns saying, "Your turn," as we blasted cold air and chomped Good 'n' Plenty licorice to stay awake.

Eventually, we napped at a rest stop.

I finished the drive and let Maria sleep.

We took the scenic route to college "Let's make it an adventure," Maria said when we were debating whether to take the scenic route.

She knows I love sleeping in a tent and waking up outdoors.