The Magical Wonderfulness of PBS Goes West

Life...a beautiful choice.

2010-01-05T19:51:00.000-08:00

I was unable to be honest and open about my thoughts and feelings through the duration my entire trip. I started Magical Wonderfulness to be able to share the scenery with everyone that was excited for my trip west. The only person I was able to be comfortable enough with to be open and honest with is the only person I am completely incapable of getting in touch with ever again. By sharing the beautiful scenery and the story that went along with the pictures I felt I could open up at least a little. The blog was a way to vent some of my feelings and share that I was alive and alright. I have lost the ability to talk to some of my closest friends, I have been discouraged, threatened, arrested, and been talked to like I am the most terrible person alive from this. I did not intend to worry, anger, sadden, manipulate, or guilt anyone, and if I did this was not my intention.

I never wanted my life to come to this. At a point when I could have changed, I chose to ignore my problems. My life was no longer just about myself, and choosing not to accept that I had a problem hurt the person that I love. I compounded the problem and have to accept responsibility for my actions. My reason for leaving was quite clear. My trip itself has opened my eyes for better and for worse and the information I have learned has made my decision much simpler. I had a moment of peace when accepting the decision of the girl I love to no longer be in contact, and that lapse has made me lose all meaning. I am relinquishing contact with everyone I have ever had known in my life. My reliance on other people has come to the point that I can no longer function and the torment I put myself through can not be dealt with as long as I have constant reminders of what I have lost. I miss Geode too much, I miss Dinosaur too much, I miss Ani too much. I decided to end my trip in Yosemite National Park, as this is the only place I had intended to head to in the first place. My motivation to keep in touch and let others experience my journey through Magical Wonderfulness kept me from my goal for a while longer but the journey is over. Magical Wonderfulness was about my trip and is no longer necessary as my trip is over. To the best of my abilities I never intend to come back, and if by chance I do, I apologize. I wish you all the best in your endeavors and hope you have the most meaningful life.

I will no longer be trippin'.

2010-01-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

The foothills of the Sierra Nevada have sharp spikes of rock coming out of the hills. Pretty amazing looking.

I watched the light fade over El Capitan.

The still water creates such a clear reflection of the surrounding landscapes.

The light came and went from the clouds, and the fog moved in and out.

El Capitan caught the sunsets beautiful warm tones.

The light faded over everything and let just the highest cliffs catch the light. Another day in the books.

The Mist Trail was my next adventure. Sadly I wasn't able to take the trail up to the top of Half Dome because the cables enabling hikers to ascend to the top are down in the winter.

The water everywhere is beautifully clear.

A bridge that crossed the water was a viewing point for the waterfall. It seemed a lot of hikers just got to this point and turned back after getting a few quick shots. It was funny to see people get to the bridge and take photos of themselves, then they would walk a few steps more and actually see the waterfall.

The surrounding cliffs were beautiful.

Nevada and Vernal Falls were visible from the trail. When in the higher elevations the snow hadn't melted and was packed from traffic from hikers. This created an adventure. It was like a slide on the way down. I felt like I threw out my back a few times trying to catch my balance.

Vernal Falls was beautiful from across the valley. The trail down was even more icy.

The sheer granite without any vegetation is a wonderful gray.

The rock in the streambed was completely flat. It did look inviting to explore even though it was cold, and many signs warned of how dangerous that would be.

Emerald Pool was iced over of course.

The bridge is in view from the falls. I love seeing how far I have hiked.

The thunder echoed off the walls of the valley.

Below the falls the black rocks covered in white snow.

Looking back up to the icy trail that I now had to climb up intimidated me a bit. I had to pick up a sturdy pine branch to hike with. I would have busted my ass quite a few times if I had not.

I was going to see the sequoia groves on Yosemite before I left the park again, but of course the darkness fell before I got the chance.

As soon as I left out of 120 i remembered that I promised myself that I wouldn't take this way out. This road is so damn winding. A lovely terribly thick fog was present as well, yay.

Seeing more deer just standing by the roadside woke me bit more. At this point my trip is over.

When I Tried to Give The Deer a York Peppermint Patty, She Snubbed Her Nose. I'm Just Sayin

2010-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

The mild winter in the Sierra Nevada make sleeping a lot more comfortable. I have it down to a science of where to sleep in both urban and rural areas and not be bothered. Turnouts in the mountains, and near schools in the towns.

The landscape was different again in the valley.

It was early enough for the deer to be visible.

So I was told that a recent death in the park was due to a deer being fed by a child. Cars slammed on their brakes to get a glimpse of the deer, and I noticed them too, but didn't flail to look at them. I stood on a rock near a path next to where the deer were and waited and watched the mother and 2 fawn for a while. This human family went like this: Lets stand here, wait no lets get closer. That wasn't close enough and the kids were freaking out crying either because they were scared or they wanted to pet them. So the husband had the bright idea to go around them and move towards them to drive them closer to the kids...ugh. Now it would have been a delight to see the man get racked or something, but the mother might have went ape shit and whipped out her nine. I told them that it illegal to approach and harass the wildlife.

The meadows allow the cliffs all around to be enjoyed.

The sun beamed down and lit everything dramatically.

Yosemite Falls was the goal for today. I headed for the trail coming through the meadow.

Tucked away from sght but right near the shuttle stop were two more deer relaxing.

The oaks remind me of Indiana. More appropriately NW Indiana since I visited there so much for what WAS my extended family.

Working my way up a very winding path up the cliff I glanced back to see the valley get further and further away.

Looking back to where I had come up didn't look as rigorous as it actually was.

I probably notice it more because natural versus artificial has always been a fascination for me, but what looked like insulators for power lines were in the trees every so often.

Half Dome came and went my whole visit to the valley. Sometimes it was clear all day, and other days I could not see it at all.

My first view of the falls from the trail. The ice pack from the spray was really tall at the base and I would have very much liked to hike and see it, but it was passed 4 so it was getting dark. I started to head back and boy was i glad that I had turned back when I did.

The sunset shining onto Half Dome onto the clouds set them on fire.

The was able to see the fog slowly roll into the valley as it got darker and colder.

The valley before had maybe one tiny bit of fog. It was gorgeously eery.

When I started back it just getting dark but the brush below covered the rocky path and was very dark already. I could faintly see the light colored stones against the dark soil and stepped as carefully as I could, but the darkness took over and I had to trust my legs.

By the time that I got off of the trail it was pitch black. It was nice to almost alone in the valley, all but headlights shining in my face bouncing off the fog

For those of you I practiced my sugar pick up line on, I've never used it, I found this superior sugar packet.

Vegetarian lasagna was not bad at all. The closest sizable town is Mariposa over and hour away, so I checked the prices at a hotel right outside the park, $175 screw that, but I was hungry for somethin other than chips and crackers. The hotel restaurant was the kind of place that the visibly snubbed me as I entered, but it wasn't ritzy at all, just expensive. So you know about my bad water experience out of Mariposa, this place had well water and the Coke was the best freaking thing ever. I have always looked more forward to what I am drinking at a meal than what the food is, and this Coke was great. I told the waiter about my Coke orgasm and he expressed that their water came from a spring and that Mariposa treated their water with a lot of chlorine. That's why I had vomit on my lips, tasty.

I ended up at the same turnout I had slept at the night before and this time I was sharing my quarters with the locals. Next time you're zooming down a country road at night think of this: the deer are waiting for you right next to the roadside.

My beard is quite longer than I'm used to. I am almost finished with my trip, and that leads me the final posts and me riding off into the sunset.

Five Hundred Dollar a Night Pinecone.

2010-01-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how dramatically the Merced River Valley changes as it gets downstream.

The cliffs aren't as steep so they can hold vegetation, but not many trees.

Parallel to the cliffs, waiting for the single lane bridge to let me passed, the shadows on the banks criss-crossed a runoff.

The sheer granite let you know you had entered the park.

The valley is known for its clear waters.

It did not take long to find out why Ansel Adams was so enamored by the landscape.

The weather above the cliffs changes so rapidly and dramatically, and the fog rolls inand out of the valley throughout the day.

Until the valley warms up a light layer of fog still persisted as I entered the valley.

And in the shadows, the fog hung on for a while.

I came and went through the valley so much and saw the same landmarks over and over, but because of the weather changes there was never a dull moment.

The cliffs scew the scale of everything in view.

Half Dome. Not sure what to say other than wow.

My intent was to visit Yosemite only, having not planned very much at all on this trip. This was the shot that I had been in love with, this is the image I had in my mind. Less green than I had imagined, but this is the viewpoint.

Because I have been sleeping in my car "camping" and I don't own a time piece of any kind I wake up late everyday. I cruised the valley and took the Mirror Lake trail because it was short.

The chartreuse of the smaller moss does not show up on a camera such as this, but the both mosses had the most brilliant greens.

Mirror Lake was..iced over in large part. But this boulder shows how it got its name.

Say hello to Half Dome again. You can see the outline of the dome in the clouds for either disturbance or coincidence.

The water being so clear lets the light pass through and reflect great colors from the sediment.

I took a wrong turn on the way back from the lake so it took me around and around and I came to an empty campground.

Good thing I'm great with maps. i found my way to a bus stop and damn. The winter is not the peak time of the park, but the shuttle was packed. I could not imagine being here in the summer, not even just the amount of people, but just dealing with the attitudes and driving of the visitors is an experience.

This is what a $500 a night pinecone display looks like. So I didn't really want to deal with the hassle of driving out of the park everyday to sleep, and I refuse to pay to camp, so I entered the hotel in the park. people were wearing bow ties and I assumed that the rooms might be $100 a night. Uh, no. So to turnouts without no parking signs I went.

Je t'aime the valley, OH!

2009-12-28T19:59:00.000-08:00

The confusion of everything starts to clear up throughout the day. I got up early to pick up the bus pass that the county of Mariposa bought for me to get back to my car. I got to look at the butterfly wall for a few minutes while I waited for the bus to take me to the valley.

I got to see dew instead of frost this morning, and the only real reason I ever saw frost before wasn't because it was early, it's because the mountains shaded the grasses.

I tried to call the garage and find it on the map in Yosemite, but google said it was in the middle of a mountain, which I figured wasn't true. Because of all the confusion in what the hell was happening to me I left my wallet and all money in my car. I was supposed to get a bus ticket and get my car yesterday, but the garage was impound was going to be closed whenever I got there so I had to barter and stay another night. My agenda for the day was to get to my car and come back and pay the hotel so I wouldn't get anyone fired. Bartering in a big city would have never flied.

I wasn't able to take any pictures during the bus ride because for a multitude of reasons I got terrible motion sickness. I hadn't eaten anything for 36 hours since I didn't have any money, so I drank a lot of tap water. I filled up my empty coke bottle and figured the water tasted and smelled funny because of that. The water smelled like orange peels, a sour citrus. I didn't think anything of it until after an hour on the bus feeling iffy what little was in my stomach came up. I have never had to swallow vomit, and three times was no pleasure. But then there was that wonderful after vomit feeling! I have never gotten motion sickness so something had to be up with that water.

I'm not sure if the bus usually stops at the garage but the driver stopped and got out to deliver a package. That made finding the place easy. I got there expecting to pay $150 to get my car out of impound. The fact that I was taken into custody against my will and still made to pay for having the car towed is beyond me.

Cold starting my car took a while, but I'm used to it. Everything in my car was moved around so I figured it had been searched for weapons, drugs, cash or whatever else. Turns out it was to take inventory, but I suppose it could have been both. I didn't think of my wallet not being there, but it wasn't. Damn it. The valley is beautiful, even from the dirty car window.

I looked around and didn't find my wallet so I had to turn back. The valley's roads are mostly one way so it took a while to get back. I though since I had asked for my wallet when I was in the medical center it may have been taken out but was somewhere else. I was back at the law enforcement office and inquired, some calls were made and it should have been in my car so I went for a second look. I caught Park Ranger Sean (correct me if I'm wrong, I'm terrible with names) on his day off and we went to look for my wallet. Thankfully I found it in my glove compartment under some papers.

Since I wasn't able to go for a long hike I checked out the touristy stuff. I could not imagine being in the park during the summer, it is packed even now. The museum, theater, and Indian Village were pretty nice. I always enjoy documentaries so the movie on Yosemite was great, and in visitors center there was a three-dimensional map of the Yosemite Valley with trails and roads marked. That was so great, unless you get an extremely detailed map of just one trail it's hard to make out how hard a trail would be, seeing that the trails in the valley were either flat or STRAIGHT UP made me think of where I'd go. Old cemeteries look so great overgrown.

I always enjoy simple architecture and the bark covered shelters were great.

Granite was everywhere.

The sheer cliffs settled as I got out of the valley and gave way to trees.

It's nice to see areas that haven't been logged, on fire, or developed.

The road out was one hell of a lot better the ride in. I saw things I remembered from the morning when I was able to open my eyes and not vomit.

On the way there are single lane bridges crossing the river. On the other side of the river I could see the very substantial amount of rock fall on the roadway. The entire side of the cliff had fell onto the road. Not sure how long ago it happened, but putting in the bridges didn't look like they went up that fast.

I'm still gassy and it still feels like the tap water is coming up. I asked a local what the hell was up with the water, but she had no idea what I meant because she got her water from a well. The valley looked great from my car so I can't wait to finally hike a bunch. Traveling is great, but being off the road is and onto the trails is wonderful.

Be on the lookout for.

2009-12-27T17:04:00.000-08:00

DISCLAIMER: Before this situation I was completely fine, and because the Park was notified of my presence I was taken into 5150 protective custody.

Oh what the difference a few minutes can make. I had intended to leave for the night and come back tomorrow. Since my car is...sick I can't reverse as well as I would like so I got to a pull off that allowed me to turn around. A bunch of people were in what looked like a snowball fight and i got to the exit of the turn around and it was blocked by a Park Ranger. I sat patiently while I thought she making sure that those people were not pelting each other any longer when she got out of her SUV and came for my window.

I knew then what was going on and it involved me being patted down for weapons and being taken into protective custody.

I sat in the back seat warming up and waited for a few Rangers among others to go through what my options were. My options were pretty much either agree or be taken anyway, so I chose to get this shit over with. My lovely ex-girlfriend that cares SO MUCH about me notified the park that i was a danger to myself and it went from there. Meeting the Ranger in RMNP surprised me, and I had forgotten about that.

I was driven to Yosemite Valley to the medical center, my car was towed, and I was pretty much screwed for the rest of the night. The black KKK cloak in the corner added a sense of intrigue and wonder to the room.

As the pictures of Yosemite being in Yosemite left something to be wondered. So everyone was really nice and notified me that they were following my blog. I wanted to quell worries that everyone has and be on with my trip. After being away from my car (not being on edge that I had any weapons) I was in the hands of everyone else and they made me feel like I was among friends and not just people doing their jobs. For those of you reading that are curious about the art I have made a few examples can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/neonlumberjack/

There's one of the pine cones fully open, how wonderful. I was taken by ambulance to the town of Mariposa to be evaluated by by a mental health professional and be decided upon whether I could be released. I had to give a urine and blood sample for them to be sure I wasn't trippin balls or drunk. I waited around to be evaluated until 2am and had to reminisce my entire story after I graduated until now.

I don't like to be reminded of what I had lost, but I had no choice. I wanted to be checked out and on my way as soon as possible. At this point all I had my ID, computer, camera, and a lunchables graciously given to me by a Ranger. I was evaluated, and around 4am I was able to leave. I had to be driven my the Sheriff to a hotel that the county was going to pay for, and a way to get me back to my car was being figured out.

Now while I do not understand the light switches in this hotel room, I enjoy them. Well I woke to loud hammering outside my window as the place was being renovated outside. After that was pretty much pure inconvenience. I didn't want to go with Rangers to the medical center knowing that I was ok, and knowing the hassle getting my car would be. Being transported outside the park, and not having been given a bus pass, not having my wallet, I was stranded with no food. Luckily I arranged an agreement to pay for the room tonight at a later date and figured out what was happening with everything else later on. I do not want anyone to worry about me. I am an honest and open person, and by what has happened here is going to make me hide even ore from everyone. Ani, if you're reading: If you care about me, thank you, but I could have really used you as a friend right now.

Look at the size of those pinecones!

2009-12-27T16:31:00.000-08:00

On my way to Yosemite I saw some of the ugliest towns I have seen thus far.

A sculpture yard full of large steel works caught my eye. There was a full size triceratops on the other side of the business that was wonderful.

A lot of green still.

The hills rolled in and out, sometimes letting a glimpse of the snow capped mountains behind them.

The rock formations looked like buttes sometimes but with greenery all around.

The incredibly steep sides of some of the hills were great.

This part of the roadway was packed with cars along the road and sledding kids all around.

The steady green on the mountains made me feel like I could get lost in there just looking at it.

I couldn't see whether the hill everyone was sledding on had a backside or not, but it would be wonderful to get the speed down a hillside this steep.

Every once in a while a tall red tree trunk poked its way out of the green.

I love this image. The sun being subdued and the silhouettes of the trees was magnificent.

I got to Yosemite and damn that's a large pine cone! It makes the cones of the white pines I had used in works look so tiny.

Off of the road there was a surprise ahead for someone that took the time to explore. Oh what a good start the park was off to. Sadly I got there late and was going to turn back and camp outside the park when...

Drowning Duck

2009-12-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

I am spending my days sleeping as much as I can and watching movies. There are plenty of suburbs on the way to Yosemite so I am exploring them all.

The highways here are crazy busy even in the middle of the day. There is so much green along the roadsides and drainage ditches.

The Coast Ranges gradually gave way to the Sacramento Valley.

Townhomes, or whatever they are called, snaked throughout the land and up into the mountains. Seeing single family homes snake everywhere is very familiar to me, but the density of these homes was very different.

December in California. Some plants know what's up and take a break for winter, but a lot of plants are just in high gear for the winter.

California's landscape is beautiful everywhere I go. And it mad even more amazing because so very much of it is highly developed and polluted. The mountains are brimming with wind turbines and dirty air.

The turbines were so beautiful in the sunset.

As it was Christmas Eve I was nearing the end of the cities before I got into the Sierra Nevada's and onto Yosemite. I found one of the onlt things to do in the city on Christmas (a movie theater) and found a nice quiet place to sleep. As this street was quiet and suburban, the homeowner noticed me there that night. I was up after noon greeted by the man of the house bringing me warm sandwich and some questions. He had checked my car out before I woke and though it might have been someone from the insurance company trying to get him off workman's compensation because of an injury he had. He was really nice and I felt bad freaking him out all night.

The area the movie theater is in was a mall being built. It had a Cabella's with outdoor landscaping and what I can't even call ironic set of deer.

The theater had a pond that attracted wildlife that had ducks. There were fountains and what just looked like pumps in the middle. I watched a duck head dive around one of these pumps. It was drowning.

The light made rainbows on the bottom of the clear pond water.

This duck was getting rained on by the fountain.

The ducks were fake. I guess they were there to attract real ducks. The pond is naturalizing and I would hope they keep it that way.

I'm proud of my 5,000 miles of dirt. THESE COLORS DON'T FADE! I'm at the point that I'm not sure if other people can see my brake lights, but they can hear my brakes so we're even. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and time with their families. What I had to give up in family I tried to make up for in great weather.

Gimme the cheapest room you've got.

2009-12-23T20:01:00.000-08:00

Pleasanton and Dublin are suburbs of Oakland. Since I have gotten a really bad response from the girl I love I am waiting out the end of my trip.

In Indiana I always took pictures of singular objects and almost never the landscape. I realize why that is now.

The land in Indiana isn't that diverse, and most of it is either farm or city and doesn't do much for me. Since I've been stalling I notice smaller parts of the land and cityscape.

I was going to see 2012 before it totally left the theaters. I hung around a Clay Terrace like outdoor mall in Dublin and ate at a taxi themed hamburger joint. How ridiculous is having an outdoor mall in Indiana? It's not below 50 degrees out here and people are actually outside.

For those of you that would never know, that is a three wheeled BMW.

Outiside the theater I waited.

And because the movie started before 3 of course it was dark when I got outside. Ugh, the darkness is getting to me.

I was done for the night and found the easiest place to my hotel to have dinner. My waitress was intrigued about my journey and maybe she's reading it! I could imagine how confused one would be not knowing me, but the images of the landscapes are just beautiful enough to enjoy without my input, right?

I saw another white Sunfire outside. I hope that other cars like mine don't have a hard FAIL. I could never sneak up and run over a pedestrian though.

I've been thinking a lot lately about...everything. I don't know that my being alone out here is the best for me. I don't know if I want to be without everyone anymore. I know that a lot has changed in my life, and I've learned a lot: when you ask for a hotel room ask for the cheapest room they've got, and when a restaurant asks for your name, say something funny that they will have to repeat. But I still don't know.

Cows, wine, wind. Houses, hills, highways.

2009-12-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

I am hanging out in the East Bay area waiting to possibly see a friend from Indianapolis. This friend is Erin K. drew.

The sun was out today and let me see the hills without the haze.

I have been trying to kill time and get my mind off of everything by going to see movies. I saw New Moon today, I was itching to see it since I was in Forks, Washington.

So the range is this green because of the climate and because the cows keep trees from growing and the grass short. I was excited to see a more natural landscape.

I kept seeing the types of vegetation that is natural to the area.

Around Oakland the area gets pretty industrial and ugly most times. The refineries looked alien being so large.

I slept most of the day, and watched the movie in the afternoon. I got caught in Oakland rush hour. It sucked and was slow. My brakes were so loud and I should be very worried about them, instead my stereo thankfully drowned it out.

I got into a valley that had side steep enough to not allow grazing so the natural vegetation was present. It was so green and thickly lush. The shipping yard n the light looked like imperial walkers from Star Wars.

It is interesting looking at the culture of America from kind of an outside perspective and seeing things very differently. Not participating in the holidays, seeing and hearing the Christmas culture is fun. I'll probably end up sleeping all Christmas day since nothing will open except movie theaters.

I still sleep on one side of the bed even tough they're not there.

2009-12-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

It is warmer in the valley. Everything is so green, the foliage, the grass, and the deciduous trees have their fall foliage.

The crops were so green. The fog obscured most of the landscape.

The roadside was full of grass and trees in their full glory.

The valley started to give way to the Coast Range.

The mountains being fully green and lit from above like a spotlight came and went as the day progressed.

The cows keep these mountains full of grass.

The greens that were here were great. The clouds overhead parted to light one hill amongst the others.

The light was amazing.

The landscape has a different mixture of grass, evergreens, pine, and palms. The deciduous trees were loosing their leaves. The air felt like spring instead of fall.

I was near the bay and the hills let me see the water from time to time.

Oakland was nearing and the land got more and more industrial.

Yellow flowers sprang up everywhere. It just looked like spring. I got to Oakland and it was gross.

I cut my day really short today. I had a rough night last night and was grateful to get to sleep. I was in a good mood and was in good standing with where I was in my trip. Not being able to look at a picture of Ani is hard enough without having to be reminded of my family that I lost. I love my girls, Geode, Dinosaur, Niis. Seeing pictures of them just kicked my ass and made me feel terrible that I'm never going to be able to see them again.

My Body Lost Control Of Its Soul.

2009-12-20T22:38:00.000-08:00

Motel 6 sucks, having no alarm clock is a pain and their sheets look like they belong to a well traveled kid. the images are so tacky, and I've seen a lot of them too so its weird. But sleeping in a warm place is great.

Reno is very close to Carson City and Lake Tahoe I found out.

As soon as I got onto the Interstate I was near Lake Tahoe. The Porsche SUV's and Landcruiserss were an indication, but the kind of homes on the way were a dead give away. These suburbs put Carmel to shame. It is sad that they are reaching ever higher into the mountains to ruin the views.

I want to enjoy the little time I spend in an area, but so many SUV's were behind me in a hurry to get to the ski lodges I got terrible pictures. The windy roads had magnificent views of the mountains, but were always obscured by guardrails or snow banks.

The cutest little towns bordered the lake. people were enjoying the little beach even this time of year which was great. Most of the beaches are so cold that there aren't even people in summer.

The lake was free of boats and was so blue. The people were having a good time making snowmen on the beach and throwing snowballs.

Little towns with populations of 200 were all along the banks of the lake and were so quaint. As I took the road out I got higher into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I have come to realize that when I am bored with the scenery I take more pictures, of course it is all beautiful, but I just LOOK at the stuff I really enjoy.

I was stricken with an overwhelming sense of joy as I got into the Sierra Nevada's.

I kept thinking of how I will spend my last days here and how great a place it is to do so.

The greenery, the warm snow, the mountains, all so great.

As I got further into the Sacramento Valley I started to see the polluted haze that I saw before in the San Joaquin Valley. The haze turned into dark clouds and it started to rain. The area has such green grass and vegetation for this time of year, even the trees are just starting to loose their leaves.

Sacramento is only 25 feet above sea level and has its own shipping route. A large wetland area surrounds the shipping route.

I got into downtown Sacramento and boy was that weird. It's California's capitol, and is a larger city, but nobody was home apparently. There were few cars driving, and less parked downtown.

Businesses weren't open and the city just looked abandoned. It was early afternoon so there should be some people around even though it's Sunday right?

Well Sacramento is one of those cities. The suburbs were loaded with people. I wasn't able to go downtown and do anything so I stopped to see Avatar. the visual effects were amazing, the story was kind of lame. i got a sore throat from talking to someone today, it just shows how little I have been using my vocal chords. Being near the Sierra Nevada's is making me have clear focus. It's been good.

a shot of tequila, cold beer on tap, a good looking lady, to sit in your lap- National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

2009-12-19T19:33:00.000-08:00

While sometimes the fog is nice for the scenery, dealing with it every day so far is getting old.

When the sky opens up and lets the scenery take hold again it is magnificent.

The sun shining through the fog is glorious.

The brush on the ground changes in the distance and creates color changes on the landscape.

It always looks like it is the evening, but the light through the clouds is so bright. It feels like when you wake up after sleeping for a long time and then turn on the brightest lights right away.

The gray-green bush that is on the ground in most places sometimes shows its color when it's young.

The olive and lime greens are so vivid against the orange soil and shrubs. So some mountains are proud of their bowel movements. Seen here you can see how proud of it this mountain is.

It is actually the initials of Battle Mountain, Nevada. A lot of towns with high points have initials written in rocks or carved into them. This is also the town in which I saw a very pretty teenager with the tightest leggings with a coat that was just short enough to make my day. It felt wrong and right.

Th gray added to the landscape changes it so much.

When the fog hugs the ground and lets the top of mountains show the peaks look like they are fake and being held there on posts.

The dense shrubs and snowy mountains together are great to see.

The land changes so much as I go.

I rarely see the color combination that I associate with the desert.

Sometimes the snow completely disappears

The difference in mountains keeps the land a little more interesting.

I am mentally and emotionally fatigued. I get plenty of sleep, but between the repetitive landscape, driving for a long time, and thinking all the time about things I would rather keep off my mind make me so tired. I am having trouble keeping my mind off of things that have happened. I got so tired after just four hours of driving that I had to pull over at a rest area and take a two hour nap. fFtigued driving is dangerous driving, as signs explain.

I saw a ghost train that appeared out from the fog.

I always keep a look out for friends graffiti on trains. I did see NERS on trains in Bakersfield and another in Oregon...

This area was in a valley and the fog and frost had not left. It was after 3 so I take it that it never got warm.

The fact that there were trees was nice to see, and the trees being covered in frost was beautiful.

The sky went on forever on summit overlooks.

The rolling mountains with sharp peaks I always enjoy.

The shadows on little snow covered peaks that jut out from the land create such sharp shapes.

Reno greeted me with a pink sky. It looked as if the sky were on fire. I sometimes see pink mountains or clouds in the evening, but they are usually to my back and the camera can not quite pick up the rich color.

I had no knowledge on Reno other than Reno 911 so I learned a lot in just a few short minutes. The sign fits the city. It is full of skyscrapers downtown but tapers out pretty quick like a really small town afterward. National chains are everywhere here and even the casinos are the same as in Vegas, yet not as showy. I failed to mention before since I could not get a great picture, but Circus Circus has a newer metallic pink building in Vegas that is my favorite. Circus Circus here is just a tall plain hotel.

The Peppermill casino was also in another city, but here the lights are showy.

The Reno skyline has colored lights shining on the hotels downtown and that's pretty much it. If it weren't winter it would be so easy to get to Yosemite from here, but the roads are closed. I'll have to go a long way around, but I'm almost done! This has been a weird vacation/journey. It feels joyful, but also like work at times.

Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers- Prison Area, Independance Valley Next Left.

2009-12-18T18:51:00.000-08:00

I know where your potatoes come from. For those of you that know Ani, if you know her last name you know the Polish word for potato. Let her know you now know this bit of information.

The valleys through the mountians are expansive and when flat enough they are would be filled with potato crops during the warmer months.

Idaho cops cars have cool paint jobs, black with gold. I was admiring and acknowledging a trooper in a Charger parked in the emergency turn around in the middle of the highway as I passed. Then he immediately turned towards my lane and sped out onto the road. Oh, shit. I never speed, always signal lane changes and have every look of legality to my knowledge. This would not be good as my license expired on the 7th due to some messed up two year expiration. He got all the way up to my rear, slowed to check my plates, and held that position for a minute. No lights, and I changed lanes in front of him as I cam upon a semi. Idaho has front license plates like most states and I would believe that is why he pursued. That was close.

The snow and clouds made everything subdued and distant.

Valleys held clouds that had dropped from the mountains and created a mist on the croplands.

The mountains and crops stayed pretty much the same as I got into northern Utah.

When the clouds disappeared the sky was brilliant. The populated areas of Utah were coming up fast.

For those of you that care to know what Indianapolis will be like in years to come look to Salt Lake City. Indy always compares itself to Salt Lake in size, population, and suburban areas, and transit. Ogden is a little far from Salt Lake City, but commuters still make the treck.

I ran into one of these in southern California as well and they confuse me. To use the bathroom you have to have either a quarter or a special token to get in and use the restroom.

Salt Lake City is kind of bland, not packed downtown, and fades to houses and suburbs pretty quick, like Indy. BUT they have transit options.

The city's namesake is not visible from the city at all, maybe on the top floors of skyscrapers. Out of the city I found it very hard to view it there too. Here you can see, or rather not see, the lake. It blended with the sky entirely.

Other than on top of a bridge, the lake was very hard to see due to obstructions of all kinds. Train tracks, concrete barricades, guard rails, rock, it all hid the lake.

To the west of the lake is the Great Salt Lake Desert. It is mostly a completely flat salty layer. Pools of water between the roads created mirrors.

The last mountains at a close distance left soon after the city.

The brush filled the land and I was surprised not to see just a white layer of salt that went on forever.

I saw what looked like sand. Apparently it is really wet and the salt just looks like sand. I kept seeing rocks in weird arrangements and realized that they all were drawings and writings made of rocks and glass bottles. I'm not sure if you can see it from satellite, but next to I-80 in the desert look for words along the roadside.

Train tracks rose above the salt and let pools of water stand.

Now other than it was really tacky, it was nice to see such a large obnoxious public art piece in the desert.

Tire tracks were all over the side of the road. The mountians came up from the mist and looked painted on the sky.

Snow covered this portion of the salt.

Areas of risen land bulldozed created different drier areas. the flat sand-like area before turned to a dry cracked salt layer after.

Even drier and more cracked salt afterward. The Bonneville salt flats weren't far away.

A really large mountain greeted me into Nevada.

The tracks that I have been seeing weaved in and out of the mountains. The red, green and white reminded me of the season.

The light faded and darkened every hue.

My day was ending with mountains again surrounding me.

I was heading straight West and the sun did not let me have a moment without letting me know this. No matter what I did the visibility was terrible.

I got to Elko, Nevada and looked for a place to stay. It is a little casino town in the middle of the state. The Thunderbird acknowledged the areas history, and the "White King" ironically let you know who was around now.

It will take me another day to get to Reno. I am looking forward to getting closer to my destination again and finally getting time to just rest. I think of the good times I have had on this trip and certain things remind me of before, like the potatoes. I am glad that I have some sort of closure, but of course I would have preferred to still been able to talk like friends. Damn potatoes.

Lewis and Clark was a gay parody of Superman right?

2009-12-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

Montana makes such a big deal about Lewis and Clark having gone through the state. There are so many signs and markers and info about them everywhere. I bet they had one hell of a time getting through this incredibly large area.

I enjoy manipulated trees even though I don't understand why they have to be trimmed.

So you've seen piles of broken palettes or ones in dumpsters. Some of the trees that are cut go to make more! This world needs to get its head out of its ass. The color is nice though.

The trip to Yellowstone had only a backtrack available for travel. Winter makes roads impassable, and I always want to take new routes to see new landscapes.

The weather was a little different.

Snow moving up and over peaks never gets old.

The plains extend all the way through Montana and are very heavily grazed.

The land changes pretty rapidly and varies from sides of the road.

Trees pretty much vanished. Rolling hills with mountains in the background continued the whole way through the state.

Montana pride!

Look at that Stealth Fighter above the mountain. Well it's a bird.

A large iced over lake had ice fishermen shacks all over. A little flow to the lake created a fissure with large ice blocks gathered up.

These hills kept catching my attention. They are so beautifully snow covered.

There is absolutely no way to keep my widows clean. The roads are filthy, every car that passes shoots up salty water, and I have no wiper fluid. Someone before I had the Sunfire put water in the wiper fluid reservoir and let it freeze, this cracks the plastic and doesn't let it hold fluid.

The light on the bare grass were great.

The darkness of clouds make mountains almost black at times.

The mountains were always in the background and ripped through the clouds.

As soon as I crossed into Idaho trees started to show themselves. A really low cloud intrigued me ahead. The elevation was rather high, but the cloud looked like it straddled the ground.

And then I was IN the cloud.

It was really cool. The atmosphere covered everything a hundred feet away from wherever I moved. It was neat to be able to see everything around me.

The distances that were present created a lot of variety.

Even though the clouds did not cover the entire sky in Montana, when I got out of the cloud itself the sky looked so much more saturated.

I've seen all the low lying clouds hugging the mountains, and now I've been in one.

The valley rose again and I entered another cloud.

What I am guessing are wind screens vibrated against each other when they crossed one another. Since Kansas there have been wind and snow screens along the roadside.

After a while I was on top of a plateau. It was so flat and covered in potato farms. I was as high as the mountains so they even disappeared.

Hay, what did you get me for Christmas? So I was notified that Christmas is a week away. So far I have been dealing with my breakup and breakdown since before Halloween. I'm glad I've come this far and have seen so much beauty in the world. I hope that everyone that is reading is given a kick in the butt to see what beauty this world has to offer.

In the mood for a Bison Burger.

2009-12-16T19:16:00.000-08:00

Montana is pretty large. What has been happening with my day to day is that when I start my day in a new place the landscape, when I get nearer to a national park the preceding landscape looks ugly in comparison.

Montana has many farms along the roadside so there was a spoil to most of the land.

The sun was finally out and I was chasing the storms that were overhead last night.

the clouds moved over the land like airships.

They call Montana big sky country for a reason.

The sun hitting the clouds, and the clouds maneuvering over the mountains created tremendous light changes.

Northern slopes were quite snowy, and southern exposures were clear. The mountains still maintained an indigo hue.

This one mountain was like a portrait painting with eyes that always looked straight at you. It was always in my view.

The clouds looked amazing. I am glad that I have come across all weather types.

Like other national parks, Yellowstone National Park has many roads closed. I was only able to use the northern entrance and one road going west to east. I was bummed a bit. If you have not been clicking and enlarging the images you will definitely loose out on this image.

Mammoth Hot Springs were active and steamy. Of course I to see the normal sights, especially the pools of water with different colored organisms.

The top of the springs had some color, but not as dramatic as the pools. The color was dimmed by the extreme temperature difference between the air and water.

Minerals in the water created all sorts of shapes in the water. The web patterns here happen when plant stems drop in the water and get covered with minerals and organisms.

The valley view was amazing.

Only you can prevent forest fires. Asshole bear. Fire is normal for wild areas. It sucks when areas are set on fire on purpose or by accident, but it is a good thing for an area. The hillside looked as if it was full of matchsticks.

The huge stands of trees went in every direction on the ground.

We killed almost 60 MILLION bison. Sixty million. They are so huge and lumbering. before all of these guys i saw a Wolf walking along the shoulder. It startled me coming around a curve, and frightened me because another car was going really freaking slow right next to him so I couldn't get into the other lane. My brakes frightened him and he looked scared and pissed.

There were so many areas with bison grazing.

The cloud cover got thicker as I went east towards the NE entrance of the park. The NE entrance was closed so I had to come back this way eventually.

Such a large sky encompassed by the mountains.

The front that i was edging closer to looked foreboding.

This was the epitome of what the day was like.

Look at the front creating the dark.

I never look forward to going west in the evening because of the sunset right in my face. The mountains hid it from me.

I got to the other end of the park and was closing in on the dark clouds. The light took a turn.

It took a turn for beauty. The foreground was lit up like christmas and the background was dark as it could be.

It was a spectacular sight.

The colors just popped against each other and everything.

The clouds overhead consumed the entire landscape.

The air above the mountains rose and dimmed the peaks. A cloudy roll.

Heading back towards the entrance I was relieved that the light was completely different.

The dark light was only sheared by small amounts of sun.

I got to one area where bison had been before and this time they had moved. I had to stop. I rolled up slowly not wanting to scare them, but to let them know that I wanted to get through.

I loved that I got really close. I edged forward and in doing so they turned and looked at me. They just stood there for a minute trying to either intimidate me or size my car up. I laughed so much since they did not budge and just stared.

The herd was just grazing about minding their own business. Sometimes one looked up at me and just went back to eating.

After a few minutes the guys on the road scampered off right next to my car. I was not zoomed in. That is ones back, and he was just that close.

The darkness fell and blues fell on everything.

A lot of things remind me of people I know. I bet Tre is not hard to shop for, even if you didn't know his interests (PBR and spray paint). I am having a hard time dealing with my ego and survival instinct trying to overcome what I am trying to accomplish here. The safety and knowledge of Indianapolis seems like an option to my mind, but I know it's not.

I loaded up on non-perishable food before I left and all that is left are club crackers so I went grocery shopping. So I got the essentials. I try to avoid national chain restaurants as much as possible and frequent locally owned places, but it's not easy. The highway advertises chains, food signs point to chains, and not knowing an area I won't see a places sign until I have already passed. It's kind of nice having such a small stomach now though, but I'm tired of craving the damn food I'm used to eating, so I went for it.

Snow has a high libido. Water has a low libido. Or albedo.

2009-12-15T17:27:00.000-08:00

Idaho was beautiful and snowy. I ended up in Kellogg, Idaho and the name interested me. It had nothing to do with cereal, was home of the largest Dodge dealership in the WORLD, and had the usual small town amenities. The atmosphere was murky and clouds wrapped around the trees.

So by now you should know that my car has put forth great effort to get this far. I woke up early, got out early and was ready to get far. Well my car had other plans. She wanted to see the doctor.

I thought the battery was low, it wasn't. It just did not want to turn over. I fiddled with a charger, and walked to a mechanic (that doesn't do tune ups), and ended up calling a tow truck to get her to a shop. This was a new problem so I played around under the dash with wire nuts since it has worked better before when I tightened them. She started right up. Fickle car. The tow truck operator was pissed that it started. I got the hell out of dodge in case it crapped out on me I would be in a larger town.

The sleet that his my windows just made it easier to see. I found out why my windows were constantly dirty: the plows spread a salt water mixture on the roads instead of just salt.

Almost everyone of the shots are clouded in a salty mist.

The peaks of Idaho went straight up at time from the road covered in pine.

The road nearing the Montana border started to get full of snow and got treacherous.

The sky, road, and windshield blended in to one another.

When the weight of the snow were too much for smaller trees they bent in Dr. Seuss like ways.

The green was the only contrast at most times.

The thick trees started to loose their grip on the land and made way for portions of grasses.

Entering Montana, the valley opened up and the mountains got further in distance.

Cattle braved the cold as they raked through the layer of snow to eat grass.

The plains got ahold of the mountain sides.

Narrower valleys held the trees.

When areas were too steep to farm and graze the pines were thick and snow covered.

Areas that had cattle had fewer trees, probably from being eaten and trampled.

The slopes with few or no trees were strange right next to a tree filled mountain.

I entered the Sapphire Mountain Range. Thinking nothing of the name since there was a Garnet Range, and old mines were all over I was surprised at what I encountered.

The greenery of the mountain sides were just as indigo and sapphire as they could be.

As they got closer they revealed more and more color changing to a dark olive.

The range was aptly named.

Grasslands with mountain backdrops provided great color to the land.

The clearer air let light shine and create even more color through shadows.

Almost black trees came after the Sapphire Range.

you've heard of Butte, Montana right? Do you know why you do? I wondered why I did. It was a hill and no higher than 4 story buildings.

Old rigs were decorated with lights. Not sure if they are working now or not. Copper and a nice red light district is apparently why we know about it. Well, that and Evel Knievel.

I did not want to create art so I could be external and think about what I was seeing and doing and not to think back. The worries I have day to day eclipse what has happened and I can more easily cope with my troubles that I have run away from. Seeing how other people live in areas that are very similar, yet very different from, where I am from give me sight. Where I will end up will surprise me, and I embrace it.

I've been down on myself lately.

2009-12-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

So my stereo gave me another surprise this morning. The guy shoveling snow outisde my car was jamming to some cool beats. So when I got to my car it barely had a charge. So I TRY to keep it plugged on so MAYBE it will play something on my journey. It rewards me with a dead battery. So I had to give her a jump.

I've had my ups and downs lately especially, and my car does not add to my joy. In the meantime while I was getting a jump the snow fell on my warm windshield and created a nice screen.

The entire day I had low visibility not only because of the weather, but because of the cake of salt and dirty snow on my car.

The scenery was hidden by the snowy atmosphere.

Mountains came in and out of focus.

The icy blue sky came over the mountains and eventually the mountains let up on the landscape.

The trees stopped and the flatness began.

I had no idea that eastern Washington was almost barren. Irrigation made possible the farming that was prevalent most of this portion of my trip.

On side were the fading snow covered mountains, and on the other a barren mountain side.

Desert like brush covered the ground.

the landscape reminded me of Kansas other than the farming.

The hills were covered with small brush.

A reservoir was in the midst of this area and provided energy and water for irrigation.

Above the damn was a vantage point that allowed view of the landscape.

Alfalfa and potatoes were the main crop that I saw. I guess since Idaho was famous for potatoes it was no wonder that potatoes were here.

Any body of water that was slow enough or small enough was frozen over and looked amazing.

The sun was setting underneath the cloudy air.

The rolling hills were almost all farmed. The difference between the flatness of the plains and this was that Washington was all crops. The natural beauty of the land was hidden.

At least it was sunny in the plains. And my car windows were dirty as hell most of the time no matter how often they were cleaned.

This is the only landscape that bored me. I felt like taking a nap, and I had a good nights sleep last night too.

Rocks began to break the surface. It was sort of a moonscape.

A train that was pulling....nothing but empty carts. It was nice to break up the monotony.

Nearing Spokane, Washington trees started up again. Woodland pines were everywhere until the city started. Spokane looks not important.

Welcome to Idaho! There were a lot of people along the highway here. I was just expecting a Republican potato farmer every once in a while.

The mountains rose up as soon as I crossed the border. The trees were full of sticky snow.

Great images were hard to come to fruition with low light, speed, and dirty windows.

The entire day was caste in this blue.

Lakes, trees, roads were all blue.

I love this image. To get clearer pictures I had to auto correct for my speed. I turned the camera towards scenery to not get just a blur. Look at that tail light!

As time goes on I think more and more about what this trip of mine means to me and everyone else. I have extended my journey because I am afraid of what my original intentions meant to me. With more and more days I can see both the good and the bad. What I learn everyday I have to comprehend and balance it with what I am seeing.

Black guys can't give the thumbs up in Washington.

2009-12-13T20:25:00.000-08:00

Waking up in Forks, Washington was a snowy delight. No vampires or werewolves presented themselves the entire time I was there though.

This snow was super sticky. Apparently the drivers aren't used to driving in the snow and were very timid. I waved my license plate in their faces.

The gray sky and covered pines dealt an unsaturated beauty to the landscape.

Oh the beauty of the weather.

The eerie layering of the snow was so calm.

Look at this frosty, sticky, white mess.

Clouds rose above the trees and wrapped around the mountains.

The dusting of snow enveloped every nook and cranny.

The clear cutting seen a day ago was still very active.

It just looked awesome. I am so glad that I was held up overnight and finally got to see precipitation in the northwest.

It all looked beautifully fake.

The mountains faded so well into the sky.

The snowflakes were as large as quarters and melted on contact with the road and my car.

As I traveled the sky began to open and let the light through. Crescent Lake was the place where I had stayed long enough to see the light show through.

This water was the most amazing magician. The colors changed so drastically wherever I looked.

If I caught the position just right, the blue was so intense.

Black rock beaches were stirred by the constant small waves.

The sky opened up and let all the light shine through.

Watching the cliffs come into focus was inspiring.

Olympic National Park covers the entire interior of the peninsula and is not open for the winter. Exploring the roads off of the highway led to discoveries. The Elwah River was brilliantly colored in a seafoam greenish blue.

The black stones were slick to cross but the smaller stream over to the river was worth it.

The color was brilliant.

The sky was letting loose again. A dark cover came over the area around 2 and kept on coming.

The frost in places that had not gotten any snow were still cold as ice.

The sun came off and on, showing the mountains in the background.

The inlets to Puget Sound were calm and pretty. There was little elevation change around the inlets and the water was always near the level of the roads.

Ice covered the waters surface and was broken up by the movement of the waves.

The light caught the trees and areas of bare soil on the mountains.

The snow started coming again and the Freeway was covered.

Dressed as a ninja the whole day, I had a blast driving on the snow covered freeway going 70mph. I zoomed passed everyone with ease. Passing 4x4's and Hummers was fun to watch. The Sunfire handled pretty well and only let up when changing lanes, the traction control didn't like that at all.

I had intended to check out Mt. Rainier either today or tomorrow, but the overcast conditions made it impossible to see. I was heading to the middle of nowhere and just looked for anyplace that had people. A ski lodge looked promising, but they were all uppity and didn't have amenities. I took a turn to try and get back to the highway to move on to a more acceptable locale.

Sunfire meet snowbank. Damn it. My brakes locked up in a small turn and I lodged my front end on a snow bank, unable to move. So for an hour I dug my front end out with a snowscraper. If some ski dues with the coolest accents didn't give me a push I would shit out of luck.

The highway out of the ski lodge and snowbank area was slow. When I was zooming out of Seattle going 70mph in the snow the there were enough cars to keep the lanes noticeable, but out here the lanes were nowhere and everywhere. By the way, you're not allowed to hitchhike in Washington, signs with black hands with their thumb sticking out and crossed in red made Washington feel like they didn't like people showing that everything would be alright.

Smells like: Teen spirit and Twilight.

2009-12-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

The Christmas lights all over the northwest shimmer in the frosty cold every night. Sleeping a car door away from this frosty cold is no plus to my adventure.

I woke to everything being shrouded in white. Not snow like I would expect during the winter in the Pacific Northwest, but frost. It stays throughout most of the day until the sunlight finally hits it for hours and then it steams off the foliage and ground.

A patchwork of forest covered the ground of the Olympic peninsula. This area is remote, and the interior is off limits to logging due to the Olympic National Park. The cities that do lie here rely on logging.

The patchwork effect seen here went away to give a more devastated look to the landscape.

Sun bleached stumps littered the landscape.

I know cooling towers are synonymous with nuclear energy but I'm ot sure if this area is coal or nuclear. The towers were an odd sight to see in the forest.

A really thick line of trees presented itself as natural, but wow were these trees planted close together. If you want tall thin wood that's the way to get it.

Freshly clear cut areas look completely dead. No saplings anywhere. The peninsula ddin't start off very well in hopes of natural scenery. Yet.

Aberdeen, Washington was the birthplace of Kurt Cobain. It's s small port and logging town with cute ocean warn houses. The weather of course adds to the high suicide rate of Seattle, and maybe the houses weren't painted bright colors back then.

The tree covered mountains rolled in and out of view. The deciduous trees started to loose ground from here.

The inlets were small and full of what looked like piers for navigation.

The piles of limbs were dozens of feet high.

Patches of logged areas were amazing and gross at the same time.

Most areas were partitioned off leaving areas with mature trees to revitalize areas. Some hills were completely clear cut in every direction.

Once a few years pass these areas are rich with green. Every tree being the same size makes a carpet of greenery.

This area relies heavily on logging and areas are continuously harvested for their timber. Different areas were logged at different times and all have similar ages of trees. The heights created an orchestra of scenery.

Mountains half cleared create an alien looking landscape.

Closer to Olympic National Park the logging lets up. Most National Parks are surrounded by a rim of national forest which is usually less intensively logged on account of conservation. Land owned by companies seems ravaged.

My whole trip has been mostly free of precipitation. The pacific Northwest is supposed to be rainy. I am in a rainforest for heavens sake. A line of foreboding clouds made me think that is was going to be wet soon.

Once this cloud was overhead is set an eerie light on everything. All was completely evenly lit with no shadows.

the mountains looked as if they are flocked with green fuzz.

The air had the most brilliant hues of blue and green.

It was very difficult getting photos of the rainforest as it is extremely dark within the tall trees. When I saw light through the trees I knew the ocean was close, that and I'm good with maps.

Oh the beaches of the west coast. So cold, so free of people. Tremendous amounts of logs were littering the beaches.

A stream cut through the beach towards the ocean. Smooth rocks that people buy for show in Indiana were everywhere.

The dark gray sand and gray sky lat out a harmonious color chord.

This sunset was misleading, it was not very close to dark, but the clouds hastened the light.

The sea looked as if it were on fire.

The beach is very evenly pitched and goes on for a while to the forest. Slow but steady back and forth waves and receding water made the sand glassy. I had gotten off to a late start and was hoping to not have lost so much daylight so fast. I passed through a town called Forks, seein that the cold was coming in, I stopped.

I'm in Forks, Washington right? What's with all the Twilight named stuff? OH. I started to get the hint.

I walked to a diner downtown and asked the waitress a question. I saw the movie and it was alright, and I know it took place in the Pacific Northwest.

A lot of animal heads told me that I was definitely not in the big city. Well unless I was in Cabela's.

The waitress told me what was up with all the Twilight stuff. The book was based here of course. My first totem pols that I have seen not in a museum was nice. At least it wasn't hoakey.

If I had looked at what was above the wireless internet I would have known the Twilight information sooner. So the PMW has a lot of culture, even though that one coffee place everyone goes to to is local here, I won't frequent it.

'Cause I'm not going home, I'm running free.

2009-12-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Of course I have felt lonely. I have been sad most of the time when I am not surrounded by an immense landscape, but things have changed. Knowing what I know now, compounded with what I had known makes me feel completely empty inside. It is hard dealing with so many issues all at once, but it is very gratifying to have a clear purpose with an end.

Well I really like Portland. A lot. It seems like such a great city to live in. The free paper had this great looking art on it. I mean look at that, and it wasn't an article on an artist, it was the police cover story. Birthing vomiting heads? Great.

Washington! What a lame name for a state, it even has Washington's head on the flag.

Well it's the evergreen state, but there were plenty of deciduous trees. More than I saw in Oregon.

But this is a view that I saw fora half hour. THIS view of THESE trees.

And this is why. Oh a truck lost one of its axles, that couldn't be good.

Uh, nope. Not good at all. This semi was ravaged.

A store called Country Cousin (isn't that just a girlfriend?) caught my eye since I was so very hungry after sitting in traffic with no breakfast or lunch in my tummy. I have a small stomach now, since I'm single and like to eat nothing but sweets. Mostly because The woman I love no longer cooks for me, and being love sick just makes me not hungry that often. I am eating a chocolate covered brownie and hot chocolate at a coffee shop right now though, I'll discuss this later.

A lot of evergreens.

This damn volcano was angering me. It is SO large and SO beautiful, but it was harder than hell to get a picture of. I will be there soon though.

Tacoma was eh. It's a port city, what can I say. I saw a jackass driving a Toyota Tacoma and laughed at him. I want to drive a Ford Indianapolis. What an awful car that would be. It would yell at cyclists for you.

So I have seen the speed monitored by aircraft signs since Missouri. I finally saw not one, but three small planes alongside the highway really low and slow. How bad would that be to get pulled over by a trooper and be told that a plane is giving you a ticket?

Seattle has a nice skyline. The space needle is so small in comparison though. I thought that would be the main sight.

The Seattle Art Museum was nice. Only two floors were gallery space. I hate when museums have so many levels, but only some have art.

They had a nice Aboriginal collection. I've not seen that represented much.

A large African contemporary selection. I love it when African galleries lump in African American artists and leave them out of the American section. It alleviates me having to wade through all the slavery inspired crap. No Kara Walker in sight, good.

Two special exhibitions: Michelangelo and Calder. The Mike exhibit was nothing but sketches or arms and quick figure studies for the Sistine Chapel. What a boring but expensive show. People that love art regardless of quality, but just because its someones name...ugh. The Calder exhibit had a lot of work, but only one was moving. I tried to walk passed at a quick pace and got yelled at. I didn't touch anything, and they are supposed to move. It's not like I went through with a leaf blower.

The porcelain section was GREAT! Well it was displayed great. I'm not about the porcelain.

An installation was well done, not great, but ok.

It's rewarding to see a work that you've always seen in print and find out that you either love it or hate depending on how you liked it before. I never gave this painting a second glance until I saw it here. Great American Nude.

The entire west coast has a large asian art fetish. I can see why, but Chinese photographers suck. The installation of the SAM atrium was nice to see in person. It would have been great to see the tigers though.

Even the manhole covers have Pacific Northwest designs.

So when one hears of another far away city's public library you've got to think there's a reason. Seattle's central library is awesome. It is eleven stories high.

It looks like a spaceship interior.

It is cool.

So this cafe in Olymia, Washington is nice. I have had to frequent coffee shops everywhere to use wireless and to charge up. I do not like coffee so hot chocolate is the answer. Caffe Vita downtown Olympia has hands down the best hot chocolate.
I had not thought it completely through, but learning of my co-dependency leads me to believe that I am not only dependent on the girl that I love, but my friends as well. I gives me great joy to talk to people that I know, but not in a normal way. I have had to let go of my relationship with the girl I love completely, best friend and all. I will have to do this with everyone in time.

Saint Cupcake, I love you more than you will ever know.

2009-12-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

I have had some things on my mind lately that have made me complacent yet somber. These deer with their camouflage painted over graffiti make me feel like they understand.

Portland would be a very nice place to live if you'd like to be in a place that caters to the actual people that live in a city.

The downtown is separated from the people that live in the city and rightfully so. Visitors and business persons from the outlying towns should be here. Like Indianapolis' downtown, it is a place to network and not to live.

The city as a whole is terrible to drive in, which is great. Pedestrians have the right of way, as in all other cities, but this has a greater meaning in Portland. There are people everywhere, crossing at all intersections regardless of a stoplight.

This intersection with an elk statue is where an elk was standing for a century waiting to hit by a car, he was so amazed that the cars would all go around him that he commissioned this statue of himself. No, but really, this city STOPS for pedestrians.

The reason I went downtown was to check out the art museum. It looked lackluster, small, and uninviting. An art museum with out a modern wing has some issues with me. From what I hear, I did not miss anything.

The area of Portland where the people live is great. Keep Portland weird bumperstickers always confused me. Apparently it is just a testament to the local businesses in the city. Some national chains are there of course, but a great variety of businesses are nowhere else to be found. Indy on the other hand has quite few local places, so KEEP GOING to local places! Bikes are everywhere to be found.

Anna Ardizzone was the first person I had gotten in touch with that I knew. Good for her and other non-flakey people. It is a lot nicer to have some insight on the place you are visiting.

A lot of coffee shops everywhere. So at this point I have been technically homeless for a month. That is, in Indy I lose my house at the end of the month. Living out of my car isn't terrible, but it is cold outside. Having a computer lets me have an excuse to frequent place that have wifi. For having wifi, businesses sure can be rude to people that stay for longer than an hour.

The streets are lined with local businesses and are very close to homes. If you omved here you may not need a car at all.

Most of the people I have seen are rather young. Anna says she isn't hip enough for the city and thinks I am. I DID have a fixed gear bicycle....that gets me into the club. So Portland is the second greenest city in the world. There recycling bins are larger than there trash bins, and they have compost bins along side the trash. How great.

People just look relaxed and happy with this city. The homes look nice, but not unaffordable nice. hiring a contractor to fix up your home once a decade does make it a nice home, Carmel.

A rainbow of reflection shows the end of the night for me. I hadn't done that much today, but I have had a lot on my mind. Finally having closure on a relationship that lasted four years takes its toll on ones mind. It closes one door and opens a new one. I had wished this door was to be remained unopened, but to be happy, the person you love has to be happy. At least I can no longer cause anymore pain or sadness. I'm chasing the rainbow.

Boring, ol Reagan.

2009-12-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

The middle of Oregon where the highway lies is similar to Indiana it seemed. Except for mountains in your view, the landscape was farmland and businesses.

This area is the "grass seed capitol of the world". Ha, they grow grass.

A lot of grass. Cows sometimes showed up, but mostly grassy patches.

I guess since sheep and cows eat grass it makes sense.

Loggers making their way towards Portland.

Another wine country. This time in central Oregon. Did not know they made wine pretty much everywhere.

Mount Hood snuck its way up. It looked huge and tiny at the same time. You could see it alone above everything else, but it made it look small. But it is a hundred miles away almost. It's a pretty tall volcano.

Instead of rushing through Portland I decided to investigate this volcano. The views from the roadside were glorious.

There is so much snow up there, and skiiers too. The trails through the national forest were few and far between for just hikers in the winter. If I had damn skiis it would be great.

Being near the tree line made it feel like I wasn't so high. This trip has been terrible on my ears, they are always popping.

Well if I had skiis I'd be yelling at my broken leg somewhere. The slopes were ripe for skiing.

I hate not getting out of the car to view areas. So the first vista I could pull over on I did. Most of the pullouts were snowed over.

This rocky creekbed was a wonder. The light was so blue.

i was unsure of what was rock or water, but I managed. The flow was great, iced over and then beaten back through with water.

The blue light was over everything including me and trees.

Look at these tiny cones. They were on a deciduous tree but looked like really tiny pine cones.

Swingin back around to Portland I caught many glimpses of Mt. St. Helens. From behind it doesn't have the familiar blown out side.

It's so great being able to see both humongous volcanoes in the same area.

The river between Washington and Oregon was great. It is so wide and the sunset beamed off the walls of the river quite nicely. This island in the middle has a home on it. It'd be a pain to deal with but wouldn't it be nice.

The river winded around and caught the sun making the mountains purple. This purple was great. It's sad how purple gets the shaft when it comes to how much there is to see in both nature and the human world. Crayons don't even represent it well.

Back to Portland. I went downtown and I am wondering what makes Portland so wierd. ya they have trollies and stuff, but so do a lot of the western cities. And they prided themselves on not wanting the interstate, but I got around fine on just that. Tomorrow I'll check out the museums and hopefully meet an acquaintance. So far meeting up with people without a cellphone is quite difficult.

A little more pretty than pretty itself.

2009-12-08T20:01:00.001-08:00

The sun setting at 4 o'clock and it being pitch black at 5:30 really bums me out. I like to sleep in and get a late start to travel is slow. Did I mention that my stereo has been completely random for most of this trip? Well the faceplate plugged in and most of the time it does nothing, sometimes it will flicker and start playing a song then quit for another state. It hated California apparently.

Well I woke up really disoriented trying to figure out whether it was the fire alarm, alarm clock..or the phone was ringing. Uh, 1am. So the nice girl at the desk checks the parking lot at night and saw that my stereo was flickering, then started to play Coheed and Cambria really really loud. Well of course it works at 1am when I'm not in my car. Well I left the faceplate on so it was on, and got the call because she was worried that I'd wake with a dead battery. I appreciated the gesture, it was just really disorienting.

Oregon can be so green. Fires are apart of the cycle, and loggers are involved in this too. But otherwise it's really green.

Winter again! The coast has a variety of snow and no snow.

Once I got near to Crater Lake National Park heavy snowfall was apparent.

I like the green, but white trees are beautiful. Sticky big flakes of snow covered everything that they could. They shimmered so delightfully.

Winter is the worst time to see the parkas as far as travel goes. Roads are closed everywhere, so what you have been seeing on Magical Wonderfulness is only a sliver of the beauty! One step over to the rim of Crater Lake was amazing.

You have no idea how blue this blue really is. This lake is the seventh deepest in the world, first in the U.S. Blue and white made a winter wonderland.

The trees all around tried to show each other up in how beautiful they were.

Just look at that color! I wish you has seen it with your own eyes.

So does it look cold? Well it was blisteringly so. My fingers numbed right out of the car.

The lake gets a lot of snow. 500 inches or something like that.

There are no inlets or outlets to the lake. No rivers, no creeks, nothing in or out. The crazy amount of snowfall melts in, and seepage lets out through the rock underneath to maintain the level.

I did not have skis or snowshoes so I wasn't able to enjoy the trails. All of these pics were one hundred yards from my car. I couldn't imagine the vistas elsewhere.

I could not get over these trees.

Nothing looked real to me.

So this is the road. In winter it becomes a trail for skiers. The horizon danced.

My eyes started to hurt because of all the light everywhere. Even in shadow it was sunny.

The rim is so steep. The island in the middle looks like it needs a kid fort. I saw summer pictures in the gift shop from boats, and the water turns a rainbow of colors near the edge.

My camera could not even understand what was going on with all the color.

There was a single cloud in the sky, not one. The snow the Midwest is getting right now blew over the west and totally missed where I have been. yet still there was over 2 feet of snow on the ground here.

Beauty.

Pretty.

Ew. Since the park gets so much snow and is open the whole winter the buildings have snow tunnels. The building gets buried in the snow and the tunnels reach the road so that they are not as hard to dig out for entry.

It looked like some kind of grossly beautiful theater stage set or something. I am so glad I came north.

Truckers on the road out and to the interstate were carrying all the goods into little ass towns 100 miles from a city. This older truck looked mean.

there was nowhere to stop and look at this creek because of all the snowfall, but it was icey and wonderfully blue-green.

The national forest was so dense. Peaks that jut out from the horizon acted like razor blades to the scenery. The tree line is do dramatic. Snow covered sides of the road were full of babies. A lot of the roads in the mountains yet far have been paved or corrected somehow with the economic stimulus funds. You're tax dollars at work!

I had a no destination roadtrip mindset and knowing that I wanted to end at Yosemite made me want to continue further. I was so close, but swinging north will allow me to see even more, and Yellowstone I bet will be amazing. I hope it does not blow up before I at least get pictures posted from there! I'm scared to death out here. I hope even thus far on this trip inspires everyone to see the world in which we inhabit.

The Bigfoot Capitol, by that I don't mean a town hall, or chamber of commerce.

2009-12-07T20:01:00.000-08:00

The pacific northwest is making me at ease. the scenery is gorgeous and the areas are just nice to be in.

The redwoods kept on comin, though not as large as they could have been.

I went to the Bigfoot capitol of the world.

For one, I was upset to not see Bigfoot. I was surprised that the town of Willow creek wasn't as Bigfooty as I would have hoped. The museum was closed, there wasn't a bigfoot crossing sign like I imagined. I mean they have bear, elk, deer, cougar, ducks...why not a bigfoot crossing?

this is what bigfoot habitat looks like. The famous footage of the female bigfoot walking in the stream bed was taken a mile away.

So that was a bust. On my way out of the town there were some good sights like this one. Not sure if this persons yard was supposed to be sprayed with a pipe all night or not. the water was on everything in their yard and froze over night to make it look like ice sculptures. The sun was in just the right spot to illuminate everything wonderfully.

The riverbed was full of fish and fishermen. I finally got to see not one, but a few, Bald Eagles. i hear they are in Indiana sometimes, but I've not seen one up close. he got scared and flew off, making other eagles fly towards me. They are so color by numbers it's wonderful.

The road was travelled by logging trucks, though I saw few patches of cleared forest. There was a huge area near a town that was completely burnt though. It must have happened a years ago, and I suspect that the new buildings that were in the town had been burned down. i did see quite a few controlled burns on the way. They were small and pitiful.

I saw a humongous pile of logs awaiting to become lumber. they spray water over them to keep them moist, and the drips were frozen really cool.

The lakes in this part of the country are so blue.

An old town that was abandoned and made into a museum near the roadside. It was prime realestate, Don't know why they hadn't restored them and made them into Yankey Candle Company shops, and Thomas Kinkaide dealers.

Shasta lake was really odd. The water line was tremendously low. The rim was overgrown, and boat ramps went down a hundred feet and then stopped before they even got to water. i wonder if the water is ever where it's supposed to be.

Trees! A lot of trees.

Volcano! That stood out so much. It is the only snow capped peak anywhere around.

Perhaps two volcanoes? It got really cold the further north I came.

And a totally different looking volcano. This one wasn't too high, was really gritty with no trees.

A peak with its top blown off. reminded me of Mount St. Helens. Which I may see by the way.

Wonderful sledding hill if it had a big snow fall.

Such a lonely mountain. Reminded me of myself. Surrounded by trees.

I entered Oregon! I'm on my way to see Crater Lake, which most roads will be closed for the winter so it shouldn't take too long to enjoy. In Oregon you are not allowed to pump you own gas. Huh.

Never touch, molest, or otherwise interfere with mammals on beaches.

2009-12-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

The emerald green, teal, peacock, and cyan of the pacific northwest is brilliant.

Eureka! is at sea level. Only a little bay separates the city from the immense ocean.

Coves of beaches and freshwater lagoons wrap around redwood forested mountains. It has not rained yet, I was expecting rain.

The peaks hid areas from the daylight and frost was covering the ground. When the sun dif end up hitting the frosted grass and trees it sizzled and created a fog.

It looked like there was snow cover. Where there was full sun it was warm, and the shadows were bitterly cold. Marshes, meadows and woods weaved in and out of the scenery.

So Redwood National Park is rather a series of parks that happen to be a National Park. Like Death Valley there wasn't a real entry point, and trails were hard to find since there wasn't a map. I first entered what was called Elk Meadow. I got sad that I didn't see any elk at first.

Uh, apparently they did know this meadow for them so they were in someones yard. At first I thought they were fenced in because there was a gate beside them. The gate was just blocking a driveway, and the elk were just chillin by the roadside.

A whole herd was there. The whole family eating lunch together.

The highway ran through the park and redwoods were all around.

The sea was gorgeous. Waves crashing, wind blowing, whales...hidden somewhere, but they were there. To think that there is soooo incredibly much area covered in water.

The mid day sun gleamed over the surface like diamonds.

The Klamath River inlet battled the incoming waves.

These two bulls I saw after the herd were still there after I had drove back. A dog was outside just staring at them intently. He didn't bark but it made me think of how Dinosaur would freak out and bark at cows, horses, or anything she thought was another animal she didn't know of, including fake owls. I miss my girls, Geode don't be afraid to show Dino you mean business.

So more elk were showing off in front of some cabins. Wow, how I would love to wake to these guys every morning.

This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife, how did I get here?

Ok, so not as large as a moose but way bigger than a deer. If you met this guy in the middle of the road both of your days would be made a lot worse. Awe man would I like to ride one with a big staff made out of crystals wearing a headdress made of peacock feathers. I'd paint him florescent orange and pink, leaving his head natural, but gold leafing his antlers. But that's just me.

I finally got to walk a trail. The grove of redwoods are unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, the Sequoias are amazing, but I like the Redwoods better. These trees are have similar proportion that I am used to and just look freakin huge, the sequoias have some funky proportions. And these guys don't have to be thousands of years old to be large.

Oh they look just normal sized...but hundreds of feet over everything else.

Everything had some green on it.

Boy was it chilly with the weather for one, and in the shade of the trees.

Dinosaur habitat anyone? Scenes like this were everywhere, but with a Tyrannosaurus Rex coming through.

It was dark inside this tree, but the charred interior was being invaded by green moss and looked great.

The logs are massive. The dead red leaves littered the otherwise greenness of the area.

The visitors center I finally found, and exiting I found a sly guy. He saw me before I saw him, and he wanted no part of it.

It was after four o'clock so the sun was setting......4. The beaches waves looked inviting. Surfers with their gear on tried their luck at the surf. I stood just watching the waves come in and stepping back when the waves came near my boots.

The mist off the ocean was eerie and great.

Watching the waves come in and seep into the black sand was thrilling.

I stood away from the furthest waves and I was alright, until a wave came in from the damn side and surrounded me. Boots wet.

The sun rays over the black sand and crashing waves was peaceful. I have a lot on my mind and it helped put me at ease for a bit.

The clouds covered the sun and let the light struggle through. My day was nearing an end. I hope you all are enjoying this scenery for yourselves. I hope you never have the same reason to leave such as mine, but I hope very much that you can enjoy what this magnificent planet has to offer us in the near future.

Fine wine doesn't make you classy, it just means you spend less on dildos and chapstick.

2009-12-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

I procrastinated, angered, ended, worried, upset, freaked, destroyed, scared, ran, hid, talked, tried, panicked, lost, endangered, chose, lied, moved, thought. These are the things that I am here for, these are things that will be the end of me.

I decided to head the the crookedest street before I left San Fransisco. The way up the hills made me no longer wonder why the street was how it was.

Too bad you can't see it from you car, but the street zigzags back and forth, riding the brake at 5mph all the way down. Check it out on google for good pictures.

It was good that I had to go North to see the redwoods. The Golden gate bridge is spectacularly large. It looked in need of a fresh coat of paint, in maybe a nice chartreuse this time. there was a $6 toll southbound back to the city. Boy would that eat up you pay check everyday if you didn't make hella cash.

The tunnel after the bridge through had rainbows painted on them. I liked it. I checked my rear view mirror to see if the other entrance was painted, and it was not. With San Fransisco's history it was a surprise that the rainbows weren't on the way INTO the city. maybe it was a Looney Tunes reference.

The landscape showed its almost natural self afterwards. The cities plants were a wierd mix of desrt, tropical, evergreen and deciduous.

I was driving through wine country it seemed, with all the grape vines and all I just assumed. Sonoma and Napa Valley let me know for sure.

My car is so dirty it won't be long before I get to draw on it again with something different.

The valley had similar landscape with grasses and some trees.

Wherever there was level or somewhat level ground there were grapes.

As soon as the rolling hills began they ended immediately. 101 is also the Redwood Highway, and rightfully so. I did not start to see the giants until it had gotten dark.

I took a detour to take the coast highway just for a change because I know I'd be seeing the redwoods the day after. Aliens were on the beach, or intestines of something large. Seriously look at this alien looking mess.

Those strands were filled with air and juices, so I'm guessing kelp. Little garpe like air sacks littered the beach.

It is very chilly near the sea. Windy, chilly, and bright.

It's amazing that these rocks are still as large as they are. Being battered by the waves all day has got to be destructive.

the wind made me have Flock of Seagulls hair.

I was pretty good as judging when the waves were going to come in really far and finally lost. Shoes soaked.

The beaches were great this time of day. It's never really warm here so it's better than a beach covered in towels and people.

The grasses, the sand, the sunset.

Right next to the beach started the Pacific Northwest wetness and pines. It wasn't very close to dark yet, but the woods were very dim. Really curvy roads again, and further into the redwoods the heavily touristed spots started springing up. The drive-thru tree, one log house, most of these are world famous they had boasted. Even hippie culture started showing up. "Out of gas, full of love." I would totally give someone a ride, but 4 people with a dog, sorry dudes.

Weaves and hairpeices make such a ruccus.

2009-12-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

I started my day after the long drive in to San Mateo, outside San Fransisco, by finally drawing something on my car. It is a Sunfire right?

Vroom, Vroom. The highway to downtown is endlessly urban.

South San Fransisco is the industrial city. They are apparently proud of this by the looks of their mountain sign.

The smog was in the city too. It might have been cloudy. This was the only city that I didn't get into at night, but getting to the metro area was good enough for me.

First stop was the SFMoMA. It was close to the highway and I was supposed to meet a friend nearby.

A few floors were closed. Damn it. They were installing what will open on December 19th but it didn't look that good. Can you find Waldo? That was so great. I hope it was just a street art thing.

The sculpture garden was alright if you're into bronze or steel. haven't I seen something similar to this before?

Wait no, it was bigger and bluer, better. I did appreciate the clean edges though.

New painting and sculptures were nice together. Chris Johanssen, Andrea Zittel, ya a lot of familiar names.

The arrangement of the pieces didn't flow as good as they could have. I love when high school tour groups go through and teachers or whomever talk about works and ask kids questions. Well isn't that a unique use of materials? What do you think the artist was trying to say here? Shut up and enjoy the work already. Don't ask why until you really care.

Color, color, color. How I love it so.

Candice Breitz had 2 videos being shown. I usually hate video art in museums. These were wonderful. They used multiple screen so I'm not sure if you'd be able to view some of her work online but it's worth a shit. I was surprised that I liked them so much. John Lennon and Mothers were there.

There are so many ways to get around the city. Bus, Rail, Cable Car, walking, biking, taxi, car, parachute. The electric wires above the road were a trip.

It got really sunny out and kids had bagged lunches. Oh man I remember the good times.

The cable cars and electric buses were racing about. Driving on the streets scared me because lanes were every which way.

Fixed gear was started in San Fransisco or something like that for bike messengers? Well there were so many and it made me miss my bike. In this city they weren't just for hipsters anymore.

Oh and horse is a way to get around. Maybe just for cops.

I had to the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Sea foam was crazy. So chilly, and surfers were jumping in.

Evening over the water and the sun wasn't even out to make a great sunset.

The hills in the city were amazing. Stop signs and lights made my car freak out and rol backwards. People kept riding my ass and stopped right after me at a light, uh I had to roll back from taking my foot off the brake to give it gas.

I had no desire to do the touristy stuff anywhere really. i drove around the city to the waterfront and these buildings with their lights were pretty. I'm not sure if it's juts a holiday thing or not.

I ended going through Chinatown. Lots of stuff I couldn't read. My car when it's not on the highway and running fast it makes a high pitch squeel. I got the looks, and the flames just enticed.

Fresno has no reason to exist.

2009-12-04T19:57:00.001-08:00

So coming out of Seqouia was a hassle. I am always on the lookout for wireless so I can get the blog up in a timely manner each day. Now the National Parks are far from big cities most of the time and this make it hard. So I have made only one mistake on this trip for sure, and that was trying to go to the town of Pinehurst to find wireless internet. Well it turns out that Pinehurst consisted of a bar and a few homes along 245. I do not get motion sickness. The roads out here are fun, fast, curvy, and exhilarating. California 245 sucked ass. I'd have to zoom in to show how incredibly curvey, hairpin after hairpin, stupid fast this road is. It was awful and made me sick. Downhill being slung by gravity and centripetal force around curves hurt.

Well I got pissed off at that road, and at Fresno for having NO AMENITIES. I have no idea what that damn city is there for. So I forgot the blog and set up the highway again to get close to the parks and make another trip in to see the beauty.

The pines start so abruptly once up the mountain, but before is the greenest grass you've ever seen.

Oh , the tiny pines, so green.

Bam, big ones.

There is no easy way to look at these giants.

General Grant is only one of the largest trees in the world.

These trees are inspiring and magnificent.

Ones right next to each other make them look like they are just normal size.

I feel gorgeous just being amongst them. That's how pretty they are.

So you've seen pictures of really huge pine cones before, right? The Seqouias are the largest trees in the world so they have big cones ya? They are so petite. Very distinguishable from others since they look faceted rather than scaly.

This area was devastated by a fire over 50 years ago. But it was logged before that anyway.

The hills in the smog is beautiful and awful. It;s pretty now but in the summer I bet you can't see anything out there.

On most of the humongous lodgeple pines was THE most brilliant green moss. Chartreuse doesn't even cut it.

Cinnamon bark stands out so well against the scenery.

This tree is so small it doesn't even have a name.

The mountains faded away in the distance. I had my car in neutral to save gas on the way down and kept getting up to 65mph slinging around curves. I probably could have turned my engine off and kept it in neutral even.

Through Fresno again I saw a lot of trains with so much graffiti, the people there know there's nothing to do in Fresno.

Desert homes always seem to have walls instead of fences.

Beverley Hills is so ritzy, but this is Chowchilla. Palms look so great untrimmed, Vegas always kept theirs trimmed and funny looking.

So getting to the bay area the smog never stopped. A huge reservoir that was used for everything including hydro power, and wind turbines on the hills seemed to have not made that much of an impact on the air pollution. No wonder California is the most liberal and forward thinking when it comes to politics, if they didn't, California would die. The highway to San Fransisco was hectic, fast, then stopped, then fast again, and never ending urbanity.

Ya, you could totally have a dance party on that.

2009-12-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

Naval Base, Navel Oranges, Fuzzy Navel. Out of the almost barren desert of Death Valley came Joshua trees galore. I doubt as many or as large as Joshua Tree National Park to the south, but I'll not know for sure unless I go there too

Water in the desert. A lake that must get a lot of use. The lake bed was far below where it looks like it's supposed to be.

The river to Bakersfield was raging. The rocks rapids were amazing and the fall foliage was glistening.

After the curvy roads out of the canyon, the land got barren. Short grass only...except for the local crop. Oranges.

Man were they green. There were so many beehives around to pollinate the fruit.

There was a weird haze on the horizon. After the oranges there a lot of oil drills.

The roadside was full of palms and whatever crops.

I thought the haze was from the soil being upturned for planting. This being that this area has more than one growing season.

I knew there were mountains on the horizon, but you could not tell at all.

I finally got to Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. I didn't know that the parks were adjoining.

WOW. Period.

A sign about the park said that the haze was just pollution. The San Joaquin Valley below had the worst haze in the summer, winter being the clearest. Can you see the mountains? I couldn't. Sad.

Granted there is supposed to be some haze because of moisture rising, but geez.

Oh, the Seouias. These trees are amazing. Pictures do not show how spectacular the scale is. I mean they are only 30-40 feet across.

Only.

Fire scars ripped gashes in the trees, but two foot bark protects the living tissue.

Some trees ay be hollow from being fire damaged then healed over.

There were the tent-like trees branch things again.

I got to the park late because of the long drive around the mountains so I had to get away. But tomorrow was new light.

The haze over the mountains is eerily beautiful. I wonder the effects on the landscape it has. And no wonder I saw so many smog check stations across southern California.

So I thought I was going to California, but I ended up on the moon.

2009-12-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Waking up in Las Vegas is a song right? It sounds familiar. Well I didn't get married, I saw only one REAL church anyway. I did see a god looking young girl in her car in only a bar putting on makeup. I guess I'll bite...

Well pictures are a lot easier to take during the day. Vegas looses its luster during the daylight.

Street lights only illuminate the good looking spots and signs, but the day makes every nook and cranny show up.

There were rollercoasters in a few of the resorts.

The heavily themed resorts are so tacky and expensive cheap chic. Kind of like Carmel.

Brand new buildings being constructed as I type are totally weird compared to everything else. I think Vegas' urban planning consists of build and tear down only, nothing seems to flow easily.

The mall on the strip is co cool though. Open air and so expensive.

I really don't think that cellphone towers are that noticeable or ugly. Streetlights are everywhere and look evil. I do like trees though, and they look so funnily out of place. I could understand a pine cell tower next to other pines...but no.

The highway north felt odd because I knew that Area 51 and all that hush hush government stuff was on the other side of the mountains.

Some aircraft weren't secretive like this helicopter, and I kept seeing Predator drones. They are so alien looking.

The drones are so small. No one inside, just controlled. Video games are totally teaching kids the future.

Red mountain being shaped by bulldozers, not sure if they are mining or what.

Death Valley seemed...dead.

It seemed like i visited a lot of places while I was at Death Valley.

I went to the moon. Jenny O. should totally go to Death Valley. And she should bring some of her fungi fun friends.

The first thing I did when i got to California was go to the beach right? Look at that tidal wave in the background, wait those are mountains.

Then I went to the Sahara Desert.

These dunes were gorgeous.

Some kind of wildlife with a tiny dirtbike rode all around the dunes, I bet he had fun. These are seriously lizard dirtbike tracks.

This is winter as far as the west coast is concerned, and it was 75 degrees out in Death Valley. The sun was intense, and in the car, the sun was unbearable.

I was amazed when I saw how grid-like the plants were.

Dry beds where water collects when it does happen to rain leave deposits of minerals.

I have a Pontiac Sunfire, no rally car by any means, no sports car either. The roads through Death Valley were fun as hell. I guess the maximum grade on a highway can only be 6%, that's a 6 foot drop for every 100 feet of roadway. Theo roads here were 9% in some place with steep hairpin curves one right after the other, centripetal force slung my car around like there was no tomorrow. My poor car had to gun it up the grades at 4,000 rpms. The roads were just damn fun.

I hate that sunsets always look gray even though they are so saturated, wait this was the MOON.

After getting out of the Valley I ended up in a Naval Base town. Palms were the plant of the night.

It takes a REAL man to drive a lavender and purple semi.

2009-12-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

I was waken up around 6am by the Park Ranger and had to be out of thr north rim by 7. The roads were packed with snow, and the sun the day before melted the snow and overnight it hardened to ice. My sunfire was up to the challenge. Downhill with ice wasn't as easy as uphill with just snow, but I only managed to get her sideways two times. I was off to the south rim 200 hundred miles away through the desert.

I was out of the park and into the Kaibab national forest for the sunrise. I passed a fire tower and had to see if I could climb it. I was able to, but wasn't allowed to get inside at the top. It was many stories high, and the wind was incredible. The sunrise was amazing, but the wind on the small landing made it awkward and scary.

There was so much desert between the north and south rim. I was so bored seeing the same cliffs. A had to take a tiny excursion to see DINOSAUR tracks of course.

If they weren't filled with water they would have been really hard to make out. Can you beleive they still have definition after so long?

I love when cellphone towers are camouflaged.

This tower kind f stood out as it was about a hundred miles between any other pines. The cliffs just kept coming, and the road changed directions so many times to see the same cliffs.

I challenged myself to give the Grand Canyon a try. Of course they are beautiful. With all the hype, I expected more. The view wasn't that wonderful, the pictures turned out to have contrast and color, but what I was seeing in person was a transparent beige over everything. The sky and canyon blended into one gray color. It was spectacular to see people come to the rim to take four pictures, with out looking at the canyon except through their camera, then leave 30 seconds later. Compared to the light and colors of Zion National Park I wasn't impressed, but even I gazed at the 10 mile across hole in the ground for over ten minutes.

You have to drive a lot to get to any vistas of the canyon, pines and brush cover the rim and lookouts were cul-de-sacs away from the main road. Along the road were any of these stacks of pine branches. I don't know what purpose they had, but they were interesting. I bet no one elese even noticed them everyone is so in awe at not being in awe at the canyon.

I came from the back entrance and that view was by far the best. This is the grand view area. I did see a California Condor though. They are amazingly large.

As I got out of the Grand Canyon the scenery flattened and added different types of hills every so often. Hills that just looked like bunches or rock piles, and Juniper as far as the eye can see.

Whatever the plants were along the roadside were blooming. They were a magnificent green and yellow with white fluffy seeds.

The Mojave desert was littered with trailers, campers, and junk.

Joshua trees were a pleasant change, cactus were hunkered to the soil.

There were a lot of people for being the desert, but they had their own really large landfill.

The valley floor had endless trailers and small homes glistening in the sun.

The highway to the Hoover Dam had construction of a bypass so that commercial trucks could travel to Las Vegas easier and have a shorter route. The evening sun created a pink movie on the cliffs behind me.

The Hoover Dam was a pretty amazing structure. I always thought it just looked engineered, but it had a lot of art deco architecture and details.

The road leading to the dam has so many hairpin turns and is too narrow for trucks, and I bet the threat of having possible things that could damage the dam kept them away as well. Cops were stationed before the river was vsible to spot check for I don't know what. They jut glanced.

I bet if you were willing to get arrested this would be the best hill for a sled. Its such a gentle slide and you would ram into the river. I bet the current would take you under, but man would it be fun.

The towers you see on the main structure...are bathrooms. The women's bathroom had an art deco green interior and golden doors. The men's had black.

A very art deco sculpture was horribly placed beside the dam. It looked like it had just been pooped out there.

Once it was dark I had to leave the dam. I passed Boulder City (the original namesake of the dam) and once I got over a hill there they were. The power that was made from the dam went to a street light every ten feet over the entire Las Vegas metro area. It was amazing, like those christmas light for bushes that you just lay over the top of to create a grid of lights.

I bet this sign has changed so much over the years. Graffiti, bulbs on fire.

The older Las Vegas casinos showed their age compared to the new gaudy touristy ones.

Before they were just pretty lights on a regular looking building.

The newer ones were themed with Paris, New York, Greece, the space needle, they looked like Disneyland theme parks.

I can't imagine how many homes the dam was supposed to power compared to how many it actually does now. This city is either the dream or nightmare of a person with ADD. If you're prone to seizures, you'd better not drive through yourself.

Chippendale's, Carrot Top, Celen Dion, that magician guy, and others, strip shows. There is so much to do here but if you don't know exactly what you came for you would have no idea what to do. The city really stressed me out, the drivers are dicks, there are so many people everywhere, I had no idea where to go or what to do.

Why they didn't make this castle larger I don't understand.

I miss everyone. I so much closer to my destination than I realize. I wish you could all be seeing what I'm seeing. I'd trade this trip for what I had lost back home in a heartbeat.

"Love, Liquor, Ammo, Guns, Beer. Welcome to Zion. Oh, we have Gas too."

2009-11-30T21:52:00.000-08:00

Arches was the epitome of Utah's landscape. But it was crowded and was kind of hyped us so much that it was a let down.

The road to Zion was still petty scenic, yet similar to what I've seen so far.

Not even knowing there was such a park, I had no idea what to expect until I got there. Everyone knows that I love trees, and all the pines, and the Cottonwood that have just turned the most beautiful Golden Yellow, were a great change for me.

The patriarchs peaks were great shapes and a nice allusion to what was next. The roads must have been paved with local rocks because they were the same red stone color as the canyons. They blended really well into the landscape instead or ruining it.

The rocky and rounded peaks together were great.

Oh the sky was so blue, and what clouds were in the sky were puffy white.

The morning sun was hazey on some mountains but others were in full sunlight and blazed their scenery.

These canyon walls were so close to one another. They felt at ease with each other and the people below them.

Look at Zion Canyon. Just look.

Wow, the light.

The light in this park is amazing no matter what time of day. I was there all day and it never lost a beat.

Cottonwoods were golden. They felt like home to me. The woodlands on the edge of the river captured and filtered the light so well.

Every glance was a change in scenery. The amazing and sad part is that I lost daylight and was unable to go on quote "mot amazing trail in any national park" in Zion.

When the sun was hitting me I was dreadfully overheated, and in the shade I was so cold. The cactus and pines were such a weird pair.

When sandstone weathers it is SAND again. The rocks were covered in sand and hung over thousand foot cliffs. Chains in the walls at some points made it feel a lot safer crossing.

Just look at that light!

And as soon as Zion Canyon arose from the desert it was gone again. Everything flattened out and got more red.

I was on my way to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. I have never been on love with the Grand Canyon's scenery even on film or photo. I was so close so I thought I'd try and take a look to change my mind.

The Kaibab National Forest was north of the rim and I had to go through it to get to the canyon. First I saw a log pile. NO trees in sight anywhere, just a log pile.

Then I came upon them. Arizona right? Beautiful snow covered Ponderosa Pines. Almost nothing but them too. A layer of grass and thick pines all along the rolling hills and peaks.

And what a beautiful change, sad, but necessary. I take it that they had birned at least one or two seasons ago. The grass was yellowed from a season of growing but I didnt make out any saplings growing between the snags. Every so often an Aspen showed up burnt, originally whitish, when the burnt bark peeled away, WHITE WHITE WHITE. Such beautiful wood.

It was so long getting from Zion to the north rim. The forest never seemed to stop, then all of a sudden there were meadows. They got larger and larger until the entrance to the park.

The sunset between the trees kept getting more spectacular.

By the time I got into the park it was pitch black. Snow covered roads, and no cars gave me a weird feeling, but I kept on.

When I got to the Grand Canyon Lodge, I knew something was up damn it. No cars, not even at the cabins, stores or lots. I walked around and saw CLOSED FOR THE WINTER signs. Nov. 30th 7:00 (no specified am or pm) was when everyone had to be out of the park. Wonderful, as it was 11p.m. Nov 29th when I got there. My car was shitting out on me since I had been driving forever in the desert all day long so I had to sleep in the parking lot and was going to wake up, take some pics of the rim and see if I thought it was beautiful or not, then leave before 7pm. Well no. A wonderfully helpful Park Ranger flashed his light through my window while I was sleeping that night. I thought I was dreaming of someone taking a picture of my car in the parking lot. I was instructed to get out of the park before 7am or I was to be ticketed for illegal camping. Groggily I got my car started and headed out for the damn south rim before I got to see the sunrise.

NOTHING beats an American. Bambie, maybe your mom was from Canada.

2009-11-28T19:54:00.001-08:00

Out of Arches was more wonderful desert.

It might not be the right time
I might not be the right one
But there's something about us I want to say
Cause there's something between us anyway

I might not be the right one
It might not be the right time
But there's something about us I've got to do
Some kind of secret I will share with you

I need you more than anything in my life
I want you more than anything in my life
I'll miss you more than anyone in my life
I love you more than anyone in my life

The red soil was striking. Cooper green hills were amongst all the red.

Then a bend in the road it got kind of boring with rolling beige hills.

Sandstone hills came out of the blue sky.

Not long after Arches and a few other towns there was a sign that pretty much read: There isn't a damn thing up ahead for over one hundred miles.

There were nothing but ranches after this stop.

There was a truck that inspired today's title. A mattress company called "American". It had its nothing beats an american slogan and a picture of a fawn completely separate from the logos.

The up heaved land and weathered looked like something from space.

The END of interstate 70.

The entry to Beaver had the most wonderful billboard for entry.

The mist was coming over the mountains.

Billboards. There were none up to this point, and none afterward.

Peaks that looked like volcanoes caught my eye.

As far as they can see were the prettiest mountains surrounded in mist.

Mist.

The rain was coming. When I never knew. It was still desert.

A flat valley with farms, cattle, and towns.

This mountain was alone in the snow. Surrounded by the mist that was coming.

The rain finally caught up to me. When it rains in the desert, man does it rain. Most of the drivers were from Nevada and Utah, and they were freaking out. It was sleeting at some points and my wipers were on full blast. Everyone got into the slow lane, some with flashers, and I just zoomed by rubbing my Indiana license plate in there faces.

The sun came out and the light was beautiful.

Clouds were pushed up by the peaks and looked ominous.

Zion National Park's edge followed the highway and the sunlight after the rain over the peaks looked amazing.

The sunlit brush reminded me of Jurassic Park.

The way up to Zion had a few small towns, and a town with desert suburbs. Suburbs of nothing. GREEN grass surrounded by desert and other homes. I don't know where they even got groceries. But there they were.

Of course it had gotten dark before I entered the park so I headed back to sleep somewhere. I've had a bad day so I apologize for the lackluster post. I hope visiting the park brightens my spirits.

Big Horn Sheeps And Peeps.

2009-11-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

The motel stay was alright, surprisingly my sleeping bag in my car was just as comfortable as the bed. The SHOWER was nice. I took one as soon as I got in, and before I left. It is no wonder Colorado owns the mountain image so much. Eastern Colorado looks just like Kansas, and the west looks just like Utah. i was excited to see Arches National park and had gotten up real early to check out of the El Palimino Motel.

Train might be the way to see the West.

The land dramatically changed. What wonderful colors.

Houses and lonely businesses dotted the landscape. So far between.

Once I got off of 70 the scenery jumped up real quick. The scenic route to Moab was great. It followed the Colorado River most of the way, sometimes scarily so. There were so many places to camp, put your boat in, and hike along the river. The canyon was beautiful and every turn was scenic.

the canyon let up in some places and started to show wind eroded mesas and towers.

Northern slopes were dusted with snow, and southern exposures bear.

The towers came out of nowhere sometimes. It would be great to be up there.

A bend in the Colorado River is called Big Bend and had this carving in the stone off the road in no special place it seemed. I'm not for sure whether this was actually carved in 1894, but I don't know many people that write like that in their graffiti and sandstone carvings. I would have made a diamond made of diamonds....

The towers and wind eroded peaks just kept coming.

Once in Arches National Park I realized that this was a heavily visited park. RMNP was so large that even if there were a lot of people you wouldn't notice.The layout of the park is one main road going all the way north through the park with offshoots to the arches and landmarks. There weren't many trails at all, it was kind of a roadside attraction sort of thing. These are the petrifies dunes with I forget the mountain name in the background. The fact that I call the mountain that if funny because there are places in the desert with no names and on the signs they say "Not Named" or something similar.

The specific things that people come to see have parking lots with only a few hundred feet of trail. The delicate arch parking lot was filled to the brim so I went on to the arch viewing area down the road. It was a mile or so to the hill where the arch was.

The landscape was what you'd think of Utah. One reason there were so few trails is that the crust on the desert floor is living I learned. Though every trail has several feet of trampled earth along side it.

You can see one hell of a lot better pictures of what everyone goes to the park for, so I mainly took pics of what most people wouldn't, or just ones for me to reference for myself later. This is Balanced Rock, and the parking lot around it.

The trailhead to Delicate Arch had the original occupants home saved with fences intact.

The only reason anyone ever wanted to live out here was the fact that this creek was there. Perhaps they liked the scenery more than an easier life somewhere else, maybe. The pizza place I'm sitting in posting Magical Wonderfulness is hating that I am hare right now by the way. this town has no wireless, and I am still drinking my Pepsi so tough luck.

Right behind the original homes and the creek were Ute Indian petroglyphs. I thought of how Tre links his artwork with them. I'm surprised the kids never write things beside them while they were on the land. I would have.

The way up to the arch was pretty in most places, but no one noticed besides me it seemed. They were gung-ho on getting to the arch.

The vegetation was really great, cactus were so small and had such large needles. The trees had such gnarly bark and branches.

These are views that not many were going for. The Devils Garden.

A puny arch near Delicate arch.

And OH so many people were camped out on top of the mountain where the arch was located. Eating lunch, drinking water, resting, all of which I forgot to do, I guess I'm hardass. With not as much oxygen, and as fast as I was going up the steep rock cliff up to the destination it's a wonder that I did not pass out. I ate a freakin Huershey bar before I went up.

Behind the arch was a magnificent canyon and amphitheater.

There it is! I was kind of jaded at the scenery and how many people and cars were there, but the arch was beautiful. And from photos I have seen I had no knowledge of how large it was.

There's someones family. There was a line for getting your picture taken underneath.

Through the arch was a snow dusted slope.

This beautiful sucker was camped out on ledges all around the arch where people were eating. He was probably full of cheetos, doritos, granola, and gatorade.

The roads had brilliant scenery on every side.

SNOW in the DESERT? most northern slopes were dusted with snow.

I went all the way to the end of the park to see Landscape arch, which I thought was more beautiful. Apparently you could go underneath it back before 1991, before humongous slab fell from it while people were resting below.

Further up the trail was another arch, or what was left of it. Nature finally took this one. The whole floor below was covered in sandstone shards. But i bet a lot of the peaks that are close together were at one time arches themselves. It'll just be a really, really, long time before other new ones are formed.

The sun started to go down and of course I got caught way up the trail. I was the last out of the parking lot, and the drive back to the entrance was 30 miles. It was dark, with Bighorn Sheep and Deer warning signs. Down hills posted at 45mph it no problem getting from 30-55 in seconds. I didn't want to go that fast knowing what was out there. It's a good thing that I go from cites and towns to the National Parks. The beauty of the landscapes, and the mostly ugly arrangement that people come up with is a wonderful juxtaposition. granted some cites are pretty and have great looking buildings, but like Indianapolis' slap in the face with the stadium and new buildings, the world that inspires us to create we can never approach in beauty.

Ninety miles per hour downhill with a Rifle in Leadville.

2009-11-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

First thing's first, I usually go in chronological order yet far, but what happened just before I got to where I am now something horribly scary and amazing happened. On Interstate 70, going the speed limit of 75mph, I suddenly saw a dead deer in the left lane. Immediately after in the shoulder was the broken glass, bumper, and rest of the car that had hit this deer. After being amazed that I did not see the deer until my headlights were right up on its carcass, I looked back in my rear view mirror to see the car behind me. This car, was in the left lane, the lane that the deer was in the middle of. This car RAMPED the dead deer. I was so scared that it could have been me.

So on a lighter note, Denver has good public transit compared to Indy. Taxis, hybrid taxis, busses, rail, bike lanes, the whole deal.

It was still flat after getting out of Denver for a few miles.

But the scenery out was amazing, and didn't disappoint thereafter.

The Rocky peaks, snow caps and treeline were genuinely beautiful to lay eyes on.

Rocky Mountain National Park was just that, the Rocky Mountains. Other mountain ranges were quite different. A definite treeline, with the greenest pines and spruces, and a nice layer of snow.

The mountains just kept appearing.

The first tunnel I went through was pretty.

Towns were all along the interstate. I guess most of them were old mining towns. They had names like Copper, Leadville, Rifle, Silt.

I snapped a picture of the elk warning sign just because I liked the image, later I came to realize how much they meant business.

Vail, Colorado. Skiing, hotels, more skiing, and a definite architectural style that has to be kept my law.

I was as close to Aspen, Colorado as the interstate would go, and of course there were a dominance of Aspen.

I saw many wild Mustangs. Well at least one gold one, and some newer ones on the road. i did see a Bighorn Sheep deciding whether or not to go into the middle of the highway though.

Quickly after the continental divide the snow was heavy and then let off. This is the aft side of the mountain.

And right across was the snowy side. Both sides of the highway were like this most of the way.

The scenery began to look more and more like what I will be seeing more of next.

The Glenwood Canyon started with a big tunnel.

It was amazing to drive through, what a change compared to the mountain peaks. A shame that the way most get to see it is on the road, and off the road you'd be seeing the highway.

Out of the canyon there were more and more trailer parks, motor home parks and western stereotypes like big honkin trucks, abandoned mines, and railroads. This is one side of the road.

And this is the other. What a dramatic difference.

This truck was badass. The only thing it was missing was a steer skull and horns on the chrome flame grill. I was surprised that this was the first I had seen. Maybe I'll see more like it.

I was chasing the sun trying to get to grand Junction, Colorado before the sun completely set, and It was a good thing I came to realize later with the wildlife.

I saw a humongous dead bear in the side of the road. I don't know what the car ended up looking like, but the bear was ruined. If i didn't see what was left of the skull I couldn't begin to tel what it was.

Then from 75mph I had to slow because there was a police car in the shoulder, slowing down AND getting over is a nice thing to and sometimes the law. Right after this one cop I saw another two police cars and an ambulance by the onramp, but no accident from what I could tell. THEN. Then I sped up as I was passed it, in the shoulder was a car, and the van in front of me got back into the right lane. I usually get into the left lane when a car is in the shoulder, cop or not. But I followed the van passed the car, and as soon as I got noticed the car I noticed the deer in the road. I freaked out and maneuvered by all the broken glass, bumper, and rear view mirror in my lane. I am so glad I instinctively followed the van for whatever reason as I would have hit the deer. Now there was a car behind my in the lane that the deer was in. I did not see it until it was in headlight view not 10 feet in front of my car. This car did not see it until he had RAMPED it.

I didn't beleive what I saw. The headlights went straight up, then straight down, and I realized what happened. The car coasted for a bit then pulled off to the shoulder, and I went on my way freaked the hell out. Needless to say I didn't ever get up to the speed limit until I reached the city.

I had been driving all day long, and my car didn't ike the thin air. Everytime a steep incline happened, my car, while in cruise control, revved so much just to make it. When I got into the city, being that I slowed down and was stopped at red lights, my car began to overheat and make a horrible noise. I pulled over and let up the hood to give the girl a break.

I haven't been eating very much since my stomach has shrunk quite a bit from being lovesick and not having a wonderful person to make meals for me. Well the ONLY food establishment open was China Grill and Buffet. I had turkey, and was pleased that I didn't have to eat the club crackers, marshmallows, and citrus blast that were in my car for a meal.

Pink blinds, teal trim, neon lights. Yes please.

I've been posting pictures of myself so that you could see that I am alive and getting ever so gross. Well you could tell from today's picture that I was in need of a shower. Not to mention I just wanted to chill after being freaked out. A nice hot shower was a nice end to a great day.
I hope your Thanksgiving went well. What I lacked in great food I made up for in tremendous scenery. So bleh.

The kids usually know what's up in an art museum. All these chairs and I can't sit in any of 'em.

2009-11-25T18:24:00.000-08:00

Today I woke up and finally, and suddenly like a sledgehammer on top of me, felt terribly lonely.

I was ready to leave Estes Park and the mountains for now to see the art museums in Denver. Since I arrived Sunday night and museums are closed Monday, I had to back track. This was the first time I had woken up before noon Indiana time. I did not want to wake too early as to hit Denver rush hour though. The early morning light on the mountains was a nice change.

The road out of the Rockies was spectacular when I came in, but now since I saw the untouched Rockies they didn't pack as much of a punch.

The change from mountains to completely flat is so dramatic. There are mountains then there aren't, simple as that. Denver's skyline doesn't look great at all, but most of the buildings downtown aren't that tall and are very modern.

the new portion of the Denver Art Museum is a crazy looking building. It has an overhang that goes straight out over the road and almost touches the old portion on the other side.

Before iIwent inside I toured the "Golden Triangle" district.

This dumpster was covered in Denver Museum stickers. And this facade being exposed made for a very inviting graffiti spot.

When I walked inside the new portion of the museum, the walls were crazy shifty everywhere. The temporary exhibition was great, it had all sorts of artists do installations all over the building. the stairwell had this persons work that I enjoyed. I eventually realized whos it was, I bet Tre can figure it out. the extension cord confused the hell out of me as to where it was going but that made sense later.

Erin K. Drew, this reminded me of you. There were cut out paper words on the back wall that looked like Erin's handwriting.

Right next to this room was full of western themed paintings of cowboys, sort of like the Eiteljorg. The only one that I liked had this bear eating a deer it stole from wolves. Old people LOVED this gallery. It put them at ease because they were pissed off at what else was in the museum. I hope I don't hate the crazy shit that other artists will make in the distant future.

This woman is Jessica Stockholder. I knew straight away with out seeing her name anywhere. After realizing where that extension cord went (it shined a spotlight on this installation) I just knew. Her work amazed little kids. The painted chair pissed kids off, well they were pissed at their parents for not letting them sit on it. More chair stuff in a bit.

Grommets and vinyl, a lot of the work i saw in the museum reminded me of all the damn good artists in Indianapolis.

That kid snuck a sit on the chair when his mom wasn't looking.

This room installation was too messy for my taste, but the imagery was subtle and dirty as hell which I enjoyed. Dudes on dudes on dudes on dudes riding girls peeing, all in a cafe.

Kids just made this museum trip fun. I really enjoyed seeing how much they loved the work and how involved they got to be. This room was completely filled with bunjie cords strung floor to ceiling. A video of this piece is below.

It made my day. It was so fun. It was so enjoyable. It just made me happy.

Oh, foxes. They are having so much fun. there was ONE red fox that freaked me out.

You have to click to enlarge this photo to get what I'm saying, but they worked really well next to each other. Both were so classically awful to enjoy. The chairs in the fox installation, and a designer chair display had a kid mumbling "All these chairs and I can't sit in any of them...".

Look at these colors with this imagery. Another one was of firefighters putting out corn.

The older building had your typical stuff. Really nice American Indian collection, obviously because of the area. By the way, I went to the Denver contemporary art museum today as well, and it sucked. If you ever go, make sure to look at the website and see if the pictures of whats being exhibited look even remotely interesting.

This was somehow from the plains, even though there were macaw feathers. Amazonian art looks amazingly similar to this.

Of course on my way back I stopped by the contemporary works.

Kids had an easier time getting through this.

I finished my night by going to Vertigo gallery, I had pictures of the closed gallery earlier, and spoke to the owner for nearly 2 hours about the art world, graduate schools, the painting professor in the show, and unmonumental works being made today. It was great to speak to her with a critical and naive angle. I am going to spend Thankgiving driving through the mountains. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, be thankful for what you have before it is gone. I have been uploading today at a 24hr Burger King and I have met more than a few "houseless, because home is where the heart is" friends here like me. I have a lot to love, and so do you all.

A house divided can not stand, said Lincoln. The continental divide has been there for a REAL long time Linlcon. Get your shit straight.

2009-11-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

I am not dead yet. This trip is saving my life. Be sure to READ everything that is here before you make my life harder right now than it already is. Read the header to Magical Wonderfulness to try and understand for yourselves what is happening here. I am trying to be upbeat, excited and amazed at what I am seeing out here, and I am trying to share that with others. Rocky Mountain National Park is amazing, and a park ranger knowing my name worries me, and complicates things, and gets my mind back onto what I am getting away from! SO STOP. You will hopefully understand more as time goes on. As will I. You can meet Randy and some elk when you read further.

Of all the things behind a McDonald's, this has to be one of the prettiest and less gross.

As soon as I got onto the Andrew's Glacier trail I started noticing florescent orange markers. If you are one to know anything about me, you know that this was amazing for me. OH, that amazing scenery with the surprising dash of the most artificial color. Yes. And this made me think of something I'll go into further.

There was anywhere from 3-17 inches of snow on the ground the whole way. The glacier I was heading to was nestled on top of the continental divide.

It was a blistering 45 degrees when I got to the trail-head and I was bundled up even more than yesterday after learning my lesson on cold and wind. Well I was hot and ended up taking my hat off and opening my coat. A survival lesson to be learned in the cold is to NEVER sweat. Sweat happens to col your body and that is very bad when it is already very cold outside, hypothermia can set in if you're not careful. Thanks "Survivor Man" for teaching me this and other wonderful insights that I hope to use one day. It's on the Discovery Channel, but a similar show called Man vs. Wild is terrible in comparison. That jackass just goes around doing stupid shit to get him in danger while always having a medical team on hand and Survivorman is alone and tapes all of his stuff and just spends a week showing what you need to do to survive in different areas.

Markers everywhere for a long while. Great.

the camera doesn/t even show the intensity of the color.

The ridge up to the glacier was spectacular.

Ope! Beautiful.

The trail was heavily traveled and every Aspen had carvings from ground level to head high.

The rock in this gorge was so shear and foreboding.

The view above was altered by an airplane that had passed some time ago.

I love you.

Casey Roberts, what trees do you use in your work? These Aspen remind me of the lines that your trees have. Just let me know, tell no one else.

Two feet of snow on the ground and beautiful snow covered pines...spruce...?

Such straight, tall trunks.

So I finally got near the glacier. The wind kicking down the mountain was fierce and made the trail hard to find. These tracks I made were covered when I cam back 10 minutes later.

The wind raced across the lake with frightening speed. It was hard to stand and take pictures.

This was similarly what the snow cover looked like once I got to this lake. The trail was completely covered. The black is thin ice and water. My foot went through and the sole of my boot touched ice water. Needless to say I was standing scared shitless of what was water or solid ground. There was no trail left to see anywhere except where I had come from and I was watching that disappear.

The dip in the ridge above was the glacier and I had come so far and was so close. I had to turn back, I wasn't about to walk back 7 miles with a wet foot. And the wind was whipping through two layers of gloves and both of my hats. My eyes being exposed felt like they were being sandblasted.

I really wanted to see the glacier before it was gone forever...turn off lights you're not using and don't drive when you don't have to damn it. Plant a tree.

I failed to mention the wildlife before. I didn't catch a picture of squirrels or a PIKA yesterday. (As in Pikachu's name sake, they aren't yellow or electricity though.) This squirrel species is very tiny. It is so gratifying to not know anything about the flora or fauna, I want to learn. This squirrel is so small, its defense is to yelp like a cross between a squirrel and a bird, to let you know JUST where to find the damn thing. Then, if it is on a branch or something, it violently shakes and looks like its is frightened to death. I don't know if this was to attract others or scare me, but it was cute and looked like i scared the crap out of it. Oh, and they straighten their arms out and look as if they are throwing out gang signs. DENVER, WHAT!? STRAIGHT OUT OF RMNP. WHAT!? So cute.

Sadly this trail doubled back on itself and I just had to look the opposite direction instead of see more diverse conditions. The difference was the sun was setting.

This species of tree has purple bark, super green needles, and the needles come in balls. My kind of beautifully weird tree.

I got back to my car and since there was still light I wanted to go over the cintinental divide and see the scenery.

On top of the mountains, overlooking more mountains, yes please.

When I got to a spot to stop the car and get out and look a nice Park Ranger named Randy wanted to make sure I knew that this area was mainly for enjoyment during the day. I said I was about to leave and it came up that I was from Indiana. "Is your name Shane?" Randy asked, "...UH, ya, how do you know that?" I replied. He was on the lookout for a Shane driving a white car. Wow. Ok, so people are worried about me and I know why. I am here because I wanted to get away from what was happening in my life and not have to think about the things that were wrong. I have no way of contacting people except through facebook and this blog, as I do not have a cellphone and payphones are almost extinct. I have plenty of money for a payphone, but the only one I have come across was in Kansas City and it was broken, then I saw that Delorean. I knew Randy knew what I had told Ani, and he had a concerned look trying to avoid asking me the big question. I told him I was fine, and that this journey was to try and save my life, and to find peace. He went on to say how he and a friend came west back in the day and ended up running out of money and starting a new life in San Diego. He was nice and I explained that I had bought an "America the Beautiful Pass" (that lets me get into all national parks for free within the year) and was on my way to see Arches, Death Valley, Sequoia and others. He used to work at Death Valley NP and said this was a great time to visit, and said the Grand Canyon was always good, but Zion National Park was a gem and that I should go there.

Right before I left he pulled up beside my car and warned me that there were 3 or 4 bull elk down the road and to watch out, or it would ruin everyone's day. Boy was he right. I was on my way out of the park and when the road bent my eyes grew ten-fold to see a humongous bull elk in another cars headlights. Holy crap these guys were huge. They were just chilling in and near the road, eating grasses and...something in the middle of the road, I couldn't tell what.

It was so dark I had to get the most horrible pictures, but I stood outside my car and watched them for a while.

And the elk said unto me... I love you all, do not worry about me or make my trip anymore complicated, please. If I had stayed everyone would be at a loss for a son, friend, mentally distraut ex-boyfriend, and all around great artist. I have Borderline Personality Disorder, depression, and a co-dependency. For those of you that have expressed that I care too much about what others think, you can learn why: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

An elk said unto me: Go forth and let others live bi-curiously through you, I mean vicariously, I'm an elk, my english is not so good.

2009-11-23T17:37:00.000-08:00

I slept on the side of the road after stopping to see the stars. I awoke to what had been only slightly illuminated by passing cars the night before. What a dramatic and beautiful change in scenery. After this day I learned one thing for sure: I would die in Alaska, it would murder me.

The roads to Rocky Mountain National Park and the little town of Estes Park just outside were gorgeous.

Estes Lake provided the entry point into the town. This place is pretty far from Denver and I was surprised to see such a large town. It had its own power plant, which makes sense since it was so far off from the suburbs of Denver.

The moraine (between the mountains where a glacier had passed) reminded me of east Colorado but nestled amongst the mountains.

The sun was coming up over the mountains and showing the haze from blowing snow and the collecting clouds over the peaks.

The landscape is so dramatically different from the plains, and every direction I would look has different types of trees and rock exposure. They are called the Rockies for a reason.

I edged closer and closer to the mountain peaks through the valley.

The creek was thickly iced over in most areas with gushing water exposed through. Along certain points of level terrain there were ponds. The most brilliant green algae was underneath the ice.

Every boulder on this slope was larger than myself or my car. Some were so large as to have made their own rain-shadow and had a dramatic shift in trees on the other side.

I was told by my aunt Sissy who works for the INDNR that these are Aspen. Being that I am most familiar with eastern deciduous trees, she helped me out. This is the only tree that had writing on it, and had aged and stretched bark as to make most of it illegible and foreign looking.

I am SO glad I brought this hat. If skin were exposed it would have been frostbitten. The only drawback was that my breath was condensating on my mustache and snot-sickles formed.

It was 3 miles from the trail-head to where the trail doubled back over through the valley.

Once the trail started the other way it zoomed up the mountainside. I had heard the raging winds from the valley but as soon as I got nearer to the ridge the winds were biting cold. The valley floor was around freezing so when I got higher in elevation and as the sun went down I can only felt my hands screaming at me to stop taking pictures. As soon as I got further up the slope I turned to my back and there was the peak with its snow capped and windy vestige. Even with gloves the biting cold bit hard. Ha, you can see droplets of the most tasty mustache water.

Cub Lake was completely frozen over and provided the prettiest backdrop.

The wind held drag races across the surface. I couldn't tell who won, but I watched intently for a while.

The entire time I was on the slope it sounded like a hurricane above me, the trees were swaying dramatically back and forth. Fallen trees that had been caught on other trees creaked loudly, and made me nervous to walk underneath.

This grove of trees was ever so perfect. The bark went from cream to white as snow with the branch pinches black as night.

These trees had the reddest bark I have seen. the picture did not capture their likeness as with the entire park. I can not express in words how beautiful this trail was, and this was just 7 miles.

It looks like its light out, but it was noticeably darker and I had no intentions of being here in the dark. I was ready for the trail to be over since my hands were so cold and the wind had started up my spine and feet every step I took. The wind whipped up snow in cyclones and sprayed it all over my face whenever I passed.

To my back were the mountains the whole push back to the trailhead.

As soon as I saw the moraine I knew I was close to where I had begun, and gladly so.

I thanked that the light had run out and said goodbye to the mountains for now. I wished to camp and return the next day but it was expensive and was not within my budget. I did buy a "America the Beautiful pass" which allows me to go to any national park as much as I want within the year. I am off to several National Parks from here so it was a good purchase. AND this pass lets me have a car load of people...so any takers? I come back through the desert and then we go back west to Yellowstone?

Since I couldn't camp out in the park I headed back towards Estes Park and went to Main Street. This town, apart from the roadside suburban sprawl-type chains, was the cutest "give a boner to Thomas Kinkaide" town. He would love it here I'm sure of it, he'd make love to it for sure. I can't believe I almost worked for the guy. I would have to added daubs of paint to giclee prints by the way.

Main Street had plenty of cute shoppes that were useless to me, Christmas stores, bead shops, and rustic furniture. You can fully outfit your cabin fom this shop right here. Complete with taxidermed wolf and all. This town is complete with a creek running down the center of it, with a water wheel like in Thomas' paintings. He'd so get a boner here. Although I had not seen a shop that sells his paintings in them thankfully, I bet the residents know how to use a camera.

The land is so beautiful and makes one appreciate how exceptionally large and diverse this entire planet is. Indiana has its pretty scenery, too few and too far between. It was nice to see a change in landscape in Kansas, it was beautiful. Hoosiers, just be glad you're not Kansas.

Your forever is showing as far as the eye can see.

2009-11-22T18:59:00.000-08:00

I slept in Colby, Kansas. An "oasis in the plains" as it calls itself. driving from Russell at night wasn't enjoyable, my stereo keeps deciding when it wants to work. It was gratifying to get back on the road after seeing the flat terrain at night. So Kansas was supposed to be flat, western Kansas and eastern Colorado was, oh wow, flat.

Timing was exceptional

Maybe I just kid myself
looking for something else
Maybe you just blame yourself
looking for someone better
Maybe I'll just kill myself
looking for something else
Maybe you just blame yourself
looking for somewhere better

I left you at the most crucial point
and you left me with no choice
but to agree with what you wanted to be
When did you decide
for both of us, we were through
Now I'm left with this
jaded point of view

Maybe I just kid myself
looking for someone else
Maybe you just blame yourself
looking for somewhere better
Maybe I'll just kill myself
looking for something else
Maybe you just blame yourself
looking for someone better

It isn't fair that I'm the one
to care now
You can't change and I'm left to rearrange my life somehow

When I entered Colorado I failed to see the color that she sign suggested would be there. What I did see in Colorado were warnings that the 75mph speed limit is monitored by aircraft, no joke. I have not seen a cop ever since the motorcycle escorts for the funeral I saw.

Colorado was exceptionally flat. Usually I get the mental image of mountains of course, but the east was treeless except for planted spruce to act as wind and snow barriers.

The rainshadow makes it so there is so little rain and most has to be irrigated, You cant tell from the road but the crops are planted in circles and irrigated on a pivot. The corn is being harvested now, and I saw snow on the ground in some places.

When you are done with a truck, or combine, or train, you just leave it to rust and fade away. It would have been cool to see this train with graffiti on the entire mile stretch, but there are no people to do this.

This sunflower crop is withered and dry, but just imagine if it were mid season and in full bloom!

All of a sudden, the highway came up over a small hill and on the other side were mountains.

My jaw dropped straight away. They are made even more beautiful from the dramatic flatness encountered on the way.

Denver was not too far from the point that I started seeing the mountains and I was surprised to realize that the city was almost completely flat, just east of the Rockies and not amongst them. Midas had such brilliant lights.

I learned from somewhere that Denver had the worst rush hour, but this was Sunday evening right. Uh, still 18...18 lanes of traffic with stopped cars.

Of course I found the Santa Fe arts district, but of course everything is closed. Vertigo gallery looks amazing and has art to my taste. It is only open Wednesday through Saturday. I emailed the place to try and get them to open it by appointment, but no luck yet.

There is nothing to do here Sunday, and Monday the museums are closed so I decided to drive north through Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park. Boulder is similiar to Carmel if Carmel were modern and not classically tasteful with its brick buildings and streets.

Once I got out and away from Boulder and all the other suburbs the highway went up a cliff overlooking all the lights. Not familiar with the roads, and at 65mph, the curvy, narrow road that followed a cliff that had no barricades was scary as hell.

I knew the mountains were beside me the whole time and couldn't see anything. I stopped amongst a scenic road as soon as I saw them, the stars.

The only thing to do was to look up at the beauty and behold the clarity. The air was so fridgid and the wind was fierce.

I am in the Rocky Mountains just outside Rocky Mountain National Park and the stars, the stars are so beautiful I cannot even begin to describe them. The mountains on all sides of me contain the light and I am surrounded by the overwhelming presence of the darkness caste by them. As I look up the only light is from all of the stars in the night’s sky. I wish you were here to see them with me. I shed a tear and dropped my jaw when I saw them contained within the mountains darkness. You for one know that I am hard to please and rarely get excited, but this, this is overwhelming and real. I am sorry you are not here to see this with me. I am to blame for how messed up our lives are now. I am told that you care for me, but can’t tell me so yourself. I wish that weren’t the case. I would love to not just share publicly, but talk to you about how great things have been on my journey, I want to share my thoughts with you. I want to give peace to my mind and maybe give you peace as well. I am so happy at what is in front of me at this very moment, chill in the air and all. The further I trek the more real this journey gets and I am made happier by what is there and sadder by what is not. I do not intend to stir up quarrels, ask why, or whisper sweet nothings, I would just very much like to share my comfort with you in hopes that that may give you comfort as well. I want you to be happy, and I understand why all of this is happening. You would be surprised to know that a simple, I still care about you, would accomplish so much.
I love you.

They're flat with shit painted on em, stupid sayings like "sex" or "killin' birds"

2009-11-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

I liked Kansas City a lot. I left it with en even more broken heart. The Lotus is a very tiny and fast car. Even still. My heart was racing so I had to get out of the city so I could think about what I learned before I left.

I had to empty my milk because there was an awful stink that I assumed came from wither that or from my lack of showering. My milk didn't pour bur rather oozed out of the jug. And thankfully when I opened my car door to garb my toothbrush and toothpaste my pajamas fell onto my milk. Off to a great start.

Just entering Kansas was a culture shock. first the traffic was slow for no apparent reason, motorcycle cops kept passing everyone in the shoulder and all the cars in the far left lane had their flashers on. Was this some Kansas etiquette I knew nothing of?

It was a funeral procession, on the highway. Ok, that made sense.

Then I see a last FREE exit sign. Free exit? What? You want less people to visit Kansas? I-70 is a toll road until you get to Topeka. It cost $2.50 just to pass through onto I-70 after Topeka.

before Topkea I was amazed to see very hilly terrain and trees everywhere. There was a lot of industrial waste and old farm equipment. Then, then I saw what I had invisioned Kansas to be. Pretty flat with rolling hills and few trees.

Didn't see as many cows as I thought I would have.

Rolling prairie.

And then a horse on an overpass. I don't think this was any kind of Monon-like trail, just horses on an overpass.

The terrain was sparse with trees and bushes.

Ah, the wind. Very windy out here most of the time I assume. I am not sure where to power goes to since there are so few people here but at least they are becoming sustainable and movinf forward...INDIANA..hint. (I know you've tried with the Benton County wind farm)

When the sun came outover the plains it was spectacular.

Then there was an overturned semi with casualties that was a downer. Hay was everywhere.

Then the sun set with a tremendous pink glow on the horizon.

When you gotta go, you gotta go.

That's just kroger brand Citrus Blast, I drink too much for my urine to ever be that yellow.

After sunset the sky was a magnificent dark blue. Even more rich than a photo taken through a dirty car window at 70 miles per hour can show.

Uh, I passed a military base but got terrible images. There are more war machines to start at least another war with someone. Let's pick on Canada for once.

Russell, Kansas was the cutest, smallest, pointless town. I wanted to get gas and see if there was anything to do other than that. Their Main St. had a lot of Christmas shops. Behind the city hall a Christmas shop had put up lights in the parking lot. Perhaps its up all year, never know.

Apparently the town was once a booming oil town, it had a lot of old oil rigs and "sculptures" depicting the towns history with oil. I thought of Tom Streit's work with this shot.

What is a J turn? Is it the same as a U turn? If so, they could save a lot on signs. There was a no J turn sign every intersection on every corner sometimes multiple times.

When I left Russell it was pitch black. I mean black, the only lights were the crescent moon and my headlights. You could cause havoc in the city with darkness such as this. Something Kansas City obviously thought of with all of its illumination.

Well Love's gas station implies 5 hearts on their sign and I have only had two thus far in my life. I hope one of these loves of mine reads Magical Wonderfulness and knows that I still love her very much.

I'm not gay because I am going to use my penis for what Jesus fought for in th Civil War.

2009-11-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

Not having any friends made there very few things to do in Kansas City for free so I went back to the Nelson-Atkins and Kemper. It was so sunny and a relief because it has rained almost non-stop. The KC art institute is behind me.

I'm not too into stainless steel but without the concrete pedastals it would have looked like these were thrown at the buildings. Which is a dream.

Didn't care to read up on this painting but these guys look like really good, good friends to have stood there and posed for hours on end.

The original portion of the Nelson Atkins has really nice room set ups. They made me think of what Ani would love to have on hand to make sets from.

A Henry Moore sculpture room is being set up now and the construction in the buildings is still beautiful in itself.

I love Art Nouveau so Tiffany lamps are amazing especially when you've seen so many plastic knock offs. Look at those crabs at the base!

They actually had an amazing Native American exhibit. Not like the Eiteljorg at all, but actual Native American art and artifacts. Of course I love the simple materials and high craft and ingenuity.

I would totally wear these moccasins! Well of course they are women's moccasins, of course.

The Plains art is only rivaled by the Pacific Northwest art section.

It was refreshing to see a British display that wasn't boring and tasteless. Look at that STALLION! And look at that horse too!

The Kemper's exterior leaves more to be imagined but the interior has plenty of angled walls for gallery space that is quite nice. It's very comfortable and intimate inside.

The garlic. Oh the garlic went into her sol, seoul, sohl.

Exactly.

I stumbled upon this the first night but didn't photograph it, I just looked at it twirl. Ani, you would love this. You all would love this city. I am leaving for Denver right now and have for sure decided that I am never coming back. I am on permanent vacation and no one should think otherwise. No one should miss me, please forget I was ever there, and enjoy that I am here, NOW.

I'm following you around because I want to meet you but I am afraid to talk to you because everytime I think of you, I think of her.

2009-11-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

This city makes me feel really good so I am afraid to leave. I'm trying to get better, like I had promised someone, but I have been really depressed and happy and numb all throughout my days. Downtown is still pretty.

On my way to the Kemper museum of contemporary art and the Nelson-Atkins art museum, driving down main street there are a lot of cool places including Sidekicks. I'm guessing either Sidekicks or Best Buddies next door is a gay bar, two next to one another perhaps? Either way the american flag rainbow is gorgeous and makes it so that I can buy one instead of make one myself, finally.

The Kemper, Nelson-Atkins, and art institute of Kansas City are all next to one another. The campus is nice, no grad program so useless to me. It was finals so it was terrible trying to meet people, that and I look like a bum, and my awkwardness and creepy nature overshadow my niceties. Damn it.

I enjoyed the Nelson's modern and contemporary sections over what was at the Kemper at this time. But displays change.

The area is surrounded by large homes and many many squirrels.

Not much on campus was worth documenting except this sculpture amongst the trees. Needless to say the campus is gorgeous compared to the endless parking lots of IUPUI, and no damn academic kids.

I tried to get ahold of someone I could network with, and since I don't have a phone I had to find a payphone. Payphone was broke but a freakin Delorean drove up. Who has a Delorean!? This guy, and it was in great condition.

I've been hanging out at Yj's snack bar since most of the businesses close down by 8, kind of like Indy. I had the North African dinner as it was Thursday evening (daily rotation of meals each night). I don't have a wide pallette that's not sugar or chocolate so other than what I was told was lamb, I had no idea what I was eating. Cous-cous is there somewhere? Then RIGHT after I ate I saw this graffiti:

Not knowing anyone really makes it hard to find stuff to do so I just walked around the alleys and found that there are a tone of design firms, studios, lofts, artsy shops, coffee houses, and film studios.

Ha, this girl is the closest thing to a friend that I have here. She works at Yj's. She's so nice.

Birdies is a lingerie shop next door to all these teddy bears.

An artist maintains this tiny shop as a fashion designer and uses it to sell works and changes the installation out every so often.

I felt that way exactly! Now I'm doing what everyone would like to do.

This is Missouri Bank. A bank. An artsy, actual working bank, designed, with artwork inside, and on the billboards on the roof bank. Wile E. Coyote set up this roadblock for the roadrunner. It may have worked, as I did not see either of them.

This is where I call home. This made me think of you. And how much I love you. Close and far.

I love you Niis. I miss you.

Almost as beautiful as my best friend.

2009-11-19T16:41:00.000-08:00

Props to my car for making even this far with no hiccups except the usual not wanting to start. But once she's going, she's going good.

Listening to Katy Perry, some is good alright. Just makes me think of Katy Perry though, mmm, but the only reason I want to think of her is because she reminds me of the girl I love, mmm.

The traffic into Kansas City was fast and hellacious. Trying to document this only made things dangerous.

I was amazed to see that there were two major skylines, and got dropped downtown. Um, Kansas City is beautiful. St. Louis was gross, Indy is pretty, but KC is beautiful. And what a weird art city?

I cruised up and down the newly made Power and Light District in awe at the pretty lights and all the yuppies going into fancy bars and restaurants.

I knew artists were somewhere so I went looking and found the Crossroads Arts District.
I walked the neighborhood looking for a place to piss, KC is the brightest damn city I've seen. No dark streets or alleys.

I came across YJ's snack bar to ask where the fun was at and ended up staying for hot chocolate and a oversized cookie, not a normal meal but not unusual for me.

The city is putting up a new performing arts center which is humongous and cool. The talk is that the artists will be driven out of downtown soon after which sucks.

The Crossroads is pretty and looks trendy and mostly new but still maintains the gritty DYI look that Fountain Square maintains. I got tired of walkng and found a place to sleep. KC is hillybut it worked to my advantage sleeping head in my trunk feet out the middle of the seats, it evened things out and people couldn't see my face and wonder "what-whats this kid doing here? i should wake him up and ask." Before I slept I found an auto body shop with out an art installation but deserving of the title "VICE-Official Missouri Inspection Station".

I love this city and am staying another night to go to some openings and maybe make some friends. I miss my home terribly, but there is no home for me anymore without my family in it. I miss you all. I love you.

H-Hey You, Mystical Woman, No Your Not No Your Not, Cuz I Am, Heading For The Ocean.

2009-11-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

Fo(u)r years I've had it great. I had a family of my own and a love for many things to last many lifetimes. I should have gotten help years ago and this never would have happened. I had to leave Indianapolis and try and run from the thoughts that have held me back from being happy for too long. I ruined my own life by not seeking help and had a companion that was made unhappy because of me.

I headed towards St. Louis and arrived around 11pm. The Arch is magnificent and eerily quiet. Overcast skies were in shadow by the massive monument.

St. Louis is surprisingy small with a ton of smaller cities around it instead of them being just neighborhoods. Indianapolis' downtown is beautiful and everyone should appreciate that. The city is quite different in culture not even having to speak to anyone, the speed limit is just that: the LIMIT everyone goes, I was passing every other car in the Interstate just going the speed limit of 55. There are so many small cities and towns within the bypass having populations of 3,000-15,000 rather than being apart of St. Louis.
I slept in a park in St. Charles, MO, which is a nice suburban area that I wouldn't get accausted. I awoke to a police officer knocking on my window asking for ID and everything else under the sun. No I don't have large amounts of drugs or cash (didn't ask if I just had drugs period), no I don't have a warrant that I know of, I'm on my way to California, Yes that restraining order I have is to get out my lease. He was doing his part to keep is city free from riff raff but I missed a half hour of sleep.

I drove downtown to spend the day at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Julie Mehretu was great to see in person. There was a ton of German art which didn't suit my fancy except for Gerhard Richter.

I liked the excuisite corpse I had done with Sesseka Dunn before I left Indianapolis though.

I am off to Kansas City this evening.
I love you all and wish I could be there, before I messed things up, and on this trip.