Alright, so this is the deal...

3 bicycles, 2 fellas, one sweet lady, 3,750 miles, bunch o flats, 12 states, 11 weeks, 10 bucks to my name for most of the trip, 3 back wheels for Rush, 2 for me, one for Elspeth, a shitload of rice and beans, and more peanut butter and banana sandwiches than I can ever bear to think about-ever...

Twas the night before the bike trip...

Oakland, CA

The day before we were dropped off on the South Side of San Francisco to begin our pedal trip, Rush and I ran around Oakland taking pictures of the concrete landscape. It was not the last of the grey jungle we would see but for sure the biggest display until we would reach the never ending network of Las Vegas. Oh, and right after hanging out under the overpass we ran into a buddy of mine I had known from Charleston, the same town we were about to spend the next three months venturing to, just setting the tone for the ridiculous irony that this big ole country is so good at serving up.

View from Studio Window

Ucross, Wyoming

I thought that I would add a splash off color and a little context to the studio where I will be scanning, editing, and posting pictures throughout the fall. This is how it all looked yesterday afternoon anyway. Later on today it appears as if this same landscape will be covered with 4 inches of snow. As long as I can keep my eyes off of the shifting light and changing weather I just might get a lot done this fall.

Starting from the Beginning

Arizona

Well, I have arrived... in Wyoming that is. Which means that I will now have ample time to sort through the summer past. These two pictures were made while still traveling by way of a luxurious and climate controlled motorized vehicle. We were on our way to the Bay Area in California when we took some casual detours. One to the Grand Canyon of course and the second to a Native Americanized gas station equipped with fry bread and the necessary teepee with bars over the door.

On the Road

HWY 46 in California, east bound

Finally, a picture from the bicycle trip... !

This barn looks as if it were lonely. And then I remembered having to wait for the right time when I could release the shutter in between the frequent semi passing. Still though, Hwy 46 could feel rather desolate at times, especially when Rush or Elspeth or I had peddled out of site of each other.

One more for the road from the land of Acadiana

Arnaudville, LA

Well it seems as if my time on the bayou is bout' run out for now. I've been down in Louisiana, north of Lafayette, for 2 1/2 weeks and tomorrow lady Elspeth and I will begin the journey to the vast terrain of Northern Wyoming. In stark contrast from here it will be cold and dry and though my allergies will be thanking me kindly it will not be easy to leave this area rich in culture, color, and charm.

Time in Southern Louisiana has been filled with bike rides underneath the sleepy live oaks, walks through the Marigny in New Orleans, and some Gulf Coast crabbing followed by the traditional crab boiling. Also of accompaniment were the gators, the Brahman cattle with their egret counterparts, cardinals, blue jays, rosette spoonbills, gulls, hummingbirds, and of course the mosquitoes. It is also here, in my girlfriend's parent's attic, where I have begun to scan the first of the pictures from this summer's bike ride. I have seen just enough to make me terribly excited for Wyoming where I will have 7 uninterrupted weeks to play with a binder full of Kodak...

This final (for now) set of pictures from Arnaudville is just down the road from where I have been staying. I took these pictures last spring on my first pilgrimage here, not knowing if and when I might ever be back. I am glad to have had a chance to spend more time listening to the accordian and hearing the rain storms and feel good to have one more place in the country that feels like home.

Ole' Grand Coteau

Grand Coteau, Louisiana

This town has more fantastic scenery per acre than most places I have been. What the b&w film does not capture here is that the barn in the distance is of the most wonderful shade of faded yellow. Close your eyes and imagine...