Roadtrip across America

On July 2nd, 2008 I started my trip across the United States. Packed up my bags and loaded up my one-eyed Pekingese. We were headed to Savannah, Georgia to spend a month reading, writing, travelling, exploring, taking pictures, learning about life and forgetting about veterinary medicine. Every so often, I need to take a break or I'll go crazy.

Or more crazy than what I already am.

This is a picture of me looking somewhat sane. Looks can be deceiving.

Dusty was supposed to be the navigator. He fell asleep on the job many times.

Most of the driving was through long stretches of barren highway, especially in Arizona and New Mexico. Wide Open Spaces, just like that song from the Dixie Chicks.

Who doesn't know what I'm talking about

Who's never left home who's never struck out

To find a dream and a life of their own

A place in the clouds a foundation of stone

Many precede and many will follow

A young boy's dream no longer hollow

It takes the shape of a place out West

But what it holds for him he hasn't yet guessed

He needs wide open spaces

Room to make his big mistakes

He needs new faces

He knows the high stakes

He traveled this road as a child

Wide-eyed and grinning he never tired

With apologies to the Dixie Chicks, I changed the gender.

This was a strange sign in the middle of nowhere. Give me truth or consequences? I'd rather have the truth and not have to worry about the consequences. Consequences tend to suck. The truth sucks too but less so.

I had to stop by Winslow, Arizona. Not because it was a beautiful town (it has definitely seen better days) but because of the Eagles song, Take It Easy.

I'm sure you've heard it.

Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona

And such a fine sight to see

It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me

Come on, baby, don’t say maybe

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me

We may lose and we may win though

We will never be here again

So open up, I’m climbin’ in, so take it easy

Dusty was very appreciative of the green grass by the Welcome to Winslow sign. He thought it was a great area to take a pee break.

Definitely NOT an Eagles fan! There is even a memorial to the song. This is the biggest tourist attraction in town and probably the only reason why anyone visits Winslow. Why would anyone live here? In the middle of nowhere and I didn't see any movie theaters.

Maybe they serve good chicken wings or something.

I really was standin' on the corner. Heck ya, I love being a tourist.

Welcome to the South. What in the hell is a Thump Queen? Apparently it has something to do with watermelons.

Good luck Ariel!


Finally made it to New Orleans. This is a great city if you like to party and puke in the streets.

It really is a beautiful and unique place. I wish I had more time to take photos.

This was just a funny face on a wall.

I like it when graffiti artists think outside the box.

Finally crossed into Georgia. It was hot and humid but I was very excited to be in a different state that I could call home for at least the next month.

There are two songs that make me think of Georgia.

Of course, there is Georgia on my Mind by Ray Charles.

Georgia, Georgia

The whole day through (the whole day through)

Just an old sweet song

Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)

I said a Georgia, Georgia

A song of you (a song of you)

Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines

But there's also Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

This is a very sad song about giving up on your dreams.

He kept dreaming that some day he'd be a star

But he sure found out the hard way that dreams don't always come true

So he pawned all his hopes and even sold his old car

For a one way ticket back to the life he once knew

Oh yes he did, he said he would

He's leaving on that midnight train to Georgia

I'm not ready to take the midnight train quite yet.

Hmmmm, I better get to work.

To be continued ...