Photo Memory

Visuals…Captured

Cross Country Adventure: Pennsylvania to Mississippi

Day 3

After a relaxing day in Altoona PA we were eager to begin the trek to Colorado. We hit the road at 8am this morning, Greg driving the first shift. There was some rain. And this:

The rain didn’t last long. There were periods of 10 to 20 minute intervals of showers and sunshine. No hail like yesterday. And we felt assured that all would be well and safe on our American roadways with this fellow out and about:

At 1pm-ish Greg and I switched drivers in Illinois. Here we are at a full stop and baking in the sun:

We discovered religion is huge.

As is NASCAR.

At 6:45 we switched back and took a rest in a shaded spot in the gas station parking lot. The stop was brief and soon we were back at it. And before we knew it St Louis entered our sights. The arch:

The bridge:

The Mississippi:

We’ve decided not to stop tonight. Just drive straight on through in shifts.

Now that the sun has set we finally have some relief from the heat, the sun out of our eyes, and we gained an hour.

Cross Country Adventure: Vermont to Pennsylvania

Greg and I hit the road yesterday driving nine hours from Vermont to Pennsylvania to kick off Day One of our crock country road trip adventure. Why the adventure?

Maybe it’s the need to kick off the summer spectacularly and in a grandiose fashion. Perhaps it’s the Mercury retrograde a time of intense change. Or the realization that to live one’s dreams one must pursue them.

Initially we talked about leaving at 8am but adjusted the plan to leave a little later (those last minute To Do’s ya know) and ended up on the road around noon.

A stop at Mascoma Bank, oil from AutoZone and a run through the car wash. And a quick conversation with Peter Gordon at the Honda dealership in Lebanon. As well as a look at the Honda Wall of Fame. Yes, that is the car we are currently driving, loaded. The actual mileage, crossed out and updated, is 329,000 miles.

Surprisingly the drive was a breeze. The sun was shining, lovely clouds in the sky, good music playing, and great conversation. Naps, snack stops and a pretty much open highway with little traffic carried us on our way.

We arrived in Altoona, PA around 9:30 pm at Greg’s cousin Saskie’s house. What a sweetheart! So open and generous. Saskie had a lovely dinner prepared for us and Greg was able to meet his adorable cousin Sabina for the first time. Greg, Saskie, Sabina

We’ll spend Day Two in PA with Saskie and Sabina before the two/three day journey to Boulder Colorado hopefully arriving by the weekend where we’ll check out music venues and visit with friends.

So why the adventure? Well, why the hell not! And Carpe Diem yo!

Moth

Fallen beauty with gossamer wings
The passage of time will inevitably fade
Your former peak glory
Even now as I look upon you
I realize I have already forgotten
The totality of you
In the memory of my mind’s eye
The small details of my love for you
Flash in momentary images

Of your milky petals white
Of your red speckled throat bright
Of your delicate curling tendrils

Composed by Nichole Hastings

3 – 5″ of Awesome

Red-Handed

Smoking a post-Revolution Oscar Party cigar.

The evening was that good.

Photo courtesy of Ben Fleishman

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