“To avoid the heat, the traffic and to make time I drove at night. Lonely roads in the dark.”

©ted washington 2010

“There were destinations for every leg of the trip but many times it seemed to be driving for the sake of driving. The roads all start and end somewhere?”

©ted washington 2010

“The road trip is done but the memory is strong and this footage brings it back for me more intensely. The driving was supposed to be the hardest part of the journey but it turns out that I like it.”

©ted washington 2010

“Thank you. It was quite the journey and made awesome by my friends and family that put me up and put up with me. The car rental companies will be placing me on a ‘No’ list after 6400+ miles in 18 days. Feeling guilty for that carbon-fest but that will be the last big road trip for a very long time if not forever. Did some serious thinking and will be implementing some of the ideas in the future.”

Kismet 08.30.10

©ted washington 2010

“This is the final stop of the odyssey, Santa Cruz. Several friends live here and I was fortunate to have arrived in time to see Ken Keegan’s art exhibit.”

©ted washington 2010

“Entered California on Hwy 97 with Mt. Shasta dominating the view. Good to be back in San Francisco.”

©ted washington 2010

“Bend was a last minute addition to the destinations. What a great move, if I do say so myself. What was to be a casual walk along the Deschutes River with Duanne and Rex turned into a bushwhacking trek.”

©ted washington 2010

“Drove to Lincoln City, on the coast of Oregon and went for a hike with Penelope and Charley. After walking the three miles it took to get to the water fall Penelope and I made our way out onto the rocks below the falls. For some reason Charley would not follow, or lead which is usually the case. When we returned to the trail head the park ranger was there and told us that the rocks we were climbing on had fallen less than two weeks ago. In fact the face of the cliff collapsed and whatever we saw that did not have foliage was freshly exposed. Don’t know why I took the ‘Falling Rocks” sign pic but I think that Charley knew. It was full moon so I took some pics in Portland.”

©ted washington 2010

“Rest stopped just west of Billings, MT at 11pm Saturday night.  Woke and was on the road by 2am Sunday. 891 miles later I checked in to the hotel at 4pm Sunday afternoon. The fifth floor room had a great view of downtown Portland and the hotel was only a mile from the Montage where I would have dinner. What a drive, Chicago to Portland in 42 hours(two time zones)!”

Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon

©ted washington 2010

“Hit the road at 12am Saturday morning. The destination would be Portland, OR with a planned rest stop in Billings, MT a mere 2183 miles of driving. Stopped at Mount Rushmore for a few pics.”

Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana

©ted washington 2010

“Chicago is an artistic dream. The Art Institute of Chicago is now on the list of my favorite places, along with the park across the street.”

©ted washington 2010

“I hadn’t been to Chicago in eight years and when Amy asked if I were ever going to come to town again, the road trip was on. My farthest east destination is punctuated by some big buildings. In Chicago architecture rules.”

©ted washington 2010

“Two of my four nieces wanted to be included in my blog. Jade’s reasons remain a mystery but Deven wants fame and stardom and thinks the road to discovery will be enhanced by this blog. I love them and will do what I can.”

©ted washington 2010

“The longest stay on this drive will be St. Louis. My family, several friends from college and one friend,Victor, from elementary school reside here. Victor took me around St. Louis to show me some of the changes in the city, some good, some bad. Citygarden is one of the good ones.

Bart lives in Pacific. He used to live in Ocean Beach and San Diego, CA. We went for a hike in one of the new wilderness areas near town being developed in Missouri. Another good change.”

Citygarden, downtown St. Louis, MO & LaBarque Creek Conservation Area

©ted washington 2010

“Leaving Colorado and driving east through Kansas can be daunting and boring for most. It’s long, flat and straight, there’s not a lot to see and the highway patrol is relentless, so speeding is not an option unless you have $ to burn. Self restraint, deep thoughts, coffee and cruise control made the trek enjoyable.”

©ted washington 2010

©ted washington 2010

“Elizabeth Kurtack is a great artist and friend who lives in Fraser, CO. This was my second trip to her and Andy’s, her husband, home. They live in the Mercantile Building, one of the oldest structures in the town. Fraser is a ski community in the mountains northwest of Denver. It is beautiful.”

http://kurtak.com/

Fraser, Colorado

©ted washington 2010

“On the road Tuesday, August 10th 4:30am(Pacific time) and arrived in Fraser, CO Wednesday, the 11th at 12:15am(Mountain time). Whew, big first day.”

California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado

©ted washington 2010