The State of Washington

I chased a setting sun into Washington state, the hanging smoke from the area forest fires making for an unusual sunset, and seeming to hastening the darkness.  I try not to drive too much after dark; I prefer to use the daylight for road scenery and to keep moving,...

Idaho beckons…

In the middle of my sophomore year at Bible college, 1989 Oklahoma City, I’m not sure where it came from, but I was suddenly inspired by Idaho.  It was a late night, balancing work and studies, and I was feeling restless.  I wasn’t inspired by Idaho’s familiarity or...

“Oooh, Montana, Give this child a home…”

I had prepared myself for driving across the great plains; in fact, was looking forward to it as a real American experience.  But when I crossed into Montana, much of my fascination with the flatlands had been already reserved and spent in North Dakota.  Plus, my...

North Dakota, Bust and Boom

North Dakota was one of the states I was looking forward to traveling through, not only because I’d never been there, but it seemed to fit my theme of going to the more neglected, low population regions of our country.  And fittingly so, I entered it with so little...

Minnesota: Land of 10,000 Glances

When I dropped off Kim at MSP airport to fly back to Asheville, thus began my road trip as I had originally conceived it:  me and El Guapo across the open highway, unfettered, unscheduled, sniffing out America; living out of and sleeping inside of my car.  It was also...