I Moved and I’ll Move Again

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So after all that, I moved.

I moved to Thermopolis, WY to work at a leather clothing manufacturing place. That went well for a while but was very difficult. The whole move and resettling was difficult. I’ve never been able to afford to live on my own and it’s been very eye-opening moving to a small town in the middle of a state that’s known for its isolation. (I call it the poor man’s Iceland.)

I’m working at a gallery now and I think I’m going to be moving again. I may want to live closer to people I know in the future. It’s outrageously beautiful out here, but WY is losing its population every year and it tends to have an issue with adapting to new technologies. I feel like I’m living in a version of America few rarely see anymore. I like it more than being in surrounded by sprawl, terrible traffic, and housing that borders on the look and feel of over-priced storage units. But the isolation is aggravating some old demons.

I would suggest moving into these sleepy little towns to anyone. They need you, whoever you are. These towns are dying and they need bodies and young people. They’re losing a battle again justifying their own existence. It’s a terrible shame that these truly supportive communities are disintegrating.

 

Keep Going, Suffocation Is Normal.

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I didn’t make it to Lewiston yesterday and I didn’t make it there today either. I did, however, get over the Lolo Pass.

I went to Arlee yesterday to visit the 1000 Budda Garden. It was already smokey and hot as hell by noon. I stopped and had a good chat and some food at Hangin’ Art… But I was feeling off. I was dragging the whole day and right as I was about to get on the pass I started feeling sick. I decided to call it a day. I stayed at the amazing Square Dance campground in Lolo.

Today I went over the pass and it was pretty wrecked. Lots of construction. Not a lot of places to stop on my side of the road. I think if you’re heading from Idaho to Montana you get a better deal in general. I was stuck in there for about five hours. Hot and smokey, my friends. It was another hour and a half to Lewiston. After talking to a cryptic gas attendant named “Rusty” about places to stop near by, I headed by to the KOA I passed right as I entered the Nez Perce reservation.

Deep West: An Update

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There is a lot I haven’t written about from the last week. I’ll try and write it all up soon. Trying to keep on top of my blog and anything else “normal life” related has been pretty difficult. The important thing is that I’m ok and doing fine. That’s why you’re reading this… Probably.

I’m in Missoula, MT. I’m at a very fancy KOA. This is my third day in Montana. Places all around here have been on fire. It’s more windy than I expected and apparently that plays into the whole fire-season thing. I’ll be crossing the Lolo Pass tomorrow and stopping in Walla Walla, WA. I’m excited to get a souvenir from there, because I feel like I’ve been hearing jokes about Walla Walla, WA since I was a kid.

I guess I barely stopped to take any pictures today, because this is my only on-the-road picture. I normally try to take pictures at least at every gas station I stop at.

Day 10(?): I’ll be better at this, I swear

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Leaving Dubuque, IA for Lacrosse, WI.

I stayed at the Richard House last night.

I needed to find a place to sit and figure out where to go next, so I went into the Dubuque arboretum.

I figured I’d look around and then draw some plants, but I ended up meeting a bunch of sweet older folks and chatting instead. The ladies painting group, “The Broad Strokes”, let me sit in on their session. I ended up speaking to the husband (a former Navy pilot and professional motorcycle tour guide) of one of the ladies about where to head next. Everybody there was so genuine and kind and very happy to meet me, which I was so tickled by. I didn’t get to see much of the arboretum, but it was an interesting time for sure.

I ended up staying at a campsite near the Mississippi. The drive to Lacrosse was beautiful.

Pennsylvania: God, Rain, and Fear

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After having a very long conversation with my dad about Japanese B-Movies and their influence on America B-Movies I finally was on my way to Roadside America. I was soaked by the time I got there (a theme for the day). It was bizarre, it was full of Mennonites, and it was amazing.

I got there just as “night time” was being initiated. They play a goodnight hymn and God Bless America and they project a bunch of strange religious pictures next to the Statue of Liberty and a jiggling American Flag. I had a great time looking at all the homes and scenes. They have a Patreon you can check out.

After I reluctantly left to get back on my bike to go ride in the rain somewhere, I decided maybe I should call it a day. Originally I was going to go to Raystown Lake, but I decided I would head to a campground that’s specifically for bikers, Steel Steeds. The ride to the site was a test of my will. I know that sounds dramatic, but riding in the rain for hours on huge hills while your bike stalls out from being wet will make you question a lot of things. At one point I took refuge under a church driveway just to dry off and eat. It felt very silly and sad, but I was happy to take a break.

When I finally got to Steel Steeds it was almost dark and I was completely soaked. Bob, the owned of the campground, was there to greet me. “You want a cabin, I think you need a cabin.” I needed a cabin. I unloaded my bike and Bob let me know there was a bar right next to the campground and that if I hurried I could get a meal. I don’t know about you, but there is something about having a bar right next to where you’re staying that brings me so much relief. I thought I’d only be in there for a half hour, I ended up staying til the placed closed, the conversations we’re that good.

I was told I should take a picture of the Crown Royal we drank, because it was very special.

In the morning I got to see more of the campground and loved the place even more. There was a cat, a huge fire pit, a washer and dryer that were just out to be used, and to trailers with a bunch of bathrooms, and the Susquehanna River was right there. Serious, if you ride, or even if you don’t, go to this place.

My drive to Pittsburgh was less eventful, but till very interesting. I do have three observations. One, I hate special weather roads. I was not ready to be wiggling all over the place on the not-highways Google put me on. Two, you can drive through major power plants whenever the mood strikes you in PA. Three, Pittsburgh is hilly, like so much more hilly I’m surprised I’ve never heard anyone mention it before.

I got to stay inside this time, with a friend of a friend, Amanda. Her cat was a sweetie and liked sitting on my stuff.

It was a bit of a party that night and we had a great time talking and hanging out.

Some of the things I saw in PA.

Day One-ish: Maryland and Pennsylvania

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I got out on the road kind of late, but it didn’t really matter. Some how it took me about three and a half hours to get up to Hereford. I stopped in Monkton for “dinner” which was, and will probably continue to be, jerky and dried fruit. Once I was getting closer to Lancaster I started seeing some really cool stuff. Like this hotel that’s shaped like a steamboat.

Anyone who’s been to Bird-In-Hand or Intercourse PA, knows that the area is both very pastoral and full of Amish-based entertainment. Lots beautiful cows, little goats hopping around, and draft horses pulling things. Also, lot of people staying in hotels so they could get some rest after watching and buying things from Amish people all day. I saw a very spirited party going on at one local homes. Children were running around in the dark and the parents were sitting around a big fire. It was kind of like looking to a different reality. I snuck into a KOA and set my hammock up in the dark.

I guess it was an area that was sort of not available to the general public because no one else was in that section and it wasn’t on the KOA map. Fireworks and gunfire around dusk, but everything calmed down pretty fast. I thought being away from the other campers wouldn’t bother me that much, but then I heard the tree limbs breaking… Nothing came of it, but it freaked me out enough to lie awake, afraid a bear would be coming out of the woods.

I’m heading to Roadside America now, and it’s raining off and on. There should be some pictures of little towns coming up soon.

Travel Blog

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Hi! I’m going on a cross-country motorcycle trip and I’m going to try and keep track of all the things I see and do. I’m not always the best at chronicling my life as it’s happening, but as this is a way for people to know that I got to where I’m supposed to be, I’ll try and be as consistent as possible.

I did a test ride yesterday to see how heavy the bike could/should be while I was riding. It was tough. I purposely over-packed (100-120lbs of extra weight) and, man alive! I am hurting today. The bike also seemed to be struggling with all the weight. I’m going to try and take it down 20-30 lbs and see how it feels then.

I’m very excited to head out this week. To just keep going without having to worry about getting back for anything… I seems like a dream.

Two Big Projects

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I’m going to be working on some neat collaborative stuff over the next few months. I’ve already mentioned the lovely TrashÜ project, but I’ll also be working on an installation for Wickerman Burn and helping to curate a show at my studio with my motorcycle club.

The Flower Power Stronghold will be a place for people to learn how to meditated, as well as just relax.

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I’ve already received confirmation on the grant for this project and I’m excited to start working on it over the next couple months.

Call For Artists_2017

We’re now sending out a call for artists for the 4th annual Motorcycles + Art gallery show. This art show is all work by motorcyclists. It’s always a good time, but this year it’s going to be even more exciting since it will be taking place during Artscape.

I’ve been at the Post Office Garage for almost five years now, and it’s a space that has so much potential. Our studio, and this show, will be a part of Artscape Gallery Network for the first time.