Epic Road Trip - USA 24/25
The desire to do something big in my life before I expire from this earth was born 42 years ago while stationed at a USAF base near London, England. One particular day I happened to visit the BX looking for something to read. Now, I am not one to read many books, yet on this day I happened to pick up a copy of Peter Jenkins book titled “A Walk Across America”. When I returned to my flat (apartment for us US folk), I became engrossed in his book and found I could not set it down. This man, Peter Jenkins, decided that he and his dog would “go for a walk across America”…he shared detailed descriptions of the places they visited, the people they met and the things they did and/or encountered along the way. Long story short, I knew after consuming this read that I NEEDED to do something BIG like this in my life before it was too late.
42 years later, I am now living out my BIG thing in life. I am currently on a lower 48 state SUV Nomad tour of our country. My goal is to photograph and interact with the people, places and things I encounter along the way. I converted my Dodge Journey SUV into a mobile camping vehicle, complete with power source, bed set up, storage, fridge/cooler etc….the things I would need living on there road. Daily tasks like showering, shaving, toileting, eating, etc…now require thought/planning and at times luck. Sleeping, or more accurately, where I will park to lay my head for the night takes a little planning, however I have always been able to find space at Walmarts, Truck Stops, Free Campgrounds and the like.
My Journey began on April 4, 2024. My first state to visit was Tennessee, followed by Kentucky and now West Virginia. As one who loves driving and seeing our landscapes, I have not been disappointed at what nature can show us. From meadow springs to the high mountaintops, she presents a natural beauty for you and I to enjoy. I intend to spend on average of a week in each state, that way I can visit many places, experience many things and most importantly, connect with the locals (my favorite activity). While I have a few more comforts than what Mr. Jenkins had available, I believe we both understand that our challenges are worth it in order to fully appreciate our respective journeys.
It is my hope that I can inspire others to rekindle dreams, take some actions (planning) and fulfill their their personal aspirations…that’s what Mr. Jenkins did for me…42 years is a long time, and yet I believe the timing is relevant because life needed to prepare me for this opportunity. On the back of my ride for the next year are the words….Dream it! Plan It! Do It! “Have No Regrets”….words I that hope will encourage you to pursue and live out YOUR DREAMS!
Frenchy