Controversy and a great trip

As we got into Louisiana, the racial tensions became worse. there was a controversy over a school that was admitting two african american children and several people were going to protest. They shouted at the children with a crowd around them, which i found sickening. after seeing this, i left town. I had a hard time moving on from what i had seen. every conversation i had about the racial controversy seemed to leave me in disagreement. until i met an african american mad who i was able to agree with. he and i had the conversation i was hoping for. i was satisfied with this conversation and continued on my way. i am now on my way through Virginia, and will be home soon. all i can say is i did it, and i am glad.

Reflections

Reflecting happened during this entire trip, but here in California is where it is happening the most. this is where i was born, and where i plan to be buried when i die. so much has changed in this place since i was young, which shows that so much will continue to change. i reflection America, and the americans. i reflect on the desert. And as i move throughArizona and new Mexico, i reflect on my exhaustion. I made Charlie a cake for his birthday, or at least the day we believe is his birthday. Next, we made it to Texas, were i met up with my wife again. charlie did have to go to the vet again, but it was worth it because this vet cured him. Here, we went quail hunting, and fishing and had a blast. As we make our way to the south, we notice the racial tensions because of the war. I begin to understand more the meaning of "separate but equal."

Just a Slight Dilemma

As we drove through Oregon, one of my tires blew. this was obviously an inconvenience, but i was able to change it. As i changed it however, i noticed one of the other tires has also blew. i was able to drive carefully to a small town. Of corse, upon arriving, we learned that pretty much everything was closed on Sundays.. which it was. I was able to find a small service station, with a man kind enough to help me fix up the problem and be back on my way.  We continued to California, where i was excited to show charlie the redwoods. but he wasn't all too thrilled to see them. we stayed here for a couple days, and i was able to do some reflecting. I remembered my childhood here in California. Then at a local bar, i reflected on what it was like to be home after being away for so long.

Natures Beauty

Then we continued on our way to Montana. This was a beautiful place, it took much of my attention with its beauty. we the continued into Wyoming, to Yellowstone National Park, we couldn't stay long though, because charlie didn't like the bears. And man were there a lot of bears. While driving through Idaho, we stopped at a cabin for the night. There, we met a proprietor and his son and got into deep conversation about the sons carrier choice as a hair dresser. The father disagreed with this carrier choice, but i explained to him some of the positive things about it and he became more accepting. He offered me a drink and became very accommodating. Charlie became ill as we were in Idaho, and had some restless nights, but he was able to hang in there. We stopped at a vet for him. They gave him some pills to flush out his kidneys. So, he was okay.

Reminiscing

We made it to Wisconsin next. the beauty of this place was just impeccable. Ive never seen anything so incredible before. The traffic in the win cities was just terrible, but we made it through to North Dakota. I've always had fantasies of Fargo, and to see it in person was great. it was just as i always dreamed it would be.I had a peaceful stop along the maple river, where i cooked myself a meal. I had the chance to reflect on our country and people. We continued on our way, and stopped at a woman house to get some water. She seemed eager to chat, and in my opinion, afraid to be alone in her own home. The bad lands became pretty as night fell.

The MidWest

As we traveled along through the midwest, i noticed it had changed a lot since i had last visited. When we tried to stop, a man came and harassed us about trespassing, but i responded politely, invited him in for a drink, and he became much more easy going. we had great talks, and even ended up going fishing together the next day. this man, who i called the guardian, was a nice man. He even invited me to stay longer, however, i had my wife to meet in Chicago, so i was on my way.When we arrived in Chicago, i sent charlie to the groomers, which he wasn't too happy about.I went to check into my hotel, but i was too early, so i had to wait in the room of someone who had just checked out. Next, i saw my wife, but that is unimportant in my journey so i do not care to write about it. Charlie and i finally reunited, and he looked incredibly groomed, like a new dog.

Traveling Difficulties

Now we continue on through Vermont, where we were able to attend a church service. Then, up through new York to Niagara falls. We tried to take a short cut through Canada, but the Canada customs officials gave us a hard time, saying that the U.S wouldn't let us back easily because of Charlie. So, we turned around, of corse. but, the U.S customs gave us a hard time anyways, even though we didn't actually leave the country. As we continue on, Liam egging to notice more and more mobile homes. This makes me wonder if there is just a change in Americans lifestyles, or is the urge to wander has grown.

Just a Little Lost

Now we continued on our way. We stopped at a restaurant in Bangor, and our waitress wasn't exactly the happiest camper. There, we were recommended to head toward deer isle. On the way however, we got pretty lost, and had to stop to ask a trooper for directions. We found our way to the home of Eleanor Brace, with a grumpy old cat. Continuing north into Maine, we met a overenthusiastic huntsman, who i felt the need to protect charlie from. Making our way to new Hampshire, we tried to spend the night in a hotel, but there was no one there to sell us a room. so we spent that night in Rocinante, just like were used to.

The First Stops

Today, we stopped in Deerfield, Massachusetts to visit my son. Charlie and i were so excited to stop by his school, however as we were leaving, we feared that some of the children may try to sneak a ride onto our truck. Luckily, we made it out without and extra passengers. next, we stopped at a farm. here, a great man who agreed to have a drink with me. we had wonderful conversations about all the biggest current events. it was great to meet a friendly face and have a real conversation.

The Beginning of our journey

Today, we set out on our journey across the country.  Charlie and I could not be more excited, yet nervous. We are leaving behind our every day lives for a life of spontaneity and change. Who knows what we should expect? but the thrill of not knowing is too intriguing to wait any longer. so now were off, and taking everyone along on this journey with us.