Let’s see…. Where shall I start? I suppose when asking this question, there is only one smart answer - where I left off. Technically, on here that would be the telling of my trip to Zanzibar last year, which I will finish - one day. I PROMISE. Because believe it or not, I do want to complete things, even long winded stories from far away exotic places. But in current times, I should start with the here and now. Like they say, “There is no time like the present.” And as much as that is true, I do have a lot of back story to give first. Yes, I HAVE been away from the blog posting game for some time. All for good reason. There has been plenty of things in the works that have taken my time and attention (besides feeding my Instagram blog, that’s if you are paying attention to that-if you aren’t please do).
What are these things you ask? A ton crap load of brain power, imagining and most importantly and recently, planning for the trip of all trips. Perhaps you aren’t counting down like I am, but I started the actual process of filming Everyone But Two four years ago - feet to the ground. Also, if you recall, I had a bit of a set back last year with filming/travel due to an unexpected surgery which needed to happen months before I planned on taking this trip I am planning for now. The recovery time busted up my ability and my finances. Ultimately it was a no go, although I did still manage to make a solo trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in its place. This is the year of the redo and I am a true believer now that things happen for a reason. Sure we could have made the trip and been brilliant, but the time that the universe has given was not without purpose. In the time since last year, I was able to hire one more person to the crew, Sarah. She had always been top on my list of things to make happen for this project and in hindsight, I don’t know if I would have been able to until now. Another great benefit of the this trip happening this year instead of last is time itself. I have been able to reach out to people that I had not before and their help will be invaluable for the trip.
Your next question probably is, what is the point of this trip? As you know, I am retracing the travels of my grandparents, one state at a time. Have you ever wondered about all the people that once stood in the same spot you might be standing in somewhere? Whose metaphorical footsteps you are walking in? It is exciting when it is someone that you read about in history or admire, but it is another thing when they are people that you know and love dearly and have the physical documentation that they were in that exact same space.
Why you ask is this trip planning that big a dang deal: 90 hours, 13 mins, 5,087 miles, all give or take of course, to take place over the course of 24 days, starting this Sunday. Yeah, that’s why. Here is the general route. Long story, but yes we had to back track, and I will explain later. I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Without boring you with all the details, we will be visiting the following:
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON
PACIFIC CITY, OREGON
(TREES OF MYSTERY) KLAMATH, CALIFORNIA
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
BONNER'S FERRY, IDAHO
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
GREAT SALT LAKE, UTAH
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK, NEW MEXICO
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS
Needless to say, I have been up to my eyeballs on the planning. There are a lot of moving parts, and now I have three people to worry about instead of two. It is much longer and vast terrain, and underneath it all I am crazy excited. That wanderluster layer is slowing surfacing now that everything I can take care of is managed. Now I have to put things on auto-pilot and let this sucker cruise on its own. Anything that I missed or forgotten at this time, will have to be what it is going to be. Our airfare and transport and accommodations are managed and we can face up to whatever comes our way. I can’t say how much I appreciate and truly love the people that I call my crew. I am fortunate to say that they are my "framily" and I trust and know that I can count on them all. Oh and before I sign off to get back to work, the other big reason I have been extra busy is something crazy bananas that I can’t fully reveal yet but when I do… watch out!!! I will only say this, the journey that this documentary has taken me on has been wilder and better than I could have dreamed. I have met some true visionary soulmates, and we are all going to rock it like the casbah, and bring you a travel show that will change your life and perspective.