My first official blog entry was just about 4 months ago. Since that time lots have happened. Summer has become fall again, and I’m back home from my work/road trip.
There’s lots to tell, but I’ll keep it as short as possible since I have lots more to do.
If you’ve had the time and opportunity to read this blog you’ve seen that my son Austin has written quite a bit about his adventures in California this most recent summer. If it was up to him he would not have written anything at all, as that is the way it is for some 11 year old kids.
I thought it would be a good exercise over the summer break to help improve his writing skills. I think it was a success, and maybe at some later date, (maybe when he’s 30) he’ll think it was a good thing to do.
This particular summer was great for Austin and I since it was the first summer that I was able to spend all day every day with him. Usually when he comes to visit he would go to summer camp with his siblings, and I’d go to work, but since he’s now old enough and big enough to work with me we spent good quality time together. It wasn’t something he wanted to do because he was looking to have fun; not work. In addition to the work we did there was still fun to be had since we were able to ride our bikes and hang out at the beach. (For details, and his views please see Austin’s Daily View here on this blog.) It was especially great for Austin since he found that he could be more independent because I allowed him to ride his bike around the neighborhood alone. That was a first for him because in the past I didn’t feel he was ready to ride alone. Over the past few summers I’ve taught him how to ride his bike around the city, both on the sidewalk and in the street. He was quite happy when I let him go where ever he wanted. Luckily he didn’t venture too far.
This past summer was also Austin’s’ first cross country trip by automobile. It is my thought that in order to properly appreciate these United States one must drive across them at least once in their life. In doing so we experience first hand the size, breath, and landscape of each state.
Spending 3-days in the truck together has been an experience that neither of us will forget. I had a great time!! I think Austin did also; once again, time will tell. In all the years I’ve driven from West Coast to East Coast, this trip was the first time I was not on a schedule and I actually took the time and enjoyed the sites and stopped just to see things and take photographs. (Please see Austin’s’ writing for his views.)
After delivering Austin to Stone Mountain, Ga I proceeded on to St. Louis Missouri to photograph our National Convention. (YTBTravel: http://www.ytb.com/7thsontravel http://www.ytbtravel.com) This was the first time I had had the opportunity to drive through Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois. I gave myself plenty of time so that I might photograph sites along the way. The drive was very relaxing, so much so the following 5 days of 12 and 16 hours of shooting was not a problem, I was ready for it.
After those five days of shooting the following 8 or 9 weeks of photo projects, and home repair in Georgia and Alabama was almost a total blur. At the end of it; I was more than ready to get back on the road heading home.
After so much work and movement the laid back schedule of driving back across country was a great way to wind down and do nothing except watch the white lines pass by hour after hour. Each night I’d find a really small Hotel/Motel in some small town with a population of 5,000 or less to spend the night.
Well, that’s the condensed version of my travels this past summer. I accomplished much, with much much more to be done and that’s where I am now, continuing on with various photo projects and home repair assignments.
Life is GOOD!!!!