Configurations of Leaning Shape – Vasquez Rocks, CA

“I haven’t been there for more than a decade,” he said. The jutting rock formations created configurations of leaning shape. The two men disobeyed the “Please Stay on Trail” sign in order to obey the “Go Explore” siren. Scaling the largest formations to their peaks offers the most fun. Exhilaration and fixation swirl together […]

Twenty Six and Eight Months – Big Sur, California

“The road is re-opened,” someone said. His brain put in the clutch while his thoughts transitioned: you can finally drive up Highway 1. Large rain storms washed out the highway in the last couple years rendering it impassable while construction rebuilt the road. He was thirsty for the drive as his previous plans were foiled […]

Summer 2018: Maine + Roads of USA

Check out the video by clicking here. Maine is beautiful and green. Camp Laurel South, which sits on Crescent Lake in Maine, is filled with kindness. A work environment that fostered community and togetherness housed him in the pine paneled Annex 1 of Orono cabin. A community that had 50 when he entered, grew to […]

A Trio Forms/The Next Step – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

They exchanged a minimal amount of text messages in his six weeks of travel. The Californian was 90% sure his fellow Californian friend, Robbie, was waiting for him at the pre-determined hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital. He rang the buzzer and climbed the stairs to find a familiar bearded grin waiting for him in […]

The Horrors of Chemical Warfare – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

*Warning: This post contains graphic and disturbing details. Big cities, regardless of the state or country, possess similar characteristics: persistent noise, apparent pollution, tall buildings, insistent traffic, and a dense population. The laws of the road are not followed in Ho Chi Minh City. As Captain Barbosa in Pirates of the Caribbean says, they “are […]

Custom Clothes and Canyoning – Hoi An and Da Lat, Vietnam

He wanted a custom made suit. The Californian doesn’t have an occasion to wear one, but was told of everywhere in the world to buy an inexpensive and quality custom made suit, Hoi An was the place. After being warned to avoid eye contact and conversation with anyone on scooters saying, “Hey…where you going? You […]

6.5 Hours Underground – Phong Nha, Vietnam

It was pitch black. Close your eyes no difference black. Put your hand in front of your face and it can’t be seen black. “Now walk forward,” a woman’s voice rang out from the darkness. With a defined lack of certainty the group walked forward. “Follow my voice,” rang out (possibly) ahead of them. The attached […]

The Old Quarter with The New Friend – Hanoi, Vietnam

He discovered the proximity of countries close to Bali by dragging his finger around GoogleMaps on his phone. Although he planned to travel Southeast Asia, he is a classic ignorant American and was unfamiliar with its geographical layout. With an expiring Indonesian visa and a time frame of ten days till meeting a friend in […]

Off-roading the Scooter – Lombok, Indonesia

The day arrived for him to set out on his first true two wheeled adventure. The Californian entered the line at the petrol station and filled up for his 76km journey from Bengassi to Kuta, Lombok. He soon climbed into the mountain pass through the Monkey Forest where monkeys stay on the side of the […]

The Ideal Island – Gili Air, Lombok, Indonesia

“I am going to rip all of your hair out!” When threats like this are commonplace in conversation, you have found a good friend. He met the Beneficent Belgian during his week in the jungle. Independently deciding they each wanted to travel to the Gili Islands east of Bali, they mutually decided to travel together. They […]