Day 328, Greetings from NY!

Laura, NY Subway, July, 2007

A few days ago I picked up seven small boxes of film from Louisville, KY. These boxes represent the culmination of the last five years of my life, and the future of Boonville. The last year will always mean so much more then a few boxes of film, but there is an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction when holding the (near) entirety of the project in my hands -- It really blows my mind that all the sweat and tears, in its physical form, can simply be held in my arms!

Over the last year I've pretty much been in my own world, but now I'm finally back and dealing with the reality of it all. I'm excited about the editing process, etc. But I'm completely broke, have no income at all, do not have a job lined up, and I'm desperately trying to rebuild my relationship with Laura (I believe we are on the road to a healthy recovery!). Not to mention coming down from being on the road for the last 300+ days and having the weight of the projects completion on my shoulders.

Over the last few days that I've been home, I've been having trouble sleeping, I can't sit still, and the anxiety is giving me crushing headaches. Although I currently feel like it's all crashing in around me, I'm embracing every minute of it. I worked for a very long time to make it to this place. And as I sat in my kitchen staring out the window today, I remembered the long nights in which I would dream about this moment. I'm extremely grateful and proud. And very excited! Stay tuned. More on editing and the next phase soon.

Lame Deer & Devils Tower

Devils Tower

After an hour of driving on Rt 90 through Montana, I decided to turn off and take the back roads. What a beautiful thing. No cops, no trucks, no cars, and the few people I did pass waved to me, or tipped their cowboy hat.

I made my way about 60 miles before I found gas. A close call. Especially since I still have no cell service. I roll into the sparse town of Lame Deer, MT. Minutes after entering, I see 10 kids on four wheelers, 6 people riding horses, and 50 to 100 people walking the dirt roads. The town was old and beautiful: Robert Adams beautiful, not Ansel Adams. The economy is obviously depressed, and the town was littered with "I Am Meth Clean" stickers. Lame Deer is in the middle of Cheyenne Country. About 95% of the people I saw were American-Indian. I spent a few hours taking photos, and I was even invited into the home of local who wanted to show me the Buffalo head in his bedroom. He explained how he places the skull face down to keep its spirit from escaping. He then invited me to a Sweat. I denied. It was a fun few hours. And a needed boost.

I then headed to Devils Tower, and the to Deadwood, SD, where I stayed the night. I'm finally off to Mt. Rushmore today. And then no more screwing around, I'm getting my ass home.

Hannah Montana

Somewhere in Montana, June 8, 2008

A lot has happened over the last few weeks. Laura and I started out on a great road trip that ended up being awesome, terrible, horrible, and awesome. It's back to being somewhere between terrible and horrible. Laura flew home from Spokane, WA yesterday: The road, and the stop-and-go was getting to her -- and of course there is being stuck in a small car with me.

I will write more later, but the bottom line is that Boonville, and my (often selfish) obsession with the road and my work, has damaged our relationship. There were many times on this trip I struggled with this projects purpose, and the purpose of life and art in general. These are thought-provoking and important questions -- in my opinion -- but right now none of it seems remotely worth it.

After Laura flew out, I went across the street to fill up the car with gas. I was shocked to find out my bank card get denied. It turns out that I recently lost track of my bank acct while traveling, and I now have a balance of -$27. I then realize my emergency CC expired just last month, and all I have is $20 in cash. I pulled out the greatly-in-debt Amex card used for Boonville, and although it is far passed max, it still worked. And to top it all off, my cell phone has not had service since.

I am in Montana now, and will be heading to Devils Tower and Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands today. I hope to be home soon. I am very tired of being on the road, and all I want to do is figure out my life, my relationship and to sleep in my own bed for the first time since November.

Kody

Kody, Midnight Milking, Boonville, New York, 2007

Last week I received some tragic news about a dear friend in Boonville, NY. During the time I was in NY, I stayed with the Beasock Family for three or four weeks. The time spent with them and in NY was some of the most productive, inspiring and enlightening times I had over the course of the entire trip.

I cannot fully express how amazing the Beasock Family was. They took me into their home and cared for me as if I was one of their own. We had a sit-down dinner almost every night. I went hunting with them, carved pumpkins on Halloween, and witnessed their immense love for one another first hand.

Sadly, their youngest boy, Kody, and his brother Christopher, were in a terrible dirt-bike accident on Memorial day. Kody passed away instantly (he was only twelve), and Chris is in critical condition in Syracuse. I want to, and could, write an entire thesis about those two boys and their love for each other and the outdoors. But right now I can't. I love those boys, and that family very much. And I am still at a loss for words.

*Taken from a post about the Beasock Family, dated November, 3, 2007 (click HERE for post):

"I don't have a favorite, but Kody reminds me of myself at his age: Loud, obnoxious, and hilarious, with a slight touch of brilliance--if I may say so."

...

Pause | to Begin

Last week I met up with David and Ethan from Pause to Begin. They are on a month-long trip across the states and Mexico. They are meeting with and interviewing the 15 photographers chosen for the inaugural PtB book and exhibition.

We met up at Point Ryes National Seashore (or something like that) and found a nice place to camp for the night.

I had a few too many beers before the video-interview started and I had just finished the bulk of Boonville two days before. I was all over the place, to say the least. Regardless, I had a really great time. And it was actually very therapeutic to talk about the ups and downs and details of the last ten months, even if I wasn't ready for it.

They are writing a great blog about their travels: pausetobegin.com/blog

Coming Home: Day 3, San Diego, CA

Photo by Laura and Blackberry

Photo: Last picture taken with 2001 Chrystler 300M (Steve). Ten months, twenty-one thousand miles, one tow, six oil changes, twenty-five states, no tickets, no flats, three new drive-shafts, and five-bungi-cords-holding-bumper-together later, "Steve" has been traded for a 2006 Nissan Sentra. No name yet.

So, Laura and I have not spent more then four days with each other since July, 2007. We are now embarking on a thirty-day cross-country tourist fest. I will be taking many pictures, all of which (thankfully!) will be completely unrelated to Boonville.

It's been great being reunited with Laura. But in a small car together for thirty days? We will either have the greatest time, want to kill each other, or both--Please stay tuned! Laura is writing a blog about the trip as well: Roemer's Reality

We are off to the Grand Canyon on Tuesday!

Stranded

Where is Amy Stein when you need her? I think I would have made a wonderful Stranded subject. Too bad.

While I was on my way through SF to pick up Laura in San Diego my car died. Actually, my drive shaft died. After twittering my situation, Geoff (@sadkids) showed up to enjoy in the fun. We got a ride with the tow-truck driver, had lunch, and I spent an hour or so taking pictures on Brannan St.

Half of my life-savings later (not saying much), I am back on the road. Or I will be very soon.