Coming into 2008 I had accumulated about twelve weeks of paid vacation time. It had been almost three years since I took a real vacation so I decided to take some time off from work and go on a cross-country trip heading west. Once in a while I'd stop the car and check out landscape scenes in places such as Plainfield (Indiana) or Marshfield (Missouri). Found some rather interesting desert views across Texas. Did some drifting around large sand dunes in New Mexico. Hiked at the Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon in Arizona. Photographed evening scenes at Hoover Dam and Las Vegas while in Nevada. Spent a wonderful week between San Diego and San Francisco in California. Visited a few national parks in Utah. Went through the freezing Rocky Mountain of Colorado. Stopped at Topeka Zoo in Kansas and then at St. Louis in Missouri before arriving home.

During this road trip, I crossed more than a dozen states and over 7,400 miles (11900 km) in about twenty-five days. Witnessed eagles diving into a lake for fish; had a close encounter with some amazing cows in a desert farm and stood between a wild deer herd grazing in a mountain. Found a lone sea lion on a beach; looked over the Pacific Ocean from a lighthouse; and got a unique perspective of a waterfall as it splashed against the rocks before me. Walked around the Gila Cliff Dwellings for a feel of the past; drove alongside some small twisters as they joined together and formed spectacular sandstorms; and watched the sun set in the horizon as the moon and stars took over the sky. Went shopping in Las Vegas and loaded my car with tons of goodies instead of spending money at the casinos. Did some high-speed driving across the deserts and a couple amazing rally-style time trials through the mountains. Interviewed a rock-balancing artist along San Francisco Bay and got invited to a personal behind-the scene tour at St. Louis Zoo. All these and many other interesting stories, places and faces that I will not soon forget…

It was definitely a lifetime experience seeing so much in such short period of time, but these fortunate incidences wouldn’t have been so exciting without the many people I met along the way… so thanks to all of those “friendly locals” for telling me about their unique points of interest that aren’t listed on maps. I’m also grateful to every single one of you that made suggestions to check out different cool spots in your states from Missouri to California. Please be patient as it will take me months to go through my photo journal and select my favorite images to post on my DA accounts.

On a personal note, I recently cut my long hair and donated it to Locks of Love [link] It’s a nice non-profit organization assisting financially disadvantaged children so please help if you can. I’m currently volunteering as a graphic artist to create a series of READ posters used by the American Library Association to promote reading at a local public library. I’m also working on photo materials for two monthly solo exhibits to be showcased later in September and October. Will also have some limited prints and 2009 wall calendars for sale later this year (with proceeds going to my charity and scholarship funds).

Last but not least, my most sincere gratitude to my cousin Ben for taking care of my pack of Siberian Huskies while I was gone and to Paulette and Liz for their hospitality while I visited southern California earlier this month. Paulette was kind enough to invite my brother and me to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for some fantastic shots of the giant pandas and other incredible wildlife. She and Liz also treated me to a wonderful surprise birthday dinner during my stay. Thanks for being such good friends!

It's good to be back!

Best wishes for peace and happiness to all,
Anthony




Paulette’s Gallery
Liz’s Gallery
My cousin Ben’s Gallery