Cactus Flower Wreath © 2013 Bo Mackison
I locked the doors, left a note in my neighbor’s mail box, and gave the mountain view from my door a lingering look. A red-tailed hawk swooped towards the arroyo, then caught an uplifting current and soared into the deep blue sky.
Months ago, when I was pondering a solo road trip half way across the country, I questioned my sanity. But today, it feels right. I’ve crammed everything into the car — mostly boxes of books and art supplies, a couple of pieces of art I purchased for re-location to the Midwest, and a box of newly acquired book-making paraphernalia. Camera bags and my suitcase occupy the back seat. My bag of travel food – peanut butter, vegetable juice, apples, almonds, baby carrots – is in the front seat within easy reach. So is a cooler of ice, a jug of iced tea, and several cases of water. My goal is to do the trip without any fast food stops.
My other travel objective is to drive over 2,000 miles while (mostly) avoiding the interstate system and stopping at every National Park or monument within a half hour drive. That is the part of my plan that makes this travel plan sensible, doable, and sane. And the fact that I’m limiting my road travel to 350 miles a day. It’s not a lot, it will take me a week to get to Wisconsin, but it is doable. Even enjoyable. I’ve already promised myself that when I see a photo opportunity, I will take the time and stop.
What’s not to love about this kind of road trip!
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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She will report in with travel updates, as time and internet connections allow.
About Bo Mackison
Sounds like you’re off to a great start. Looking forward to having you back in WI. Travel safely.
7 to 10 days should do it, depending on weather and distractions! Looking forward to being with you, too!
I just recently discovered you and your blog, and I have been loving your photographs and the wisdom cards. You are planning on bringing them out AS cards, yes? 🙂 But I didn’t realise that you don’t actually live in the desert! I will miss those photos, but your road trip sounds awesome! Enjoy all those parks – I’m jealous!
Happy Travels!
Barbara
Hi Barbara.
I DO live in the desert, but only half the year. But I love it as if I lived there all year long!
And, yes, I do plan on publishing the Desert Wisdom Cards. Most certainly!
As for missing the desert photos, you won;t miss a thing — I have a stock pile to last a half a year! 🙂
I am looking forward to following your road trip. As a person who doesn’t like to travel, but who would like to visit national parks, I’ll be looking for ideas on what works for you. Buen viaje!
I love to travel, but never have done this ambitious of a trip solo. I;m sure I will learn much from the experience.
Go for it, Bo! I can’t wait to see the photos.
Oh, there are plenty of photos. It’s the mechanics of getting them into the computer and then processed — time consuming on the road. But there will be photos. Promise!
You don’t need deadlines, your goals are the ones you chose, not ones imposed by a job, you decide what you want to photograph and how fast you travel. The trip sounds designed by a photographer and lived to the fullest by a photographer. What a great adventure you will have!
So far, so good. When I thought about how I travel best, I found I could custom design a long trip that would be successful and fun!
Love this pic!
Isn;t this little cactus sweet? Well, not to the touch, but looking is grand!
That’s a great way to make the trip! Stay safe!
Travel success! 🙂
Love the image. And yes, I think this sounds like a doable and wonderful road trip! It’s the kind I think I would enjoy if I could work up the nerve to drive and do it. Way to go, Bo! 🙂
It was doable. Very much so. One day at a time, and an outline to follow. Success! 🙂