And So The Adventure Ends… Temporarily ;-)

Unfortunately, after spending more time out west and in the mid-west, I found that I had lost time to explore the rest of the country. I ended up having to drive straight through to the east-coast after Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s a shame because there is truly so much more to see!

As a project for the winter I may continue and re-structure this project with some day trips throughout the east-coast. I will post links to these new projects as they are created and evolve.

I would also like to thank everyone who has visited and continued to check back to this blog over the past month. Our hits now exceed 2000, which may not seem much in the relm of mass-media, yet it kinda makes me happy nonetheless. So, thanks for all the support and the comments everyone. I hope you will check back soon as I still need to finish applying some much-needed polish to this project 🙂

All other travel pics and other works from this trip will be posted soon on my other blog and on my web-page… Have a look below:

http://kroghstudios.blogspot.com/

http://www.kroghstudios.com

Also, I will be attending the PDN Photo Plus Expo and Conference in New York for four days coming up. I’m sure there will toned of information to soak in and hopefully share with everyone. If anyone is interested, as a side project I will be documenting much of these seminars and share some information with you on my new blog:

http://photoplusexpo2011.wordpress.com/

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Kavita (elCapitan State Beach, California)

While out walking the beach at sunrise, I ran into a lady walking her dog. We walked and talked together for a little bit. Kavita is born and raised in Hollywood, but has been traveling most her life. For several years she ventured the country in her purple RV. She loves to explore and visit new places and shares these experiences with her dog ‘Hap’ for happy. Kavita has severe narcolepsy and Hap is her service dog. “He has saved my life many times. I wouldn’t be here without Hap” she explains.

Kavita now roams from camp to camp and stays extended periods so she can truly explore the areas in-depth. She loves the lifestyle and the people she meets: “It is always a new adventure and if it weren’t fun, I wouldn’t it?” She has traveled most of the country and expressed a true love for The Old Spanish Moss Trail in Louisiana.

–> Information on elCapitan coming soon!

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Here, Kavita and I at the beach during sunrise.

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Patrick Hill (Cold Springs Trail (Montecito), California)

While sitting on a bench after most of the descent from Cold Springs Trail, this guy asked if I knew the way to a specific basin he wanted to see. I gave him directions and pursued a short conversation with him before asking if he would stand in for a photograph.

Dave is from San Diego and goes to San Diego State University. He ventures up to the Santa Barbara, Montecito and Goleta areas to visit his girlfriend Lizzy, who schools at UCSB. He doesn’t mind the commute as he loves seeing his girls but also “both SB an SD are sick areas.” Dave is an avid outdoors kid, he’s a lifeguard and hiking is a must in his free-time.

–> Information on Cold Springs Trail & Montecito coming soon!

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Dave and I up Cold Springs trail in Montecito.

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Dave Carter (Venice Beach (Los Angeles), California)

While out in California, I was hoping to capture your typical Californian surfer. Unfortunately that did not come to pass. However, when in Venice Beach I opted to attempt and photograph someone just as important to the Cali-lifestyle. Dave Carter is a 25 year lifeguard veteran who is born, raised and ‘lives’ California.

Before becoming a lifeguard Dave taught Language Intervention, where he taught older illiterate people to read and write– he did this for about seven years. Dave retired and returned to what he loved most: the beach and the ocean. “Nothing will ever compare to the north coast” he says, explaining why he chose Venice Beach over many other beaches. He has guarded beaches from Sonoma County to Orange County. The Venice area is a very busy, constantly changing area of the west-coast. With all the surfers, tourists and even the big local skate park, he finds there is always something to do. “The constant flow of EMS calls keeps us on our feet” as he explains that, yes they are emergency calls but that is why they are there and keeping busy is better than anything else. The town also seems to attract hard-working individuals like himself and such, Dave works with a very skilled and dedicated crew.

“We are not perfect, nobody is– but we do a damn good job!” Dave says. He had a very humble way about himself and made it a point that he needed to watch the waters as we continued our interview. “This is a unique area, but still only my second favorite place.” It would seem he had a yearning for home but seemed very content with where he was.

–>Information on Venice Beach coming soon!

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Dave and I at the Life Guard station at Venice Beach, California.

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Drake and I caught up briefly while I was in LA. Here, the final sketch to the project.

Annie Rettic (Balboa Park (San Diego), California)

Annie is a Michigan women who came to San Diego to take care of her mother some time ago. After her passing, Annie decided she would remain in this amazing town. “The sense of community is so strong” she says. She doesn’t find a reason why anyone would be depressed or upset in this area– the weather is always nice and the living is truly easy.

Annie used to own a farm in Michigan, but sold it when she decided she was going to make San Diego her home. She now lives in Ocean Beach, which is a San Diego community that fits her style and personality– lots of art, great food and amazing people.

–>Information on Balboa Park coming soon!

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Above, Annie and I at Balboa Park. She was playing some lovely music with a smile on her face that invited me to talk to her and get to know this unique individual.

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Daren Falwell (Pacific Beach (San Diego), California)

In the process of clearing out my storage unit in Carlsbad, I found myself donating many thing to The Salvation Army. After making four runs to them and delivering car-loads of things I accumulated over the past years, I felt it appropriate to take Darens’ picture. Daren, A fun and friendly individual wondered how many more times I was going to swing by– he was surprised at all the things I was giving up.

Daren found himself in a struggle some time ago, attempting to come to terms with his addictions he found himself a great support group and went through the ARC program. He says “It did me so much good” as he begins to explain a bit about his past. Daren worked as a store-clerk at The Salvation Army and now organizes the donation truck, he’s been doing so for a little over a year now.

Born and raised in Sacramento, Daren is a true Californian at heart. He’s friendly, laid back and takes a pretty broad view of life and the world. He is a trained dye-cutting pressman and hopes to return to this career once he is sure and comfortable that his addictions and his foundation for life is secured and under control. He seems as if he has made some serious progress and with the closing of this Salvation Army location after 25 years of service he will attempt to pursue his desires and hopes for the future.

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Here, Daren and I hanging out at The Salvation Army donation truck. We talked for some time as we drank some coffee and enjoyed conversing with others that were donating clothes and other valuable things.

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And So It Re-Begins…

Well, today was my last day in San Diego– the time has come to hit the open road once more. This is all very bitter-sweet, as there are many people out here I will truly miss! After having lived in Santa Barbara and northern San Diego for many years, driving around these towns has shown me how much I’ve taking these beautiful places for granted. If any of you should ever venture out this way, be sure to enjoy as much of the scenic as you possibly can, you may regret not doing so 🙂

Mid-Way Update!!!

So, today marks the mid-way point of my trip. Drake and I are in Pacific Beach, San Diego. We have now put about 5460 miles on his car, driving zigzag through the country. Unfortunately, this is the farthest point that Drake will be joining for this trip. He has now found a place to live in Santa Monica, California and will be returning there tomorrow. I will be staying with a good friend here in San Diego for a few days to take care of some loose ends and to empty my storage unit. This will mark the end of my living experience in California, now reaching a solid five years on the west-coast. I will begin my return trip to Delaware with a quick stint in LA and Santa Barbara.

With the week or so drive back east, I will be continuing the portrait project that has become my life for the past two weeks. Drake and I have met so many unique individuals from all over the United States. We have shared conversations, information and laughs with these amazing people. Traveling back on my own, may prove to be pretty lonely. However, if I give myself something to occupy my time with such as this project I may find myself quite busy.

Below, you will find most of the portraits taken so far! Check back frequently to see what’s new and where the trip’s going from here.

Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in our blog! In the nine days that we’ve had the blog running, we have scored over 700 hits. We thank you for the comments, the views and all the support you have given us along the way! Also, thank you to everyone who has taken us in, hooked us up with places to sleep and even fed us some delicious foods, you are the best!

Much Love!!!

Above: Drake and I at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.