Day 2

I made it to Susanville in about 14 hours yesterday.    As I'm sure it's no surprise to those who know me, I took back roads whenever possible.   The only problem I encountered was at Hoover Dam.   There was a check point I had to go through in order to drive across the dam, which by the way was swarming with tourists.     What impressed me the most about the structure was the amount of details that went into it.   You just don't see anything like that anymore, not even in the post-modern architecture of the 90's.     Perhaps Obama should consider creating a National Architect position to help restore our building arts and give us an image again.   On a side note, I love reading bathroom graffiti while traveling.      It makes me giggle.   Sadly, the only commentary I saw yesterday was about Obama and his Cabinet members in the formerly Red State of Nevada.

Nevada is a desolate place.   I drove past former nuclear testing grounds (surprisingly close to Las Vegas), old mining towns on the verge of disappearing and also a strange Army Depot which had thousands of bunkers stretching across the valley.   With the exception of Las Vegas, the picture to the right is a good representation of what my entire drive through Nevada looked like.

Today, I am driving on to Coos Bay, Oregon.    It should take me about 7 hours.   An easy drive.   There is a campground on the beach north of the city which is where I will spend the night.   Tomorrow's posting most likely will come from a tent.

 

Day 1

Destination - Susanville, CA. 

Everything is packed and ready to go; Ipod, resumes, calling cards and the GPS.    This will be the first time that I'll use the GPS and admittedly I am a little excited to see it in action. 

The drive will take me through Arizona, Nevada and into California.   It is 813 miles and projected to take about 13 hours.    I shouldn't have any problem with this, but if I do I'll stop near Reno.   

This will be the first time driving through Las Vegas.    Not a place I've ever had a desire to go, but it will be nice to check it off the list.   My only regret is not driving through it at night, however maybe I'll have the chance on the way back home.

Change We Can Believe In

The economy is bad, we all know that.    But getting laid off twice in 5 months just plain sucks. 

Recent events have turned my precariously balanced life completely upside down.   I slipped into a depression in October which has taken several months to overcome.   I was laid off in November, at which time I also lost my rental income.   My beloved companion of 19 years, Wiley Cat,  passed away in December.   I was fortunate enough to go back to work for a former employer that same month, but as of this week I have been laid off again.   

While coming to terms with my recent situation, it was my Mother who suggested I take a road trip to Oregon.   I have longed to move to Portland for the past several years.   Astoria has recently intrigued me as well because it is the oldest city west of the Rockies, and is described as "hundreds of Victorian homes clinging to steep wooded hillsides and with a revitalized 1920s era downtown".   Since I have no current obligations, a road-trip sounded like a great idea.   

Along the way, my objectives will be to search for or discover ideas for new employment and hopefully find a new city I would be happy to call home.    I know there is a better place for me out there...and gosh darn-it, I'm gonna find it!