This trip was probably the trip that most of us have thought about doing with a dear friend, but have never done. And now, 10-years later, my recommendation to everyone, especially now as single parent, is to do something like this, no matter how old you are or how much you have stacked up on your plate. Something like this is never timely, appropriate or practical as a parent... But, if you can pull it off, it should be done! Even though blogs were already a thing back then, I was a little behind on the tech. That said, I did document whole trip on Facebook "Notes," so technically I did blog the whole trip! And if you have read my blog from the beginning, you know why... My Mom always made me write about our travels...
So, since I have not read anything I wrote about that amazing trip since 2009, I have decided to re-blog the whole experience. And like you, I will be reading my notes for the first time since I wrote them on the road 10-years ago! This should be fun...?! I will start with the days leading up to our departure and then post each day as posted 10-years later. Here goes!
June 13, 2009
Los Angeles to New York - Venice Beach CA
Hello Friends,
Just before I turned 40 in September of 2008 I came up with a few things I really wanted to do when I turned 40. Sure I could skydive, climb Mount Everest or run the steps in Philly that Sly did in Rocky, but I wanted something more. Something bigger! My #1 was to run with the bulls in Pamplona again (I've done it three times) but due to scheduling conflicts I couldn't pull that one off. #2 was to start surfing. But, my house is a five minute walk to the beach, so it's kinda' embarrassing that I even mention this. And #3 was... Well, I didn't really have a #3.
But, that was pre-40. Now that I am actually 40 and far more focussed on what I want to do when I grow up, I figured out my #3. I'm going to drive from Los Angeles to New York with a good friend in his Land Rover decked out with all kinds of cool stuff so we can do sections of the trip "off the beaten path." Sure, we'll have our iPhones, laptops and a cooler full of refreshments incase we get stuck "off the beaten path," but we really plan to take a good look at America from coast to coast!
So, this all said, I plan to do a blog of our trip right here on FB Notes (Unless someone can suggest a better way). I'll include some pics along the way for anyone who is interested. We plan to leave on the eve of Father's day (June 21st) and have a loose itinerary at this point. Any suggestions of places to see or good places to stay/eat along the way are appreciated!
Funny, I just might do the steps in Philly like Rocky after all!
E
"San Fermin" - Pamplona Spain 2001
June 21, 2009
Father's Day/Pre/Packing/Loose ends
It's been a great week. My son, Jaden, stood up on his own for the first time, I rode in the Lakers parade on Magic Johnson's double decker bus, I danced with some really great friends at Tina's 40th B-day celebration, I won the award for best editing at Vision Fest in New York for my work on Mike Santorico's, "This Monday," and if that wasn't enough, my iPhone can now cut and Paste!
Truth is, I've had so much going on that I really haven't even thought about what to bring for our cross country trip. Sure, there's the obvious, like a map (Navigation backup), clothes, toothbrush, hat and iPod, but is it going to be hot or cold, rain, snow or humid? I guess I can't assume that it's t-shirt weather everywhere! In fact, I heard there was still snow in one of our stops.
We're going to camp in a couple of National Parks along the way, so I guess I should have a sleeping bag (Although I don't think I have one)! Maybe a pillow and some soap? Bug spray? Beer? Scratch that, Beer, Check! So what else? We loose In-N-Out somewhere in West, so where to after that for a quick cheeseburger after a long day on the road?
Anyway, it's Father's Day so I made waffles for breaky and we all pigged out, because that what dad's like to do! We had a great dinner at the Warehouse in MDR and my daughter, Mazzy, told me "happy father's day daddy, I love you!" I'll miss the wife and kiddos, but look forward to the road that lies ahead!
E
Next Stop?
I can stand all by myself!
June 23, 2009 (10 Years ago today...)
Venice Beach to Lake Havasu
Anthony and I fueled up “Trusty,” a 1994 Range Rover decked out safari style, at the Chevron at Lincoln and Venice in Venice Beach, CA at about 11pm.
It was at that point that we realized that we needed a parting shot, and since we were already way behind schedule (six hours to be exact) we drove back to the VENICE sign at the Windward Circle and posed for a few pics.
We decided to leave on Father’s Day eve so that we could get a jumpstart and avoid Monday morning traffic out of Los Angeles. I have a good friend that I’ve known since seventh grade, Ian Flygare, who lives in Lake Havasu. Ian and his wife Nicole said we could stay the night, no matter how late we got in… Now that’s a good friend!
It was now about 11:30pm. No problem, we should still be able to make it to Ian and Nicole’s house by 3am… Should!
Next pit stop, West Covina, CA (Unplanned).
Problem: Overheating
Solution: Change out a radiator hose
Back on the Rode: 45 minutes
From there it was smooth sailing. I took over driving just before Devore, CA. and after fueling up somewhere off Interstate 40 between Barstow and Needles, we rolled into Lake Havasu City at about 5:30am. Ian was outside waiting with his two dogs. It was great to see his smiling face as we pulled up! I think now we must get some sleep.
E
Day (Night) One – June 21, 2009
Start: Venice Beach, CA
Destination: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Mileage: 317 miles
Did we make it? Yes
Ian Flygare and I @ the London Bridge in Lake Havasu.
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