Hey, I left Santa Barbara and started driving up the coast of California.Merged onto famous route 1 at San Louis Obispo exit and drove north.I had heard so much about this particular drive.Nearly everyone I talked to about California mentioned it.Driving up route 1 is really an experience in and of itself.It was by far the most beautiful coastline I had ever seen.The cliffs drop for hundreds of feet onto tall white-capped waves, carving the rock over time.I ...

Hey, Hope and I arrived in Joshua Tree around midday from Arizona. We pulled up to the park gate and grabbed some maps and park guides and were soon on our way. The drive through there is amazing. The trees and rocks spring out of the sand and create a scene that looks almost alien. It is to this day one of my favorite national parks. On top of being one of the coolest looking, it is probably the least crowded of all the national parks. The stars are also...

Hey,Hope and I drove across Texas for what seemed like and eternity. We passed through El Paso and headed north through a border security check point and into New Mexico. We spent the night at Reed's Lodge in Winslow Arizona. This is the same town with the corner and the girl with a flat bed Ford in the Eagles song. The girl at the counter working the late shift was playing some songs on a small bodied six string classical guitar. Upon request she sang us a s...

Hope and I shot through Texas to Austin on I-10. The drive took about 9 or so hours. On our way we stopped at a Chevron to fill up and grab some lunch. Hope got out and did a few sun salutations while I filled up the car in the baking sun. Then I pulled the car around to the side of the gas station and popped open my cooler. I fixed myself a warm bologna and cheese sandwich at a picnic table covered in chewing gum and permanent- markered profanity. Just as I...

After a brief good bye to Eric, Hope and I were off to New Orleans. We took Interstate 59 south for about 9 or 10 hours. We arrived later that day and met up with Hope's other friend from City Year, Lyric. After meeting with Lyric, I understood why Hope and Eric loved her so much. After a few hours I think everyone who meets Lyric loves her. She is one of those rare people that just genuinely loves life and makes the people around her love it too. We left ...