Let me be honest with you...this trip is one of the most difficult and rewarding things i've ever done. It seems amazing and glamorous, but only partially. On the road, you will experience the greatest highs, and the lowest lows...there's no in between. It takes such a toll of you mentally and physically. The road by yourself is extremely lonely, and at times, overwhelming. There is literally nothing like this. I can't go hang out with my best friends, i can't lay down and watch netflix, i can't just walk upstairs and go to sleep. This is all apart of the journey though. Also, It's hard because my main film camera decided to break. So it would cost $200 to buy another, which wasn't apart of my budget. But, everything happens for a reason. It has only been 18 days on the road and i have already learned so much! It is hard to fathom what the road will teach and do to you.
From my last post, i awoke the next day in thermopolis, Wyoming. Usually i go to breakfast, or just eat a clif bar in the morning. I got on the phone with my friend joey, and expressed to him my dire situation: i was out of clif bars. I went to every store in this town with no such luck. As i exited the dollar general, i saw a sign for a fur store. Me being the way i am, i love anything leather, fur, or handmade. So, despite being hungry, i entered the small shop. To my surprise, the whole store was filled with leather goods, fur hides, fur hats, coats, lotions, and so much more! i struck up a conversation with the guy that was working there and ended up shopping around for over an hour. I purchased a pair of leather gloves, along with a few other goods. We got into a conversation about the fur coats, in which he informed me of this stores amazing history. He told me how quentin tarantino had bought all of his fur coats for his film "The Hateful Eight" at this store! I was of course amazed, being that quentin tarantino is one of my favourite directors. He then asked if i'd like to try on a fur coat! So, despite it being the price of my car, i put it on and snapped an iphone photo (sorry for the quality). The service was amazing, as well as the products! If you are ever in Wyoming, definitely check out Merlin's Hide Out. You can also go check out their website! From there, i headed south to Cheyenne. I stopped at a boot store in hopes to find something special. That is something worth mentioning...i don't have many clothes or shoes, but i love my boots. I was disappointed to find far too expensive boots and modern cowboy hats. On this trip i am seeking a vintage western hat (clint eastwood/john wayne style), and a beautiful turquoise ring. We shall see what i come home with! From there i kept heading south. Now, my intentions were never to go as south as i am, but because of certain circumstances, i ended up in New Mexico. I went to Las vegas and Santa Fe. I went back and forth from NM to CO for a few days. I went to the Sand Dunes in lower Colorado and had such an amazing epiphany, which i may speak more about in another post if you guys are interested? On the way to Las Vegas, i passed some roadside stores next to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. I decided to stop, and met a native man. I ended trading with him; i gave him a haircut, and he gave me jewelry. I then bought a great leather belt, and went on my way. After being in a pretty depressing mood the following day, i went back to the bridge and gave the man who sold me my belt my business card. I decided i would just head straight to Utah and get my trip going again. I was in a pretty bad mood, from people, loneliness, and my main film camera is broken with no repair shops in sight. As i made my way north, the leather man (Jared) called me. He expressed a great love for my work and he hired me to do some video work for him! My spirit was once again uplifted. I came back to New Mexico yesterday, and filmed for his leather company today. I'm so blessed, and excited about this experience. He has been kind enough to let me stay at his amazing place in Taos. I will probably hit the road once more by Wednesday. It's awesome how things can happen and where you can end up. I am so blessed for all of these experiences, and all of your support! There may be obstacles along the way, but you learn, move on, and listen to the Eagles. Thanks to everyone reading and following my journey!
