Where is Ben?

Erie, PA to Palenville, NY

Today, I drove 422 miles to Palenville, NY, which is where my friend Dan Bulkholder lives. I went to dinner with Dan and a few friends in Woodstock NY and we plan to explore the general area tomorrow. It's raining nicely tonight... I love the sound of rain hitting the roof of the bus... it's one of the best sounds to sleep to. 

Detroit to just shy of Erie, PA

After spending a few days in the greater Detroit area, I decided to continue East. Today, I drove via the back roads (not reflected in the map above) to the Pennsylvania state line, just short of Erie, PA. 

I'm itching to get to areas I have never explored in the past, so tomorrow I should end up somewhere near Albany, NY and then it will be on to Vermont! 

Iceland Interviews Ben

I've made a trip to Iceland three out of the last four years. I plan to return in July of this year to conduct my first photographic workshop in Iceland. 

I was interviewed by the local Icelandic guides that will be putting on that workshop. You can read the interview on the Focus on Nature web site. The photos featured are all ones that I should on my various trips to Iceland. 

There's also info on how to get a 10% discount on the workshop if you care to join me in Iceland this July.

The Vintage Bus Project

I've created a new page on this site to announce and describe my current major project which is to restore and live on a 1940's bus like the one shown above. You can find the page on the left side of my blog site under the heading of Other Stuff and just above the new Ben's Location map.

I plan to update that page with additional details about the project as the months go on. The page is quite detailed right now, so just skim the headings if you don't feel like taking in all the details. 

Contemplating an Auction

I'm now in Indianapolis, IN and am thinking about bidding on a vintage bus auction. I've spent a good amount of my time today inspecting the bus, but haven't really come up with my high bid quite yet. I have until Saturday to decide how much I'd like to bid on the bus. 

St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN

Today, I only drove 243 miles and ended up at the State Fairgrounds RV park in Indianapolis, IN. I'm here for a vintage car/bus auction. The item I'm thinking of bidding on goes up on Saturday. After that, I plan to start exploring the East coast.

Stroud, OK to St. Louis, MO

Today, I drove 442 miles to St. Louis, MO. I'm hanging out with Chris and Cherie from Technomadia.com. I have one more day of long driving before I can mellow out and start to casually explore. 

Albuquerque, NM to Stroud, OK

Today, I drove precisely 600 miles and am now in Stroud, OK. I made stops at Cadillac Ranch, the world's largest cross and a few spots along Route 66. Tomorrow I'm off to St. Louis to meet up with some technomadic friends. 

Feb-May Update

Here's a quick update on what I've been up to since my February posting:

• explored Slab City and the Salton Sea in California

• explored Joshua Tree National Park

• partied in Las Vegas for PMA

• parked on the beach for 21 days in Los Angeles

• visited friends in New York city for a while (the bus stayed in LA)

• presented seminars in NY, TX, CAx3, MA, MN, CA (again), GA, Iceland, PA

• parked on the top of a mountain with a 360° view for about a week in CA

• visited a bunch of high school friends, college friends and new friends while visiting Minneapolis (where I grew up)

• Explored Iceland for a short time... was going to shoot it from the air, but the weather did not cooperate

• continued shopping for a vintage bus and actually found the original bus from the movie RV (see photo above). If I don't win an auction on a vintage bus in Indianapolis this week, then I might end up with the bus shown above. 

• shopped for a vintage car to replace my jeep... right now it looks like I'll end up with either a 1956 or 1967 four door Chevy wagon

The bus has been parked in California all winter (except for a short trip to Arizona). Now that winter is done, I've moved out of California and am heading to Maine (just a short drive). I should be updating this blog more often now that I'm moving around more and taking more photos. Let me know if you have any suggestions for what to see on the East coast.

Fenner, CA to Albuquerque, NM

Today, I drove 568 miles to Albuquerque, NM. Tomorrow, I'd love to get to Oklahoma City, but I wouldn't be surprised if Cadillac Ranch ends up being my resting place for the evening. 

I'm on my way to Maine via Indianapolis.