Kody

Kody, Midnight Milking, Boonville, New York, 2007

Last week I received some tragic news about a dear friend in Boonville, NY. During the time I was in NY, I stayed with the Beasock Family for three or four weeks. The time spent with them and in NY was some of the most productive, inspiring and enlightening times I had over the course of the entire trip.

I cannot fully express how amazing the Beasock Family was. They took me into their home and cared for me as if I was one of their own. We had a sit-down dinner almost every night. I went hunting with them, carved pumpkins on Halloween, and witnessed their immense love for one another first hand.

Sadly, their youngest boy, Kody, and his brother Christopher, were in a terrible dirt-bike accident on Memorial day. Kody passed away instantly (he was only twelve), and Chris is in critical condition in Syracuse. I want to, and could, write an entire thesis about those two boys and their love for each other and the outdoors. But right now I can't. I love those boys, and that family very much. And I am still at a loss for words.

*Taken from a post about the Beasock Family, dated November, 3, 2007 (click HERE for post):

"I don't have a favorite, but Kody reminds me of myself at his age: Loud, obnoxious, and hilarious, with a slight touch of brilliance--if I may say so."

...

Pause | to Begin

Last week I met up with David and Ethan from Pause to Begin. They are on a month-long trip across the states and Mexico. They are meeting with and interviewing the 15 photographers chosen for the inaugural PtB book and exhibition.

We met up at Point Ryes National Seashore (or something like that) and found a nice place to camp for the night.

I had a few too many beers before the video-interview started and I had just finished the bulk of Boonville two days before. I was all over the place, to say the least. Regardless, I had a really great time. And it was actually very therapeutic to talk about the ups and downs and details of the last ten months, even if I wasn't ready for it.

They are writing a great blog about their travels: pausetobegin.com/blog

Day 6, No Sky Walk for You

Due to scheduling problems, and the fact that Laura and I underestimated the size of this country, I regret to say that we will not be visiting the Grand Canyon. I was really excited to see the new sky walk that protrudes out from the edge of the Canyon and allows you to float 4,000 ft. above its bottom. Bummer.

The last few days have been very hectic. We traded in the huge monster that I was driving across the country, which was full of a years worth of crap and photo equip., for a much smaller animal that just cannot hold all of my shit. Frustration ensued. But, we are slowly figuring it out, and will be on the road tomorrow, and on our way to camp in Big Sur for a few days.



Yesterday we hung out at the beach in San Diego with Daniel and Dana--Laura's brother and sister-in-law--and their new puppy, Petey. Good times.

Coming Home: Day 3, San Diego, CA

Photo by Laura and Blackberry

Photo: Last picture taken with 2001 Chrystler 300M (Steve). Ten months, twenty-one thousand miles, one tow, six oil changes, twenty-five states, no tickets, no flats, three new drive-shafts, and five-bungi-cords-holding-bumper-together later, "Steve" has been traded for a 2006 Nissan Sentra. No name yet.

So, Laura and I have not spent more then four days with each other since July, 2007. We are now embarking on a thirty-day cross-country tourist fest. I will be taking many pictures, all of which (thankfully!) will be completely unrelated to Boonville.

It's been great being reunited with Laura. But in a small car together for thirty days? We will either have the greatest time, want to kill each other, or both--Please stay tuned! Laura is writing a blog about the trip as well: Roemer's Reality

We are off to the Grand Canyon on Tuesday!

Stranded

Where is Amy Stein when you need her? I think I would have made a wonderful Stranded subject. Too bad.

While I was on my way through SF to pick up Laura in San Diego my car died. Actually, my drive shaft died. After twittering my situation, Geoff (@sadkids) showed up to enjoy in the fun. We got a ride with the tow-truck driver, had lunch, and I spent an hour or so taking pictures on Brannan St.

Half of my life-savings later (not saying much), I am back on the road. Or I will be very soon.

Thank You and Farewell, For Now

I've spent the last ten months traveling to six different regions of this country. I have struggled with myself for much of the trip. I have encountered personal battles that I have won and lost. And I have discovered first-hand the infinite possibilities and layers of the American landscape.

"The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem" -Walt Whitman.

With Boonville, I'm examining these six towns and the people that inhabit them as my way to investigate life and modernity in America: The typology, the people, the power, the corruption and the soil: All of this is my exploration of America's identity; through one lens, "one" town, and one collective ideology.

The first part of this project--the journey--is essentially over. Farewell, and thank you all. I have had the single greatest experience of my life. And without many of you (I began to make a list of names but stopped when it reached 200), it could not have been even remotely possible.

I would like to thank a few very special people: Laura Roemer, Spencer Chandler, George Rosa, Sandra Briner + Mike Zmuda, Skip + Dawn Briner, Karen + Charlie Roemer, Jason Covert and Andrew Dailinger. You were all instrumental in making this project come true. Thank you.

And thank you to every single Boonvillian and friend I have met along the way. You--individually and collectively--have given me more then I could have ever imagined.

This journal is not complete. Stay tuned for more, if you'd like.

Playing w/ Records

Shawn + Max Records, Portland, OR, 2008

I'm currently in Portland, OR. I've been having a tough time creatively while in Boonville, CA--I'm simply coming to the end of my rope. So I took off at the last minute on Saturday to get out of my head, and visit with an old high school friend, and Shawn Records. I've been having a nice and relaxing time: Playing video games with Mik (HS buddy) and his son, and tossing the frisbee with one of Shawn's two kids. I'm also lounging around with Shawn in his backyard, drinking beer and dorking out. A good visit. I am back to Boonville on Thursday after a nice coastal camping trip.

I turn twenty-seven on Wednesday.

In Search of America, Part 4.

Flags & Roses, Boonville, IN, 2008

Anyone else feel like sleeping till noon, and then taking a nap at three? You questioning your existence? NO? Me neither!

"I have been traveling lately trying to understand what it means to be American. I have been doing my best to become an American, I have been eating, driving, dressing, talking, etc like an American, watching how Americans talk to each other, how they think, how they react, what they say behind closed doors, etc. What does it mean to be American? What have we become? What is our future? Are we realizing that everything we have allowed ourselves to become in the past 30 years is going to slowly kill us? Have we dug our own grave and are we now polishing the casket?" - Will Steacy

vs.

"The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth have probably the fullest poetical nature. The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem. In the history of the earth hitherto the largest and most stirring appear tame and orderly to their ampler largeness and stir. Here at last is something in the doings of man that corresponds with the broadcast doings of the days and night. Here is not merely a nation but a teeming nation of nations." -Walt Whitman