Sunday 3 April 2022

Ain't that America

I haven't been ignoring you, I've been away. Honest; I got back into Heathrow on Wednesday afternoon after being in America for three weeks. Travelling across eight states on Amtrak was a belated 60th treat as well as something else to tick off my bucket-list. Seeing the U.S. from a train window is, arguably, the only way to see this vast country. You really do get up close and personal as the Southwest Chief (or Missouri River Runner - we hopped on and off various locomotives over a number of days) trundled thru mountains, deserts, dustbowls, hick towns, and a lot more besides.

And although we hired a car and did the ubiquitous Californian road trip with our friends when we met up in Los Angeles, there was a bewildering amount of treats along the way in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona that easily matched, if not exceeded, those we experienced in the Golden State. A full travelog may well appear in this blog later when I've had chance to decompress (I'm still assimilating the full magnitude of what we did in my head) and I will put together a photo-book of all the best bits once I've condensed the 1000+ photographs I took. In the meantime, here are a few images I posted along the way (if you follow me on Twitter @JohnMeddUK  you may have seen my daily updates/photo journal).

Coming in to land #Chicago


The way


No sign of Amy Turtle


Tumbleweed not pictured


Christ lives on Route 66


It's the craziest pace I've ever been


In the style of Hopper 


Whiskey Richards


Pink Floyd album cover


Preacher man


It's just a big hole in the ground; OK, it's a very big hole in the ground


Yikes


Johnny's


Main Street


Riding the Crest


Del Ray


Walking the dog


I wanted this truck


All garages should look like this


Me and Riggsby 


Walking in Venice

Travelling companions

John Mellencamp - Pink Houses (1983)


10 comments:

  1. Wow, John, wow! What a brilliant way to celebrate and spend three weeks, it sounds (and looks) fantastic - look forward to hearing more. Seeing those fabulous photos makes me realise just how different a world it is, each view could be from a film. Looking very cool yourself too.

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    1. Yep, it was brilliant; even the sleeping on the train in a tiny roomette on the top bunk! I'm glad you like the photos: I wasn't exaggerating, I really did take north of 1000 (spray and pray!)

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  2. Looks absolutely fantastic....good for you.

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    1. Thank you Mr./Mrs./Ms. Banana. Yes, good for me!

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  3. Great photos. I look forward to reading more about this trip.

    How the hell did they get that bus up there?

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    1. Thanks Rol, glad you like them.

      How, indeed? One for Fred Dinenage, perhaps.

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  4. These are great pictures John, and it feels as if they were taken of an America that doesn't exist any more, but you've just proved it does. Looks as if you had a fantastic time so good on you for making your belated big birthday trip happen. (Note to self, must do the same.)

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    1. Thank you, Alyson. Oh yes, it still exists alright - didn't need me to prove it!
      Imagine how easier Christopher Columbus' job would've been if he'd had a phone and a camera:)

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  5. Spectacular shots John, it's sounds like you had a blast. You really do need to get yourself onto Instagram (unless of course you already have...and if you already have, why don't I know about it?). Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your trip as and when.

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    1. Thank you so much, TS. I wouldn't have the time to spend on Instagram; or maybe I would and I'd end up falling down so many rabbit holes my friends'd be calling me Bugs.

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