For years, I had wanted to take my khaki green Triumph Scrambler on an epic roadtrip, something that was more than just a weekend getaway. With 30 days of vacation time, I had roughly a range of about 10,000 miles. It was a range that brought a lot of options, and although I dreamt of going to Alaska, my window to leave was too early in the season, and many roads would still be closed. I poured over the map again and noticed that, from my apartment in Washington DC, I had nearly the entirety of the United States between me and the Pacific coast. That would be the trip: head west until I hit the ocean, then turn around.

I spent months obsessing over the trip, much to my girlfriend's annoyance. While I bought new gear, anything I thought I might need for a solo cross-country, she worried for my safety. While I read ride reports and watched Ewan McGregor's documentary "Long Way Round" one more time, she envied the fun I would have. When everything was packed and prepped, with only a single night before my departure, I sat down on the couch next to Alyssa and tried to relax as we watched TV together. Or rather, she watched. My thoughts were elsewhere. I was like I kid on Christmas Eve, anxiously waiting for the morning...

Appalachia

The South

The Flatlands

The Southwest

Triumph at the Pacific

A Shifting Focus

The Midwestern Plains

Homecoming