1 Month, 6 states, 2 cracker-barrels and some grab ass

Well folks Im currently typing from the VIP loft in "The Penthouse" (what we have named our condo) in Jackson Hole. I came over  the Teton pass and was greeted by a magnificent view of the mountains. After a month on the road, I look back at all the adventures that I had and what an amazing trip it was.

Clarence gave me a great tour of USC. Thanks Clarence.

I was able to then head north on the coastal road. Let me tell you that this drive might be one of my favorite parts of the trip. I stayed a night in Shell Beach (if you read this, ask me for the story someday) and then headed up to San Francisco to stay with very old family friends Cal and Jack Kennedy. We determined that it had been almost ten years since we had really gotten to hang out. We played video games. Some things never change.

I then headed to Pescadero, California. My Aunt Cathey and Uncle Dan live in a beautiful house on top of "Alice Hill" with their two dogs, Lili and Sally. They have an amazing olive tree farm and are looking to produce some oil this harvest! Looking forward to a taste test! Anywho,  it was an amazing way to wind down my trip with some good family lovin'. Thank you again Aunt Cathey and Uncle Dan for everything.

After a depressing loss for the Broncos, I took off for salt lake city the next morning. Stayed with Woody one night and Beebs the next.  Cruised home.

After the whole trip with nothing happening to the Black Pearl, I accidently left the lights on last night and the battery died. I'll let her sleep for a few days. Good work Pearl.

My travels have come to an end for the moment as the job fair for the mountain starts tomorrow. I would like to thank everyone that hosted me throughout the trip. Without you, the trip would have never happened or been nearly as exciting. I love you all.

UGH...milk was a bad choice

After a marvelous week and a half of sweet San Diego livin', I hit the road again last night. I am now currently sitting in a 24 hour Subway restaurant across the street from the University of Southern California. I was able to crash last night at an old friends place. Thanks Caroline!  (FYI Los Angelas is a very stressful place with little parking and a lot of honking)

Anywho, one of the main purposes of this road trip was to get to San Diego to see some of my best buds! I want to start off by saying thank you to Ben Meyers. (Id think twice about stepping into your closet) I would also like to thank Matt Alaimo and my two best buddies John Brow and Paul Lipcius. And who can forget the legendary Peter Kim, Chris Martin and Matthew Hughes! Thank you all for your hospitality and for putting up with my shenanigans for the past visit. 

It was truly an amazing experience for me. I am not sure I could have laughed any more than I did in the past week. I was able to meet up with Janelle Sauve and Alyssa Kelly who had just recently moved out to what I now think of as paradise. Thanks for sharing your doll house! I was also fortunate enough to see John's mother while she was visiting. It is always a pleasure Mrs. Jake.

Evan came out for an epic taco Tuesday full of mega margs and we even got to go surfing! I was able to surf three times while in San Diego. Once with Paul (got crushed by the uber swell comin down from Laguna), once with Evan and Paul (surfed some sick waves at La Jolla) and once with John (pretty much just paddled out and floated). 

Unfortunately Matt, Ben's friend and roommate, had to return to Connecticut for awhile. He threw one hell of a denim bar crawl for his going away party. Most fun I think I have ever had on a bar crawl. Best wishes Matt!

I would like to congratulate John Brow on his new job as well as Ben Meyers for becoming a homeowner.  Traveling itself is an incredible learning experience for me but what is truly special is to be able to go see some of your best friends succeeding in this crazy world. The relationships they have built has created a home-like atmosphere that I am grateful for and will cherish forever.

Anywho, I now highly anticipate my lunch with Clarence Cheung and his tour of the USC campus. I have a dinner date with Miley later. Forever and always, "You stay classy San Diego". Till next time.

Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial (Favorite spot in San Diego)

 The president of the memorial happened to be there

 Too epic

 Down at La Jolla with some surfer bro gettin' ready

 The Black Pearl kickin' it with the vett

 This was the first bar...

Thats that good good

My road trip has taken me from Salt Lake City, through Moab and then down into Phoenix to visit my old buddy Nick Hewett. On my way from Utah and into Arizona I tried to visit the Grand Canyon but unfortunately the government has shut down and the park was closed. This was the first I had heard about the government shutting down so it was a shock to me. Although somehow I feel blessed that I was able to find out because it affected me directly rather than reading or hearing it in the news.

I slept in the desert on my way through and had one of the most epic night of stars. It is an incredible feeling to be completely alone with absolutely no lights in the desert. I hopped up on top of the Black Pearl and star gazed for what seemed to be hours before I ended up falling asleep under the magnificent universe. I encourage everyone to look up on a clear night and wonder.

Anywho, Hewett showed me a fantastic time full of great weather, awesome bars (one kind of sketchy but it had horseshoes) and a pool! Phoenix is a pretty great spot and my man is doing it well. Thanks Hewett.

The next stop was SAN DIEGO. Translation was lost many moons ago...

Hewett in his oddly shaped, baller pool

Kickin' it by the pool all day

 Evan and Paul being badass

 John crushin', Paul pinchin'

 Where the koalas at?!

 Panorama of La Jolla

"If I lose my keys its because of the mormons, if my car gets stolen its because of the ski bums"

Well folks the road trip continues and I have now left Denver and have traveled to Salt Lake City, through Moab and now am currently in Phoenix. (Inside a Mcdonalds escaping the blistering heat produced by the sun). I left Denver Friday night and drove about half way to Salt Lake City and then crashed in the back of the van.  I woke up the next morning quite refreshed and hoofed the other 5 hours to enter Salt Lake City!

Let me tell you that I love Denver and all that it has to offer. I think it is my favorite city to date. However, the view of the mountains that you get when you are in Salt Lake City is leaps and bounds better than the view in Denver.  Anywho, I was able to help one of my best friends, Woody Franklin, begin to move into his new apartment. He now lives in Salt Lake City. Right next to the Utah Republican Party and a whole bunch of churches. Also just a few blocks from downtown and bars!

I was also able to meet up with my "sista from anotha mista" Lindsay "Beebs" Beebe and meet her boyfriend and roommate. After a delightful dinner full of questionable judgements (Beebs) and laughs with Woody's dad and sister, Marga, we hit the town! The night was packed with reminiscing and ended with excess flesh being shown to strangers. (Take that as you will)

The next day Woody and I watched the best team in all the land crush the stupid Eagles. Snitches get stitches Vick. Go Broncos!

Anywho, now I wait for my friend Nicholas Hewitt to stop taking it from the man and show me Phoenix. Next stop: San Diego!

Drive to Moab

 Headed to Salt Lake City

 Hey Look!

 There's Woody!

 He looks good!

 The Black Pearl

I also regret to inform you but Woody did beat me in a chugging contest for the first time in life. Congrats, 1-300 aint bad.