This is one of my Favorite Road Trips.

While moving from California to Colorado I wrote a poem
to family and friends to commemorate the experience in 1993.

Departure
(I'm moving from California to Colorado)

As snow covers my new world in shimmering, crystalline white
Evening falls swift and silent, crisp and dark comes the night
My life whirls in change as clouds conceal the stars in the sky
The stars are all left undefined, but still the clouds they defy

All my family and friends to me are as the stars in the sky
Although our miles may be many, in my heart you still lie
Though I can't see you often I still know that you're there
I want you all to know that I love you and I that I truly care

A life filled with all the comforts is what I have left behind
Now an experience of wonders is all I hope that I will find
For I truly feel our lives were given to us as a gift not to waste
A whole feast of life is now requested, not merely just a taste

A life "Sold to the highest bidder" is not what I'm looking for
I don't have all the answers but I know there must be more
With all paths and doors left open, seems such a fateful deed
Adventure not achievement is what I know I really need

I have lived more than half a life attaining all the things
Now I want to learn of other's ways to see what joy it brings
And when my life is done it seems I never want to say
"I wish I did this or that,", but I didn't, I threw it all away

May all your dreams come true for you whatever they may be
And I pray your life is filled with all the love of your family
Just let us make a wish that all our desires will be fulfilled
If they're not let's hope it's cause that's not what God had willed

When our life brings to us changes may we never question why
But take the time to express our love before we say goodbye

All My Love, Allen


While awaiting the home in Colorado to be built,
I traveled across America with a tent trailer and two cats in tow.

22 States and numerous Cities visited...

• Nevada
  Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Boulder City
• Utah
  St. George, Springdale, Beaver, Salina, Thompson
• Colorado
  Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, Rifle, Leadville, Denver, Fort Collins
• Wyoming
  Cheyenne, Fort Laramie National Monument, Lusk, Wind Cave National Park
• South Dakota
  Hot Springs, Mount Rushmore National Park, Rapid City, Sturgis, Newell, Belle Fourche, Buffalo
• North Dakota
  Bowman, Amidon, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Mandan, Bismarck, Jamestown, Carrington, Langdon, Grand Forks, Fargo
• Minnesota
  Crookston, Bemidji, Cass Lake, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Superior, Saint Paul 
• Wisconsin
  St. Croix Falls, Lake City, Winona, La Crosse, Waupon, Madison, Milwaukee
• Illinois
  Chicago
• Indiana
  South Bend, Goshen, Fort Wayne, Logansport, Lafayette, Kokomo, Indianapolis, Columbus, Seymor
• Kentucky
  Louisville, Mammoth Cave National Park, Bowling Green, Albany, Mount Vernon, Prestonburg
• Virginia
  Williamson, Welch, Roanoke, Staunton, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Colonial National Historic Park, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk
• North Carolina
  Rocky Mount, Raleigh, Moores Creek National Batlefield, Wilmington
• South Carolina
  Little River, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Charleston, Allendale, Savannah, Fort Pulaski National Monument
• Georgia
  Fort Frederica National Monument, Cumberland Island National Seashore
• Florida
  Jacksonville, Castillo De San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Lake George, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Ocala, Williston, Gainesville, Lake City, Tallahassee, Panama City, Marianna, Crestview
• Alabama
  Mobile
• Mississippi
  Gulfport, Lake Ponchartrain
• Louisiana
  Covington, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Orange
• Texas
  Port Arthur, Beaumont, Galveston, Houston, LaGrange, Waelder, San Antonia, Kerrville, Junction, Sonora, Sheffield, Fort Stockton, Pecos, El Paso
• New Mexico
  Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Deming, Lordsburg
• Arizona
  Safuard National Monument, Tucson, Casa Grande National Monument, Casa Grande, Mesa, Glendale, Buckeye, Quartzsite, Parker, Lake Havasu City

"Hopper" on cross-country road trip

"Hopper" in park on cross-country road trip

"Hopper's" typical riding position

If you would like to read the very silly letters that were written
and sent to family and friends, try reading them in order.










Thanks for your patience and interest.
Allen