Interstate Journal

So I made it to New York. That's the long story made short. Here's the story at longer length: I got out of the house and on the road about an hour later than I expected to, but judging by all the maps I was looking at I would still be able to make it within a reasonable amount of time. The thing about trips though is you always forget something. I knew that once it was too late I would realize I forgot something that I absolutely needed. That's just the way it goes. I was dreading the border most of all, it would have really sucked to have to go through a hassle just cause some border guard is having a bad day. As I was approaching the Queenston/Lewiston crossing I picked a spot with two cars in front of me. The first car got the point. As in please park over there sir so we can ransack your car . The second car also got the point, and now I'm thinking is this the designated point guy for the day?! Am I gonna cavity-searched cause it was his turn to search everybody? ...

Well, I'm off to New York tomorrow and I'm a bit ambivalent about the whole thing. On the one hand I'm obviously excited as I've never done anything like this before, but on the other, I've never done anything like this before. I mean I don't like going to the movies by myself. I'm sure things will get a little easier when I cross the border and start heading towards Manhattan in earnest. I'm all packed up with plenty of clothes to hold me over until I find a nice cheap place to do my laundry on the road. I even took the time to shave my face to make sure I actually look like my passport picture. Borrowed a GPS receiver from a friend of mine, and bought a neat little camera that can take pics and 720 HD video, so I'm pretty set gadget-wise. Here's a picture of Dave in his natural environment: Dave's all cleaned up, checked out and ready to go. I guess all that needs doing now is the actual driving there. Big Apple here I come.

The Open Road. Three words that sum up the freedom, the promise, and potentially the risk, of the North American experience. I've waited far too long as it is, and so I will go, to see the things I've always wanted to see, and to live this continent from the outside-in. This will be the chronicle of my travels. Things you need to know: 1) I'm Anthony and I'm Canadian. And the great majority of this trip will be in the United States, so I'll be playing the part of the outsider while I'm there. That being said I have a great affection for America and Americans, so hopefully I can make some friends along the way. 2) Dave is my travelling partner in those whole escapade. He's a 2006 Dodge Charger (and no he doesn't have a HEMI - and please don't mention it - he's sensitive). We've spent years together driving back and forth to work and doing all the workaday things a man and his car do. We both figured it was time for a little adventure. 3) I...