just when you thought you have seen it all...

... so I told you about Chris here in Moab. well, watch this: he rebuilds classic cars. right now he works on a beautiful willie's jeep forward control truck [ what a name ! ] . in two weeks he will than tow this beauty 2000 miles to Maryland behind his bus . to his brother. for whom this truck is for. no need to mention that every little piece was sand blasted before put back and than a beautiful orange /white paint job .. all really outstanding. see the customized bus too.. awesome !! you rock , Chris


chris at his shop.


the willie's with ten more days to go.


testing the willie's


the customized bus with even a shower mounted on the outside. the way to travel

mooooaaaaab/utah

Utah has an amazing landscape and lots of sun.


Utah has rain too. while the sun shines.


energy level jumps with freshly made berry smoothie on the road

driving from New Mexico passing the four corner point [ four states : New Mexico, Arizona, Utah , Colorado ] and entering Utah with its unique landscape is always very thrilling. I just love this place on earth. spend a lot of time photographing there , so I feel I almost know every little creek and gravel road... but I only think I do ... its waaaaay to big . In Moab I met Ulla and Chris again.. good drinks on the porch with breath taking view of the red rocks at sunset... Chris is specialized in old cars and instantly took a test drive... loves the car and the feel . we will check the B. today , lift it and do some small touch ups if needed... next days I will just spend here in Moab. its way to beautiful and I love to meet all the friends and companions I still have here.. not to mention the landscape . almost unreal..

contrast

beauty.



reality.


three feet away.

thought I show you something..... I sleep in very cheap Motels so the B can park three feet away from my door. make sure you dont miss the harlekin hanging nicely framed on the wall ... :-) This room is in the Farmington , New Mexico .

cool sunday

what a day. my good old friend, the living legend Catherine Baca ( worked with her a lot in New Mexico ) called my just when I did the last blog in the early sunday morning. after ten years we just had to talk about soo much, so she made the best sunny side up eggs ever, told me they are really organic , well then ... it was wonderful to have breakfast at her house. after leaving Santa Fe around noon I somehow missed some intersections and ended up... somewhere else.. met beautiful people, photographed with the 4x5 camera, did hit heavy rain in the mountains, had to go off road to get over the mountains ( hard for the Barracuda ) and almost ran out of gas... but we made it ! ha ! after long and lonely ride over winding roads I finally arrived in Farmington. The local brewery had the most amazing ever potato salad ( yes similar to the eggs in da morning ) and an excellent burger . not to mention the brewed beer..... I have to admit things just happen when one lets go totally... we learn every day.


Catherine had to sit in the B. of course


rain in the mountains in northern new mexico


locally brewed beer at 3RB


finally I know why everything is changing so fast !!

while driving

the typical elbow drive


somewhere in texas

so, what actually happens when driving an 1965 Plymouth Barracuda cross the country ? first, you always want to be aware how the machine is doing, so you watch all the gauges and speed and all, you listen to the engine, the tires , the wind and you feel absolutely happy !! the B. cruises perfectly at a speed of 70-80 miles per hour. when its not too hot I have all windows open and can smell the changes of landscape and all. the morning smells different than the noon or the afternoon. you don't want to drive behind a livestock chicken hauler ... it really stinks beyond anything and you might consider becoming a vegetarian, then again in the evening when hungry you just pick what you like best .... humans are cruel.. the good thing is, that the B. has a lot of power and you can always bypass quickly when there is no police in sight. then sometimes you smell fresh cut grass, and the wet fresh air in the morning. that is just enough to make your day. this is something I miss terribly while living in New York. In moments like that I don't even want to listen to music, just hear the constant humming of the B. while floating over the road. man, the americans knew how to built cool and excellent cars in the 60ies. that's for sure. many things go through your mind while driving such a long distance, thoughts are jumping back and forth depending very much on the music you are listening... reminding one on very good or not so good moments in life. it really is wonderful ! enough sentimental talk now, its raining in Santa Fe and this beautiful city turned into a touristic capital with lots of strange tourist "art" pieces.. nothing like I had it in mind when I was working here in the 90ies.. so I will check the B. and then off to the road again... who knows where I will sleep tonight...

lucky number

just when i entered New Mexico on the Highway No 40 all turned 22222 !

nite and day rider

moring sunrise and foggy fields even though it is in the 80ies at 6 am



gas up on the way somewhere in oklahoma


iced mocca in a stylish metal bottle bought at that very gas station above


started at 4.30 am this morning. it's not as hot and wonderful to drive with the sun rising. The B. is just so devine. drives very smooth, fast, silent and is soo frickin' cool. 18 mpg or 15 l/100km with a cruisin' speed of 70-80 miles per hour, no complaints. air condition works excellent and all the gauges are just as I need them. not to mention the sound of the V8 when starting the strong 318 machine at gas station..... the hassle I had when I bought the new ipod radio some days ago was totally worth it. it was a bit complicated to mount it into the B.... but sound is just great ! after arriving in Amarillo/Texas early afternoon I took a good nap in motel and I will start early tomorrow again. this road trip is beyond imagination so far. I am back and forth with having tears of joy in my eyes and just singing loud in the car and laughing like a crazy one...

last fine tunes

the oil pressure gauge down on the left..



today we finished up the last repairs and the radiator is top again. to be able to control oil pressure we installed new gauge. just a red light is not secure enough. so the Barracuda is ready to roll.. i will start driving west this night to avoid the extreme heat of 100F in the shade.. oh yeah ...... !

new friends in Arkansas

here is the gang: left Dale, the former owner of the Barracuda and lawyer in town. me. Robert, the repair master in Mountainberg. Don, the professor of the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith. In background : the B. with open hood.

university of arkansas

oh boy, I don't know where to start. while the Barracuda is at repair to get a new oil pressure gauge ( the engine is fine ), I met the chair of art department of the uni of arkansas in fort smith. wonderful guy, Don and his lovely wife Jeanny. so we said, let's improvise and do a little lecture or talk for the approx. 50 students in the graphic and design department. sure no problem ! they picked me up this morning and I took my old camera... it was a wonderful 3 hours experience with these young motivated students. very cool. then Don went with me and Dale to pick up the B. and all went well .... until I a minor radiator leak appeared after lunch break. hahahahah.. quick repair at A1 radiator in van Buren ( little town close by ). I will pick up the car tomorrow. well, one more day in fort smith doesn't hurt at all.. good food. good people. and then the whole trip starts. can' t wait. this car is unbelievably wonderful. my new friend and lucky charm.


Don with some of the students this morning.

beautiful sunday !

to make sure the barracuda is well prepared for the long haul I started to train the B. very hot day in Fort Smith with almost 100 in the shade and I knew we had some cooling problems in situations like this . I went on the highway heading east to little Rock. after a short brake to get fruits and water for next days I was heading back to Highway. people greeting, good music and the wind blowing . excellent ! when I pulled out for a short brake under a nice tree with lots of shade I checked the engine and saw two broken belts. didn't want to take any risks and called towing company Dale recommended. Warren an Jeff showed up and first thing they did was taking pictures of the B !!!! they loved the B and we very instantly friends. they told me lot's of stories about the Barracuda. Jeff is an airplane mechanic at the USAF who joined his future brother in law, Warren, when he heard it was a 65 Barracuda. he instantly inspected the B., found out what was wrong and told me that all the rest is in wonderful condition. we towed the B to a specialist and he will soon have a very close look at all the little things I found out the last 3 days. So all cool. perfect test drive ! let it happen now and not later when I am on the road. I know I can totally rely on the Barracuda because I treat the B with respect. Life is sooo beautiful !

good thai food is hard to find

out here good thai food is hard to find , but this place as shabby as it looks is really good for take away ! went there several times already to get some take out . basil chicken and larb are my favorites. washed down with two cans of beer in front of the motel room facing the B. heaven.

B. at night

helping hands

coming from New York, used to the extreme pace, this here feels sooo different. everywhere easy , friendly people, happy to help in any situation , always happy to have a chat. i had about 15 thumbs up just in the last three days since I drive the Barracuda. people always ask what year and smile that this baby still runs and looks great .. Even older ladies want to have a closer look of the car's interior when its parked. it probably reminds them on some romantic moments ... beautiful ! Dale, the former owner is a lawyer and he really was a great help with anything I needed while getting ready for this trip. From paperwork , to registration, to insurance, to minor repairs, all. he even wanted to change the plates in person. I can't thank him enough. cheers my new friend !

waiting in Fort Smith

paperwork done , drivers license on the way and then somehow my visa didn't show up on the computer of the DMV.. they said it can take 3-5 days for homeland security to clear my visa status.. well then that's what is meant to be . so I am here in Fort Smith waiting to get it all done . may be early next week. hey , there should be a wonderful lake around here....

its all true

so I flew to Fort Smith/Arkansas and met with Dale. After talking about the car and its beautiful story, test driving , lunch, test driving on highway , meeting the mechanic Dave, who actually did put this car together we closed the deal in my hotel room. old school. cash , handshake, sign, done. next days all the paperwork has to be done. seriously peops, I have done a lot in my life, from living with tribes in the rainforest of Ecuador to photograph surfers at the legendary wave of Uluatu/Bali to Olympic Games... but standing here in front of that Plymouth Barracuda beauty with the upcoming journey through this wonderful country I am totally touched and blown away. Can't really find words......

fortune cookie some days ago

waiting in Arkansas

it all starts with a dream. a vision. its all there. and waiting. wednesday June 17th is the day when all begins. enjoy the ride.