I thought of all my friends from one end of the country to the other and how they were really all in the same vast backyard doing something so frantic and rushing about.
--> Jack Kerouac



Archived updates



7/29/05. Today we update from the public library in Lander, WY, having survived a drive through Bondurant, pop. 100, Boulder, pop. 75, and Farson, pop. 325, with hawks, deer, buffalo, and countless jackrabbits keeping us on our toes. The previous days were spent tubing down the Boise River, exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and risking our lives on thermal ground as we wandered over to Old Faithful geyser for some late night exploration. Next up: the Badlands and Rushmore.

7/25/05. We reached Portland after a long marathon drive through rocky coast, giant redwood trees, mountains, Shakespeare festivals and famous ice cream stands. Now we turn east and begin American Backyard's final leg in a land of gorges, valleys and volcanoes.

7/24/05. Breaking News from American Backyard --> read alert

7/24/05. Lake Oswego, OR: Journals (Brian and Ted), Photography, Videos and Writing (Ted) have been updated

7/13/05. Pescadero, CA: See for yourself why we've had such a delay in updating recently --> watch video (MP4, 4:27, 11.1 MB)

7/10/05. Pescadero, CA: After five days of living out of our van on the streets of LA, we've finally found internet with which to update the site, having seen the Grand Canyon's symphonic sunset, Las Vegas' blinding lights, Los Angeles' grime and beauty and California's coastal wonders as we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway from LA through Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Ragged Point and Big Sur in recent days.

6/30/05. Today we say goodbye to the red rocks, creeks, poetry slams, and observatories of the Sedona area. Tonight: we set up camp at the Grand Canyon. Tomorrow: Viva Las Vegas.

6/23/05. Yesterday we arrived in Sedona, AZ after a marathon drive from the White Sands of Alamogordo, NM took us through Hatch, NM--the Chili Capital of the World--and Tucson, AZ, where we witnessed a fiery sunset over the mountains.

6/20/05. We update from Santa Fe, NM, having driven through the Texas panhandle, following the sun as it set over a red-soil ranch in Vernon, TX and rose over the mountains in Las Vegas, NM. Next up: caves and desert to the south. Expect many new exciting videos, journals and pictures in the coming days.

6/17/05. We spent two days in the Big Easy and the bayou, Kerouac's "washed out bottom of America," before heading to Plano, TX to bring you this update and recuperate from a red ant attack. Today we set off through the range; the mountains and desert await.

6/13/05. Massive website update from Auburn, AL--enjoy! Please send us any comments, ideas, or suggestions. And now, finally, we turn right and head west.

6/11/05. After leaving Washington, we drove through the Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive, enjoying magnificent views of the valley below. We cooked dinner in a meadow on a mountaintop, surrounded by hundreds of grazing deer. From there we drove through the night: Charlottesville, VA, Mooresville, NC, Lake Wylie, SC, Abbeville, SC, Athens, GA, and finally arrived in Atlanta at 10 AM.

6/10/05. Yesterday we visited the National Mall and the White House, where we were able to speak with a lawyer, law librarian, veteran and long-time peace activist. Today we're off to points inland.

6/9. Last night we slept in Washington after a long, productive day in Philadelphia and awoke refreshed and ready. In Philadelphia we interviewed Robert Klenck, a retired Methodist minister and poet, who discussed his painting, writing and faith. Then we dove into the Geno's v. Pat's Philly cheese steak battle and explored UPenn.

6/8/05. Last night was spent in Warren, NJ and the night before in Narragansett, RI. Yesterday we stopped in Groton, CT and New York City, but only after meeting 3 high school sophomores in RI who gave us a spectacular glimpse into their world. Southward bound!

6/6/05. After a tranquil ride through New England, with stops in New Milford, Kent, and Lakeville, CT, rest was found in Acworth, NH--a quaint town of 600, where we spent over an hour with John, a retiree, who gave us a heartfelt tour of his home and spoke of his passion for woodworking. Off to Boston and points on the shore.

6/5/05. Commence! The boys have left Shelton, CT and are en route to Acworth, NH, which they plan to reach tonight.

6/5/05. WE'RE OFF! --> click to listen (MP3, 39 sec, 618 KB) listen (WAV, 39 sec, 3.36 MB)