Background

Well, I'm finally capitulating to the modern age and starting a blog. I'm not particularly "emo" or feeling a need to cry out for help, and I don't really have a lot to say about my crush or my parents, so I never saw the need to do something like this. But I am going to Alaska and wanted to share it with friends, family and whoever else wants to read about some dude driving across the country.

It all starts with the lay-off. I was working in finance at an investment bank which, like most, had its pros and cons (although to read our heavily edited league tables we seem to be top 3 in everything). My client base was the U.S. Automotive industry (yes those guys). So pretty early on, the writing was on the wall. I needed a plan B. My warm weather plan was to buy a bike and do a cross country tour. The cold weather plan (and more likely, as banks like to fire you in January or February to avoid paying you your bonus for the past year's work) was to take my truck. I've been building a 1985 land cruiser for the past 3 years, and it seemed like a good candidate for an excursion like this.

Then the plan started to evolve. I realized that I had built a highly capable 4-wheel drive machine, and that with a few minor tweaks it would be a formidable expedition vehicle. So cross-country started to morph into camping, off-roading, and eventually Alaska. Because if you get laid off, why not?

I had brought this up a few times with my girlfriend, to get her used to the idea that if the axe fell, I'd be taking some alone time and doing some sort of vehicular shenanigan. She was extremely supportive, although I'm not sure if she actually thought I'd either get laid off or really take the trip. But the layoff did happen, and here I am.

The first leg of the journey was south, starting on Thursday March 12, and she came with me. We stopped in DC with my friend Sean and his girlfriend Elisa, and then down to Charlotte with our friends Steve and Brandi. We got warm food and warmer wishes at both stops. Then Becca (the girlfriend) took off back to New York Sunday the 15th, and I started out on my own.