The departure date has now been set. Or, I should say, it has been reset. My original intention was to depart on September 7, 2010. That date, seemed however to have been placed capriciously in my mind, since closer inspection of the calendar revealed that not only did it fall on a Tuesday, but that it is the Tuesday after Labor Day. There is simply no sense in wasting three days of a long weekend. So, the new, real date, will be September 4th. On that day, I plan to leave Houston early in the morning, at 6:30, half an hour before sunrise.
To those that have heard me talk about this trip, it is well known that my destination is Death Valley, in South-East California. Those that have followed my previous journeys also know that I will not take the landscape-killing, and topography killing highways and interstates. This will turn, what would be an endless, and absolutely boring 1,500 mile ride on multi-lane I-10, into a 2,200 mile journey through small towns, mountains, valleys, and deserts, with all the changes in weather, stops in small towns, and personal experiences that define a true adventure. I expect to make it to Death Valley within 5 days, camping, photographing, and writing along the way. Like it happened in previous journeys, I am looking forward to very personal, and upclose, experiences and encounters with Gods magnificent creation. Besides the destination, what defines and diferentiates this trip from others I have taken in the past is its purpose. No longer will I be riding for my own satisfaction. Instead, I am hoping to raise awarenes to the plight of millions today, who are the victims of human trafficking, and those who are enslaved to satisfy our hunger for material goods.
The points between Houston, Death Valley, and Houston are yet to be determined. I know that they will include Archer City, TX, home town of famous author, and Rice University graduate, Larry McMurtry; Canyon, TX, along with Palo Duro Canyon. The Kodachrome Basin in Utah, the Mojave Desert, and Monument Valley are also in the schedule somewhere. The first stop, however, is likely to be Albany, TX, a small town East of Abilene, with a very nice art collection displayed at the Old Jail Foundation Art Center, and a wonderful bed and breakfast by across the courthouse.
With 40 days until departure, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for the success of the ultimate goal of this trip.