6/23/11 Moab, UT

Here we are driving through Utah, passing through the canyons and rolling hills of what once used to be ancient land, roamed by creatures of the past and ruled by the dinosaurs. We just left Moab, Utah where we took the day to ride the mountain bikes in the valley of Arches National Park. We took a mountain bike trail up Klondike Bluff, where we passed by the remnants of dinosaur tracks fossilized in the stone. Once at the top of the trail we hit a lookout over Arches that was truly magnificent. There is a deep sense of peace and contentment overlooking the canyon valley and gorge below without any other people for miles. It is truly a different world out West..

From Steamboat Springs, CO, we headed west to Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge. Dinosaur is part of deposits from an ancient sea formed over a billion years ago where fossils have been found of creatures from a time we only know of from the history books. We camped out in the back country there, on top of a ridge of one of the deposits where It got so windy in the night I almost thought our tent was going to fly away with us inside. With little sleep gained from the gusty winds of Colorado we headed north on the way to Yellowstone National Forest.

We stopped at Flaming Gorge, a deep canyon consisting of rocks of a deep crimson color with water so clear and blue, it was impossible not to swim, and with no one around for miles I found it a good time to strip naked and jump off of the rocks into the luscious waters below. Needless to say, It was much colder than expected and jumped off again. Jon and I hit the road again northbound when we saw snow still covering the mountains that we were heading to with temperatures dropping into the 30's in June. We realized that it was still too cold to be taking a Northwestern route. We headed southwest to Salt Lake City, UT where we spent the night with Jon's family and rode the bikes around a bit through unmarked trails and exploring over a small cave on the mountain side.

We are on our way to Zion National Park in Springdale, UT before we head into Arizona and Las Vegas. Until then I wish the best to all of my friends and family.

6/20/2011 Steamboat Springs, CO

Yesterday was started off in Denver as I picked up Jon from the airport in the morning. From there we headed out West towards the mountains. We were going to camp out in the Rocky Mountain Nat Park, until we were informed in Winter Park, CO that it was going to snow at least another 6 inches out there  ....  Yes, in June. Still snow on the mountains in almost what is going to be July! After a good bike ride in Winter Park we kept on north and stopped by in Steamboat Springs to grab a beer before the rest of our drive for the day. We ended up not leaving to meeting some great Colorado folk living right in town almost. This town has been nothing short of awesome, everyone we have met has been extremely helpful and friendly.
A pristine town nestled in the heart of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

06/19/11 Denver, Colorado

Well folks, I made it out West.
The drive from Michigan was long and flat but I managed to get here in one piece. It was quite a sight as your coming over the hill in Colorado and then all you see is the flatlands with the Rocky Mountains in the background looming above everything else. It has been a busy few days trying to get together two mountain bikes and accessories to be able to place them on my truck but was able to get it together for $1,000. The first night in Colorado was not to impressive... I headed to the college town of Boulder, which is nested in the foot hills of the mountains. I thought the scene there would be very different than it actually was. I played the banjo on Perl street mall and made some extra funds but was not impressed at all with the people I came across. I decided to leave and not come back to that town as I stayed in Denver saturday night.
My second day in Colorado was much better as when I was buying a mnt. bike from a fellow on Craigslist, I stuck around, had a few beers and met some awesome people. I stuck around there for a few hours, getting the true feel of Colorado locals. The neighbor also payed me $20 to play some banjo on his porch for his kids and the neighborhood to hear. Although I missed most of the day to busk on the street corner due to getting a hitch installed on my truck, I headed back to downtown Denver to post up after the Rockies baseball game.
I am now heading to the airport to pick up Jon, and from there will be geared up for the summer trip.

Until then,
Tyler

6/12/11 St. Joseph, Michigan

It has been almost a month now since I first arrived into Michigan and I only have 3 more days remaining until I continue my journey out to the West where I play to stay for the summer and fall. Although working 12 hours a day is getting tedious, I have also been having great times with family. I have been working on more banjo songs for my routine and have played more piano in the past month than I have in years. This weekend we played for a birthday party and played at the River's Edge bar the weekend before. Also, Friday night I went out with my cousin Maria and her boyfriend Mike out to Silver Beach in the night hours. It is a very relaxing feeling up here by the lake.
Although, I have been itching to get back on the journey more than anything. I only have 3 full working days until the long drive to Colorado which will be made much easier having some money saved up. The fellow who I have been painting with, Scott, has been a real kick to work with. He is the type of man that would pull over at any part of the day to dig through a dumpster for any signs of Copper, Brass, Aluminum, or just any metal in general to take to the scrapyard.

Summer road trip '11 is about to begin....