Faraz and I had arrived in Quartzsite, Arizona. We made our final stop outside California off the 10 at a Love’s Travel Stop. We then stocked up on water and the basics. We’d driven 1881 miles over 7 days and had another 260 to go. We had left Chicago and stopped in Springfield, IL, St. Louis, Tulsa, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Flagstaff, Phoenix, and a number of small towns, notably Grants, NM.

We passed Joshua Tree National Park where I would head with a former partner 2 years later. The Salton Sea was about an hour southeast of Joshua Tree. I’d make a trip to the Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain with another wonderful person several months prior. We’d explore the bizarre anarchism of Slab City and navigate the East Jesus art gallery in the empty yet serene desert. I’d pass through San Gabriel, LA’s Chinatown, Hollywood, and the Getty — All places that I’d explore over the next four years.I even checked out San Diego and stopped at 8 breweries with some Chicago friends. Here’s a few pictures I’ve taken since the big move showcasing my love for the Golden State.

There’s more to the story. You caught me in a daydream — a respite from the stresses of unaffordable and bustling Los Angeles. I dropped Faraz off at The Grove in La Brea. He informed me of his mission to head up to Apple HQ in Cupertino. He might have had a meeting with Tim Cook or another Apple big-wig. I wished him well. We hugged and went our separate ways. A week had passed, driving cross-county in a 3600 pound automobile. Our conversation ceased for several months, but we’ve had adventures since then. There’ll be more to come.

I took the 405 northbound to Reseda, where I’d spend the next 8 months. Reseda had a strange familiarity to my old Pilsen neighborhood minus the suburbia. It reminded me of Terminator 2 and John Conner’s home. Coincidentally, that’s where the movie was filmed. I’d get high with the gangbanger in the alley. He was a nice neighborhood kid to smoke with. We’d share stories of our different journeys and philosophies. Our difference was that I’d been dealt a better hand at birth. vMy first few months in Reseda were wonderful as I began to settle into Los Angeles. Reality hit and I had to find a job. I’d spend the next year underemployed working one-on-one with Autistic individuals and teaching coding a la Minecraft to kids.

It’s been an incredible journey. I don’t doubt there are other paths I could have taken, but I chose this one and I’ll continue to give it my all. There’s been misery, heartbreak, and struggle, but with all the bad in the world, I prefer to look toward the light. See you in sunny California!