Thursday, July 16, 2009

Minot, North Dakota

...Montana is extra wide, realizing this from a bike is even easier then on a car (though I've heard that it seems wide even from the speedy perspective. Have been grinding away on my bicycle and think I'm about halfway through the States. Going to take a little break in Michagin and will then continue on, to see and seek out rocks unturned.
Pictures and another excerpt from chapter two:












"After and in the duration of eating, Tonten and Estes decide to ride further, while Jay and Hayden plan to camp in the area and hike around the park, while forward motion has become an addiction of the newly formed duo. The couple of days spent with Jay and Hayden full of paper, rock, scissors, undiscernable card games, beers, pork and beans, eggs, huckleberry coffee, snacks of meat sticks, steep climbs, eternal plummits, and the like has done him well. Estes and Tonten bid farewell to the couple and just like that they're off. Another hill to climb accompanied by windy roads thereafter- an up and down day. Tonten an offwhite bullet; Estes struggles to keep up, sometimes ahead and sometimes lagging far behind. An exciting new challange compared to the past couple of days meandering with two spinners. Tonten is a masher, while Estes falls somewhere between the two. They pull off about halfay to the town of browning sharing trailmix and a joint.
Tonten went to school at UC Santa Cruz, where he grew up and still resides: living out in the woods in a tarpshelter full with a double burner stove and a futon- a white wine wimper wispering softly to bed. He happens his way into free food- in whatever way that may happen- dumpsters, fanny packs, cross eyed jokers. They immediately take together a quest or at least the shared company of the open road eastward, twoards the same New York State.
Blasting through the foothills and into the next town, where streets are blocked by cop cars after they exit from a sheapish burger filled with free fries- snatched from the table perpendicular. A quick grab before the waitress has the chance to do her job of relinquishing unused foodscraps to the garbage. They step out into the oddity of mainstreet, doubling as highway two: the duo's route for another 800 miles or so. The town is busting with life-
"Watch out for the horses!" people continously hollar, as if a trample is inevitable.
"Get outta tha road!"
Estes and Tonten look at eachother, confused and conflicted, but pull off near the end of town, taking shelter from the howling winds behind a dirty building who scatters paint chips with the slightest nudge. They set out to find a grocery despensary, but now they stand in gaffaw as 200 wild horses barge through town- the start of the rodeo commencing the following day, as memorial for one killed in a drunk driving accident. Laughing, strangely amused, they saddle up as new age cowboys and follow those groping to the past's version of similar tradition. They arrive at the grocery store and stock up on neccessities. Estes finishes his shopping first, posting up alongside his radiant cycle and plays songs- urging to be heard over the hussle and bussle of Rodeo season. Though almost inaudible he makes a cool ten which evidently covers for the food just purchased. Off and out of town, a firstly shortsided mission, forgetting water and trickling back to the edge of town to brim up their various recepticals.
Finally off after a long day of passes and windy roads, strange controlled stampedes on a highway, oodles of tricks about life on the road. Tonten and Estes pull off with a sigh of relief- duck through barbed wire after throwing their bags and bikes over, reattaching mountains of gear and treck over a gully to a wide open field invisable to passerby. At the edge of this field is a little white cottage, followed by a shanty; looking completely constructed from clothes lines. They share Tonten's tent since there are no trees: Estes stares at the sky and eventually works up the energy for a nights rest."

11 comments:

steph said...

You're quite a writer, I didn't know this about you...how fun to read about a real-life adventurer. Good luck with your journey-peace.

Mimi said...

Dearest Sebastian, I am following your trip with great interest. Each new town is marked with a red X on my National Geographic Atlas maps. I'm so happy that you have found a "buddy" to travel with -- your great grandfather always advised us not to travel alone! I'm enjoying the pictures and novel too. Vaya con Dios, and all my love, Mimi

Unknown said...

Your journey is inspiring and reminiscent of one who went before. He said,"Oh, I will go up and down the country and back and forth across the country. I will go out West where the states are square. I will go to Boise and Helena, Albuquerque and the two Dakotas and all the unknown places. Say brother, have you heard the roar of the fast express? Have you seen starlight on the rails?" U. Utah Phillips Check out his music. He may be a kindred spirit...he is for me.
-from Jane's cohort AJR (Moms)

Anonymous said...

Jeeze son! You are flying across this country like a whooper on jet fuel. Less than 3 weeks and you are half way. IMPRESSIVE! You are a beacon of illumination for us all.Keep on writing and riding the wave. Love and peace POP

arthlo said...

Dearest Estes,
Levi here... checkin' in on my enlightened brotha -- not only do we share blood and therefore those fragmented nucleotides that make up our genetic blueprint, but I also feel a common bond between our mental acumen, a visionary kind of outlook on the unknown future... your trek reminds me that as human beings on this spaceship we call planet earth, we are continually faced with seeing into the void and attempting to comprehend the vastness of the universe and the undeniable sense of insignificance as individuals within a sea of cosmic interconnectedness. you are powerful, you are a warrior of this cosmic ocean on which you are making a major impact. I may be rambling, but I hope my words inspire you.
As you travel through the flat fields, over the massive mountains, past the raging rivers, into the fantastic forests, and under the serene skylines remember that my spirit is there with you ever time you push and pedal along the seemingly endless miles...
I am so damn proud of you and have utmost respect for your adventurous attitude towards life's journey. Keep on fuckin truckin!
MUCH LOVE,
Levi

Anonymous said...

Chris said...
From an old prairie dog to a young prairie dog! I am full of jealousy and envy of your journey across state lines. I will join you on your journey through your blog and I'm wishing you the best of luck. All of Texas loves you! Enjoy life my friend.

Anonymous said...

Wow... I've gotta say that two years back I would not have forseen this from you. You have not only become everything I thought you could be, you have surpassed it. I feel like you have gone from a good idea of what your style is, into something that is pure Sebbi. Something that is easy as changing your scenery, into transending the grips of modern society, and making something new. I can seriously say that you are an inspiration to me, and that I am trying to better myself in some small way because of you.

Best Regards,
Zane

Xander said...

Damn son, what an epic journey. Looks like so much fun. I told my dad about about it, and now he wants to ride across the country spreading the word.

Keep on the trucking route. I'm glad that I can say I know the dude on the crazy bike!

-Xander

Liz said...

That's my birthday :)
I like your pictures and wish you luck on the rest of your adventure, looks like fun so far.

Liz said...

and writing a book about your journey is a great idea

Caleb said...

seb,

i am inspired by your photos and writing that i got chills!

"right on!" should sum it up.

and no, i haven't been painting. but i've been photographing a lot -- showed them at the northern for arts walk -- and sold two of those giant head paintings!

good luck in new york,

hope to see you again someday,

Caleb