2009. This year, I’ve driven across the United States three times. Most recently from Buffalo, New York back to Los Angeles, California. The trip that landed me in Buffalo and back on the east coast was the BFGoorich Nation of GO tour. In June, I piloted an equipment van from Atlanta to Los Angeles for a film shoot that I worked on as a Camera Operator.

Why?

Because I love driving. The United States is a great country to drive across. It doesn’t matter if you spend 2 days or 20 days getting across it. Sea to shining sea, the US is a road trip friendly country. Our infastructure revolves around the highway system and in 2,500 miles you can see a lot of America.

For example, the image above is in a traffic jam as a result of sub-freezing temperatures, swirling white outs of snow, and over seven inches of snowfall that hit Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa at the beginning of October 2009. Days before, I was in 90+ degree heat in Austin, Texas. Followed by brisk fall nights in Cleveland, Ohio.

Here are a few of my favorite images from an upcoming post about my NY2LA (New York to Los Angeles) road trip. All shot with my trusty, Panasonic LX2 Point n Shoot.

Never ending roads, drive until you hit the coast, rest up, turn around and drive until you hit the other. Here is the beginning of one trip. And the end of another. I just ended the longest road trip I’d been on to date and am going to start another. Planning another for later this year and dreaming about many more to come. Thank you to the people who made this past trip a blast. Cory, Dave, Eric, Mark, Kevin, Travis, Katie, Lindy, Chris, Mom and Dad. Thanks!

Richmond, VA. The end of the Nation of GO.

On the way to Skyline Drive. Harrisonburg, VA. Hi Sawyer!

Grilled Cheese faced sister. Cleveland, OH.

The beginning of another. Stay posted.

SFO to LAX, home, pack backpack, back to LAX, to PHL, layover, breakfast, PHL to ATL. Traveling last week was busy busy busy.

I did get to have some fun and do something I’ve always wanted to do- surprise Kelly in Atlanta… and visit the Georgia Aquarium. 

The Georgia Aquarium was the largest in the world when it was constructed and its gigantic- housing hammerheads, beluga whales, and whale sharks.

The large viewing theater is really cool.

Not bad panning blur action from the LX2 point n shoot. 

Hello my treacherous friend, the pirana.

Later gator.

One of many Cichlids.

Macro photography. Its captivating to watch the different varieties of fish swim around the tanks. How they each propel themselves in different manners with strokes of their fins and tails.

Otter and frisbee.

The beluga whales were really tough to photography because of the dark cold waters.

Japanese Spider Crabs. Look like they are sitting in meditation.

The front acrylic face of the largest tank is a sight to behold.

One of the four whale sharks swims past the crowd.

A conveyor belt takes visitors through the center of the main tank as all of the sharks, rays, and fish swim overhead.

From the bottom looking up.

Artificial wave.

Until next time Atlanta. What up Drift Mechaniks.

For more images.

Cobra grill. The cobra insignia jumped sides of the car- to allow for a new intake on the driver’s side.

Lodge at Sonoma. 19″ SVT wheels. 

I like the front end & fascia. How the hood and the front lip of the bumper come together. Its really aggressive. The height of the doors is too high. When you are inside. The car comes up to your shoulders- probably a side impact design feature- but that’s why I drive a 1995 car that only comes up to my chest when I’m seated.

Interior is improved over the 2010 Mustang GT.

Some nice GT500 badging.

Shift knob is actually custom made for Ford/Shleby by a billiards company. Pool ball shifter.

Drove the GT500 along PCH- HWY 1 and over east towards Sonoma.

Down the PCH.

Along the way.

Running down another unsuspecting mini-van.

Even though things were flying by- I want to go back and check out all the great towns along the way. At leisure.

Ahoy.

The re-fuel point.

Some good grub at the Underwood Bar & Bistro. Flatbread with caramelized onions and blue cheese. killer.

Back on the road.

The Shelby badging now goes across the rear of the trunk lid. Underneath the functional lip spoiler.

Some Shelby GT500′s ready to hit the road again.

Thanks to Ford & Shelby for inviting us on the GT500 drive. It was a great event. 

I even got to run my fastest 1/4 ET of 12.7 in the GT500. The GT500 is solid at $45k and the torque of the 5.4l supercharged V8 is unreal. Plus the traction and stability control don’t interfere with “spirited” driving. Its a quality product. Now if only my folk’s 96 Ford Contour had the same kind of quality. That thing sounded like it was powered by a vacuum cleaner!

Sub 30 degree temps @ Cadillac Ranch, hurry back to the warm car…

Adding a little Wrecked Magazine Tag to Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

Pee break outside of White Sands Nuclear Test Area

Joey’s Inifniti G37s

Nice Bumper Sticker picks Joey

Abandoned Hotel in New Mexico

Follow Joey Redmond and I’s trip across the United States from Atlanta to Los Angeles in Joey’s Infiniti G37s on Urban Racer. Longer post coming later tonight.