Soul Searching Travel
It’s been almost one month since my epic travel with my oldest friend, Fielding Piepereit, aka “Peep”. I still can’t believe we had stayed in touch since the late ‘80s and this was the third time in person since he separated from the US Air Force in Germany. Peep has always been that person I wished to be while growing up, steady-fast, energetic, intelligent, kind, generous and a host of so many more positive attributes. His life’s journey should be written about, with failures and successes, that created the amazing human I call “friend”. That word seems overused and underwhelming when describing our relationship. I’m more likely to say we are more similar to soulmates. Our worlds, experiences and choices in life took each of us down different roads only to find closeness every time unsurmountable challenges were faced. Two of previous in person visits were both because of my cancer and Peep always had the words of encouragement to help me over the hump. He has a way of looking at life that is clear and lays out a simple road to follow albeit not always easy. These words could never hold weight with the joy, support and love Peep has showered over me. I will always be grateful and feel truly blessed to have Peep as a part of life. If I ever write of book on my adventures, Peep will have his own chapter of escapades.
The trip was a simple idea to reconnect in a car as I joined Peep on his birthday present. His bucket list was to drive cross country, off the main interstates, discovering the small towns and the people that make this country great. Exploring the urban decay as large populations centers moved around because of economics, resources, jobs, etc, leaving behind the empty, and now isolated main streets of yesterday. Peep would turn his camera towards the images of forgotten places that, at one time or another, were small meccas of bustling traffic and now left abandoned for nature to reclaim. I’m honored to be a part of that sojourner trek.
Peep and I connected in Atlanta, Georgia and while his plans involved driving home to Bellingham, Washington, my portion ended in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We travelled the backroads of several states searching for the left behind parts of culture and discovered some gems along the way. In fact, my part of the trip was small compared to the miles and hours Peep dedicated to the journey home. Together we ignited an idea, that has taken shape in other pasts forms or projects, but never quite had the gas to push through some hurdles. The concept that emerged is one of passion, love and creation. A lifelong project without a final destination that focuses on the craft of photography, blended with a fascination of people and places that matter but are somehow lost to the current technology driven, instant gratification society. We are adding a small twist to the mix, a little nod of significance to document the future encounters with vintage lenses. Now, we could go back to the film days, to shoot analog, and we are both well versed in the arena having cut our teeth on a wide variety of film emulsions and manual focus lenses. But, we are both avid Fujifilm X-Series shooters that share a passion for the X-Pro3 styled body with it’s unique flip down rear LCD. Most people ask “Is that a film camera?” and after a small chuckle, we both respond in sync “Yes, It’s a Fujifilm camera”.
There is much more to follow this simple post, but for now, here are a few captures from the beginning of our trip together. Peep and I both would love to just stop our business workflow to focus solely on post processing, but family commitments, other obligations and of course, regular work has us slowly enjoying this part of the project as well. Check back weekly and see what new images we post and short stories we share. Eventually, some will make it to the new site Forgotten Main Street, which doesn’t even have a static page yet. Be sure to check out the images on Instagram for Peep, myself and the project.
Special thanks to the wonderful support from our spouses that continue to find the grace and fortitude to love us both, Patti & Terri.
Enjoy the images and follow Peep’s advice - “Slow down, Focus and Take the Shot.” It can apply to life as well.
