Erin Fredrichs

in search of my people

On May 29, 2011, I embarked on a three week cross country odyssey. Even though I have al my camera gear, I'm documenting the trip with my iphone. It's easier to shoot and drive with my phone that with my Canon. Probably safer too.

Dad waving in the front yard as I pull away.
  
Rain on the windsheild in eastern Washington.
  
I stopped at a cemetary in Ritzville, Wash. It was memorial day weekend, seemed appropriate. Felt dismal though. There were two other people walking around, one of them was drinking a beer. The place was surrounded by dirt and had a view of the highway. Didn't seem like a pleasant place to rest for all eternity.
     
  
Window shopping in Wallace, Idaho.
  
First airstream on the highway sighting, somewhere in Montana.
  
Still riding the Memorial Day wave, I stopped at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Momument, the site of Custer's Last Stand. I'd been in the car for way too long that day and needed to stretch. I walked up this hill and noticed some tombstones erractically perched on this hillside. The view of the valley below was stunning. The stone in the center of the bunch was Custer's. The stones marked where the soldiers bodies fell during the battle. Never before have I felt moved on Memorial Day.
     
  
Dusk in Wyoming.
  
I was so excited to see Deadwood, SD. I had no idea it would be a gambling centered tourist trap. The backside of the town had more character than the inflated front. I only got out of the car because I had to pee.
  
The Black Hills were beautiful. The road to Mt. Rushmore, not so much. I was stopped by a flagger four times for the road construction. Bless her heart, this little sweetie must've been sick of all the glares.
     
  
Lincoln, Rushmore.
  
Nebraska.
  
After almost being eaten alive by a very scary man in South Dakota, I dipped onto the backroads of northern Nebraska. I only had my iPhone to guide me, so with no service, it was a miracle that I found this little haven. It's the Calamus State Recreation Area on the Calamus Reservoir. There were a handful of other people there, like this lady napping on the dock. I was there for sunset. It was the first warm evening of my trip. It was wonderful.
     
  
More fast food place should have giant men in front of them.
  
Fellow Walmart shopper in Branson, MO.
  
To noodle or not to noodle, that was my big walmart dilemna in Branson. I didn't noodle.
     
  
slaves quarters at the hermitage, stonewall jackson's plantation, nashville.
  
Sunset at the Seven Points Campground at J Percy Priest Reservoir.
  
This is day one of Bonnaroo. These three are already confused.
     
  
   
Lights in the beer garden.
  
cali
     
  
a man and his hot dog
   
dusty trails
   
Friendly RVer's from Texas. We didn't know where our campground was and on our wanderings, found these guys. They shared their beers, marveled over the expanse of the Bonnaroo campground and watched the sunset before we walked more than two miles to our tent.
     
  
Moonrise before the Black Keys. They were amazing. So. Amazing.
  
Hippies.
  
Hipsters and ferris wheel.
     
  
Trying to get a better view at Florence and the Machine.
  
The Indian hiding from the cowboy.
  
Nappypoo.
     
  
Bonnaroo Warriors: my sister Cali and I. Bonnaroo won. We lost. Still love each other though.
  
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo Texas.
  
Leaving the Chociti Pueblo after an afternoon lollygagging by the Chociti Lake, headed north to Santa Fe, the Ortiz Mountains in the background.
     
  
That's Django eating and my dad smiling above him on James Chance's wall of fame in Denver.
  
Wyoming wind
   
Bombing down the highway couldn't resist an opporunity to shoot yet another airstream and my trusty subrau's beautiful reflection.
     
  
After 5,118 miles, I was five cars away from catching the ferry I wanted. Fucking ferry.