The idea
The idea is simple: travel the entire length of Route 66 in a hybrid vehicle. Take photos of everything and everyone along the road, write the stories I hear and document what I see. Put everything together in an illustrated book and have it available for the generations to come, so that they can experience what it was like to travel on the Mother Road.Rationale
First, let's discuss hybrid. When I first thought this project, I imagined the trip done in an all-electric car. Like a Tesla, or a Leaf, or a plug-in Prius. But with America being what it is, and charging stations rather scarce, I settled for the hybrid as the best solution for a solo journey. If there are roads, I'll go electric as much as the car lets me. But this is also a documentary, and sometimes I might wind up on roads less traveled and off the beaten path. For this, I need the gasoline.But that's not all. Deep in my heart, I really hope Americans will be able to resurrect their Route 66 as a homage to previous generations and their history. And this is where eco-friendly vehicles step in. If only someone put their hearts and minds into this idea, we'd see quite a boost in tourism and economy along one stretch of road crossing the entire country. Just think about for a second... Car rental and service points. Diners, motels and restaurants along the way. Guided tours. Souvenirs. And with them, all the adjacent services needed to keep this immense task running would come back: supplies, renovations, utilities. You see where I'm going with this?
Logistics
As simple as it looks, this project has several main (and independent) components, all depending on each other to assemble into a big final product:- transportation
- photography
- all other travel expenses (meals, hotel, insurance, phone)
- print and publishing
- shipping and handling
- Kickstarter
So let's get a bit into details... Click on each item above for in-depth explanations.
Photography. This is where I want to keep it simple, and intentionally limit myself to one camera and three prime lenses, plus a small backup with a toy lens. I am taking an Olympus E-M5 along, together with a 12mm f/2, a 45mm f/1.8 and a 30mm f/2.8 from Sigma as the main kit. The backup camera is also a micro Four Thirds, an Olympus E-PM1 with a 15mm f/8 "bodycap". I will tale a small FL36 flash with a ring flash adapter and a grid, a tripod and my MacBook. Everything packs nicely in a really small bag, very inconspicuous and really easy to carry around.
Transportation. As of the time I am writing this, I don't have the vehicle yet. I am torn between a simple budget solution that would force me to stay on asphalt, and a more elaborated one (a hybrid 4x4) that would allow for small off-road wandering adventures. This is a very Kickstarter-dependent solution, probably depending on what funds I'll be able to raise or if a sponsor (ideally a car maker) would be willing to chip in. As such, my list so far is this:
4x4: Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, GMC Sierra Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Non 4x4: Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius C, Ford C-Max Hybrid
The difference between the two solutions is about $30,000. Not so much when you're a big car maker, but quite significant in a fund raiser. So the gauntlet is down... any takers?
Travel expenses. I will be on the road for 60 days - 66 to be more precise. My journey starts and ends in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It takes three days of driving from here to either end of Route 66, and another three to make it back home. This leaves me with sixty days for the actual trip, at a planned rate of about 19 big stops and three days per each stop. Give or take, if I factor in days set aside for visiting campaign backers and fulfilling photo assignments for them.
I am a big fan of cheap road side motels. I love them and I wouldn't want to sleep anywhere else on such an adventure - they're making the Mother Road unique. They'll be photographed and documented too - but that doesn't mean I won't be paying for my nights spent there.
If I'm lucky enough to get a larger vehicle, I am bringing a sleeping bag along. I don't mind folding down the rear seats and taking a nap on the side of the road - been there, done that, loved it.
Insurance is big with me. Albeit one of the most insignificant costs of this project, I still want to get the best no matter what - remember, I am traveling alone and if something happens, nobody will be there to protect me. I will need all I can get - towing, service, health, all 100% coverage for myself, the cameras and the vehicle.
Because I will update this blog daily - as well as being away from my family for two months, a reliable communications solution is needed. If possible, I would stick to my trusted iPhone 4S - all I need is a great data plan with lots of Gb and unlimited North American minutes. Whether my current provider is willing to chip in or I can find another solution, anything goes. On the same note, I have a SPOT Messenger that will probably be reactivated on the trip - just for those long stretches without cellphone coverage.
