Newport, OR and the end of Route 20

What an amazing adventure. 18 years worth of dreaming about this project accomplished in 11 days. The people I have met and the places I have visited on this project have inspired me in so many ways. It will take some time for me to process emotionally all that I have learned along the road and I am excited to return to my studio in Vermont to start the editing process... but not today! A nice dinner and several glasses of wine are very much needed.

All of my love to my amazing supportive wife Eve and my two beautiful daughters who allowed me to make this trip and without who's support it never would've been possible.

Getting close

Wow

The Santiam highway in Central Oregon is amazing! The air was so amazing… Have never smelled anything like it! I was like a dog with his head out the window breathing in all I could. Heading now towards the coast!!!!

Sisters Oregon

Amazing little town! Stayed here last night at the Five Pins Lodge... Talk about a treat! Would highly recommend this location to everyone... http://www.fivepinelodge.com

Central Oregon

Beautiful country. Reminds me a lot of the Southwest. Very friendly people - really must get back here again someday! The oasis is the perfect spot for a huge breakfast.

Oregon

Heading into Oregon today... looks like 2 days to the coast but a lot depends on the weather in the mountains. He is the remain route....  And to all of my family and friends on the East coast please be safe!!!!

And to all of my family and friends on the East coast please be safe!!!!

Central Idaho

Getting an early morning start. Big rain storm last night was very kind to wash my car. Hoping to make a fair amount of progress today but a lot will again depend on the weather in the mountains.

Welcome to Idaho

Yellowstone to Montana!

Amazing white knuckle drive through Yellowstone park today. Entered the park during a small snow storm so the driving was very slow. Took me approximately 5 hours to cross the park. Just entered Montana but only briefly.

Wyoming

Beautiful day across Nebraska. Just made it to Wyoming to enjoy the last rays light.

Snow

Western Nebraska!

Amazing! Very open with an incredible stark quality. The native American drum radio channel also rocks!

Good Morning Nebraska!

Quite cold at 35F.... Breakfast time before a long open road day!

Tire Chains!

Made it to Nebraska! Will tackle it tomorrow and stay around Wyoming border if possible and I found tire chains for my car today!!!! Good thing as it is snowing in Wyoming!

Nebraska

Done with Iowa... Was great! Now shopping for tire chains as the temp has dropped 26 degrees today!

This is the definition of the word remote

Western Iowa near the Nebraska border.

The west

It never ceases to amaze me just how big everything is once you get Past the Mississippi River.

Iowa

Just crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa. Galena Illinois was very beautiful!

Western Illinois

Beautiful smoky morning across western Illinois. The weather is perfect and I'm very excited to get to Iowa!

Made it to Freeport, IL

Exhausted! Having a well deserved bourbon and steak. Tomorrow the adventure continues in IL and Iowa! Having a huge dry aged steak at Main Street Bistro... Just as a historical note Abraham Lincoln and Douglas debate was held here in 1858! Now back to my bourbon!

Chicago

The Chicago portion of 20 is not great - most of the old road is gone and it is raining A LOT so no fun driving!!!! Hoping to get out of the city area before rush hour but its not looking good!

Gary Indiana

Excuse me while I accelerate!

Welcome to Indiana!

Thoughts on editing

I had a few requests to post actual artwork on the site. My shooting and editing process is such that I won't actually work on any of the images created on this trip until I am back at my studio in Vermont. I find that jumping between shooting and editing is confusing. Much like when I shoot Film I like to separate the two. I have however looked at a handful of artwork so far and everything is looking amazing!

Heading west!

Late morning start. Heading toward Indiana now. Hope to make it through Chicago by the end of the day. Looks like I may be traveling through some thunderstorms midday.

Michigan Break

Staying in Michigan for the night with family. Only a few miles from Route 20. Amazing smell of burning leaves in the air - perfect!

The Cleveland Nightmare

Very slow! 24 MPH average and a few questionable moments on the east side... Yes it almost went down but all good now! Having a nice lunch in Monroeville OH.

Slow and steady

My average speed for the last two days has been 35 mph! Today so far I'm averaging 27 mph! At least my gas mileage is fantastic.

On the road again!

Beautiful brisk morning in Ohio. Looks like I'm going to have a great day with perfect weather!

Ohio

Quite a day with a lot of great shots AND a lot of driving. Made it barely to Ohio before sunset and I'm having dinner tonight at the waffle house - I wonder if they will have a fine Rhone wine ;-) ! Tomorrow will be a half day on the road as I am crashing at my moms house which will be perfect to unpack and repack for the next stage.

Western NY

Wow! Most of the region on route 20 around Buffalo the historic quality is gone - it's one box store chain store or strip mall after another. Disgusting!

My Hair

My wind blown hair seems to cause concern in some places.... First night in Boston and now at the diner.... The waitress was very unsure as to exactly what I wanted.... FOOD!

Update NY

Great morning on the road, have made it to about Buffalo New York. Stopping at my first 50s diner for lunch... I'm starving and in need of lots of coffee!

Note from the road

Traveling across Central New York. The rolling hills in early morning light is truly amazing.

On the road day 2

Richfield Springs

What a great day! Lots of shooting and some amazing moments. Found a great little place to stay in Richfield Springs, NY... The Lakehouse. The elderly woman who welcomed me reminds me of my grandmother a lot!! I've downloaded all my files and now it's time for a nice dinner and several glasses of wine.... 425 miles today in around 12 hours.... MA was slow but RT 20 was very nice!!

And The Project Starts

Just arrived at Kenmore Square in Boston. Looks like I'm going to get a break from rain today!

On the road to Boston

Heading to Boston now. Horrible rain! Starting the project tomorrow morning!

Almost Ready

Getting ready! Most of my photography equipment is now packed except for a few remaining items arriving tomorrow. I've also been very minimal on my packing of clothing and other supplies to keep myself very quick for day-to-day shooting. My plan is to drive to Boston tomorrow and stay there for the night and then step off first thing Saturday morning to avoid traffic.

Project Overview

An exciting 6,730 mile round trip journey documenting historic Route 20 from Kenmore Square in Boston, MA to Newport, OR.

Project start date October 20, 2012.

The final artworks from this exciting project will include a beautiful hard-bound book as well as unique one of one artworks of select images and a show TBA in NYC in 2013.

Follow me as I begin this project by reading my daily blog entries as well as video and still image posts along the way.

Additional information on artworks by Stephen Schaub can be found at: www.stephenschaub.com