Day 8 Amarillo T.X. song: Hard Core Troubadour - Steve Earl

Leaving Denver wasn't too hard for me. I had a good time, a really good time, but I didn't get the sense that Denver is where my new home will be.

This was the first time I changed my actual route this trip, and I don't think it will be the last. I went south instead of going through Kansas to go to Kansas city. I headed for Amarillo.

This seven hour drive was pretty boring. Driving into Texas requires more commitment than I have given to most of my ex's. Even still, with the right tunes and the arms out the window with the wind through my hair, there is something so liberating when you don't have a time a constraint. When you could do anything and go anywhere, you really feel freedom manifest in all your senses. Or at least I do.

Amarillo, is like a big city ghost town. There is nothing going on there. It seemed nice, but I didn't get the good ole' wholesome family little town feel I was shootin' for.

I had afree limo service pick me up from the KOA. The limo was old with Horns and it took me to the famous "Big Texan" restaurant. This is the place where they will give you a free 72 ounce steak if you can eat it in an hour. Supposedly its possible, but if you are one of the people who can do it, you have bigger problems to worry about than your dinner bill.

Later I was still hungry so I went into town to for a good burger and I went into a place with live music. The place said it was a restaurant, but it had the symptoms of a bar. I guess the fact that they didn't card me to get a burger and a coke qualified it as a restaurant. The place was filled with old number 7, gator skin boots and stetson hats and a classic country band. This was a certified rootin' tootin texas Honky Tonk if I had ever imagined one. And one thing I forgot about the southwest, they like their burgers as spicey as you can handle with a giant slab of jalepeno meat. My pallet was not ready to handle the rich spices of the Texas burger.

I acted cool, and dropped off my demo reels to the TV stations and didn't wait around for a reply. I don't get the sense that Amarillo is calling my name either.

Scripture: Romans 15:24 "Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to ee you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thither ward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company."

Day 7 Denver C.O. song:Bad Luck - Social Distortion

Denver is really the first big town I have been to on this trip. I really underestimated the size of Denver. It’s a lot bigger than where I come from in Sacramento.

First order of business, I had a couple of tv stations I needed to hit up for the day. Channel 9 had a position open as did 31. When I got to channel 9 the receptionist told me who to contact but she thinks it was filled the day before. Not to worry, I am all dressed up in my finest duds so I went across to town to the other station where I didn’t get to talk to a receptionist, just a little box outside. To some snobby dude who couldn’t even see how snappy my duds were. He told me to send the resume in the e-mail or by e-mail. Needless to say I was a bit discouraged, but that’s ok. The biggest part of my day was yet to come. I had a person who works for clear channel in Denver who committed to meeting with me and sharing some advice and network. When I got to Clear Channel, they had without question the most massive broadcast building I had ever seen. This is my first time at a clear channel and now I can visually see why they are the corporate monster of radio. I felt really lucky to have an interview in that building, even if it wasn’t for a job. Most of Clear Channel is on a hiring freeze. When I got there the receptionist told me that today was a bad day. I told him that it was my only day in town and we had an appointment. But the receptionist informed me that there was a huge lay-off spree that just happened that morning, and the person I was going to see was one of the men cut off.

I really couldn’t believe my luck this day. I left frustrated and began having those questions of what will I do if I never catch a break. But I am only on day 7, and I am not a quitter. This was just bad luck.

I tried some panhandling while I was in Downtown this time. I wasn’t as successful as I would have hoped. I am pretty sure I looked much more well off than the other panhandlers and I wasn’t homeless, (at least not by choice). Still, I made enough money to put me back on budget. It looks like my hope for staying out on the road for longer than 40 days may be diminishing, but we will see.

To cap off the night, I went to the swing dance that my host told me about, at a place called the Mercury café. They were honoring the death of the legendary King of Swing dance, Frankie Manning from the movie Hellzapoppin. I was dancing with some real good ole swing dancers. And I was actually holding my own and having fun, if you could believe that. My favorite dancer was an old woman in her late 70’s named Esther, who was just as spry as I am. She was dancing Lindy Hop since Lindy Hop was Hip Hop. She taught me some great tricks. She also told me, “Loosen up. Let go of your inhibitions. You dance like your afraid someone will see you having fun. Fear, stands in the way of you having success in dancing. You will be able to do wonders once you just let go of what ever it is that holds you back.” I thought she was another angel sent to me to tell me exactly what I needed to hear. I couldn’t believe I just had that encounter. I looked at her like she was a female Socrates and thanked her for the experience.

The day was rough, and discouraging, but had a great finish, today was a good day.

scripture:TBD

Day 6 Denver C.O. song: Responsibility -MxPx

This morning my car was covered in Snow. I don’t even remember Rexburg Idaho having that much snow this time of year in my years there.

I went to check out my childhood dream place called Mile High Comics. It was the largest comic book store in the World at one point. The guy I spoke to at the store told me that he was there when the store flooded and they had to move to somewhere smaller. And they were no longer the largest comic book store in the world. I then found myself asking if there is an employment at the Mile High Comics chain. He responded well and said there is something. I was excited, I always thought that would be cool when I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to find out more until I thought to myself that all encompassing question. How will I respond to the next girl who asks me what I do for living. I have already had to girl friends fathers give me their disapproval on broadcasting. Besides, its too early to quit now. In fact, I will never quit.

Ohio school for broadcasting gave me some of their time to show me their facility and what it can do for me. I was pretty tempted to see about enrolling and seeing what more skills I can polish to be more competitive. They had a far better radio program than BYUI but didn’t seem to have much more as far as T.V. went. The admisistration of education spoke with me and checked out my resume and demo reel. They were really impressed, they decided that it would be in my best interest to keep moving forward. They think I really have something and I am going about this all the right way. They told me I have guts and I need to keep on keeping on. Their suggestion to me was to try a smaller market, I may not have another choice. But what they said that I really liked is that radio and television is a muscle. You got to get that experience and exercise it, and it will get better. The head of the Education department at the school said, that if my t.v. reel is half as good as my radio reel, than I really got something and I should have no problem. This of course gave me some real confidence. Finally I had someone listen to it and check out my resume and give me feedback. I left the building charged up and ready march in to the next t.v. station.

Later on I needed to pan-handle some to make up for my going over budget. I went to the open market on 16th avenue in Denver. There was some pan handlers and a lot of beggers. I gave some of the thugly looking beggers some of my money so they wouldn’t hurt me. I really should have came suited up to pan handle because when I got their I was a little scared and out of my element. My guts didn’t grant me my special powers. Plus its freezing in Denver right now, which is no good for guitar playing. But I decided to go to see the Rockies play that night which was just about five blocks from the main drag. But I went back to my car to change from my nicely pressed jeans and my long sleeved collared shirt, to my poncho and beanie, and I moved my leg like I had a wooden foot to give me that gansta walk. People went from asking me for money to asking me for ciggerettes. For now, that’s the way I prefer it.

The game was great, I bought four dollar seats and the ushers bumped me to the 18 dollar seats just to be nice. I loved it, Coors field is awesome. There is something about a baseball field that is like nothing else. It was so awesome, I had actually wish I got that girl Leah’s number from last night so I could enjoy it with someone. But then again, I would have only paid attention to the game.

After the game my friend Mark from Rexburg set me up to stay with a gentlemen who lives in a nice apartment downtown. His name is Wayne and he is a well known swing dancer in the area and he is putting me up for a couple of nights. I got to help him move some boxes for his next place in exchange for the roof over my head. He said he would hook me up with more places to stay around the country from other swing dancers. That is funny, I am glad I learned how to swing dance finally. All those countless hours of learning how to dance, wasn’t for nothing after all.

1st Nephi 13:37 "And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, fore they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shal publish peace, yea tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountainss shall they be."

Day 5 Denver C.O. song:Rocky Mountain High - John Denver

I pleasantly woke up inside a roof while Todd’s cool roommate Grant made everyone a hot breakfast. Partly because his woman was coming, but I think he was just that kind of guy. I ate up everything so there was no leftover no matter how filled I was, you never know when you will eat that good again on the road. Minutes after breakfast, Grant and his woman broke it off. It was very short and to the point. I had to admire his ability to take it like a man. Grant is about my age, and I guess when you have had enough bad luck you learn how to deal with those things. But he is a successful dude, he will do fine.

Church was great, like always if you are paying attention, what is said in church is supposed to apply directly to you. Even in an unfamiliar ward, this happened to me, as we spoke of the keeping the Sabbath day holy. For sacrament meeting everyone bore their testimony with their favorite hymn, we sang the hymn. It was a little weird, but unique and I enjoyed it, and surprisingly singing that many hymns didn’t put me to sleep.
At Sunday school the Bishop spoke of how we will need to start planting seeds and have gardens to grow our crops in five years because he promises it will get that bad in this economy. That was something I didn’t want to hear as I travel like a vagabond.

After church Grant made me lunch and sent me on my way. He and Todd both offered to come back and stay with them anytime I come back to Grand Junction. Even though I never did get to meet with the broadcaster, I can’t say this adventure was unsuccessful. I really did make some good connections and I found a place that I felt welcome.

Driving to Denver was a bit scary. Going over some high altitude passes while a heavy storm was brewing was a bit nerve wracking. But I made it, however the snow never quit. I am going to have to find another place to stay for Monday night.

While strolling about town, I met a pretty and sweet girl named Leah. She is a student at the Christian college. She was pretty open about sharing her feelings on Christ. As a religious person it was a nice breathe of air to just hear that from someone. I would have gotten her number, but I decided not to go there, I didn’t know where that would take me, I wish her well.

scripture: James 1:3

"Knowing this, that the tryihng of your faith worketh patience."

Day 4 Grand Junction C.O. song: Slow Ride- Foghat

This morning I woke up to the sound of an irritated father scolding his children for goofing around on the campground. The one disadvantage to sleeping at a KOA.

My phone has been busted for two days and I was due for another free phone anyway. The gentleman (name is Todd) who sold me the phone at the local Sprint store spotted my BYUI shirt. After a small conversation one thing led to another and he told me he knew someone in broadcasting I could call to speak with, that and he offered for me to play Dodge Ball with his ward that evening.

Staying in Grand Junction wasn’t apart of my plans, but the town was surprisingly big and I thought, “why not.” Besides, ever since I met Daniel and Chris, I have been inspired to slow down my pace across the U.S. and enjoy myself. So I called up Todd’s (dude from sprint) friend the broadcaster and left him a message. While I waited his phone call I saw the History of Western Colorado Museum, and I saw some really cool stuff and I learned all about Colorado. Then I went to Monument National Park. That was the most impressive national park yet. Its unbelievable, another sensory over load of dramatic 2000ft cliffs driving slowly over windy roads with high winds next to some of the largest rock formations in the U.S.

I spent the day in Grand Junction waiting for this call, but I got nothing. That is ok, it was worth a shot. I still dropped off some resumes at the local radio stations.

So I took up Todd’s offer for Dodge Ball. I met a lot of people in his ward and had some fun. I sustained minimal injuries and nobody on the court lost their Christianity from anger. My experience with competitive ward sports says that even well behaved men while playing ward sports can fall into what Thomas Hobbes would call, “Man’s State of Nature.”

After the game Todd took me to his place and we watched some of the Jazz and Laker game and the latest Office episode. Him and his roommate Grant offered for me to stay on their couch for the evening. They were awesome. I couldn’t express how grateful I was of them letting a complete stranger into their home and letting me sleep their fully knowing I would have done ok on a campground. I was thankful for having the Holy Ghost with me on this trip. And its good that I have been shaving regularly. (no mustache)

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 62:7

“I, the Lord, am willing, if any among you desire to ride upon horses, or upon mules, or in chariots, he shall receive this blessing , if he receive it rom the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart.”

Day 3 Grand Junction C.O. song: Living on the Edge - White Lion

Started bright and early at the KOA. I will now swear by these places. They are a third of the price of a really cheap motel, and you get a better bathroom and treatment. Plus, you can make friends with the other campers. Its a really family friendly place and they are always located out of harms way. KOA is the way to go. (my check is in the mail.)

Daniel and Chris, the good ole boys from Alabama, took me to Price Utah to go to the nearest wal-mart, (the first one I have seen in days) to get some supplies and to see the Dinosaur museum. I should have suspected there were dinosaur findings in Utah but I hadn't ever thought about. But we saw the actual skeleton of a Wooly Mammoth and a Velociraptor and a saber tooth tiger. Ms any artifacts that were ancient and such. I have never seen any dinosaur bones before, so for me that was pretty rad. I was really sad to part ways so quickly with Daniel and Chris. Those two were really tight brothers and they had such a good hold on life. I was inspired by them. They make the complications in life seem so uncomplicated, I almost I wished I could join them for the rest of their journey across the country. They were going much slower than me, taking time to stop and enjoy view. We wished each other luck and that was it.

After we parted, I went to visit for the first time, Arches National Park. I'll tell ya for any of you who have not been there, plan to spend at LEAST half a day out there, because whether you want to or not, you will spend half a day out there. Its got so many amazing landscapes that my eyes seriously began to hurt from the sensory overload. I didn't see the Arch that is on the Utah licence plate, I got too winded at the hike. Arches is not asthmatic friendly. But I did see the Devil's Garden, and the Devil's Peak and the Devil's furnace. They were the coolest places. I didn't know Satan had so many hubs in Utah. When I was pulling out I was searching for the Devil's Hammock and the Devil's foot massage therapist. To tell you the truth, I think I once dated the Devil's foot massage therapist.

I drove just a little further into colorado at Grand Junction. I expected this town to be another truck stop, but it wasn't. Grand Junction is a big town with Best Buys and Pet Smarts. My first reaction was annoyed that I was back in urban hell already, but another part says that its nice to have a little less isolation. Saturday is a big day for me, got lots to do, and I think I have an interview with a station in denver on monday. Cross your fingers for me.

scripture of the day: Enos 1:4 And my soul hungered;and I kneeled down before my Maker, prayer and supplication for mine won soul' and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

Day 2 Green River Utah, song:Lost Highway - Hank Williams Sr.

The Ely Nevada Ghost train was pretty rad. It was an honest little musuem that didn't try and trap the uneducated tourist. It was an old railroad yard run by volunteers who just did tours for the love of the sport. This was how they enjoy spending their retirement. That meant they gave their all.Other than that, Ely is not a honeymoon spot, even if you have a terrific sense of humor.

I couldn't find the radio station out there, I didn't try very hard either, I don't think that Ely is a good start for me.

I pulled out and drove 2 hours east to the "Great Basin" national park. I was told it is the least attended to national park in the U.S. It must be because of its isolated spot, because the park is incredible. I got a guided tour in the Lehman caves where I was bunched with a bunch of folks wearing gift shop t-shirts tucked into their little kacky shorts, grocery store gardening hats, wrap around sunglasses and fanny packs. I only wish I brought some of those kinds of cloths. but the tour was great, I got some photos of the most evolved and unique gothic cave in the world. It was like going on the Matterhorn in Disney land without the coaster, and much cooler. At any moment I half expected to turn around and see the Batmoble all gassed up and ready to ride. Half way through, the tour guide told us, "This is where they found bones in the 1860's. We found this cave was an ancient Indian Burial ground for thousands of years." I couldn't believe she told us that. I spent the rest of the tour praying that my road trip wouldn't be hexed as I apologized to all the Indians I had disgraced.

Driving through southern Utah on 70 should be a vacation destination on its own. Its really the most incredible sight you have ever driven through. The dramatic rocks and mountains are breathtaking. I am becoming a nature hippy already and I am only on the second day of the trip.

I pulled into the KOA at greenriver and properly pitched my tent this time. While pickin' my guitar, I met a couple of good ole' boys from Alabama. Brothers, Daniel and Chris, they had the deep south accents that would make Larry the Cable Guy, weep. They too are traveling across the country. But they have been at it for weeks. They are taking a week in southern Utah to see all of the parks. They said its one of the best places in the country so far. I don't doubt it. But we sat and talked and they drank from their tall cans and told me stauries 'bout tha tiime when dey was so druunk, one fell of a bluff foa forty feet, and they were like "shoot, I don't even caire." And den when dey got uup, they were surrounded by a bunch of coyotes.

They also told me a story about how Hank William Sr. wrote the song "Mansion on a Hill" about their grandmother.... supposedly. They love their country twangy and their rock music loud and proud..... My kind of boys.

I couldn't have laughed harder at their stories, they were the funniest guys, and they had no idea of it.We talked the whole night and I had seriously felt like I made friends with the Dukes of Hazard.

After that I went to bed where I began to think in my head with a deepsouth accent. I noticed that the stars NEVER seemed this bright before or this close. It was really beautiful and peaceful as I whistled the old star trek theme and dreamed about boldly going where no man has gone before. Or at least I haven't gone before.

Thats Alll I got fuh noaw. See y'all later

Scripture of the day: 3rd Nephi 12:16Therefore, let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Day 1 Ely NV song: Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan

Pat and Tom on 105.1 gave me a little send off to the journey on the Air waves. They spoke lightheartedly about what is to come but wished me good luck. They helped promote my blog and Pat gave me a contact for an interview in Ohio. Off to a good start.

ON the first day of finding out exactly how it feels to be on your own like a rollingstone. I traveled for about eight hours driving on highway fifty, the lonliest highway. I really have a good understanding in why they call it that. There is NOBODY for hundreds of miles, if there is somebody its on an old mining town now a gambling and watering hole town.

Just exactly when I had that moment on the highway where I asked myself "what did I talk myself into," I made aquaintances with Bob and Susan.

I was at a rest stop a thousand miles from nowhere (Dwight Yoakum) where this old couple, (late 70's early 80's) stopped by and we began talking. They were a retired couple who spends most of their days traveling on the road. They love Highway fifty. They say its the most underated highway in the U.S. They have been everywhere that I plan on going on the trip TIMES 2. They love the road. They love all the geological sites along the way. We had a good conversation where they told me all the stops to hit. I like Bob and Susan, they were an older couple who in someways had that youthful love thing going. I almost thought it was there anniversery by their demeanor. After that I began to relish the trip.

I pulled into ELY around 7:30 with almost no daylight left. As fun as all the seedy casino's and gentlemens club appeared, I wasn't in the mood to check out the night life of Ely. I decided to head right to the campground.It was just then I realized, I had never camped on my own before. I have never honestly put a tent up by my self...... I know what you are thinking, "he can't put up a tent? What a loser."...but my family was never into camping, so you can just BACK THE HECK OFF!!! I was too cool for scouts... But anywho, I did such a sloppy job in the dark putting up a tent that the whole night I completely expected it to collapse on me. It was very crooked and leaning. It didn't fall, but somewhere at six a.m. I heard light animal steps stepping around my slightly deflated and lopsided tent. I clutched my Louisville Slugger tightly waiting to defend myself, when I opened the tent flap with all my adrenaline pumping, ready to kick some cougar @%& I was greeted by two little bunny rabbits. Just poking their nose up and down. They weren't even scared bunny rabbits, they gave me a look that said with a New York ganster brooklyn accent "What duh yah think yoo gonna do about it?"

The town of Ely has got some cool museums which I already checked out, and I met some nice cowboys and fisherman.

The locals here are really into a business chain called "Smoke Shop". I haven't checked out what they are all about. But on an unrelated note, someone needs to remind me to get a good dental plan when I get me a job.

(scripture of the day 1st Peter 1:7)

The Mission

My name is Randy Cliff Peterson, I am recent college graduate from BYU-Idaho, with a bachelors in Communications (broadcasting) searching for a career during a time of Economic crisis. Broadcasting being cut-throat enough as it is, seems that it is going to be a challenge bigger than most anyone can handle in terms of finding my first professional full time job. I however, am not going to give up and quit. I will not go gently into the night as I sit in my parents house and work at fast food as I await the for the economic situation to disappear and get an e-mail of someone interested in my work.

So I am traveling across the United states for forty days searching employment. I am bringing a map of every town I have ever wanted to see and a list of radio and T.V. stations that I have applied to and I want to get a chance to be interviewed and critiqued. I have business cards, resume's and demo reels to hand out to anyone interested in giving me a chance.

I am also writing a book on the experience. I am journaling this travel in order document and learn from the experience in hopes that it might help someone else.

The Current working title is called, "A Letter to Bob Dylan." This is because I intend to answer the question he asks by telling him EXACTLY how it feels to be on my own, with no direction home, like a complete unknown, like a Rolling Stone.

During this time will be a mission of personal reflection and growth as I see the U.S. and as I visit the historical sites. Many of them music oriented much like in Memphis, New York, Kansas City, Austin, Nashville, Cleveland etc.

Along with my search for meaning and a career, I will be visiting museums and pieces of historical landmarks across the nation. I will be analyzing the countries history and its reflection on humanity while I am out there. I will have an agenda for everyday and I will have to panhandle with my guitar and an array of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tunes to finance the journey. I will be camping out at most towns and I will be meeting as many people as possible and hoping to make friends.

I don't have a back-up plan and I don't know what I would call successful, the only thing I expect is that it will not go exactly as planned, in fact, I hope it doesn't. I am excited to see the U.S. and terrified as well. But as a bachelor with no responsibilities, this may be the one and only chance I ever get to do this. I look forward to sharing my stories on this blog.

Randy Cliff Peterson