What if a large sculpture wasn’t expensive to make? What if it could fit into a suitcase to be easily transported? What if it depended on another structure to stand?

The questions that stirred in my brain when i first thought of this project. i wasn’t sure what i was going to learn or if it would mean anything. But, I went ahead and made it anyway.

Roanoke, Virginia

When I set out planning this trip, I did not select cities for any specific reason regarding the towns. I didn’t want to pre-plan too much on where the sculpture would be either. I only wanted my first leg to be less than 10 hours. So, trusting my instincts, I booked the first leg to Roanoke Virginia, and it turned out to be the best first stop.

I went to the Visitor Center which was also a museum about the work of O. Winston Link. He spent his life photographing trains, specifically Norfolk Southern trains and Roanoke. So, I spent my first stop learning about the advancements of the very railroad I would be travelling.  

I could see that this small town was still trying to recover from covid as bookstores, boutiques and restaurants stood empty. The streets had a handful of cars driving by and couple groups of people here and there. The city, exceptionally clean and the workers happy to have business greeted me kindly. Roanoke seems specifically built for tourists with plenty of parking and easily walkable. Yet, as I walked around the streets it seemed there were two sides. The businesses closing at 3 and the ones opening at 5. The morning and afternoon businesses were casual and relaxed. A lighthearted atmosphere filled the air. The nightlife often wanted ‘Neat Dress’ with 35 dollar entrees. This duality was fascinating. Roanoke also holds one of the biggest free art museums (open on the weekends).

The diversity of culture was incredible. Granted, I was only there during the week so the weekend might hold a liveliness I did not see, but I quite enjoyed my stay there.

Atlanta, Georgia

I didn’t think I had any expectations when coming to Atlanta, but I must have because I was completely surprised at what I saw. I don’t often stay close to the heart of the city as it is usually expensive and not really what I am looking to highlight with my sculpture, but it turned out to be right where I needed to be.  

I was staying in Midtown and the amount of art and beauty and nature is astounding. I have been constantly in awe of the greenery and public works. Walking down the streets I am confronted with public art over and over again. Including the national headquarters of the Boys and Girls Club which holds a very special place in me heart.

Yet, as I step one block from the manicured parks and clean buildings. I am intrigued by the fringes occupied by abandoned businesses and empty parking lots. I get to see graffiti hidden away behind chain-link fences as trees and vines retake the walls and burst the sidewalks. Where only one block away a Lamborghini, Porsche and Mustang occupy a parking lot.

It was shocking how short my walk was to find something dilapidated. To see the crumbling of concrete walls and splitting asphalt. The once important signs covered in spray painted words with no need to clean them for people had moved on from their necessity. A city surrounded by highways and rusting steel and filled with art, and nature manicured to be just so.

Laurel, Mississippi

What can I say about Laurel, Mississippi? I know! A wonderful group of people and a lovely town. Another amazing settlement that acknowledges their horrible past but also celebrates how they went forward. The founders were future thinking men with a thirst for knowledge and believed everyone should be able to learn if they desired. Also, they invented Masonite there, which I just find to be amazing because it is such a wonderful material.

The part of the city I stayed in stood in stark contrast housing the truckers and roadtrippers in a sea of hotels and gas stations. A six-lane throughway constantly bustling outside of my window. One taxi service with two drivers and not an uber in sight. Being a town of only 17 thousand I understood, but the distinction between where people lived and downtown was nothing if not jarring. ‘

After leaving my hotel I walked 2 miles to town. Pulling my sculpture along the street as there were no sidewalks, but every driver gave me plenty of space. Sidewalks began to appear when I saw the mall. Walking through the parking lot I was stopped by a police officer inquiring if I was dropped off there. Confused, he explained people have just been showing up in town seemingly left by truck drivers or hitchhiker-ride-givers. I said I was there on a vacation of sorts, and he left still puzzled by the consistent appearance of new people.

Two blocks more and there it was: the trimmed, clean, beautiful historic town. A town that revolutionized the logging industry with specialty wagons and an entire town on tracks. The atmosphere was crisp and friendly and welcoming, but it is consistently difficulty to shake how different a town can be within the span of two miles.

(this thought will continue with every town i go to)

Beaumont, Texas

Honestly, it is difficult to know where to start when talking about Beaumont, Texas. Especially when the first person I interacted with called it Boremont and then quickly followed up with a racist comment. Not the most hopeful way to start two nights in this town.

Initially what I found was typical of the other small towns I visited. The hotels were all grouped together by the side of the highway surrounded by various gas stations and chain restaurants. The workers at the hotel moved languidly and laughed when asked what was there to do. As if they were stuck in the mud and had no means to escape.

Which, as I traveled into the downtown area, I found that was most likely the case. Beaumont was built on the back of the oil boom and rice farms. Large companies pumped money into the city to create clubs, restaurants, and vitalized the river front. But, as the oil ran out and the refineries could longer provide work for the majority of the town, the companies pulled out— taking their money and work with them. What is left is a husk of a once exciting town. The buildings still stand with old signs and promise of fun but alas they remain empty. The streets clean but vacant of any vehicle or living thing. It was eerie walking the streets where the only sound were distant solitary engines and the occasional slap of the river against concrete slabs. The soft breeze often was the only sound to grace my ears. To say the town was quiet would be an understatement.

I keep thinking about the desolation of this town. It haunts my thoughts. I had read of towns ravaged by corporate greed during the oil boom akin Upton Sinclair’s book Oil. But to stand in it; to experience this quiet; a quiet loaded with despair and resignation was something else entirely. I could feel the heaviness in the atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong the people I interacted with didn’t seem miserable, but there was a weight of sadness to them as they try to make the most of where they live. Kindness still flowed and their smiles haven’t faded. I could feel the resilience of humanity.

Phoenix, Arizona

Looking at these towns through the lens of this project is simple, as I have never been to these places before. I can see the potential of beauty; have a delight in the degradation. But as I think about Phoenix, it is so difficult looking at the city as someone new. So many memories of Arizona, my knowledge is experiential over 15 years of growing. Growing up on a mountain looking down at the desert, the concrete city. A city not meant to be, but one was built here anyway. A hot, dry, colorless city tainted by my teenage want to get away.

Its difficult to be unbiased, so I shall be slanted looking at this city how I have grown to see it. A city so planned that the beauty is in the crevices hidden among the waves of heat rising from the sidewalks. A constant haze glazes my view mixing the lowly with the wealthy all existing together, but not really acknowledging the other. Arizona is a place of contradiction just as I have seen in these other places; this city evokes an emotional response; a gut-wrenching dislike that I only want to visit with the knowledge that I will be seeing the family I love and will eventually leave. A constant tug between spending time with a family I adore and wanting to escape the memories of high school and a tumultuous childhood.

Lawrence, Kansas

Now when I think of a people forward city I will think of Lawrence, Kansas. The city is extremely walkable even out to the Industrial Park. They are currently in the process of redoing the sidewalk corners to be more accessible, the 15 or so bus routes are all free to use, and cycling is encouraged with bike lanes and share the road signs.

The people were courteous even as I toted my bags at 4am to the train station. While setting up at the first location, I was taking my pictures from across the street and had a car stop so I could get a good picture. The atmosphere felt cheerful which was not an echo of my mood, as my body is sore, sunburnt and aching for my bed at home. I miss my partner and my dog but felt relaxed even as I had only 20 hours (mostly during the night) to find two locations. This is a favorite of the cities I would like to revisit, and spend a few nights in, so I could walk more of downtown and visit the museums. And yes, I chose to stop here because of Supernatural (just in case you were wondering).

Sandusky, Ohio

My last stop was Sandusky, Ohio. I was exhausted and my shoulders ached every time i put on my backpack. I arrived at 4:30am and my train was to leave by Midnight. I walked 3 miles to my hotel. As much as i would of loved making another series about this town, I looked at the hotel around me. I lay there thinking of the essential nature of this trip. To celebrate the men, women and theydies that work hard to create the infrastructure i depended on.

Throughout the different cities and people and architecture there have been two constants. The Railroads and Hotels. So, as I sit in my final city, I wish to appreciate these two much needed resources. Half of my time traveling was spent on a train. I love traveling this way as I can see the landscapes pass by and experience the amount of distance I am traveling. I love everything about the train, the rocking, the conductor and attendants, the people trying to figure out how to sleep semi-upright, the stations big and small and the patience required to travel this way. Hotels are so amazing on so many levels (get it?). Amenities! Freaking Amenities! Instant hot showers, clean linens, pools, robes, free breakfast, finding that random movie you haven’t seen in so long. So, thank you, Amtrak, IHG and Hilton for making this amazing journey possible and comfortable.