ROADDUDE

Longtime Off-Grid/Vanlife Adventurer - On the Road In North America

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You are here: Home / photography / LONGER THAN A MEMORY

LONGER THAN A MEMORY

by Road

Icy road east of Boise City Okalahoma
US 412 East, Boise City, Oklahoma
There's a road, in Oklahoma 
Straighter than a preacher
Longer than a memory
And it goes, forever onward
Been a good teacher
For a lot of country boys like me

~ Steve Earle, Nowhere Road

I need to dig into my files to see when I made this image. Fifteen or more years ago now, I’m sure. It was after a huge blizzard turned ice storm in the peculiar part of Oklahoma where the panhandle touches four other states.

I was running blind with two lady truckers as we wound our way down through darkness in Colorado, trying to get through on any road still open in the storm.

Chatter on the CB told us the interstate ahead was fouled with jack-knifed trailers and four-wheelers sliding into each other with cars scattered like matchsticks.

I found a way around and led our little convoy over to La Junta and Lamar and then south towards Oklahoma. We were the only ones out as the blizzard howled on.

‘Driving by Braille!” one called out on the radio. That’s when you can’t see the road or where the lanes are, so depend on rumble strips to let you know you’re at the edge.

We hit the two lane, roaring through intersections in the dark, our headlights the only competition to the one or two streetlights in small towns covered in snow. I asked one of the lady drivers to get her truck out front and run lead. The snow was getting too deep for my van to plow through so I brought up the rear.

She couldn’t see on one windy turn and tapped her brakes, red brake lights magnified by falling flakes. The gal behind her, in front of me, slammed on hers to the sudden light, her trailer sliding half sideways and back. I hit mine too, counter steering my fishtail just like I knew what I was doing, sliding within inches of kissing the ass of that trailer.

We made it down to the big Love’s truck stop the far edge of Boise City sometime after midnight and all huddled into a booth to warm up, amazed we’d made it through and happy to lay eyes on each other after only meeting on the radio.

I made this image the next morning as I headed out on US 412 east of Boise City, sun shining and road glistening.

That’s a fifty mile long sheet of rugged hard ice.

Longer than a memory, this image takes me right back there every time I see it.

 

#longerthanamemory #iceroad #oklahomawinter #lonenomad #nomadlife #iceroadtrucker #straighterthanapreacher #steveearle #nowhereroad #ladytrucker #adventureawaits #roadstories #goneoutdoors #landscapephotography #onsomeadventure #myoutdoorlife #letsgetlost #blackandwhiteart #blancetnoir #artphoto 

 

Filed Under: photography, travel, vanlife Tagged With: blizzard, boise city, ice storm, lady truckers, landscape photography, nowhere road, oklahoma, photography, steve earle, travel, vanlife

On the Road in America

THE BIG PAUSE of 2020-21

ROADDUDE.COM is usually about one man’s travels and photography around North America.

During The Big Pause of 2020-21, however, it is about making quality cloth & fabric face masks and face coverings for the public. Every mask purchased enables more to be made for donation.

I have made, sold, and donated thousands, as far away as Sudan.

Stay safe, stay clean, stay healthy!

Thank you for your orders and support!


Kudos from Customers for Face Masks I make, sell, and donate throughout the pandemic:

“The best design I’ve seen.” ~ Richard F, California

“We love your masks and use them all the time! They are the best fit from different types we tried. I was actually thinking of ordering more :)” ~BW, Cambridge MA

“We really love them. The quality is amazing and they are comfortable. Will be great for hiking and work.” ~ Beckie G, SW Harbor

“Both my husband and I love the masks. Fit very well and stay in place when talking.” ~ Susan W, Livermore Falls

“The masks arrived today! Thanks so much. They are terrific! Best fit, most comfortable, most stylish of any I have worn or seen.“ ~ Elaine J, SW Harbor

“Excellent mask! Highest quality and fit. Find it very comfortable and breathable. Much better design than the pleated style. If you care, please wear!” ~ Jane W, Scarborough

“Outstanding quality comfort and fit. These are as good if not better than pictured on the web. Worth the wait and cost. I would buy again. Have recommended you already. Five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!” ~Janet, Rockport

“Got ‘em!!! Arrived today and they are impressive.” ~ Bob B, Maine

“Thank you so much for the quality masks. The fit is great. Good work!” ~Lynn B, Maine

“Really quite nice and much needed!” ~Kathy H, Maine

“That’s nice, dear.” ~Ma


Where is Road?

Back Cove, Maine, working on:
– making masks
– portfolio & prints
– prep for painting desert art mural
– improving storage functionality in van
– helping folks haul and deliver items
– South of I-10, Another America
– Roaddude Food Cookbook
– website improvements
– my tan

I hear it’s summer. Is that true?

Help Roaddude Tell More Stories & Write More Blog Posts About Adventuring


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