Hey folks! There are only 6 states in the lower 48 that I haven't visited.... Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and North Dakota. So, I'm off on a trip out west to complete my quest to visit all the lower 48 States, and aim to check Alaska off the list while I'm at it. I've signed up for a couple art shows, hoping to defray the trip costs or perhaps even make a profit..... yeah right! The first show is for one day, June 17th in Corrales NM, and the second is the The Littleton Arts Festival at Aspen Grove, Littleton, CO June 29th, 30th, and July 1st in Littleton CO.
          I have a large Terrarium commission to deliver to Northern VA on May 22nd, and will head West from there. Somewhere along the way, There will be a detour through through South Dakota, just to say I've been there, while heading for Bellingham, WA to catch an Alaska Marine Highway System to Ketchikan. I'll be backpacking... Walking on board the FerryMalaspina , and rolling out my sleeping bag in the heated solarium, or other locations on the ship. The ferry leaves Tuesday, May 29th at 6PM. It's a 36 hr trip cruising up the coastline of Canada, and Alaska, and will arrive in Ketchikan on the morning of Thursday, May 31st. The return trip will leave Ketchikan Sunday June 3rd at 5PM aboard the same ship, and arriving in Bellingham the morning June 5th, allowing 11 days to explore the country down to the park in Corrales NM, for the first show on June 17th.
          Some possible stops on the way include; The Seattle Area, Mt. St Helens, The Redwood National Park, Lassen Peak Volcano, Reno, The Great Salt Lake, Arches National Park; and the Canyonlands National Park.
          After the Corrales show, I'll have 8 days to explore this area of the Southwest before having to set up at The Littleton Arts Festival at Aspen Grove.