Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe -- the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.
- Immanuel Kant
This will be the last entry of this blog. With the experiences I have been through during this traveling expedition I have decided that it is no longer important to log my travel. The beauty of witnessing and experience the wonder of the universe is far more rewarding then spending time talking about it through digital media on the inter-web. I have entered a new stage of enlightenment and molted off yet another layer of my internal mental construction. I have fulfilled every goal set for this trip and am ready to return back and start a new life away from distraction and disarray. This will be the mark of a new era and a confident return of creativity, productiveness, and happiness. For all of who fallow this blog, I wish for all to go out and live to the fullest. Do not cowardly hide in the unhealthy grasp of our society. The world is filled with wonder and amazing experiences. Strangers on the street are not there to rob you, but there to share stories and kindness. We are all here living in the same chaotic global village. There is a lot we can learn from each other if we open up and share ourselves. I have been moved by the people I have met and the landscapes I have climbed. I wish to all a very happy life and to not be afraid to explore or to tap in and express your inner-self.
Bon Voyage,
Scott B. McKibben
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Shenandoah to NYC
So I have taken a break from my blog for a while to enjoy my travels to the fullest. I have hiked my way through the great Shenandoah National Park as well as hustling through the crowded streets of New York City. During my travel to Virginia where I stayed in Shenandoah, I found myself waking to a foggy cloud which slowly crept along the mountainside making anything further than 5 feet away merely invisible. I had an encounter with some white tailed deer in Big Meadows that was absolutely unbelievable. I was within arms reach of a young faun as it continued to walk closer and closer. I made sure to grab a few shots.
I then hiked in to the woods with my camera and camping gear hoping to find a backcountry spot to camp. I overshot my hike and passed the poorly marked sites and found myself at the beginning of the 5 mile hike. It seemed like a rather difficult 2 miles in, but hell i'm a bit out of shape and I had a 50 pound makeshift back pack on my back. Irritated by the situation I decided to settle into a campsite on the far South side of the park. Right as I pulled in to the campground I noticed to very tired looking men off to the side. I stepped out of my car to register and we began to talk. Joe, a long bearded man from Chattanooga, Tennesse and Tiff, a German and newly relocated Atlantan. We talked for a bit and decided to share a camp spot to save money. I took the two men to the camp store and they were thankful enough to purchase two nights of camping. We ended up having a great time and sharing many memories and stories. We eventually were joined by Al' and Jordan, a father and son duo. Oh and did I mention all of these men were hiking the Appalachian Trail. The two nights with these new friends went by very quick, but I am very glad I got to share time with them. it's easy getting lonely on the road. They told me I should go visit Blackrock summit before I departed. I took there word for it and made my way hiking in to the rocky mountainside. I slipped on the rocky slope till I made it to the top. The view was incredible. 360 degree's of visible mountains and wilderness. I made my way back to Sophia and ended up taking another hiker back to the campsite from the summit. I really enjoyed helping these guys, because I felt there pain with my measly little 5 mile hike. From there I departed and headed to Long Island to visit my sister.
Once I made it to Long Island I was greeted by my sister and nephews. They have been so amazing to stay with and I really have found a special place for them in my heart. It has been nice building a stronger relationship with my sister. We didn't grow up together so my memories have been very faint. I definitely feel a lot closer to her now and the two boys have grown so much since the last time I have seen them. I really want to try to be a better uncle for them as well. Denise took me into Brooklyn so I could stay with a friend for the night and visit the Buckminster Fuller Institution. I had a great time visiting with Derek and walking around the city. It was a little odd not having anyone with me and just wandering, but I had a lot of time to think about what I needed to be doing to prepare for the rest of my journey. I woke up from Dereks early in the morning and took the train back to Williamsburg. I got some breakfast and headed to the Bucky Institute. There I spent the day reading Earth, Inc. which was published in 1947. I was the only one in there other than the 2 people who worked there. It was a really nice study area with a bookshelf of interesting literature from Bucky, about Bucky, or from people who influenced Bucky. I was able to take a lot of notes as well as passing forward information about my documentary and the idea for my experimental social project. Hopefully I will hear back from their project coordinator. Denise then came and picked me up and took me home for a delicious home cooked meal. I will set off in the morning to go to Portland, Maine where I will visit my friend Watson and hopefully take a lot of pictures. This I think will be the last place I visit in my journey. My money is getting low and the toll roads are wearing the budget thin. For now it is late and I shall rest up for tomorrow.
Till next time,
Scott
I then hiked in to the woods with my camera and camping gear hoping to find a backcountry spot to camp. I overshot my hike and passed the poorly marked sites and found myself at the beginning of the 5 mile hike. It seemed like a rather difficult 2 miles in, but hell i'm a bit out of shape and I had a 50 pound makeshift back pack on my back. Irritated by the situation I decided to settle into a campsite on the far South side of the park. Right as I pulled in to the campground I noticed to very tired looking men off to the side. I stepped out of my car to register and we began to talk. Joe, a long bearded man from Chattanooga, Tennesse and Tiff, a German and newly relocated Atlantan. We talked for a bit and decided to share a camp spot to save money. I took the two men to the camp store and they were thankful enough to purchase two nights of camping. We ended up having a great time and sharing many memories and stories. We eventually were joined by Al' and Jordan, a father and son duo. Oh and did I mention all of these men were hiking the Appalachian Trail. The two nights with these new friends went by very quick, but I am very glad I got to share time with them. it's easy getting lonely on the road. They told me I should go visit Blackrock summit before I departed. I took there word for it and made my way hiking in to the rocky mountainside. I slipped on the rocky slope till I made it to the top. The view was incredible. 360 degree's of visible mountains and wilderness. I made my way back to Sophia and ended up taking another hiker back to the campsite from the summit. I really enjoyed helping these guys, because I felt there pain with my measly little 5 mile hike. From there I departed and headed to Long Island to visit my sister.
Once I made it to Long Island I was greeted by my sister and nephews. They have been so amazing to stay with and I really have found a special place for them in my heart. It has been nice building a stronger relationship with my sister. We didn't grow up together so my memories have been very faint. I definitely feel a lot closer to her now and the two boys have grown so much since the last time I have seen them. I really want to try to be a better uncle for them as well. Denise took me into Brooklyn so I could stay with a friend for the night and visit the Buckminster Fuller Institution. I had a great time visiting with Derek and walking around the city. It was a little odd not having anyone with me and just wandering, but I had a lot of time to think about what I needed to be doing to prepare for the rest of my journey. I woke up from Dereks early in the morning and took the train back to Williamsburg. I got some breakfast and headed to the Bucky Institute. There I spent the day reading Earth, Inc. which was published in 1947. I was the only one in there other than the 2 people who worked there. It was a really nice study area with a bookshelf of interesting literature from Bucky, about Bucky, or from people who influenced Bucky. I was able to take a lot of notes as well as passing forward information about my documentary and the idea for my experimental social project. Hopefully I will hear back from their project coordinator. Denise then came and picked me up and took me home for a delicious home cooked meal. I will set off in the morning to go to Portland, Maine where I will visit my friend Watson and hopefully take a lot of pictures. This I think will be the last place I visit in my journey. My money is getting low and the toll roads are wearing the budget thin. For now it is late and I shall rest up for tomorrow.
Till next time,
Scott
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Trail of dust
So there is nothing for free at the Outer Banks. Camping was a no go even though online said there is disperse camping in places. I had no help from park officials. It is a very touristy area so I can understand they make the majority of their money from things like camping and lodging. So I was lucky enough to stay at Tim's house for one more night. Him and his roommates were very friendly and I enjoyed getting to meet some new people. I spent the day at Pea Island sitting on the beach and walking the nature trails. I almost stepped on this poisonous guy.
Visiting the OBX was a really nice trip, but I am heading out to George Washington National Park for some disperse camping in the woods before I head to visit my sister in Long Island.
Till next time,
SBM
Goodbye OBX
Visiting the OBX was a really nice trip, but I am heading out to George Washington National Park for some disperse camping in the woods before I head to visit my sister in Long Island.
Till next time,
SBM
Goodbye OBX
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Outer Banks
Hello ladies and gentlemen of the internet realm. I am sitting in The Coffee House on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks. I can't wait to leave this coffee shop and explore. I do have to say this place has the best coffee of my whole trip. 16oz organic mexican brew is the way to go. Great internet connection too! The Coffee House on Roanoke Island gets 2 SBM thumbs up. I will be updating my findings in a few days when I leave the Cape Hatteras National Shore. Here is a picture from Nashville to help hold you over. Nothing special, but a decent landscape of the city.
I will leave you with a passage from Utopia or Oblivion by Buckminster Fuller 1969
"At the present moment in history, we find ourselves in a fundamentally different economic position. When, a decade ago, Eisenhower went to meet with Khrushchev in Geneva, both had been informed by their military and scientists regarding the magnitude of the destructive capability of the atomic bomb. And Eisenhower said, as he went to that conference, "There is no alternative to peace." I'm sure Khrushchev, with the same realization, must have felt the powerful responsibility of that moment. Both, being political realists and hard-fact men, knew that they would not be able to make any important peace agreements as conceived solely by themselves. Their proposals and agreements, if any, would have to be backed by their respective political parties, and their parties were always in mortal contest at home with their chief opposition parties which waited upon altruistic moves of the "ins" as opportunities to impeach them for treachery to their respective sovereign power's ideological premises. Any softheaded step on the part of the leader would throw the party out. While Eisenhower and Khrushchev couldn't yield an inch politically, ideologically, and militarily, both of them brought along their atomic scientists and allowed them to talk to each other in limited manner regarding any at all possible peaceful uses of the atom.
Only one decade ago, at the meeting in Geneva and its companion meeting of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, it came so clearly into scientific view that the leading world politicians could acknowledge it to be true that -as reported unequivocally by Gerard Piel, publisher of the Scientific American- for the first time in the history of man, it was in evidence that there could be enough of the fundamental metabolic and mechanical energy sustenance for everybody to survive at high standards of living - and furthermore, there could be enough of everything to take care of the increasing population while also always improving the comprehensive standards of living. Granted the proper integration of the world around potentials by political unblockings, there could be enough to provide for all men to enjoy all earth at a higher standard of living than all yesterday's kings, without self-interferences and with no one being advantages at the expense of another.
But clearly both political leaders and their respective states were frustrated by all the political checks and balances each side has set up to protect and advantage only their own and their allies' side in view of yesterday's dictum that there was only enough of what it takes to support one in a hundred. So, all the ages-long fears; all the bad habits; all the shortsighted expedients that have developed in custom and law frustrated whatever might be done to realize the new potential. But the fact to remember is that it was only one decade ago that man had this completely surprise news that Malthus was indeed wrong and there now could be enough to go around -handsomely."
Isn't that refreshing!
-Scott B. McKibben
I will leave you with a passage from Utopia or Oblivion by Buckminster Fuller 1969
"At the present moment in history, we find ourselves in a fundamentally different economic position. When, a decade ago, Eisenhower went to meet with Khrushchev in Geneva, both had been informed by their military and scientists regarding the magnitude of the destructive capability of the atomic bomb. And Eisenhower said, as he went to that conference, "There is no alternative to peace." I'm sure Khrushchev, with the same realization, must have felt the powerful responsibility of that moment. Both, being political realists and hard-fact men, knew that they would not be able to make any important peace agreements as conceived solely by themselves. Their proposals and agreements, if any, would have to be backed by their respective political parties, and their parties were always in mortal contest at home with their chief opposition parties which waited upon altruistic moves of the "ins" as opportunities to impeach them for treachery to their respective sovereign power's ideological premises. Any softheaded step on the part of the leader would throw the party out. While Eisenhower and Khrushchev couldn't yield an inch politically, ideologically, and militarily, both of them brought along their atomic scientists and allowed them to talk to each other in limited manner regarding any at all possible peaceful uses of the atom.
Only one decade ago, at the meeting in Geneva and its companion meeting of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, it came so clearly into scientific view that the leading world politicians could acknowledge it to be true that -as reported unequivocally by Gerard Piel, publisher of the Scientific American- for the first time in the history of man, it was in evidence that there could be enough of the fundamental metabolic and mechanical energy sustenance for everybody to survive at high standards of living - and furthermore, there could be enough of everything to take care of the increasing population while also always improving the comprehensive standards of living. Granted the proper integration of the world around potentials by political unblockings, there could be enough to provide for all men to enjoy all earth at a higher standard of living than all yesterday's kings, without self-interferences and with no one being advantages at the expense of another.
But clearly both political leaders and their respective states were frustrated by all the political checks and balances each side has set up to protect and advantage only their own and their allies' side in view of yesterday's dictum that there was only enough of what it takes to support one in a hundred. So, all the ages-long fears; all the bad habits; all the shortsighted expedients that have developed in custom and law frustrated whatever might be done to realize the new potential. But the fact to remember is that it was only one decade ago that man had this completely surprise news that Malthus was indeed wrong and there now could be enough to go around -handsomely."
Isn't that refreshing!
-Scott B. McKibben
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Smoky Mountains
So I have just entered Nashville after spending 2 nights camping in the Smoky Mountains and a brief visit in Asheville, North Carolina. Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountain National Park is absolutely beautiful. It is home of a diverse group of plants and animals. The National Park Service works to manage the preservation of native species to the area. Some of the successful wildlife reintroductions in the Great Smoky Mountains include the river otter, Peregrine Falcon, and three species of small fish. All of these species were reintroduced because they had been eliminated from the park at a point in time. There was an experimental release of elk into the park in February 2001. Over hunting and loss of habitat eliminated these animals from this region in the 1700's. It was a great pleasure to be able to share a home with these majestic animals for a few nights. A little nerve racking at first, but I found myself captivated by the clear water streams and thick forest canopy. I hiked to camp ground number 39 and 40 while I was at the park. It was very nice being able to share memories with my friends during the first part of my travels. The last night camping I spent the night in a hammock. It was a bit chilly as soon as the sun rotated out of our hemisphere, but watching the starry sky was well worth the chill. We woke at 4 am and hiked back through the woods in darkness to catch the elk grazing in the foggy field. Even with my 100-400mm I could not get close enough to photograph any details. I realize I would have needed a 600-800 or larger and a 3000 dollar tripod. Oh well, they were better in person than any photograph could capture.
We then left for Asheville. There we sat under a bridge and shared tunes and rested our heads from the early morning daze. It was quite relaxing watching the water go by. It would be nice If everyone would take the time to focus on what is around them. It's hard while working a job every day for the rest of your life. It takes a lot to break free. I fell in love with Asheville. The whole city provides fresh organic food and everyone is so nice and happy. Such a wonderful place. I am considering moving there when I get back. I have always wanted to live in the mountains and I think I could be a successful working artist there. I also really enjoy being able to play music on the streets. I recorded a song while I was there . . .
After we finished with the video I headed to Nashville and started the beginning of my solo trip. Once I got to Nashville I was greeted by my old friend Jessica Lee. She is always a pleasure to be around. Her bubbly personality is medicine for lifting your spirit. Her and her sister Rachel showed me around town and took me too a few places. I have 2 favorite places here. 1) is Bookman and Bookwoman, an independent used book store. There I bought Man Against Myth by Dunham. Here is a quote from this book,
'"The unhappiness of man," wrote Baron d'Holback, "is due to his ignorance of nature." It is a profound truth, and the future of mankind undoubtedly turns upon it. Knowledge is, of course, a satisfaction in itself. We are likely to feel that even if we cannot avoid the blows of circumstance, there is some consolation in knowing what hit us. Yet how much greater the satisfaction would be if we had no need to be consoled, if our knowledge of the given circumstances were transformed, by further knowledge, into control over it!"
Wrote in 1947
2) Percy Warner park was also one of my favorite spots. It has a great over look of the city and we saw a hand full of deer on the long drive up the mountain. I'm really glad Jessica took me around and showed me these spots.
I am now going to head to the coast of Virginia to find some free disperse camping. Time to read, paint, and play music.
-SBM
Friday, July 2, 2010
I need help
Good day internet patrons. I have stowed away all my belongings in the far corners of Marietta and am preparing my travel necessities for my month long escape. I am very excited to escape a routine way of life and capture the world from an outside perspective. I will be sharing my travels with the world as I find myself entering new situations and discoveries. I hope to inform and educate as well as provide my photographic talents to those whom wish to enjoy. I plan on trying to stay traveling as long as possible, but my funds are limiting. I am open to sleeping on couches and camping as ways of shelter. I will learn to cut my costs, my waste, and act as a responsible human on this beautiful planet, Spaceship Earth. I am very appreciative of any friendly help I can get along the way. As much as I hate the idea of money I have created a Donate button for paypal on my blog. Any funds are a help and will go directly to helping me continue my travels and my education. In return I will post my findings, photographs, and video's all for free. I just need help getting by. Prints of my work will also be available through www.scottmckibbenphotography.smugmug.com I am also taking suggestions for traveling and you can be a part of the very photograph that could be hanging on your wall. 4 days till my departure and there is still very much work to be done. If you lay your head on the East Coast and have an interesting discovery, lifestyle, organization, non profit or philosophy to share please contact me.
Thank you so much for everyones help!
-Scott B. McKibben
Thank you so much for everyones help!
-Scott B. McKibben
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Changes
What a shame . . . We have reached a point where our own ignorance, greed, and insensitivity has lead to a point of disaster. My plans for moving to New Orleans have changed. I have looked in to going and helping and "due to the high volume of volunteers [they] are no longer accepting applications." I am concerned for the health of those helping and the education being provided about the harmful side effects of working with such toxins. The chemical agent being added to the oil has many catastrophic side effects and we will see a lot of damage in the future because of this. I blame not only the government and BP for this disaster, but I blame myself and other humans for not putting forth all of their interests into alternate fuel options. We have had our chances with the auto manufactures and the public was more concerned with their gas guzzling suv's, sports cars, and trucks. So for now we choose oil which is spewing out rapidly into our oceans, destroying our wildlife, poisoning our food, and feeding the flame for the fate of our future. I know I want this to change.
Instead we will probably point fingers for a while and not take responsibility for our own actions. There needs to be more government action and less blame game. Also, somebody needs to take the typewriters microphone and pass it to Obama. I can't hear him talking in circles clearly.
On the contrary, my lease ends on the 30th of June. I have arranged for myself to take forth all of my energy in my documentary to help educate humans on what it is that is happening and why. I will be traveling to Canada hoping to stir an interest in my project and to receive grants and funding. I just need the means in which I can focus 100 percent of my time on this project. I will be stopping by the Buckminster Fuller Institution to learn more about Bucky and to talk with them about what it is I am trying to do.
I will use this trip as the stepping stone to constructing a hard outline of what the project will offer and to help educate people along the way. I will keep a consistent video blog of observations and experiences through out my journey.
Please help me in my travels. I need places to stay, people to talk to, topics, and any information that can be of help for making a change. Please email me at scottmckibbenphotography@gmail.com
On a more light hearted note, I will also be cataloging my music endeavors along the way. Hoping to create a video blog series devoted to american music. I will play my own tunes as I travel as well as film the others I encounter. If you live on the east coast and are interested in meeting me to be a part of this project please let me know.
There is a lot to come from me in the next few months. I am also happy to say that my website will be going up next week. After months of hard grueling work Dave Berzack and myself have come to a closing with my website as well as his Nerdcore Rap Spoof video. I hope these projects bring us success in the future.
I just wanted to give a brief overview of what there will be to see in the next coming weeks and am very excited about sharing my travels with the world wide web.
Till next time,
SBM
Instead we will probably point fingers for a while and not take responsibility for our own actions. There needs to be more government action and less blame game. Also, somebody needs to take the typewriters microphone and pass it to Obama. I can't hear him talking in circles clearly.
On the contrary, my lease ends on the 30th of June. I have arranged for myself to take forth all of my energy in my documentary to help educate humans on what it is that is happening and why. I will be traveling to Canada hoping to stir an interest in my project and to receive grants and funding. I just need the means in which I can focus 100 percent of my time on this project. I will be stopping by the Buckminster Fuller Institution to learn more about Bucky and to talk with them about what it is I am trying to do.
I will use this trip as the stepping stone to constructing a hard outline of what the project will offer and to help educate people along the way. I will keep a consistent video blog of observations and experiences through out my journey.
Please help me in my travels. I need places to stay, people to talk to, topics, and any information that can be of help for making a change. Please email me at scottmckibbenphotography@gmail.com
On a more light hearted note, I will also be cataloging my music endeavors along the way. Hoping to create a video blog series devoted to american music. I will play my own tunes as I travel as well as film the others I encounter. If you live on the east coast and are interested in meeting me to be a part of this project please let me know.
There is a lot to come from me in the next few months. I am also happy to say that my website will be going up next week. After months of hard grueling work Dave Berzack and myself have come to a closing with my website as well as his Nerdcore Rap Spoof video. I hope these projects bring us success in the future.
I just wanted to give a brief overview of what there will be to see in the next coming weeks and am very excited about sharing my travels with the world wide web.
Till next time,
SBM
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