NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
This issue’s theme is born from the phrase “it’s about the journey and not the destination” and thinking about the United States and what defines an American experience. There is nothing more American than the road trip, an odyessy (best new quintessential movie of and for our times) of sorts. The American Road Trip is iconic, our car-centered culture, endless highways and pop culture lore around it fuels us. This year America turns 250 years old and the famous highway Route 66 celebrates its 100th birthday, so it feels inevitable to have an entire issue dedicated to the topic.
My favorite element of a road trip is the in-between state of being, neither here nor there but on the road. A liminal place with a transcendent quality. After hundreds of miles, between gas stations and truck stops, you’re popping out into a place you know little about, a glimpse of seeing other people you’ll likely never see again. When you happen to see an odd ball person, place or thing out place from your typical understanding of things, it triggers something in your brain that we all need every now and then. A reminder of what it means to be a stranger, a traveler passing through. This intangible feeling keeps me going back to the road whenever I can. Behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, the passing blur of landscapes, small towns, nothingness is an act of meditation and a gift for our creativity.
As we collectively feel the malaise of ever-rising costs, relentless heat and the growing itch to escape, the road trip may be the journey and reset we need to reignite a zest for living in a world of wonder. Yes, gas is high and may get higher yet it still provides a more economical way to get out there than buying a flight right now.
This issue of been interviews two artists who make work from the experience of being on the road. Let it be inspiration and a reminder.
Enjoy the read,
Mariah
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According to the polling results, most consider driving 5 - 10 hours classifies as a road trip. While some are true warriors of the road claiming 10 - 20 hours makes it a road trip! And even fewer who say a road trip can be anything within 2 - 5 hours. No matter how many hours or miles, if it’s scenic and transporting you to a new place, that’s all that matters.
YOUR ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP SNACK SHOP
MEMORIES AND INSPIRATION FROM BEEN READERS
Cross-country road trip to South Dakota.
A two week family road trip to Yellowstone with stops in Badlands, Grand Tetons and Rushmore opened their eyes to nature and started paying more attention to the beauty of it.
Long-distance move from Texas to New York with the pets was long and exhausting but exciting.
Any road trip to West Texas, solo trips to Big Bend in the mountains are always magical.
All the road trips with my wife over the years.
Texas to Washington D.C.
From Minnesota to Toronto, forgetting our passports and fighting off a flock of seagulls.
An incredible Alaskan road trip following the changing landscape from Kenai Fjords up to Fairbanks.
Down the Oregon coast, it’s so beautiful.
From Astoria, Oregon to Olympic National Forest, catching a ferry to Canada. Breathtaking scenery the whole way with no one else on the road.
Texas to Martha’s Vineyard with so many great stops along the way.
Driving down Highway 1 on the West Coast.
Going from Texas to New Mexico, including the dingy motel, dancing at a country bar and smelled of cigs and denim.
Driving to Santa Cruz to visit friends, filled with hikes and good company.
A fun family trip from Boston through Portland, Maine to Acadia National Park and back to New York City.