Letters from Travelin' Miles: The Lone Star Chronicles

2.04.2018

The Final Ride

In the beginning, it was the year 2002.

I had just graduated from college, and had barely started my young photography career.

You were shiny new, vibrant, and only had 36 recorded miles.

One a kid from Montana, the other a silver Pontiac Sunfire, and for the next 16 years, we would share countless memories together.

The first, being the time I loaded you up with all of my possessions. It was all that you could possibly carry, and we relocated to Oregon. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Together we would move to four different states. Driving through 10 states just to get there.

Over all those years, I would become an accomplished photojournalist, and you became to be known simply as
The Kashfire.

Sadly, today will be our last day together. The time has come for you to head into retirement. But before you go, I would like to say a few words.

Thank you for guiding me on 800 mile trips home to Montana in a single night.
Thank you for pushing a single gas tank to 400 miles on most of those trips.
Thank you for enduring snow, ice, rain, heat, wind, and dust.
Thank you for carrying my snowboard as we drove to the mountain with the back seat down and the coldness from the exterior coming through the trunk. It may have been a cold ride, but we always made up to the mountain and back safely.
Thank you for taking me to the beach for the first time.
Thank you for navigating me through major freeways, rural backroads, small towns, and big cities.
Thank you for enduring the hot desert sun of Nevada.
Thank you for never braking down on the roadside.
Thank you for always being constantly dependable.

Although there are many more countless thank you's to give, I will always be grateful for the service you provided to me. You didn't ask for much, even though I asked more than enough from you.

You were my first adult-type purchase, and together we shared 141,970 miles worth of memories. But come tomorrow, it's going to be difficult for me to watch you ride into the sunset. Hopefully there is some other young man out there waiting for your dependable service.

Vaya con dios Kashfire....

12.01.2015

Coming Soon

A whole new Travelin' Miles from the heart of Texas!

8.18.2015

I'm Leaving Las Vegas

For anyone who doesn't already know or hasn't yet heard, I am leaving Las Vegas.

Some of you have known this day would be coming; while others may be completely surprised to hear that I am moving. I have accepted a position at WOAI-TV in San Antonio, Texas. It's a great opportunity and also very exciting! I will be joining News4's Trouble Shooters team as an Investigative Photographer.

Right now as I look across my apartment, seeing it in a wreak with boxes and packing supplies littered about, it's starting to feel real to me. I can see nine years of professional and personal achievements completed. Nine years of memories collected. All those years of complied junk that I now need to sift through and decide what gets kept and what gets tossed. As a collector, this is very difficult for me.

When I first moved to Las Vegas, I had no idea that I would have stayed this long. The plan was suppose to be in the two year range. I was just amazed to be living Vegas in the first place, and had no thoughts of creating a longterm life here. Along the way I made dozens of friends, done extraordinary things, and had crazy "anything could happen" adventures. All of that, those memories and friendships, will be coming with me. There is no way I am leaving any of that behind.

I am excited about moving. As you know, I like adventures. I feel like my time in Las Vegas has prepared me to be even more adventurous. I don't know what my future holds or in what direction my life will turn next. I have no clue how long it will even take me to discover that future, but I'm sure it will be a fun adventure the whole way.

Next week is my last week in Las Vegas. I plan on trying to meet up with as many friends as I can. I still have a lot of planning and packing to do. Sure there will be some type of going away party. Maybe one last hand of poker will be played. Not sure yet. I will send out an update through social media. I hope I will be able to see everyone some how or another.

Adios

P.S. - Your last chance to see me will also be your last chance to see my girlfriend Cassandra. She will be coming back to Las Vegas next week to help me complete our move to San Antonio. She is amazing. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without her. She is my #1 supporter and she always encourages me to reach for my goals and aspirations. I can hardly wait for us start our adventure together.