Michael Hsiung continues his travels for Color Magazine's traveling skate-centric art shows up and down the west coast. Meant to add this blog up awhile ago, but moving servers slowed us down. Anyway, enjoy his travels through word and photo form.

A view of the interstate a little ways from where our secret campsite was. It was over the barbed wire fence and down the hill to where this lake resides. The kid told us that people said there's mercury in the lake, but he doesn't believe it and continues to fish and swim there.

Phil, who is actually in China right now eating raw horses, packing up and ready to go.

Isaac started driving the clown van when we all realized that our camping bags, tents, and etc. had all fallen off the roof of the van onto the Interstate. So we had to stop and Phil, PNUT, and I went to intercept the big blue bag

Phil telling me that it's right over there, but I wasn't playing Frogger at 8 am in the morning. Ha-ha. I need more coffee for that.

Sketchy. . . Interstate Frogger.

I've heard about the hospitality and friendliness of people out in the USA. . . and it's true. People and even some cops were really really cool. We recovered our bags and immediately a truck stopped by and gave us a ride up to our van. No offense Los Angeles, but if that happened here, people would probably yell and honk at you. . . and then the cops would give you a ticket for something.

Moments before the sleeping bag disaster. Phil (Ill Phil), Isaac Mckay-Randozzi, Corey Adams (the Canadian Giant), Andrew Pommier, and Greg (PNUT) Galinsky (Jawa Wrangler).

A car hood group shot!

Starbucks are good crap spots. Coffee is nature's laxative.

PNUT and Phil get $6.66 receipts at Starbucks and a one way ticket to HELL.

More male bonding.

More on Van life - PNUT shaving . . . prison style

Umm. . . awkward.

PNUT's butt mirror and ball powder. We get restless and all we have is our crude sense of humor, duct tape, and sharpies. This is what happens when 30 something year olds regress.

A peaceful spot to get remembered. Drive safe.

We finally hit one of our destinations - Denver Skatepark. It's amazing and massive. Pools, bowls, and about everything you can imagine. No spoiler shots though.

The best part of the road trip is getting to talk and meet all the local kids. They were all really awesome and loved skating. We were able to find out local spots, campgrounds and etc.

PNUT slams and shows us his bloody elbow.

Phil busting out pivot to fakie?

Sam McGuire and Pug.

Sorry there's so many Van interior shots, but seriously I was constantly amazed and humored by the crap surrounding us in there.

We did a lot of van drawings on the trip. I started to draw little memories along the way. It'll probably turn into my first zine. I've wanted to do one for a while but never really had a fun idea . . .

Horsey who rides for http://www.teenagerunawayurethane.com/ and Todd Bratrud waiting and waiting.

We went for some food, pool, and beers at the local Denver bar. Horsey and Mark Fos Foster play a couple games.

I wish I could have come back to see this show.

Twins. Danny Devito and Arnold.

Someone picked up some road reading and this was one of the comics.

At some point, Corey and Isaac had to finish up some artist interviews before some guys took off. We headed over to the park across from the skatepark. Here's a bum lunch I found along the way. Reese pieces large pack, licorce, and a tall can.

Some downtime in the park. Pommier hanging out while Horsey and Phil kick the soccer ball around.

Ingredients to a Ham and Cheese sandwich. This is how you get a 20 pound trucker turd.

Isaac in the USA.

Corey doing what he loves to do.

We must be in Kansas because this bathroom stop is covered in June bugs.

I guess the thing I remember about Kansas is that it was really flat, weather reports played at all the rest stops, and the june bugs. Okay, our next stop begins with setting up the show at Escapist in Kansas City, MO!

We arrived in Kansas City, MO super late. . . We were actually still looking for a place to stay when I took this shot. I think it was 3 am or something and we were all burnt out. There was a convention in town and all the rooms were booked up. We eventually found one and PNUT and I stayed up to do our laundry before we had to head to Escapist at like 9 am. Next pictures will be of the installation and the show!

Words and photos: Michael Hsiung