Announcement Video
A New Chapter
Our latest project, "Seeking Stories", has been in the works truthfully since I was in about eighth grade. Struggling with math and daydreaming of living it up in Alaska, I wanted nothing more than to see the world from the drivers seat of an RV, but I never thought that would really be me one day. Just like most peoples dreams, it was a pleasant thought in the back of my mind I'd get to when I retired, but as it often does, ambition finds a way.
For a fraction of the cost and in a sliver of the time, I am just now starting on that dream fifty years early. I took the first step in that dream this past March when I purchased a 1999 GMC Savanna Short Bus, and got to work straight away on gutting it completely. Thanks to the abysmally insignificant online school year of 2020, I was able to graduate early and devote all of my time to getting my bus up and running for this trip. That meant installing solar panels, building custom furnishings, and a whole slew of amazon wishlists, but as of today that work is 90% complete. This bus is absolutely everything I need it to be from the extreme lows of Alaska, to the extreme highs of Nevada, and I have faith that this bus will keep me comfortable in all of my travels. I am proud of the work done by me, my girlfriend, and the rest of my family, and incredibly grateful to have this opportunity in my life.
Starting on June 20th, 2021, I will be turning eighteen years old, and leaving for my first National Park in the country at Biscayne National park in Florida. From there, I'll be playing a lot of this trip by ear, eager to hear about border openings, regional happenings, and all the exciting things this country has to offer.
So for the reader at home curious about the future of The American Observer, the best rundown I can give is this: Expect more of everything. More photos, more detailed hikes, and more stories that inspire you to get outside and seek stories for yourself. These next two years will be an incredible learning experience for me, and I'm excited to see the twenty year old man that comes back home 2023, but I hope this experience is educational for you all too. What I want most from the people that read what I write and enjoy what I photograph is a renewed sense of adventure, and a desire to explore beyond their own circle. When we push ourselves outside of our comfort zones, and strive to live a life that's more than mundane, we learn to appreciate the world around us a hell of a lot more.
Safe travels to you all, and I hope to be talking with you again soon!
- David Thompson, The American Observer
For a fraction of the cost and in a sliver of the time, I am just now starting on that dream fifty years early. I took the first step in that dream this past March when I purchased a 1999 GMC Savanna Short Bus, and got to work straight away on gutting it completely. Thanks to the abysmally insignificant online school year of 2020, I was able to graduate early and devote all of my time to getting my bus up and running for this trip. That meant installing solar panels, building custom furnishings, and a whole slew of amazon wishlists, but as of today that work is 90% complete. This bus is absolutely everything I need it to be from the extreme lows of Alaska, to the extreme highs of Nevada, and I have faith that this bus will keep me comfortable in all of my travels. I am proud of the work done by me, my girlfriend, and the rest of my family, and incredibly grateful to have this opportunity in my life.
Starting on June 20th, 2021, I will be turning eighteen years old, and leaving for my first National Park in the country at Biscayne National park in Florida. From there, I'll be playing a lot of this trip by ear, eager to hear about border openings, regional happenings, and all the exciting things this country has to offer.
So for the reader at home curious about the future of The American Observer, the best rundown I can give is this: Expect more of everything. More photos, more detailed hikes, and more stories that inspire you to get outside and seek stories for yourself. These next two years will be an incredible learning experience for me, and I'm excited to see the twenty year old man that comes back home 2023, but I hope this experience is educational for you all too. What I want most from the people that read what I write and enjoy what I photograph is a renewed sense of adventure, and a desire to explore beyond their own circle. When we push ourselves outside of our comfort zones, and strive to live a life that's more than mundane, we learn to appreciate the world around us a hell of a lot more.
Safe travels to you all, and I hope to be talking with you again soon!
- David Thompson, The American Observer