A word from the “Two-Fer”
Hello! This is Kim! (Kimmie or Two-fer, “The Closer,” those are my nicknames). The driver, note-taker, coffee-drinker. I wanted to add my two cents about this incredible journey that Robin invited me to be a part of. I have known Robin for many years. We have had some great adventures together in her freelance-photography-business, I helped her when she needed graphic material readied for printing and our love of crafts and all-things-old. When Robin suggested this trip, I was in between contract jobs. I talk to my husband who is a big basketball and Robin fan. He looked at me and said, “You have to go, what are you even thinking about?”
I am the type of person who can’t leave my house without 3 or 4 bags of books, journals, junk to keep me busy. After Robin and I talked about the game plan, I was determined to pack light, really light. As it was, I didn’t pack nearly enough of anything. I took two pair of jeans, a couple of linen crop pants, one nice outfit in case I needed it (White House!). I have lived in nice cool weather in Seattle for 22 years, so have completely forgotten just how hot 104 degrees can be. And I don’t own too many T-shirts or summer clothes. So I made-do with my cotton and linen shirts. Not to go into detail, but wore the same clothes often and doing laundry was such a treat.
I am also the type of person who never leaves her home, her computer. Complete HOMEBODY. Thinking about being away from home, not able to watch my Sunday night Masterpiece Theater or Justified sort of scared me. I wanted to pry myself out of predictable life and this did feel like the perfect timing.
I made my list of essentials. Packed a suitcase. Got rid of my huge handbag and bought a very small travel version. Big enough to fit in writing pins, flashlight and lipsticks. Since I do not travel, I did not own a laptop. I mean, really, I never leave my computer. So when I told Robin we could just share hers on the road, she said “I don’t think so“. To explain how generous Robin is … within the hour she was at my front door with my new Macbook laptop. I was humbled and excited, still did not think I would use it enough to justify the cost. (I laugh at that thought now).
I loaded the laptop with all of my programs, set up Dropbox, “GoToMyPC“, made a travel Skype so I could talk to my family on the road. Taught my mom and husband how to answer Skype on my home computer. Bought a really good back pack, which became my “mobile office“. My husband set me up with a iPod loaded with songs and books on tape. I packed any kind of extra cords I thought I might need, journals, pens, travel water color set, several external drives with all the freelance I could do on the road and keep my clients happy. I felt prepared! And so grateful to Robin for this great gift.
I headed off the New York, a place I have dreamed of going but never have. From the moment I took the train into the city, it feels, the rest is a blur.
My other nervous moment was thinking of driving, lots of driving. Since I had started freelancing and working from home in 2010, I hardly ever drove anywhere. I mean, really, I worked in my PJ’s most of the time. The thought of driving all day scared me at first. And I have a tendency to be impatient. So that was something weighing on my mind.
Driving was a breeze, except in a big city. I would let Robin take over there. I learned to use Robin’s GPS. We both used our cell phones to the max. We found hotels for that night on our cell phones. I had never had the opportunity to use my smartphone to it’s full potential but I quickly found out why designing for a smartphone is so important! Texting! Photos! Email! all on my phone during the day. Netflix and Comcast at night on my laptop. I also learned about hotspot on my smartphone and we could have our laptops connected while we were driving.
I wish I could remember all the places we drove past that I have been longing to see, like Gettysburg and all things in DC.
My “impatience” was tested and I found out I can entertain myself anywhere, any place. While Robin was shooting, I would walk around the location and search out memorabilia. At every location, I found at least ONE penny, sometimes more. That became my obsession on location. And of course, I was hired to help Robin with her equipment, umbrellas, remind to photograph something with her iPhone. Every location was different in so many ways, the people, the weather. In other words, I was never bored.
Sometimes on our long drives in between, we would be silent, thinking about what we had just done, or what we were doing the next day. Thinking about the people we had met, or the circumstances that they lived in. We would listen to our favorite music. Discovering new things we did not know about each other. Sometimes we talked about the past and our history. But really, most of the time, we were quiet. I think that says a lot about friends, when no words need to fill the air for hours, we can just be with each other and not disturb each other’s thoughts.
Before I knew it, we were driving I-90 to home. I read the blog today, and still can not believe we made that journey. I have great memories of people we met on the road, the voices on the phone that helped us find our way, friends who would call us with suggestions of where to go next. All the laughs we had at ourselves, the private jokes that no one else will ever understand because they were not there. The trip AD, “after dogs“. My Pebbles is the sweetest soul in the world, but not the brightest. She has settled in to a home that loves and pampers her.
So I close, in saying a big THANK YOU to Robin for letting me be a part of this incredible journey. Thank you, to all of you that have supported her project, encouraged her vision and her beloved book. I think we can claim a great success! I learned that stepping out of safety of a routine can be really, really enlightening. (Don’t tell Robin, but I would have done it for free). 
A Word From Robin
We DID it!!!! I can’t believe what we just did! We actually drove in a van, zig-zagging across America! We knocked on stranger’s doors, drove down alley ways, backroads, tough neighborhoods, met incredible people and took photos of A LOT of hoops! I shot over 100,000 images and we traveled across 34 states!!!
Oh yeah, and we adopted THREE dogs!!!! What an experience. There were TWO best parts: One, it was incredible getting to spend time with my dear friend Kim and get to know her better. We spent 4 weeks together and didn’t kill each other! She is the most unselfish person I’ve ever met. This trip would NOT have been the same without her and I am FOREVER grateful to her!!!!!
The second best part, well, see below. Our two new sons, Georgie and Travis. The photos below might show you just how they are adjusting to their new home/s. (one in the city and one in the mountains) We love our babies so much!
From concrete (being in the shelter) to cotton (1000 count thread)! 
Travis in one of his many new outfits.
One BIG happy family!!
