Crossing into Alabama, I pulled onto the Martin Luther King Parkway just as the Drive-By Truckers came onto my earphones. Fitting. This decommissioned gas station was formerly a pawn shop but had become a latin american grocery store. It seemed incredible to me, that in the fifty years since some of the most pitched battles of the Civil Rights movement were fought, how much had changed and how much will continue to change. I believe the future will be brighter than the past. It's great to be alive.
May 2, 2018 - Keely and Dominique - Waffle House - Columbus, GA
Tried eating as southern as possible a breakfast as a vegetarian can get at a Waffle House. Pecan waffle with a side of jalapeno and onion grits. As someone with a fair bit of experience in hospitality, this was one of the most well-run operations I've seen in a while. The staff was working together as a team and food flew out of the open kitchen. The service was great as well, and Dominique my server had never met a Canadian before. I told her to look me up if she ever made it down to Toronto.
May 2, 2018 - Bikers at the Waffle House - Columbus, GA
As I left Lithia Springs on my way to Panama City Beach, Florida I drove by a couple of Waffle Houses where I'd noticed that bikers had gathered. As I was feeling both hungry and curious, I finally decided to stop into one and ask the folks what was going on. It turned out that there was a big biker rally called 'Thunder Beach' that was ironically happening right where I was headed. I found the guys kind of obnoxious so I said my goodbyes and went inside for some waffles.
May 1, 2018 - Donald's garage - Lithia Springs, GA
Don's awesome arcade had a Harley Davidson pinball table. I'm on a pinball trip riding a Harley Davidson. You better believe I stayed up much later than I should have to drop some initials on this table.
May 1, 2018 - Donald in his garage - Lithia Springs, GA
Donald runs an Air BnB with his partner, which happens to house one of the most impressive private arcades I've ever experienced. Originally from New York, he and his partner moved to the Atlanta area when a job transfer was offered. He described being gay in the south as "not that big of a deal", in that "I don't advertise it, but everyone knows and no one cares." I liked Donald.
May 1, 2018 - Backroads - Lithia Springs, GA
I wasn't enjoying the traffic on the outskirts of Atlanta so I turned right. I'm glad I did.
May 1, 2018 - BURRITO CONFEDERATE - Ellijay, GA
Of the entire trip, this was the only photo that I took of a subject without asking for permission first. The symbolism, of an older white man wearing a Confederate army hat sitting in a Mexican Burrito restaurant, owned by a family that had recently immigrated to the U.S. in the heart of Dixie was just too good of a shot not to take.
May 1, 2018 - Petrol Station - Mineral Bluff, GA
Sure they've gutted medicare, but who needs that when you have the 'Health Mart' in the Men's Bathroom.
May 1, 2018 - Pedro and Veronica - El Burrito To Go - Ellijay, GA
As you pull through the Rich Mountain Wilderness state park into Ellijay, Georgia you might look up at just the right moment and see a sign that says "El Burrito To Go". Something about the sign made me hungry and immediately turn off the road, and boy was my gut right. Veronica, one of the owners was doing brisk business at the cash register, taking orders, giving change with one hand firmly on Pedro at all times. The burrito was great, and I'm just disappointed that I couldn't come back the next day to the shops tenth anniversary party that she invited me to. She told me the business had originally started in the back of a gas station and has been growing ever since. In gone with the wind country, this is the American Dream.
May 1, 2018 - On the side of Highway 76 - Young Harris - GA
On my way towards Lithua Springs, GA I drove past these friendly folks burning a couch and a bunch of other stuff. Language was a bit of a barrier but they were cool with me taking a photo.
April 30, 2018 - Truck - Asheville - NC
Asheville is pretty open about its left of center culture and politics despite being in the heart of the Confederacy. To quote a popular bumper sticker and slogan I saw around this town; "namaste y'all".
April 30, 2018 - Friends - Franklin - NC
I feel like a dummy for misplacing the slip of paper that had these two guys names on it. They were my neighbours at the Sapphire Inn and worked in the mines during the week before returning to their families on the weekend. When I arrived they were sitting out front of their room, listening to classic southern soul music and drinking cheap beers. We talked about bikes mostly, and Canada's more progressive marijuana laws and subsequently their plans on immigration north. I liked these guys.
April 30, 2018 - Sami - Franklin - NC
Sami is the owner of the Sapphire Inn, located in Franklin North Carolina which is the 'gemstone capital of the world'. Most of the folks who stay with him are either miners, hikers or gem people. Sami travelled all over the world with the US Navy, before settling down with his wife and two daughters. "I like being here, as we can walk to my kids school, and we get all of our produce across the street from the Mexicans, although I'm planning on starting a garden this year."
April 30, 2018 - John - Asheville - NC
John is the owner of the Appalacian Pinball Museum, we ran into each other just before the Asheville Pinball Museum opened when he was loading a Simpson's pinball into his truck. He's still amazed at the resurgence of popularity with pinball, and sometimes wishes the machines wouldn't break so damn much. When I asked him about politics 'things are too divided right now, and I try to stay away from it as much as I can'.
April 30, 2018 - Asheville Pinball Museum - Asheville - NC
Sure there was a room with over 40 tables, but I spent most of my time on this one. Awesome game that I hadn't played much, and I was determined to leave some initials before I left.
April 30, 2018 - Asheville Pinball Museum - Asheville - NC
Was in pinball heaven for a few hours. Great selection of machines and well maintained. Rocked a few games with the longhair on the left, who was visiting from out of town. He worked in a call centre and wishes "that people wouldn't think we're stupid or backwards just because of the way we speak, the condescending thing bothers me sometimes."
April 30, 2018 - Brian and Chloe - Asheville - NC
Right after I pulled into Asheville, I ran into Brian and Chloe. I figured I could use some good advice about where to eat lunch and they seemed like nice folks. They'd actually gone to the Asheville Pinball Hall of Fame (my destination) on their first date over a year ago. "Asheville is really different than the rest of the state, we're all kinda hippies here."
April 30, 2018 - Village Inn Pizza Parlor - Lenoir - NC
With an average Google rating of 4.3 stars, the internet has told me that I should make a point of trying the salad bar. I just liked the sign and architecture.
April 29, 2018 - Narinder - Elk Inn, Elkin - NC
After a long day of riding through Blue Ridge, I ran out of light, gas and energy so I peeled off towards the first reasonably priced motel that google maps could find. This led me to Elkin NC, and the Elk Inn. Narinder and his wife manage the hotel and we got to talking. His son, a Nuclear Engineer and his grandson who is in school to become a doctor were his pride and joy, and when he spoke about them he seemed to grow an extra inch and absolutely beamed. "I love America, because it gave us opportunities that we could not have anywhere else."
April 29, 2018 - Gas Station near Blueridge Parkway - VA
Bertha needed some gas, so I pulled off the parkway, and headed towards the nearest gas station according to Google. This one was closer. The van belonged to the cashier working the counter. She made a point of telling me that she "wasn't a Jesus freak."