Red Truck Road Trip – EAST Coast Team

The past couple of months since I’ve known that I was going to partake in this experience, I have been bombarded with some excellent questions and I want my first entry to be my explanation to a few of them. “So what will you produce in the end? Explain this whole thing again?” These are the questions that I now embrace. I smile at the initial lack of understanding, because right now, the final product is not meant to be fully known and I am comfortable with that. This program is meant to be an exploration. We are young artists documenting a cross country American road trip and are creating pieces that represent us, the trip, and the spirit of the company. “So why are they (Red Truck) doing this?” Red Truck Wines has a great motto of being a playful, juicy flavored wine that keeps you coming back for more and they feel it’s not always the destination but the journey that makes the sweetness in life. Therefore, in essence, we represent their ideals and hopefully we’ll peak enough interest so that people would want to learn more about the wine and continue to follow our journey. “So what is your program?” The X-Country A.R.T. Road Trip is about celebrating America by creating our own path and providing a fresh perspective through our art; in my group it’s writing, photography, and videography. To me, this venture project feels like a symbol to what America is about; freedom, exploration, cultural awareness, and serious work in a way that can be laid-back and savored. “Aren’t you like a little nervous about this?” My comfort level shocks me and sometimes perplexes me. I am traveling with this label of a writer and I wonder if my words will paint the pictures as beautifully and distinctly as the photos that Dan takes or the video that Bill shoots. “And why do you want to do this?” It’s the writer’s dream and I am still in awe with the opportunity. I can’t believe I am being sponsored to travel across country for 30 days, see the states, create and have my writing shared and exhibited. “Aren’t you nervous about being with 2 guys you don’t know?” At first, yeah, of course. After we were selected and grouped, I didn’t even meet Bill and Dan alone and we went to a public place! My entourage of some of my closest friends ate at a different table at the restaurant that Bill, Dan, and I first met. While the three of us were conducting our first meeting, my friends were keeping tabs on Bill and Dan. “But do you realize you’re still traveling with strangers?” Yes, I do. Travel is great and brings out the unknown. Even being accompanied with your best friends or family, a trip can test you in ways that you would never expect. There have been times where I’ve seen it make and break relationships. Yet, this chance just felt right. Something about this entire program from the day I saw the posting on Craig’s list, from my first interview, then meeting with Bill and Dan and until this moment felt okay inside of me. I’ll admit there were times that I was skeptical and uncertain. My cynical side did show and I had fearful fantasies that I would become something that Dateline would document; however, deep in gut, I knew that this was right and maybe even meant to happen. “So are you like Road Rules?” This program does remind me of moving into college or watching Road Rules when it first came out on MTV. There’s something very exhilarating and fresh to this opportunity. But we’re different because it’s not contrived since we don’t represent stereotypes. We’re just young artists becoming friends and working partners. “So can I see what you all do?” Yes, you’ve found our website and I hope you check out the blog frequently!!!!