Richard Terborg – Route 66

Richard Terborg – Route 66

By Arden de Raaij

Route 66 is that all-American Mecca for travellers across the globe. The idea of roaming these roads in a sluggish American car and enjoying all the greatness that the States have to offer, appeals to people worldwide. So is it all bigger in the States? Our good friend and talented photographer Richard Terborg and his equally talented girlfriend, designer/illustrator Karin van de Kuilen  followed their dream to find out! With much pleasure I present you with the story of Richard and Karin doing the States, accompanied by some amazing photography from Richard!

“it was one of the most awesome experiences a human can have, and I’d recommend everyone doing this at least once in their lives. Even if you already live in the States!”

Karin & Richard - by Richard Terborg
Karin & Richard – by Richard Terborg

A few years ago we (me and my girlfriend Karin) decided to start saving up for a road trip through America. It’s one of those things we had on our bucket list. So we saved up enough money, quit our jobs and bought ourselves some tickets for a two month trip! We started out in Chicago and drove up Route 66 to L.A. After L.A. we headed up on the Pacific Coast Highway #1 all the way up to Vancouver, Canada. From Vancouver we took the Canada Highway 1 and visited some friends in Calgary. From Calgary we dropped down to Salt Lake City before driving back to Chicago

It was one of the most awesome experiences a human can have, and I’d recommend everyone doing this at least once in their lives. Even if you already live in the States!

Along the way I (of course) took a lot of pictures, but I also kept my friends updated with short notes on Facebook. Here are all the images and updates; I hope to do something like this again soon!

Update 1: Route 66

“We drove for 2200 miles = 3500km, been around Dead Man’s Curve, reached the highest route 66 point (7275 ft = 1.5 km) in the mountains. A lot of gravel, sand, paved and snowy roads. Met Gary! The most awesome route 66 person! Been through 3 times zones (had to change the clock every time) took 1500 pictures and 1 hour of video. Been in small towns where little kids run around in 1920’s clothing and signs say: “The righteous will be condemned”… and got the fuck out ASAP!”

'Dead Man's curve'  by Richard Terborg
‘Dead Man’s curve’ by Richard Terborg
Richard Terborg
Richard Terborg

The first week we were here we couldn’t finish off our main course, now we super-size the shit out of everything.

Update 2: Finished Route 66

We’ve finished Route 66 with 3228 miles = 5194km on the dial. We ate a triple heart attack burger with bypass fries, and survived Las Vegas! Everyone thinks we’re local so hooray for no accent! The first week we were here we couldn’t finish off our main course, now we super-size the shit out of everything. We drove through 4 different mountain ranges, slept in an Indian tipi and helped two kids with car problems by giving them a ride to discover they were packed with XTC. We loust our map at night, in the desert, but found it again next day. We saw a Mexican in all Green talking with an Irish accent on St. Patricks day.

Las Vegas, Richard Terborg
Las Vegas, Richard Terborg
Golden Gate Bridge, Richard Terborg
Golden Gate Bridge, Richard Terborg
Salt Lake City, USA - Richard Terborg
Salt Lake City, USA – Richard Terborg

We flew through the air with the car for about one to two seconds. Our eyes must’ve said “ooooh noooo!” but our mouths did “YEEHAAAA!”. It was legen… Wait for it… dary!

Update 3: Pacific Coast Highway 1, Canada Highway 1

5555.5 miles = 8940.7km on the dial.

We’ve driven on countless Need for Speed, Collin McRae Rally track inspirations that made us go: “Hmm… I think I’ve been here before!”

Being with our friends in Calgary is like being home. We’ve been balls deep in snow two times and it was awesome. Driving from Vancouver to Calgary and going through all the snowy mountains should be on everyone’s bucket list. We helped a Chinese trucker who got stuck in the snow. We’ve got two stars in our car window from falling rocks. It turns out that Canadians are even more patriotic than Americans, but they have the right to be so. We’ve eaten a big ass heart attack hotdog and saw a guy in a wheelchair just pee on the streets. Oh and in Canada you can leave your car unlocked with all the stuff in it, and nobody will steal anything!

We flew through the air with the car for about one to two seconds. Our eyes must’ve said “ooooh noooo!” but our mouths did “YEEHAAAA!”. It was legen… Wait for it… dary!

Richard Terborg
Richard Terborg
Snowy mountains - Richard Terborg
Snowy mountains – Richard Terborg

“Don’t shoot, I know there’s a white chick in my car but I’m pretty sure she came willingly”

Update 4: Salt Lake City, Kansas, Colorado , Denver, Indianapolis

My last update! We still enjoy every single bit of this trip.

8100 miles = 13.035km on the dial! 3000 photographs, or 128GB. Crossing the border back to America you can’t help but feel just a little more awesome. Canada feels like home, but America makes you feel just a tad better than the rest… Fuck yeah! We’ve seen Bambi go head to head with a Ram… a Dodge Ram van that is. Bambi just exploded into a million pieces… it was wicked! We got pulled over by a cop and you know I had my hands up right away: “Don’t shoot, I know there’s a white chick in my car but I’m pretty sure she came willingly!” 2013 Mustang, Sharp dirt mountain passes, aviator glasses. The soundtrack: The Dead Weather – Treat me like your mother, Big ass I-Max theatres. We’ve just a few more weeks to go but I’m not ready to leave yet! Where’s my green card?!

'Motel 6' - Richard Terborg
‘Motel 6’ – Richard Terborg

We finally finished with 10.000 miles on the dial! We had the idea of driving the rental car through the dealers window all the way to the front-desk, step out of the car, throw the keys on the desk while walking away and say “We’re insured for that, Americaaa, Fuck yeah!” That would’ve been an epic end to this trip, so let’s just say it happened!

'Weight limit 10 tons' roadsign - by Richard Terborg
‘Weight limit 10 tons’ roadsign – by Richard Terborg
Old Car - Richard Terborg
‘300 miles of desert ahead’ – Ricchard Terborg
RIchard Terborg
RIchard Terborg