After a stopover for work and play in Fort Collins, Colorado, I’ve finally arrived in Santa Fe — which was something of my aim all along.

I spent a week meandering around Montana — and learning how to go to sleep while the sun’s still out.

This week finally took me west of the Mississippi, with stops in Kentucky, St. Louis, and South Dakota along the way.

It may have only been the third stop on my trip, but I almost couldn’t bring myself to leave Asheville.

After a week exploring the Smoky Mountains by way of Gatlinburg, I’ve made my way to Asheville — that is, the Appalachian answer to Portland.

I’m finally back in motion! Songs and sights from the first leg of my summer journey, a winding Georgia roadtrip.