The World's Longest Book Tour

Legend

The Year In The Van
Shakedown Cruise
Reset Month

San Antonio, United States ‐ Apr 26, 2026

After doing some writing in a kickass coffeeshop in San Antonio, I went to the nearest Home Depot and then built some shelves. Then I drank some New Mexico beer in a Walmart parking lot. Not the worst day?

+4
Rockport

After nine straight days of rain, it was nice to wake up to some gray, gloomy, cloudy skies. THANKS AL GORE
Corpus Christi

Home depot. Fixed the roof vent. Proud of myself.
Sarita

This was a REST STOP. Well played, Texas
SpaceX Starbase

This guy can go fuck himself. But spaceships are also cool when you're standing right there looking at 'em.

+4
Brownsville

I took no photos of this wretched scum filled disaster of a town, nor any of the awful things that happened here. Click on the substack for more details; i can hardly bear to think of it.

Substack: The Triumphant Return of DISASTER

https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-36-the-triumphant-return-of
Brackettville

The first time I was ever skeeved put enough to NOT stay in a place. This was the coolest little picnic spot but within 10 minutes of arriving, three different cars drove up and sat right outside my van for twenty minutes... and then did it again an hour later. Drugs? Prostitution? All I knew was that it wasn't a good nights sleep. Moving on.

+2
Comstock

A very breif break in the rain and a hell of a view

+3
Panther Peak

If you gotta be hungover, be hungover with a bunch of morning fog in southwestern texas.

+3
Marathon ‐ Apr 16

Maybe one of my favorite towns ove been in YET. Just stopped for a coffee and some words and ended up burning the place down. Amazing barbecue, great beer, even better Manhattan. 12/10 on the 'tiny little town i happened to drive through' scale

+18
Marfa ‐ Apr 15

Heard so many good things about this little town- but boy it is DEAD in the middle of the week. Still, super fun little bougie town; I'll come back when I can spend some cash!

+4
El Paso ‐ Apr 14

Cool city. Good coffee. Good food. On the 'will be back scale': 8.3/10

+6
The White Mountain ‐ Apr 12

Look at this lord of the rings lookin mofo
White Sands National Park

Ok FINE, all you people telling me to come here. Freaking spectacular. Put this straight onto your bucket list.

+17
Dog Canyon Rd ‐ Apr 5

BLM 12! The LAST ONE. The end of the desert exile. And what a way to go out; look at this freaking campsite I found. Who did this??

+27

SUBSTACK: The Tesseract To Fake Colorado

Bad Brains and Tesseracts https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-33-and-34-the-tesseract-to-fake
Pistachioland, Bitches

I hate tourist shit. But i'd been seeing literally hundreds of billboards for this place all over the southwest, and I was driving right by it, and there was a giant pistacio... Long story short I loved it and would definitely go back

+8
Cottonwood Spring ‐ Mar 28

that thin white line, my friends, is White Sands. so cool.
Old Chinaman

Trying for a new BLM spot, but the stunning natural beauty couldn't overcome the 28 degree night. One and done, folks, but goddamn it was so pretty it was worth the detour

+36
Bonito Lake ‐ Mar 27

very cool little lake, but like... where am I? I'm not in New Mexico, only an hour from White Sands. That's impossible. I'm in colorado, right??

+2
Dulce Road ‐ Mar 22

BLM #11. Nearing the end of the desert exile, and this was a cool spot. Literally couldn't see another human for miles in every direction. Winds were brutal, though.

+13

SUBSTACK: Santa Fe? More Like Santa HEYYY

I like this town, and I don't like that town. Find out which is which! https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-32-santa-fe-more-like-santa
Roswell ‐ Mar 21

Ah, Roswell. Let me sum up my thoughts: DISSAPOINT.
Gacho Hill

these fuggin guys
X Mas Tree Canyon Road

love driving through this country
Taos

Mountains and ski areas outside of Taos. Or, I'm in Colorado. I'd believe either one.

+4
Santa Fe ‐ Mar 19

SANTA FE. Loved it. had some drinks, had some of the best food i've ever had, got to visit George RR Martin's local bookstore. 14/10

+14
Albuquerque ‐ Mar 10

in albequerque to fly back home for a family trip. Got to hug my van when i got back, and see the BREAKING BAD HOUSE. Now that's some tourist shit I can get behind.

SUBSTACK: Cruisin' With The Cousins

A trip back to Cleveland to see some fam https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-31-cruisin-with-the-cousins
County Road BO64

yep. prettiness confirmed.
Beatty Hill 2006 m

randomly found an ancient pueblo ruin/spanish monastary up on top of hill. Friggin' nuts.

+10
Corona

Middle New Mexico is real empty, and real pretty
White Sands Take 1

Literally thunderstorming. I'll be back, White Sands. I ain't doin' you in the rain
La Cueva, United States ‐ Mar 8

This hike gets its own post too. Absolutely indescribable.

+23
Baylor Canyon Road ‐ Mar 7

I got tired of looking at these damn things from across Las Cruces, so I went and camped at the foot of 'em. Regrets? Not even a little.

+14

SUBSTACK: Leaving Las Cruces

See ya later, Cruces. I only came to see you because of a song. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-30-leaving-las-cruces
Picacho Mountain 1510 m ‐ Feb 26

This hike deserved its own post. ARGUE WITH ME

+22
Picacho Mountain Recreation Area ‐ Feb 25

Second stint in this desert, but much closer to the mountain. Did some incredible hiking here.

+7
Las Cruces Rest Stop ‐ Feb 24

now THIS is a rest stop

+7
Burke Ranch Road ‐ Feb 13

BLM #10. Two weeks in the spot. Very difficult to get to, but I was COMPLETELY alone here. And looking down on Las Cruces was a nice way to close out the days.

+25

SUBSTACK: A Day In The Life Of A Man In A Van

It is what it says on the package https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/weeks-28-and-29-a-day-in-the-life.
Bisbee ‐ Feb 10

MAYBE the coolest town I've seen... but no time to stop. I'll be back for ya, Bisbee. Bonus huge turquoise strip mine just south of town.

+4
Sentinel Peak 884 m ‐ Feb 7

Back to Tucson to meet Betsy and Fam and Friends for a few days; took no pictures of course but did get some snaps of this kickass mountain just outside of town

+3

SUBSTACK: Human Beans FTW

I see some people! https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-26-and-27-human-beans-ftw
Pinal Airpark ‐ Feb 4

the airplane graveyard. if you want to know more about my attempt to walk here from BLM #5, check out that substack.

+3
Las Vegas ‐ Feb 2

in vegas to hang with Sian who was here for a work trip. chill night the first night and then the next night... was VEGAS, BABY. And as we all know, what happens in Vegas don't get talked about on the internet.

SUBSTACK: Good News Like Rain In The Desert

A quick jaunt up to Las Vegas to see my buddy https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-25-good-news-like-rain-in-the
Back to Vegas ‐ Jan 31

Burning back to Vegas to party with a friend.
The Vista Spot ‐ Jan 30

BLM #9. what a spot. Way up in the mountains, looking out over tucson. Met the coolest dude, had a blast, got the news that the WLBT might survive. Real good spot.

+6
Redington Pass 1310 m ‐ Jan 26

I still break out in a cold sweat when i think about this road. This wasn't a road. It looks like a road, but it wasn't one. I cannot believe I got my van up over this mountain. SHUDDER.

+8

SUBSTACK: The Disaster At Reddington Pass

It wasn't a REAL disaster. But it was goddamn ALMOST one https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-24-the-disaster-at-reddington
South Redington Road

See this? See this nice, paved road? Spoiler alert: This don't last long.
Dripping Springs

A town called dripping springs. if there were more than forty people in this town, i would be amazed.
Campin' Spawt ‐ Jan 24

pretty place to sleep.
Hicks Wash, United States

Can't help but take these drivin' pics
Apache Trail ‐ Apr 5

stopped at a national monument and saw some ancient awesome shit.

+2
Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway ‐ Jan 24

is there anything better than driving a road that hugs a lake? Well, okay, maybe fritos. but that's it
Haystack Butte

what a gorgeous drive. take the backroads, folks

+2
A Town Called Pine

Way up in the mountains. This don't look like Arizona! I'm headed SOUTH.
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway ‐ Jan 23

no, no pictures of sedona. i wasn't impressed. (hipster sniff)
Indian Gardens

if you're gonna drive into Sedona, this is the road to do it on

+2
Slide Rock

Let's go see Sedona! And let's take the twistiest possible road to do it. When has that gone wrong? (that's called foreshadowing)
Blake Ranch Road ‐ Jan 9

BLM #8... now with SNOW. This spot was real cold, real beautiful, and way up in the mountains. Loved it.

+4
Old Kingman Highway

Back into the exile! Had a lovely hungover drive out of LA, but didn't take many pictures. Here's some big rocks, though
Party on Melroase ‐ Jan 8

celebration night in LA! Got an expensive tiki cocktail, found a bar called the snakepit, ate at the most famous hot dog stand in the world. 11/10

+2

SUBSTACK: The LA Flyby

The cruise back to LA https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-23-the-la-flyby
The Windmill Farm ‐ Jan 7

I hate re-driving roads. But this time? Worth it. These windmills are way cooler coming from this way, and the clouds spilling over the mountains are WOAH

+3
Back To Joshua Tree

running back to LA and why not go see the only part of Joshua Tree I didn't see? And DAMMMMN man I'm glad i did

+3
Aqueduct Road ‐ Jan 4

Back in California! Running back to LA, but I got a few days to burn and BLM Spot #7 was a real good way to burn 'em.

+8
Saddle Mountain BLM ‐ Dec 27, 2025

BLM #6, and one of the most spectacular. It's impossible for me to beleive this is just Land Management land, and not a national park. These pictures were taken from a TEN MINUTE HIKE from my van.

+19

SUBSTACK: Lost In The Great Empty

In which I catch up after an abscence https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-19-21-lost-in-the-great-empty
South Tucson, United States ‐ Dec 24, 2025

Christmas Eve in Tucson. Time to cut loose a little, baby. I had a really great time in this town.
West Silverbell Road ‐ Dec 10, 2025

BLM #5; two weeks here and I did SO MUCH HIKING. The Substack will tell you the tales much better than I can.

+29

SUBSTACK: The Long Walk

I recall some good memories from my time in this spot. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-22-the-long-walk

SUBSTACK: Speed Dating For Deserts

Finding a new spot to spend some time. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-18-speed-dating-for-deserts
Ironwood National Monument ‐ Dec 7, 2025

BLM #4. Just a couple nights here; it was a glorified trailhead parking lot. Still, I got some good hikes in!
Ajo ‐ Dec 4, 2025

BLM #3. Only here for a few days; not my vibe. But I saw my first big ol' Western Cactus!
Cottonwood Springs Road ‐ Dec 2, 2025

South Joshua Tree is real pretty. I mean, the whole goddamn thing is nuts

+2

SUBSTACK: On The Road Again

Gettin' on the road again. Thanks, Willie! https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-17-on-the-road-again
Pinto Basin Road

this needed its own post. a damn oasis in the desert. top 10

+6
Joshua Tree National Park

OKAY FINE, I'LL SPRING FOR A NATIONAL PARK. And, goddamn it, it was real worth it. This is a classic for a reason.

+17
Pioneertown ‐ Dec 1, 2025

time to leave the Desert Exile, take a sponge bath in the van, and celebrate some good news with some ribs and some beer at an amazing joint called Pappy & Harriet's.
Sunfair Dry Lake ‐ Nov 13, 2025

THE DRY LAKE BED. The second BLM Spot. I was here for almost a month. I promise these are only the very best of the pictures I took. (There's a lot of em)

+53

SUBSTACK: The Battle Of Joshua Tree

Getting the hang of the desert exile in the dry lake bed. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-15-and-16-the-battle-of-joshua
Memorial Drive

Been hearing about this place for a while; let's see what you got!
Desert Hot Springs ‐ Apr 4

On the way to Joshua Tree. About a million windmills in this valley

SUBSTACK: Is This The End Of The Road?

The WLBT almost comes to an end. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-14-is-this-the-end-of-the-road
Oceanside ‐ Nov 7, 2025

amazing night with my new book bud in Oceanside

+2
Lake Elsinore Overlook

PROBABLY the best camping spot I'll ever find. Probably because I discovered it was extremely illegal for me to be camping here.

+12

SUBSTACK: Your Sort Ain't Welcome Here

A madcap journey through LA, meeting some folks, and ruminations about the extremely unfriendly culture (to vanfolk) around here. https://benjaminliar.subst
Lion Spring ‐ Nov 5, 2025

Another few days to kill before meeting a new book buddy in LA! Found some mountains and a much needed no-hassle camping spot.

+3
A Day In LA ‐ Nov 3

Excellent day with my buddy Alex, bouncing around LA

+6
Bakersfield ‐ Nov 1, 2025

Had a few days to kill before meeting another buddy in LA, so I decided to go to... Bakersfield? Whatever, I had fun

+6
Santa Monica Pier ‐ Oct 30, 2025

we can live beside the ocean leave the fire behind swim out past the breakers watch the world die

+8
Sheraton Convention Center

great to see my buddy Rob! He was here for a video game music convention. Very few pics, but we had a real good time. Love this dude.
Yermo Rest Area ‐ Oct 27, 2025

Solid rest area. California has excellent Rest Area game and I applaud it.
Nopah Range Wilderness

Back in California! On the way to LA.

+3
Spring Mountains BLM, United States ‐ Oct 16, 2025

The first of the BLM long-hang spots. Two weeks here! It was amazing.

+32

SUBSTACK: The War Of Art & The White Lotus

Some deep thoughts in the desert. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-12-the-war-of-art-and-the-white

SUBSTACK: This Desert Life

I get into the logistics and joys (and lows) of spending an extended time in the desert. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-11-this-desert-life
The Strip ‐ Oct 11, 2025

Long walk on the strip, and a well-needed beer. The beer cost two hundred and forty-three dollars.

+9
Fremont Street Experience

time for an emotional night revisiting some haunts in Old Vegas. Whoosh.

+8

SUBSTACK: Vegas, Baby

In which I ponder some thoughts about ol' Sin City. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-10-vegas-baby
Valley of Fire State Park

this place is bananas. Shout to Guido for bringing us there and Len and Ellen putting up with my photographic shenanigans.

+51
Lake Mead Camp Spot #2 ‐ Oct 8, 2025

couldn't get over how gorgeous this all was. And like 30 minutes from Vegas!

+21
Lake Mead Camp Spot #1 ‐ Oct 7, 2025

REALLY starting to like the desert.

+2
Lakeshore Road, United States ‐ Oct 6, 2025

Sundown on Lake Mead. Frickin' incredible.
Hoover Dam

Had a few days before meeting some friends in Vegas, so I decided to take a gander at the Hoover. It's a dam, all right!

+8
Paradise ‐ Oct 4, 2025

Had a great hangover day here at the Orleans. Watched three movies in a row, taking breaks in between to wander the casino. Hell of a saturday!
Floyd Lamb Park ‐ Apr 4

There are exactly TWO parks in Las Vegas, and this is one of them. Every other bit of grass is in golf courses.
Las Vegas ‐ Oct 2, 2025

Been a long time on the roads. Time for a Planet Fitness shower... IN LAS FUCKIN' VEGAS.

SUBSTACK: What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

Click for a rumination on the trip so far. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-9-what-a-long-strange-trip-its
Death Valley National Park Sign ‐ Oct 1, 2025

The last bit of Death Valley; it gets WEIRD! Want to shoot sci-fi films here. Which people have done. A lot.

+2
Furnace Creek

OASIS! With requisite resort. I'm sure I couldn't afford to even drive into the parking lot. Cool to see tho!
Furnace Creek

This huge dried out marshland was FREAKING AMAZING.
Mesquite Dunes

These dunes were AWESOME. I shoulda hiked further, but I was itchin' to drive.

+2
Canyon Roads

what a drive
Panamint Valley

NOW I feel like I'm in Death Valley.

+5
Father Crowley Vistapoint, United States ‐ Apr 4

+7
The Road To Death Valley ‐ Oct 1, 2025

Been waiting for this since I started out. Let's see if ol' Death Valley can hold up to the hype!

+8
Lone Pine ‐ Oct 2, 2025

Love these little towns. Someday I'll come back and have a beer, Lone Pine

SUBSTACK: Just Call Me A Mountain Man

Oh, dem mountains. Read all about 'em here: https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-8-just-call-me-a-mountain-man
Big Pine ‐ Oct 1, 2025

Now THEMS some Mountains. Just over them mountains is Yosemite.

+2
INYO National Forest ‐ Sep 30, 2025

National Forests are beautiful. Yeah, I just said it! And people say I don't have hot takes.
Volcanic Tablelands

Pics of mountains. Are you mad? I ain't mad.

+5
Crowley Lake

I'm starting to notice a pattern with driving the southern edge of lakes in California and insanely beautiful views

+6
Mammoth Lakes

I seem to be attracted to off-season ski towns. I don't really see a problem with this sexy new development

+5
The Road to Mammoth Lakes

Hell of a drive.

+3
Mono Lake ‐ Sep 29, 2025

Mono Lake. I wasn't in the mood to stop driving and take pictures, but when you drive past a place like this, you get over it and start snappin'.

+9
El Camino Sierra

On the way to Mono Lake. Lotsa sun, lotsa mountains, lotsa Manchester Orchestra on the radio.

+3
Tollhouse Canyon ‐ Sep 28, 2025

Listen, I'm a sucker for sunset pics. And rainbow pics. And crazy gorgeous weather pics. And incredible camping spot pics. I'm a simple man.

+12
Bridgeport

Little Western Town, now with Rainbow!
Topaz Lake

The road skirting Topaz Lake is, ah... REAL PURTY.

+8
Virgil Connell Spring

One of the top picture spots. As you can plainly see!

+8
Woodfords

These forested roads through the mountains ain't the worst.

+5
Luther Pass Road ‐ Sep 27, 2025

The start of the Sierra Nevadas Run. A little toast to celebrate, no?

The Sierra Nevadas Run

I'm starting to think of this trip so far in terms of 'runs'; the stretch of driving in between big cities, or locations, or stops. This one is where I drive down the back of the Sierra Nevadas, a rel...
Lake Tahoe Ring Road

Like I said, drive around Lake Tahoe. Just do it already

+4
Standard Rock, Tahoe

1. fly to Lake Tahoe 2. rent a car 3. drive all the way around the lake 4. if you find yourself getting bored, GET IN THERAPY

+2
Foothill Road

driving up the sides of mountains is also becoming my favorite thing
Muller Lane

Long straight flat roads that slam into mountains are becoming my new favorite thing

+2
Carson City

My van wanted to be friends with this rig, but it gave us a wedgie and stuck our head in the toilet
Carson City Pass ‐ Sep 26, 2025

Just a bananas view at the camping spot. Only problem was the huge semis blasting by constantly all night, rocking the van in the backwash. Still, 9/10.

+6
Lake Tahoe State Park

There's some good writing spots, but Lake Tahoe writing spots are real hard to beat

+4
Incline Village-Crystal Bay

If there is a better view of Lake Tahoe, it must be from a satellite or something

+4
Mt Rose

Out of Reno and up into the mountains. One of many, MANY mountains in the coming weeks. No regrets.

+18

The Mt Rose Experience

This was a very cool moment in the trip. I saw a real squiggly line heading out of Reno, and even though it was a detour from my path (I was headed to Vegas and this was very much not the shortest rou...
Reno ‐ Sep 25, 2025

BEN'S DEFINITIVE NEVADA CITY RANKING #1 - Reno #999 - Las Vegas

+22

Reno FTW

This town was so f'n great. I'll take Reno over Vegas any day of the week. Any day! Even Tuesday; the worst day. As soon as I landed in Reno I knew it was going to be a 'walk around in the afternoon,...
Welcome to Nevada

All right, Nevada; let's see what you got.
Little Ranch Road ‐ Sep 24, 2025

My very first taste of the DESERT. This was, incidentally, where I fell desperately in love. With the DESERT.

+8
Lost Creek ‐ Sep 23, 2025

I mean, I know wildfires are not good! But man, a few years after they've burned through and things start growing again, it looks pretty cool.

+8
Grey Ridge Lane ‐ Sep 22, 2025

This starts a whirlwind love affair with seeing a mountain in the distance and DRIVING THE FUCK STRAIGHT UP IT
Whiskeytown Lake

I heard Ryan Adams drowned his career in this lake. Rimshot, please!
Shasta/Trinity National Forest

Not too many pictures. This was... okay? I dunno. Northern California actually reminds me of West Virginia, quite a bit. And not in like, super flattering ways. Not what I was expecting! But trees are trees amirite?
Muddy Creek ‐ Sep 21, 2025

Long day of driving, and a nice mountain view. What's not to love?
Corbett Ranch Lane ‐ Sep 22, 2025

Redwoods! They're pretty cool.
Fortuna

It's a town called Fortuna. Right on the edge of the big woods. Magic, right?

SUBSTACK: The 101 Run

If you want to know about the 101 run, here you go. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-7-the-101-run
Eureka

The end of the 101 run. It's been fun.

The Last Of The Coast

Well, it's been fun 101. We saw some rocks, we took some pictures of rocks, we drove down the road and took pictures of more rocks. Oh, and there was a lighthouse! But it's time to head inland. We'll...
McKinleyville

I mean, look at all them seals.

+2
The Orick Causeway ‐ Sep 21, 2025

Parked on a misty causeway and woke up to an incredible beach. Adventure!

+12

Coolest Camping Spot So Far

This was cool. Pulled over on this very misty causeway with water on both sides, and took a risk on staying there the whole night... EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE SIGNS SAYING NO OVERNIGHT PARKING. Because I...
Klamath

I don't know what I was expecting out of California, but a giant Paul Bunyan statue wasn't exactly it.
Redwood Highway

Well, this is it; the last of the rocks. We still have some coastline to gander, but no more big, gorgeous chunks of rock sticking out of water. I ALREADY MISS YOU
Redwoods State Park

My first redwood. It's a northern redwood, so it's not IMMENSELY big, but it is MAJESTICALLY big. I was impressed.
Crescent City, United States

I mean... It looks like Oregon so far. But since Oregon was the most insanely beautiful thing I've ever seen, I can deal with it.

+4
Welcome to California

Sing it: CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA... HERE WE COOOOOOOMMMMMEEEE
Oregon Coast Highway

You'll Never Believe It: ROCKS IN WATER ...But they're so nice! How could I resist?

+3
Oregon Coast Highway ‐ Sep 20, 2025

Time to pull over by the side of the road and fall asleep listening to the ocean waves. But not until we get some writing done and watch the sunset on the pacific. This life ain't the worst.
Battle Rock Wayside Park

So many rocks. SO MANY!

+22

The Photographer Has Arrived

Listen, sometimes I see something so overwhelmingly, catastrophically cool and beautiful, that it makes a strange delusion come over me: That I'm a photographer or something. I seem to forget I'm taki...
North Bend ‐ Sep 19, 2025

Love me some cool little mountain/coastal towns.

Cool Little Coastal Town

I didn't get very many pictures of all the little coastal towns; some of them were cooler than others but this one was pretty cool. Most of them aren't actually on the coast; most of the Oregon Coast...
Gardiner

Right? I just want to slide down that on some sort of board. LET ME

+3
Heceta Beach Dunes

You guys, I looked and looked, and I didn't see one damn sandworm. I saw a regular worm. But he didn't let me ride him.

+5
Heceta Head Lighthouse

Pulled over and had my morning coffee in this gem of a little bay, watched the sun rise over the ocean. Plus, these pictures actually came out pretty good I think!
Oregon Coast Highway

All The Colors Of The Wandering Sky

There they are. Right there. Really, seriously, cameras can't capture this. Or, at least my dumb fingers and my dumb phone couldn't. I'm sure like, a photographer could have.
Seal Rock ‐ Sep 18, 2025

+6

Its A Rock That's Shaped Like A Seal

WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME??? I love me some rocks in water. Blame the Goonies.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse

+27

The Yaquina Lighthouse

Thirty pictures of this place... But I narrowed it down from something like TWO HUNDRED. You're welcome. This was just an awesome, awesome, AWESOME day.
Northeast Carmel Way

+12

Now We're Cookin'

This was the moment. Traveling whilst subjected to various mood swings, meagrims, and general fussy brain chemicals can be a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes you'll be driving through some of the most un...
Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint

The Closest Road To The Water

...Is almost always the one I'm gonna try to drive. So TECHNICALLY I was cheating on the 101 just a bit, but I saw that there was a twisty little road that hugged the steep cliffs overlooking the Paci...
Whale Cove Viewing Platform

+4

Do Birds Count As Whales?

I saw no whales. But I DID see these rockin' ass black bird sons of bitches! I like to think they accepted me into their tribe... or their MURDER. I remember not feeling super great on this leg of the...
Lincoln City

Look At All Them Tiny Peoples

So, it wasn't WARM here. But these Oregonians don't give no kind of shit! These crazy folks will go to the beach if it's 45 degrees and half a hurricane. Gotta respect it.
Winema Beach Viewpoint ‐ Sep 17, 2025

Viewpoints All Over The Damn Place

Not sure why I was in such a hurry! I wish I'd taken a week to drive the 101, and instead I did it in like 3 days. Feels like there were a million more great places to stop and take pictures... but ma...
Hobsonville Point Drive

+4

Sunshine On The Coast

I gotta say, cloudy Oregon Coast vs Sunshiny Oregon Coast isn't much of a question. Watching them clouds clear and the sun come out over the Pacific was one of them little things I'll be remembering o...
Garibaldi

A Cool Smokestack

A cool smokestack in the center of town. Man, I don't know. I took the picture, so I'm putting it on the map, and now you're looking at it. What are we doing with our lives?
Oregon Coast Highway

+3

Cannon Beach

The first rocks in water of the 101 run. Yeah yeah, I know I saw some up in the Olympic Peninsula, but those weren't in the PACIFIC. I would love to say this is the last of the rocks in water you're g...
Astoria

The Start of the 101 Run!

This was the beginning of something I'd wanted to do for most of my life- drive the 101 down the coast. I'll be honest, it wasn't much to start with. Kinda gray, and Astoria wasn't the COOLEST of the...
Nehalem Highway ‐ Sep 16, 2025

+5

The Forest Highway

VERY beautiful drive here. The closer you get to the coast up in the ol' Pacific Northwest, the more insanely pretty it gets. High recommend!
Portland ‐ Sep 14, 2025

+7

Portland, Attempt 2

My second attempt at wringing some fun out of Portland. I was way more successful this time! Found a couple good coffeeshops, found a couple good breweries, found a couple good bars, found a couple go...
Boring

I Used To Have A Band Called Boring Oregon

I tell this story in the substack, but I genuinely used to have a band called 'Boring Oregon'. This was genuinely on the short list of places I was ABSOLUTELY going to come on this trip. I mean... the...
Welches ‐ Sep 13, 2025

+3

Misty Mountain High

I was bummed that it was raining, but some of these shots of the fog over the mountains are pretty cool. I remember getting cheered up by the evocative views and ready for a night in Portland.
Government Camp ‐ Mar 29

Government Camp!

I mean, what a great name right? It was raining buckets as I cruised around Mount Hood, and so for the second time, trying to get close to a majestic volcanic peak in the Pacific Northwest came up wit...
Mount Hood Highway ‐ Sep 12, 2025

Hood River Babay

Struggling with the ol' brain chemicals and not enjoying Portland (a city i'd been obsessed with for like twenty years) as much as I wanted to, I decided to go give old Mount Hood a gander and let the...
Portland ‐ Sep 11, 2025

+13

Substack: Portlandia

Portland! Once again, I summed up the experience here much better on the ol' Substack than I could in real life, so click that link and be IMMERSED. https://benjaminliar.subs
Vancouver ‐ Sep 9, 2025

The Fish Hatchery

The end of the Wilds, fittingly enough, ends with a bunch of fish in a tank. Well, a bunch of tanks. And a BUNCH of fish! Holy cow, I'm hoping this is humane, because there were SO MANY fish in those...
The Columbia River Gorge

+5

Dat Gorge, Tho

So, the Columbia River Gorge is beautiful. Like, insanely beautiful. And the road that drives the north side hugs the water and climbs up and down the steep cliffs and generally just feels like the sl...
Spring Creek Hatchery State Park ‐ Mar 26

+3

Substack: Into The Wild

The gorge is nuts but I'll talk about that next. Here's the substack recapping my adventures in the wild places of Washington State! https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/we
Babyshoe Pass 1321 m ‐ Sep 8, 2025

Babyshoe Pass1321 m

The Dirt Roads

Man, these roads beat the hell out of my van, but they were worth every pound of dust. I wouldn't recommend these roads in less than an overland vehicle (I wouldn't drive them again in this van) but h...
Blue Lake ORV Trailhead ‐ Sep 9, 2025

+5

In The Shadow Of The Peak

This was just such a chill part of the trip. Slowed all the way down, nowhere to be, nowhere in particular to go. Totally lost out in the middle of nowhere. No internet, no movies or shows, no nothing...
Valley Trail ‐ Sep 7, 2025

+9

The Hidden Waterfall

So I was just sitting by the side of the road in the van, minding my own business, when I saw a small little opening in the trees outside the van, a tiny little trail leading up into the woods. Being...
Packwood

Base Camp Coffee

Oh, Base Camp Coffee. I'll never forget you, Base Camp Coffee lady! Your rugged mountain vibes, sun-blonde hair, general air of not giving no kind of shit about no kind of dumb shit. You told me to ta...
High Pass Turnout ‐ Sep 6, 2025

+3

The Camping Spots Are Off The Charts

Man, this idea that I can just pull over on the side of the road in a crazy beautiful location and just hang out, sit in my camp chair, play my guitar, and watch the sun go down. It feels like it shou...
Rimrock Lake

+5

This Lake Earns Its Name

This was a kickass lake; I stopped to grab a quick picture and got derailed by a local who was there taking actual photographs, with like a tripod and shit. He told me all about the lake and how it ri...
Yakima

+5

The Road To Yakima

So I didn't have any intention of going to Yakima; I was forced into it. I just wanted to see Mt. Rainer, then get back over to the coast so I could drive the 101 down to Portland. But the best laid p...
Yakima Pass ‐ Sep 5, 2025

+9

Chinook Creek

The First Turnout

So I remember pulling over onto a wide turnout near the top of this winding pass to get a picture or two, and then looking at my van like... Wait a second. Is there anything actually stopping me from...
Mount Rainier Viewpoint ‐ Sep 4, 2025

The Abandoned Rest Stop

Man, I loved this spot. I mean, it is what is says on the tin: an abandoned rest stop; overgrown, no facilities, pitch black and spooky at night, sounds that might have been bears, stars for literally...
Lincoln Park ‐ Sep 3, 2025

+14

The Troll Toll

Yes, another Always Sunny reference- I told you! Anyways, Friend Les took me to see this absolute unit of a little troll that I took way too many pictures of but I don't care LOOK AT HER SHE'S SO CUTE...
South Seattle

+13

Hangin' With Les

Had a great day hanging with new friend Les in South Seattle (which, I have been informed, is the BEST Seattle). She took me to see the fun sights; there's this famous house where somebody carves all...
Stevenson, Canada ‐ Aug 30, 2025

+7

Substack: O Canada!

Link! https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-4-o-canada

A Day In A Coastal Town

What a day! I needed some Canadian regional food, and for Vancouver, the answer is clear: Salmon Sushi. I did my thing where I picked a point on Google that had a bookstore in close proximity to a sus...
Alice Lake Provincial Park ‐ Aug 28, 2025

Get Out Of The Van, Man

Time to take a hike; this is another place where the pictures in no way do Alice Lake justice. Took a couple hour hike and felt some real good endorphins. Maybe I should hike more!
Sea-To-Sky Highway ‐ Apr 27, 2025

+8

The Best Camping Spot So Far

Man, the Sea-To-Sky highway! It's just bananas crazy. It basically borders this immense ravine coming up out of Vancouver, and the whole highway is built into the side of this crazy steep mountain, an...
Hooktender ‐ Aug 26, 2025

A Night By A River

Found a little park that seemed friendly to overnighters; sat my camp chair out the side of the van and just watched the water go by until dark. I wish there were MORE of these moments on the trip, bu...
Whistler

+6

Whistler Blackcomb Is Crazy

This is where I started to realize something a little peculiar about the way I'm traveling on this adventure; there's certain places I want to go, or feel like I SHOULD go, because they're famous, or...
Squamish ‐ Aug 24, 2025

+2

Wonderlands Coffee

So the title of the book series I'm writing (and the thing I've been working on most of my life) is called 'The Wanderlands', so when I see a coffeeshop called Wonderlands, you better believe I'm gonn...
Salvage Creek Golf Course ‐ Aug 23, 2025

Golf With The Boys

Got my first REAL pang of homesickness; all my golf boys had gotten together for a golf day and I THINK it was the first one I'd ever missed. So I found a driving range and we Facetimed a drink and a...
Boundary Bay Regional Park ‐ Aug 22, 2025

+6

Canadian Beaches

Another kickass little spot; this was the first day I started feeling a bit better about life, myself, this tour, and my prospects for the future. I did a photoshoot with my book (I still had delusion...
Blaine, United States ‐ Aug 21, 2025

+14

Substack: Northwestern Most Point

What a gorgeous little spot. I took about a hundred pictures here and it was hard whittling them down to what I posted. I met my first vanlifer here, too, a craggy old gentleman who gave me some point...
Burlington ‐ Mar 26

The Route 5 Doldrums

Didn't take too many pictures for some obvious reasons; I was REALLY feeling the bad brain chemicals for a few days and sort of just haunted a few rest stops along Route 5 for a few days. I went to a...
Seattle ‐ Aug 16, 2025

+22

Substack: The Week In Seattle

Once again, there's no way I could summarize this week; it was both one of the best and one of the worst weeks of my life. I'll try to not ALWAYS point you at the Substack, but there's no way I could...
Point Defiance Park ‐ Aug 12, 2025

+7

Seattle Parks Are Nuts

Yeah, yeah, I know this park is ACTUALLY in Tacoma, and some people claim that this is a different place than Seattle, but I'm not convinced. Don't yell at me, Les! It's all Seattle to me. And man, th...
Elma Rest Area

First Beer In The Van

Might be hard to believe, but I THINK this is the first time I had a beer in the van. I found a nice little rest stop and I was pretty exhausted from that non-stop trip west, so it seemed like a good...
Westport Light State Park ‐ Aug 11, 2025

+3

Writin' At The Beach

So I didn't have any pictures of it (too dark), but the end of that last day (where I went to the Westernmost Point, and saw the sunset on the Pacific) was very funny to me in hindsight. I needed a pl...
La Push ‐ Aug 10, 2025

+10

Sunset On The Pacific

Since I'd gotten to the Furthest West in the middle of the day, I struck upon the idea of finishing out this day with a frickin' sunset. I think this may have been the first time I did something that...
Forks

A Town Called Forks

Man, the Olympic Peninsula is pretty. I don't remember a whole lot about this little spot, other than I was compelled to hop out of the van and take some pictures; this was one of the VERY MANY places...
Cape Flattery

+10

Substack: W E S T W A R D

I won't try to put this moment into words again; if you are interested in the overwhelming rush of emotions and a recap of the Westward Ho!, check out the following blog links. We'll just say this was...
Cape Flattery Trail

+4

The Trail To Cape Flattery

What a hike; I want to propose two things to you: Do this hike before you die DO NOT wear flip-flops, like somebody I could mention. That is all.
Archawat Creek

+2

The Drive To Cape Flattery

This was a gorgeous drive, and quite cool. Let me set the stage: Cape Flattery (and, specifically, the Cape Flattery observation deck) is the furthest west you can drive in the Lower 48 states. I thin...
State Highway 112

+2

ROCKS IN THE WATER! ROCKS IN THE WATER!

My very first 'big chunks of rock, just chilling off the coast'. It's arguably my favorite thing. Clearly, I mean, I even tried to take some artsy-fartsy pictures of them with my stupid phone camera....
Sekiu

+2

Toes In The Peugot

Time to stop and get the dogs wet, you know? I'd been to the Seattle/Vancouver area MANY years ago, on a honeymoon that feels genuinely like three or four entire lifetimes ago. But I'd always remember...
Port Townsend

+7

Port Mothafrickin' Townsend

So one of my VERY favorite things was a Youtube boat-building series called SAMPSON BOAT CO where a very charming man with very big ears named Leo bought a famous wooden sailing yacht for $1, and then...
McLane Creek ‐ Aug 9, 2025

The Bridge To The Olympic

Man, this was the end of a LOOOOOOONG day of driving. I drove through about seven different climates, over a desert, up some mountains, down some mountains, through a fertile valley, and then down the...
Everett

First Sight of the Pacific!

Been waiting many years to do this- to drive (almost) all the way across the country and then slam into the Pacific. In my visions and fantasies, there would have been a cool beach there, or Santa Mon...
Gold Bar

The Fertile Valley

So I KNOW I took some pictures on this drive, but I just can't find them anywhere. This section of road was INCREDIBLE. I'll try to describe it: You're driving down out of the Sierra Nevadas, just she...
Skinney Creek

+3

The Sierra Nevadas

This drive is just incredible. I mean... not much more to say. Go drive it! It's the perfect balance between twisty mountain roads and constantly evolving vistas as you traverse from the northern dese...
The Northern Desert

Eastern Washington Is GORG.

Man, if you ever get a chance to drive Route 2 from Spokane to Seattle (or vice versa) just, you know, DO THAT. It's one of the most incredible stretches of road in the United States... or that I've s...
Spokane, United States ‐ Aug 8, 2025

+9

Oh, Spokane!

So I wasn't expecting much from Spokane. One of my favorite 'things', a long-running webcomic called Penny Arcade , often shits copiously on that little hamlet (in the same way I often shit upon my ow...
Bonners Ferry

First Roadside Office

This was a big moment. I was driving along, but I had been making really good time and was ahead of schedule. I knew I was going to want to see Spokane and maybe have a drink (or six), and Spokane was...
Upper Thompson Lake Road ‐ Aug 7, 2025

These Sunsets, Man

So I had been planning on making a night of it in Kalispell, but after poking my head into a couple different bars... I just wasn't feeling it. Love the name of that town- one of my very favorites- bu...
Kalispell

Elk Burger in Kalispell

As part of my (early) attempt to eat regional foods, it was time to get the Montana Specialty: The Elk Burger. So I stopped in Kalispell, went to a great little spot called Hops and got myself that ba...
Tunnel Number 2

+4

Route 2 Through Glacier

What a drive. SO! If you ever get a chance to drive through this part of the country, I STRONGLY recommend taking the 'Going To The Sun Road' through the middle of Glacier National Park. I drove that...
Foot of the Rockies
The Road To Glacier ‐ Aug 6, 2025

First View of the Rockies

There is just something about driving on backroads (sort of) all the way across the country. The Northern Plains are just endless , man, and they seem to go on and on and on, and then... BAM. Is that...
Shelby, United States

My First Espresso Hut!

Cass's Perky Perks! Cass was lovely, and asked me questions about my adventure while she made my coffee. Met a few of the locals, and I gotta say, these small town folks are awful friendly. The Bass P...
Chinook

Great Plains, Great Van, Great Smile

There was so much missed about this part of the trip; I was just too overwhelmed to take many pictures, or document much about it. I was scared, excited, and REALLY starting to understand how much gas...
Malta

The First Of The Sunsets

The first of the Western Sunsets. Trust me, it won't be the last. TRUST ME.
Wolf Point ‐ Aug 5, 2025

Trains On The Great Plains

One of my favorite things about Route 2 is that it runs near a very active train line, so most of the way across the country you are either passing or racing trains. This isn't the first one I saw, bu...
State Line Casino, United States

Hello Montana

This is a big moment. One of the OTHER huge inspirations for the WLBT was a trip I took, many years ago, with my ex. We flew into Great Falls, rented a minivan where you could fold down all the seats...
Minot

Oh, Minot!

Man, three pictures is not enough for this town. I stopped for my first beer of the Westward Ho! and the Atypical Brewery is still one of the tops I've seen. Amazing beer and amazing locals and amazin...
Hartley Spur ‐ Aug 4, 2025

The Moment When It Got 'West'

This was the moment it finally felt like I was in the 'west'. Northern Great Plains, sure, but the land flattened out and the sky got bigger and, finally , I really felt like I was on my way. Felt my...
City of Superior

+3

Kickass Coffeeshop in Superior

Spent an afternoon here and got some writing done. Can't find this place on the map, can't figure out where it is or was, just that it was near Superior and I'd love to go back again.
Benoit Cheese Haus

Benoit Cheese Haus

Look at the joy on that face! That's the joy that can only come from a man who has discovered native Wisconsin cheese. This kicked off a love affair with cheese that continues down to this day; no mor...
Ashland, United States

Hudson Square Coffee

The first truly amazing coffeeshop of the trip; hard to tell from the photos but it was up on a hill overlooking the lake, and it was just absolutely the most delightful spot to sip on an americano in...
Iron Mountain ‐ Aug 3, 2025

The Iron Mountain

Cool name, right? No real memories here; I don't do a LOT of 'stopping and seeing tourist shit on the side of the road' but I saw this, and did, and I'm glad to have the pictures now. Maybe I should f...
Manistique

+2

Michigan Pasty... For The Win?

First stop on my attempt to eat regional food in each state, and if you're doing Upper Peninsula, your choices are some sort of smoked fish, or Pasties. So I got a pasty! The lady who made them was ve...
Michigan Beach ‐ Aug 2, 2025

A Moment of Peace

Still kind of gray in one of the most beautiful spots in the mid-north; but it still requires you to take off your shoes and sit in the sand for a little while. Also, I think this was the first moment...
Route 2 FOR REALS

Route 2 Begins (For Real)

This is where Route 2 picks up in earnest (and doesn't become other roads, or lose its identity, or whatever shenanigans happen from here back to NYC). This stretch of road I'm standing on will go all...
Forty Mile Point Light, United States

The First Lighthouse

This was a good moment. I'd gotten a decent night's sleep in a walmart parking lot, and some of my hangover anxiety was gone. I was throwing myself at the west coast and I was, frankly, terrified, but...
Parallel 45 Bookstore ‐ Aug 1, 2025

+3

Bookstore: Parallel 45

Excellent little bookstore, excellent little town. Hangover was helped by some Taco Bell. Honestly, can't remember much about this; they didn't have my book but Bookstore Rating? 6.75/10. Would book a...
Linwood

Dreary In Michigan

I love Michigan. Most of the reason I am on this adventure is because a few years ago I flipped out over some girl shit and rented a car (I didn't have one for like 15 years) and just sort of roamed a...
Toledo ‐ Jul 31, 2025

Dinner With a Bestie

Got to kick off the Westward Ho! with the most delightful dinner with one of my very best friends, Sian, who moved to Toledo from Cleveland last year and who I missed terribly. She was also the very f...
Elyria Township

First night of the westward ho!

So tired coming out of Cleveland, with no reason for it. So tired! Might have been something... emotional? At any rate, I was going to meet up with my friend Sian in Toledo the next day, and I just hi...
Cleveland ‐ Jul 30, 2025

Van was built, power was powered. Friends were hugged. Drinks were drunk. But it's time to kick this shit into gear. Time to head west.

Substack: Interlude: About Inspirations

In which I just talk about some stuff I like. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/interlude-about-inspirations
Edgewater Beach ‐ Jul 24, 2025

Time for goodbyes. Party at the beach with the besties, then a farewell D&D game with some more besties. I won't be seeing these fuckers for a while!

+5

Substack: Fare Thee Well, Cleveland

In which I ruminate upon a month back in Cleveland, and say my goodbyes as I get ready to head West. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/fare-thee-well-cleveland
Perry

Time to get with Construction Cousin #1 and get some mothafuckin' SOLAR up on the roof. This is the moment where the van became something I can survive in for a year. I think. I hope. But it's at least POSSIBLE now.

+4
Wheeling ‐ Jul 21, 2025

If I'm near Wheeling, I'm hitting some golf balls at Oglebay. That's not negotiable. Also, Wheeling is a cute little town. And they had TWO bookstores that had my book! I mean, what else could you want. A steel elephant? They got you covered.

+6
Washington ‐ Jul 19, 2025

This Bass Pro Shops was MASSIVE. It had a whole aquarium in it! A freakin' aquarium. And a mountain. Sports dudes, man

+2
Pittsburgh ‐ Mar 23

+4
Avon Lake ‐ Jul 16, 2025

THE FIRST SIGHTING OF THE HAT! Oh, you're gonna see it more, trust me. And after I let my cousin buy me a camp chair (and the hat) I went to Menards and got the stuff to put my map up; and this phase of the van build was DONE. Except for, you know, the nonstop power problems.

+6

Substack: I've Never Missed My Power Outlet More

In which I recount many, many issues with my power system, any one of which could have derailed the WLBT. This one is more exciting than you might think too! h
Chagrin Falls ‐ Jul 14, 2025

Went to my favorite bookstore growing up, Fireside Books... they didn't have my book. They did, however, have a bunch of Calvin and Hobbes books, which is way better.
Solon ‐ Aug 11, 2025

Oh, the power problems. I spent half this month trying to find power outlets I could charge up my battery with, like at this picnic station. Glad there were no rangers around.
Manhattan Beach ‐ Jul 5, 2025

Time to park in my buddy Shawn's driveway and spend a week getting that van PUT BACK TOGETHER. This was one of the most tiring, terrifying, rewarding, quietly amazing weeks of my life.

+8

Substack: Van Tour(s)

In which I recount the adventure of turning the van into something I can actually live inside for a while. More exciting than you might think! Part 1: https:/
Cleveland ‐ Jun 30, 2025

Back to Cleveland for a friend's birthday party... and the first thing my buddy Len did to me was fuckin' ICE me. And they wonder why I'm leaving Cleveland again as soon as I get the van put together!

Substack: Mosquitos The Size of Bumblebees

In which I go camping, make a steak, head back to Cleveland, get Iced, and ruminate on my first month on the road. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/mosquito
Oil City ‐ Jun 26, 2025

Time to take stock of the van after a month on the road. It's... Well, you can judge for yourself.

+3
Howe Township

I had to.
Kinzua Dam

its a god damn dam
Finger Lakes National Forest ‐ Jun 25, 2025

+6
Syracuse ‐ Jun 23, 2025
Point au Roche State Park ‐ Jun 22, 2025

+2
Ausable Chasm ‐ Jun 20, 2025

I was too grumpy and tired to stop and tour this place (you're going to hear that a lot on this trip) but man... it was cool.
Sabbath Day Point ‐ Jun 21, 2025

Lake George. It was real pretty. BUT NOT AS PRETTY AS MY VAN
Lake George

Kitsch
Saratoga Springs ‐ Jun 20, 2025

One of my favorite towns; had a kickass bookstore that had my book, had a kickass brewery, had a kickass cocktail bar, had a kickass college bar and I wrote in ALL OF EM.

+7
Pittsfield ‐ Jun 19, 2025

Excellent little writing spot near a dead mall in Pittsfield. Starting to get my energy back.

+3

Substack: From Mordor to Lothlorien

In which I recount a couple trips into NYC, an absolute whirlwind of craziness, and being as tired as I've ever been. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/week-
Love's Travel Stop ‐ Jun 18, 2025

Time to decompress with a whole day watching movies in the back of the van in a Love's Travel Stop. No kidding, this was a really great fuckin' day
New York

Got my first slice of NY pizza (it was fine), saw Jenna play with Billy Corgan again, went to the Strand Bookstore and found my book (!), got to meet my book agent Matt, and then my editor Betsy and copyeditor Marylou, had a wonderful dinner and got treated to a walking tour of NYC by my foreign rights agent, Dot! Took the train back to my van and was maybe as tired as I'd ever been in my whole life.

+15
Oceanside ‐ Jun 12, 2025

Drove into Long Island to catch a train into New York for yet another Jenna show in the big apple and to meet my book agent and editor. Aint no way am I parking my precious little van in New York! This was ACTUALLY two different days, but for the sake of keeping this map un-snarled I'm gonna stick 'em together. They were only a couple days apart.
Stamford ‐ Mar 12

Stamford! Came here for a horror book convention and had some times. Stamford is beautiful but they do NOT like transient van folk around here; I remember driving around literally all day to find a park to write in that wouldn't charge me. Had a blast (sort of) at the con, slept a few nights at a lovely little rest stop north of town, got to hang with my buddy Chris, and found a devestatingly awesome bar to sit in the corner with my laptop at.

+6

Substack: Get Outta Here, Comfort Zone

In which I recount my birthday, yet more disasters, and the joys and tribulations of going to my first book convention (on the road). https://benjaminliar.su
Sea Isle City ‐ Jun 10, 2025

New Jersey with a hangover and fog looks exactly like you'd expect.
Cape May ‐ Jun 9, 2025

It's my birthday! It's also the first day I posted on the ol' Substack, and committed to this thing for real. This day was magical; I got myself some oysters (not pictured) and people I hadn't spoken to in years sent me drinks via the internet. It was about as good of a 50th birthday as I could imagine.

+5

Substack: Disaster Upon Disaster And I've Never Been Happier

In which I recount the many, MANY disasters that accompanied my first week on the road. I still can't believe I survived this shit. Part 1: https://benj
Towson ‐ Jun 7, 2025

Time to fix the roof vent. Home Depot Parking Lot, all by myself! Took me until 10pm to fix that sucker... but I fixed that sucker.
Baltimore ‐ Jun 6, 2025

What a fuckin' day. Rolled into Baltimore because my friend Jenna was playing bass for BILLY CORGAN that night, and she got me a free ticket. However, so excited was I to have this particular adventure that I didn't notice a heavy beam across the entrance to a parking lot that was exactly as high as my van roof, and sheared off my very expensive and hard-to-install roof vent. But fuck it, you know? Let's go PARTY! And we did, in fact, party.

Check out Jenna!

+2
Fredericksburg ‐ Jun 4, 2025

Another excellent little town. Cool bookshop and an espresso cafe that is named after my favorite sci-fi book (I assume).

+6
Botts Trail ‐ Jun 3, 2025

First night in a national forest. Dealt with some incredibly dense existential dread by falling asleep watching the forest get darker. This was a real good moment, and the first time I thought I might be able to do this.
Winchester

Friggin loved this town. And there was a bookstore that had my book!

+5
Scenic View ‐ Mar 23

It was, indeed, scenic.
Oakland ‐ Jun 2, 2025

Second night, Walmart again. This is the life
First Bookstore

First bookstore... didn't have my book. Sigh
Centerville

Had to pull over and get some glamour shots of the van. You know how it is

First Van Pic
The First Walmart ‐ Jun 1, 2025

Pittsburgh. Time for my first beer on the road... And my first night in a Walmart Parking Lot. The first one wasn't as good as I hoped, and the second wasn't as bad.
BP

First Gasup. Time to get off the frickin' highway and see some BACKROADS. As is tradition, every big life change must be accompanied by Matthew Good Band.

Substack: It Starts With A Single Step, Mr. Frodo

Here's my very first Substack post! It's all about the preparation for, and the reasons for, this yearlong tour. https://benjaminliar.substack.com/p/it-st
Cleveland

Dropped some stuff off at my buddy Shawn's house, got myself a good hearty hug, and headed for parts East.
The Old Apartment, United States ‐ May 31, 2025

This is where I built the van. Tore the foam out of the walls. Only memories, fading memories, blending into dust I know. I want them back. This is where I built the van!

+9

The Van Build

Ah, the Van Build. What a crazy couple of months; still not sure if I was going to commit to this project but driven by some kind of wild need to do it anyways. It was three months of near misses; get...