Kobayashi - Trans-Americas Journey

This July 4th finds the Trans-Americas Journey taking a short break at Karen’s parents’ place in Paso Robles, CA while we wait for our truck to get fixed.

As we celebrate Independence, we decided to take a look back at the awesome places we’ve found ourselves on July 4th over the past three years of the Trans-Americas Journey.

The first 4th of July of the Journey was in 2006 and we spent it gawking at fireworks over Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The first 4th of July of the Journey in 2006 found us enjoying fireworks at Mount Rushmore.

July 4, 2006: Fireworks at Mount Rushmore.

On July 4, 2007 we were back in NYC briefly.

July 4th 2007 @ famous Nathan's in Coney Island Brooklyn for the 92nd annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey Chestnut (chipmunk cheeks far right) takes a lead near the end of the 10 minute competition with 56 hot dogs over 6-time champ Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi (w/ yellow cup) with 55 hot dogs.

July 4, 2007: At Nathan's in Coney Island Brooklyn for the 92nd annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Near the end of the 10 minute competition, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut (chipmunk cheeks far right) gained a narrow lead over six time champ Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi (with yellow cup) with 56 hot dogs to Kobayashi's 55.

Joey Chestmut breaks the reigning champ, Takeru Kobayashi, 6-time winning streak by eating a record breaking 66 hot dogs versus Kobayashi's 63 in 10 minutes. In case you were wondering what 66 hot dogs looks like take a look at the platter. On the right is the 98 lbs. female world champion Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, who set a female world record with 39 hot dogs

Joey Chestnut beat six time winner and reigning hot dog eating champ, Kobayashi, by eating a record breaking 66 hot dogs versus Kobayashi's 63 in 10 minutes. In case you were wondering what 66 hot dogs looks like take a look at the platter. On the right is the 98 lbs. female world champion Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, who set a female world record with 39 hot dogs.

Fireworks from Eric's parents apartment in Fort Lee, NJ with NYC in the background.

July 4, 2007: Fireworks from Eric's parents apartment in Fort Lee, NJ with Manhattan in the background.

Last year we met up with some friends and heard lots of great music during our third visit to the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, CA. Unlike previous years, we did it in style in our borrowed Airstream.

Stylin' @ HSMF in our Airstream with Miss J, Dave Driewitz (Ween, Bustle in Your Hedgerow), Francie, Karen, Tom Hamilton (American babies, Brothers Past) & Scott Metsger (Rana, American Babies, Bustle in Your Hedgerow)

July 4, 2008: Stylin' at the HSMF in our Airstream with Miss J, Dave Driewitz (Ween, Bustle in Your Hedgerow), Francie, Karen, Tom Hamilton (American Babies, Brothers Past) and Scott Metsger (RANA, American Babies, Bustle in Your Hedgerow).