Beyond and Back

Ventura, California

Departure: June 8, 2007

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Jeff though sometimes people call me Tofu.

Yes, I am employed by Patagonia.

I work as a photographer, writer, and assist in the testing and production of Patagonia products.

I am hitting the road in my van for an undetermined amount of time, simply to record what is happening and share it with others.

No, my weird looking ice cream truck is not a delivery van for Patagonia. It's my house. It's a Dodge Sprinter Van made by Mercedes. The Chrysler Corporation now owns Dodge and Mercedes. From what I've been told, large American courier companies like Fed Ex and UPS have been putting pressure on American car manufacturers to produce a vehicle that gets better gas mileage and is more reliable. So Chrysler, to avoid import tax, ships the unassembled Sprinter Van from Germany to the East coast where it is assembled with a Dodge grill and sold in the United States as a Dodge. It's the best car I've ever owned. It has a diesel engine, gets roughly 25 miles to the gallon, has tons of space, and I look as if I'm some European ice cream man or a baked goods delivery boy. I sometimes call it "The Chick Magnet."

Yes, I run my van on biodiesel wherever I can find it. Not to be confused with pure vegetable oil, biodiesel is only partial vegetable oil and can be used in any diesel without modifying the engine. To run on pure veggie oil you need to install a alternate veg tank and fuel lines - much more involved. If you would like to see more about this, check out my book, Bend To Baja, on Patagonia's website.

Let me set something straight.

Though I work for Patagonia, this thing here is not a sneaky corporate "blog" for Patagonia. It's a log of my experiences while on the road. If there is ever a mention of Patagonia product here it is because I am very passionate about good product and the experience I have with it.

I'm not a tree-hugger, an environmentalist, an activist, or affiliated with any political party. But I am acutely aware of my surroundings and try to do things for the right reasons. I live as simply as possible and lead an examined life.   

Why is this thing called Beyond And Back?

There is no real meaning for this blog as there is no real meaning to the name of this blog except that Beyond And Back sounds cool and its a song by one of my all-time favorite bands, X. Picture Johnny Cash and June Carter doused in whiskey and rolled in the gutters of downtown L.A. Combining rock-a-billy, folk and punk, X crafted some of the most original music in the late 70's early 80's Los Angeles punk movement. I feel they were one of the few bands from that era that were able to evolve and maintain some sort of authenticity - a difficult thing for artists. It is this troubled road to greatness that inspires me most. Stick to your guns. Here is a list of people who have done so.

Charles Bukowski
David Brower
Neil Young
Mark Gonzales
Henry Miller
Miki Dora
Yvon Chouinard
Gandhi
Rodney Mullen
Uncle Dave

A line in the song Beyond And Back has suddenly resonated with me as I set out on this long, open road: "This is no place, this is no place, to be addicted to another place…"

P.S. If you see me out there, feel free to say hello, stop by, maybe have a cup of Joe and a chat. Stay tuned…

[Photos: Jeff Johnson]

 

Comments

[Ketan Mody]

Jeff,

Love your pics and have been in love with the sprinter van for a long time, glad to see you are taking this litle jaunt. But i am even more excited to see The Gonz on your list.

Safe travels, and if you wanna fish on the east coast drop me a line.

Ketan

[ricardo]

Hi Jeff,

Stoked to know that I'll get to read more of your writing more often. If you make it out to Nova Scotia drop me a line. Itnresting to see Chinasky, H Miller, Gonz and Rodney Mullen the same list. Did you ever read Matt Chester's (builds titanium single speed frames) writing on 63xc.com or his old blog? He's a Buk fan too.

[Ben]

I envy the nomad life. Please enjoy it for those of us that cannot. Like the others that have left you a note, if you make it through San Diego and need a warm shower, just shoot an email.
Cheers,
Ben
as they say on the A.T. - "Hike your own hike"

[Matilda444]

If you make it to central MN, you're welcome at my little sanctuary!

[bk]

Jeff:

Sounds like a fun trip. If you get up seattle way look me up. I'm living on B Island now, and wouldl ove to show you around.

Later, BK

[Shane Robinson]

Will all the beyond and back posts be on the Cleanest Line or is there another domain name?

Excited to share in the adventures.

[Greg in Vt]

I've been beyond and back a few times myself with the help of X. Not the drug darnit, but the band Jeff refers to. I once shared a cigarette (when I did such foolish things) with Exene Cervanka of X in Ventura before a show. Though it was a brief encounter, I walked away somehow enlightened. I guess it was her down-to-earth attitude.
Anyways, X is always good road music. Whether you need a pick-me-up (visit an early album) or a warm country tune to enjoy a sunset(see later material). Have a good trip. I assume you're bringing a board or two? You travelling alone? See you around.

[sam]

hey dude, safe travels.
-sam

[Free]

Shane - Yes, all of the Beyond and Back posts will be appearing here on The Cleanest Line.

Jeff does have his own site with a nice gallery of photos and some of his published writing: www.jeffjohnsonstories.com

[TwoSevensClash]

Another Gonz reference on this blog. Its amazing how many people that guy has inspired and he's still pushing it.

Jeff, when you make it back to Ventura, you'll need to come skate with the krew. Peace.

[CM]

For you gonz and Hosoi fans

http://vice.typepad.com/vbs/2007/04/christian_hosoi.html

[CM]

For you Gonz fans...and Hosoi fans

http://vice.typepad.com/vbs/2007/04/christian_hosoi.html

[lee]

Chrysler was bought by Cerebus in May. Still a nice van though....
welikevans.com

[Libby Jennison]

That's so funny... I spotted your van in the camp four parking lot while I was having a lunch break on the gate of my truck. You were parked a car down, and I was admiring your stickers...

[KHoth]

Ooooh, CM, you made my month! Gonz is my all-time hero of creativity.

<<<

For you Gonz fans...and Hosoi fans

http://vice.typepad.com/vbs/2007/04/christian_hosoi.html

[Ari Facenda]

You were infront of me yesterday in Oxnard..a biodiesel friend. Get any waves? I went to the shore it was so so Happy trails!

[patagoniacommunity.blogspot.com]

What a trip. What Patagonia products are you using on this journey? I'd love to give you a shout-out on my blog.

[brandon paul watts]

Jeff...best of luck beyond. I am a recent grad from Brooks in Ventura, a videographer and photographer, and would love to collaborate on a future project with you!
Staying creative is my passion, and surfing feeds my soul.

Cheers!

"build then the ship of Death
for you must take the longest journey
to
oblivion."
-D.H. Lawrence

[Chris Holmes]

Jeff,

When you get back to the West Coast Santa Cruz area your always welcome to crash at our pad. It's been a lot of fun and quite revealing to read your writings over the years be it in Surfers Path, on line, or in Bend to Baja. Thanks for being a living example of of what I'm sure many of us strive to emulate. I have been following Liz's travels and it cracked me up to read you were popping in and out of her adventure stories. Sorry I missed your book signing at Capitola Book Cafe, Ray King of Patagonia Santa Cruz keeps me posted. He's an old college/Surf buddy. I hope to be able to catch up with you some day and talk about old & new times. Happy travels and keep on following your own path. CH