SUNDAY BOOKMANIA -THE WEST BY RICHARD PHIBBS

Well finally it's sunday, time to pick up that beautiful coffeetable book that you have. Like I picked up The West by Richard Phibbs.

Phibbs's love of the West came naturally. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, home to Canada's Calgary Stampede, one of the world's great rodeos. The landscapes of Phibbs's childhood are the background of his most evocative and authentic images: stark plains and endless prairies, weathered barns and fences, an empty horizon rolling to an open sky. This minimalism rooted in nature shaped Phibbs's aesthetic from the beginning. 

Peopling the western landscapes of his childhood was that archetypal hero, the cowboy. Phibbs's modern cowboys are sensitively rendered; looking into their eyes, you connect with decades of tradition while experiencing an electric shock of immediacy.

Phibbs's artful images — iconic portraits of cowboys, horses as wild and free as the wide-open spaces, a dog working its herd with skillful grace, a saddle weathered with work and time — find their deserved setting in Paredes's careful editing, with comparisons and contrasts that amplify each photo's emotional resonance. With the eye that brings Ralph Lauren's vision to life in stores and showrooms around the world, Parades crafts a book that is, truly, a tribute to the American spirit.

CHAD GOES ROADTRIPPIN'

Coming Saturday, Chad will hit the road for some old fashioned roadtrippin'. There will be a convertible waiting to enjoy the American scenic byways. The journey will start in Washington, DC via Shenandoah National Park & the Smokey Mountains, Chad will sing some country music in Nashville, TN. From there we conquer Atlanta, GA before heading to the coast. We will follow the coastline from Savannah, GA, via Charleston, SC all the way back to DC. As always I keep you posted.

CHAD VISIT TO McCARTHY "THE EDGE OF ALASKA"

We might all know McCarthy, Alaska from the Discovery Channel series "The Edge of Alaska". This remote town at the foot of Wrangell Mountains is 100 miles plus away from the closest police station.

Last year I spent my vacation in the beautiful state of Alaska and high on my list was a visit to McCarthy. It was a challenge to reach the town via the dirt road and the small bridges. We had a stop in Chenile, which is a town with just 2 streets, 3 houses and some left behind A-Fords. McCarthy is slightly bigger. With an airstrip, a restaurant and a hotel called Ma Johnson. From McCarthy you walked a dirt road for 4,5 miles to Kennicott Mines. The abandoned mine is now a National Park, from here you have some great views of the surroundings and you breath how it was in the old days at the Last Frontier.

CHAD ON TOUR - ALASKA - THE LAST FRONTIER

It's already two weeks ago that I returned from my trip to Alaska.

It traveled for some days through the "last frontier" State in a luxurious GMC Suv.

I fel in love with the rough nature, beautiful scenery and friendly people. Okay, I know I only

saw a part of it in the most friendly time of the year, with limited snow and no mosquitos.

I loved the nature of Denali National Park, where I saw several bears with their cubs and I was

thrilled to see the actual bus from the movie Into The Wild, for a moment I was Chris McCandles.

As Arnold says; I'll be back.....

CHAD ON TOUR

Wow, everything is packed for my trip to the States, hope I packed the right gear this time

Tomorrow I will fly to LA to visit Rosebowl Fleamarket on Sunday.

C U on the other side

(pic Rob Kulisek for Man of The World Magazine)

CHAD ON TOUR TO THE SUNSHINE STATE

This is how I will spent the coming to weeks in Florida, just driving around from one beach to another and catch some waves. Life's a bitch ;-)