In 2017, I dated Matthew Gutierrez, a long-haul truck driver. During this time, I hopped aboard as his “rider,” and we together traveled over 25,000 miles along his routes throughout the western United States.
Mike drives around Portland late at night, in search of his ex-boyfriend, cannabis to purchase, and a place to pee.
Mike takes an unscripted late-night cruise around Portland on a quest for petrol and his lost vape, shortly following a difficult breakup. He reflects on life as a Queer man navigating both personal transitions and the unfamiliar roads of the Pacific Northwest, demonstrating both vulnerability and resilience as he copes with his recent loss.
On an aimless late-night drive around the suburbs, Mike continues to cope with his recent and sudden termination from PGE, looking to Facebook interaction and other distractions to avoid falling into an endless pity party over the shocking decision.
From a truck stop in Phoenix shortly after a dust storm, Mike reflects on learning his rider duties assisting with truck deliveries. Also discussed are the commonly mistaken distinction between power and energy, as well as procrastination habits, and remembering back when talking about Nazis used to be comical.
Having freshly awoken from a bad dream, Mike makes the long walk across a Montana truck stop parking lot to use the restroom and grab a coffee, admiring the splendor of the mountains nearby.
Broadcasting from a UPS facility and the cab of a semi-truck in Boise, Idaho, Mike provides an extemporaneous update on the realities of life on the road before receiving a phone call that suddenly disrupts the original itinerary.
In this late-night broadcast in Utah, Mike provide a candid and eclectic update on his life, his relationship, and his upcoming move to Portland. Hosting an informal "hangout" session, he blends logistical updates about truck driving with deep-dive conversations with friends and viewers.
Mike and Matt travel along I-80 amidst the windy landscape of Wyoming, approaching the Utah border enroute to Denver. Emphasizing the safety responsibilities of flatbed truck drivers, their plan includes dropping off a trailer with broken landing gear before finally taking a long-awaited vacation.
Mike and Matt travel through Utah toward Salt Lake City, where Mike is to fly to Portland for a job interview. The conversation is loose, covering an eclectic array of topics ranging from political "epiphanies" regarding global intelligence agencies and data privacy to humorous, candid discussions about their personal lives and future job interviews. They are joined by their friend Alan, sharing observations about the passing scenery and local landmarks like Mormon temples.
Embarking from Salt Lake City towards Colorado, Mike and Matt review some recent tasks, such as securing cargo, refueling, and grooming, and chat with a couple viewers about local cuisine and the NFL national anthem protests.
Traveling south of Sacramento along Interstate 5, Mike and Matt reflect on a book of inspirational messages, titled “Sparkle and Kick It” and written by a spiritual leader in Columbus, which advises appreciating the small successes throughout your day and building upon their momentum to achieve larger goals.
Matt and Mike drive through a smoky wildfire haze in Southern Oregon to deliver a load to a Lowe's store, sharing insights into the various types of commercial trucks on the roads, and reflecting on Hurricane Harvey’s recent landfall in Texas.
Mike and Matt recount their recent trucking detour through San Francisco, sharing their excursion in the Castro district, enjoying local cuisine, and getting pedicures. Exploring Queer identity, they celebrate the fluidity of personality and the importance of finding moments of joy along the open road.
Suffering from the early stages of heat exhaustion while helping Matt secure his flatbed load, Mike reflects on the recent solar eclipse that they viewed from Arizona.
From a truck stop in Weed, California, Mike kicks off the “Trans-America” livestream series to chronicle his adventures on the road with Matt. He reflects on the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and his recent move from Columbus to Portland.
Broadcasting from Newton, Iowa, following his release from jail, Mike discusses his struggles with manic depression and his decision to quit marijuana, which he identifies as a root cause of his recent "Twilight Zone" experiences. He is joined by his friend Jim, who drove from Ohio to pick him up.