On February 28th, 2014, two best friends of over 24 years set out on a trip of a lifetime. They knew there was a big world out there, and they just had to see it for themselves. I am Brandon Elijah Scott, travel writer and photographer here on Eye & Pen, and my best buddy and budding filmmaker Matt Powell is accompanying me on my next journey. We will be traveling around the United States for the better part of four to five months, visiting over 30 states, and spending a bit of time in Mexico and Canada as well.

We will be publishing a ton of updates, articles, and photographs here on the blog, as well as on our social media accounts – follow me on Twitter (@eyeandpen) and Instagram (@eyeandpen). Plus, for as often as we can, we plan to release an internet television show, which will include our antics, thoughts, experiences, and perhaps some interviews along the way – you can follow updates about our series at Neauxmad (www.Neauxmad.com).

We hope that you will find inspiration, as well as entertainment from our writings, publishings, and films! Please feel free to reach out to us, by leaving a comment below, or by writing us directly here.

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” —Tim Cahill

Welcome to the first episode of the series, Neauxmad – a five month trip of change, and enlightenment, across America and Canada. This series follows the happenings, hijinks, and antics of two long time friends of over 24 years. They set out from their home in Columbus, Ohio in February of 2014, and this is the beginning of the story...

When I was getting ready to depart from Columbus, Ohio's International airport in April of last year – I was off to trek around Europe for the following 8-months – my flight to Barcelona was canceled, because of an American Airlines computer system error. In fact, they ended up canceling all of their flights in the eastern-USA for the entire day. I was put up in a hotel for the night and set to leave the next morning. The problem was that I lost a sizable amount of money from having to miss my booking and reservations, for when I was supposed to arrive on time. Luckily for me, AA issued a flight voucher in my name for a total credit of $500, so long-story-short, I was able to get myself to Aruba!

I’ve been talking about it for years, and have been actually planning it for the past few months. The time is finally here! In about one hour is the official start of my 4-5 month trip around the United States – it will take me through over 30 states with a brief touch in Mexico, and a brilliant couple of weeks of touring western Canada. I’ve always wanted to go out west and to see all that Arizona and California have to offer, and while I’ve been to Los Angeles a couple of times, but other than a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, I’ve missed out on everything else the western USA has to offer. I’ve been home visiting family since November, since I was overseas, traveling abroad for the better part of 8-9 months – and I’m beyond ready to head out again!

I was flying around Route 1, trying to beat the ever-approaching sunset. My timing was starting to cut it close, as I could see orange and yellow tones beginning to spread across the sky to my left. But fate smiled upon me, and I was able to make my way to the famous glacier bay along southern Iceland's coast. There were a few groups of tourists, but overall, it was just me and my camera, wandering around the bay, snapping photos of the beauty that is, Jökulsárlón.