The 1986 Road Trip of Two Lovers
By Patty Mooney
Co-Producer, New & Unique Videos
In 1986, my partner Mark Schulze and I took a bold leap. We packed up our Toyota Chinook camper, left our San Diego home behind, and hit the open road for a nine-month odyssey across the United States, Canada, and Alaska. No cell phones. No GPS. Just an adventurous spirit, an analog video camera, and a deep desire to explore the heart and soul of North America.
That journey became a treasure trove of rare footage, moments of wild beauty, quirky encounters, and candid reflections. Decades later, we’ve reimagined the original footage using today’s tools of restoration, stabilization, and enhancement. The result is a two-part series soon to stream on our platform: “North American Journey One” and “North American Journey Too.” Each film features a musical soundtrack composed by me, Patty Mooney — a lifelong poet using cutting-edge AI tools to blend words and music into an evocative, cinematic experience.
Part One follows the early leg of our journey:
From Southern California to the granite walls of Yosemite, onward through Oregon’s coastal forests and coast, and into the rugged grandeur of British Columbia and the Yukon. We crossed into Alaska by ferry, danced in the streets of Fairbanks, explored glaciers and hiked to the top of a mountain in DeNali National Park. The show ends with breathtaking views from a bush plane over the Haines, Alaska area.
Part Two picks up the trail from Alaska including the Seward Salmon Run, crossing back into the Yukon, Canada. We rafted the icy Athabasca River in Jasper and dined with a chipmunk on top of Whistlers Peak. We traveled through Glacier Bay National Park, followed by Yellowstone National Park where we captured glaciers, geysers, wildlife, and the raw thrill of discovery. We stood in awe of Niagara Falls, and continued down to the Florida Keys. In every town, we met kindred spirits and curious strangers. We chased autumn colors through New England and danced through summer storms across the Great Plains.
Why release these films now?
Because time has only made their message more vital. We were documenting pristine wilderness, small-town charm, and moments of stillness before the digital age swept in. We made friends with many people along the way, of different political persuasions and religious beliefs. We enjoyed each other’s company. What we captured on VHS tapes nearly 40 years ago now serves as a love letter to the wild and wonderful North American landscape — and a gentle reminder to slow down, wander, and look around.
Each part is filled with original music composed just for this release, poetic narration, and beautifully restored visuals. “North American Journey One” and “North American Journey Too” are more than travelogues. They’re time capsules, memoirs, and meditations — as personal as they are universal.
Whether you’re a road tripper, a documentary lover, nostalgic, or just someone seeking a taste of wonder, I invite you to come along for the ride.
Watch the trailer now.
And rediscover the joy of the journey.