Back twenty years to... Sunday, April 2nd, 2006. A fantastic home-cooked breakfast, and a marathon trawl around the Malls. The Apple Store and 'Best Buy'. Whatever could be better today – than a wee bit of 'technical retail therapy'.

"Nick and I go way back. Initially, he was my assistant when I was working as a freelance photographer in London in the early eighties. It was a big thing then, for a 'lensman' to have an assistant. It showed you'd 'arrived' – much like Doctor Who, who always had 'an assistant'. Later, once we'd gone our separate ways, he got married to an American girl, and moved to The States. They had a baby girl together, set-up home in Texas – and we kind-of lost touch for a while. We were back in contact last year. 2005 that is, when I first had the idea for this road-trip, and flew over in the summer – for a recce. A two week 'reconnaissance trip'.

South to Austin – for the nightlife, and San Antonio for 'The Alamo'. West to the Mexican border to take a look over the Rio Grande, and then up to Marfa for the famous, mysterious [and non-existent – when I was there, at least] 'lights'. Next, into New Mexico and to Roswell, to see what all the 'alien fuss' is about – then north up to Tucumcari and Santa Rosa, for the remnants of the Mother Road, 'Route 66'. Cross-country north to the artist colony of Taos, through Santa Fe, and on to Albuquerque, where I first found the RV I would buy. An excursion to 'The Trinity Site' to see where 'the big bomb' was tested, and south-west to the irresistibly named town of 'Truth or Consequences'. A fast drive back to Dallas, via 'Cadillac Ranch' – and I'd learned everything I needed to know.

To the present – 2006 that is – and after a pretty good restaurant meal, my buddy and I get installed in his local bar. The Plano Tavern is buzzing on a Sunday night. Great conversation, a mild flirtation with a game group of office girls, and the short walk back to his place. We're 'all caught-up'. He has his work to go to tomorrow, and I have to get back to New Mexico..."

In Search of Small-Town America: Volume 1 is a free-of-charge Pdf digital download – available from our shop. A table of contents, the introduction, the route-map – and featuring content on the first two States travelled: New Mexico and Arizona.

Jeremy Hammond I am a British writer and photographer, and have travelled through India, China, Southeast Asia and Australia, but most extensively in North America. In the late seventies and early eighties, I worked as lighting crew, and later designer, for many top-named British bands, on tours through Europe, Japan, and the USA. I’ve worked as a cruise-ship photographer, in office and store design, database design, visual arts book publishing and as a London-based freelance photographer, specialising in interiors and architecture.