Because of our car trouble and tight schedule we missed our interview in Chicago. We’re going to have to reschedule for later in the month. Everybody’s feeling a bit melancholy and exhausted. We had a so-so breakfast at Denny’s this morning and drove to Jody’s childhood home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania to drop him off before the rest of us drove back to the city. At Jody’s house everyone perked up and we settled in for a few Budweisers and some quality time with Jody’s folks. It afforded us a rare look into the man, the myth, the legend, Jody Lee Lipes: Professional Cinematographer.

Jody’s parents are great. Their house is sprinkled with many tributes to their professional cinematographer son.

Jody is very famous in rural Pennsylvania. He’s constantly on the cover of “Bucks Fever” for various exploits.

This is a very rare photo, never before seen on the internet, of Jody’s twin sister Judy Lee Lipes.

This is where Jody learned to love light, in his childhood backyard.

We couldn’t have asked for a better end to our journey across America with Food & Wine Magazine and American Express.

xoHenry

We stopped to fill up our rental van 2 miles outside of the airport and it broke down. Alamo wouldn’t get a tow truck to us soon enough, and despite AAA’s best efforts we missed our flight to Chicago and will probably miss our interview tomorrow. These things happen in production town. We’re settling into a Comfort Inn for a restless night of worry and contemplation.

xoSM

Bob’s Ranch, our final destination. If you know me, you know I look a little like George W. Bush. This doesn’t help.

xoRel

Supermarché loves Philly. We’re staying with some of Jody’s high school buddies. Today we interviewed chef Marc Vetri (Food & Wine Best New Chef 1999) at his charming Italian restaurant Vetri on Spruce St. Opened in 1998, his restaurant has a 2 month waiting list and only 10 tables. Marc recommended Geno’s Steaks, Longwood Gardens, and Orlieb’s for late night jazz. Marc was awesome. He met us at Geno’s for a steak “wiz wit” at 1am after work.

Mel & Jeff in the back of a stretch golf cart in Longwood Gardens.

Jody fulfills his lifelong dream of stepping behind the glass at Geno’s.

This is a rough part of the trip sleep-wise, but we must soldier on. Last stop: Chicago.

xoSM

My mother’s old Honda VFR with pin-uup girls airbrushed on the sides.

Hiking up to Medicine Wheel with Shelly.

Local skate park in Buffalo, Wy.

xoRel

Had a great 4th of July in Malibu. Jody and Henry flew their beautiful girlfriends out for the occasion.  Now we’re back to work. We interviewed chef Nancy Silverton at her restaurant Osteria on Melrose Place where they filmed the famous TV show “Melrose Place”. We thought about making a shot-for-shot remake of their famous intro, but didn’t have time.

The smog was particularly heavy because of the fires in Northern California.

Henry & Jeff actually aren’t that crazy about LA. Next stop: Philly!

xoSM

The best parade I’ve ever seen. Red Lodge, Montana.
Photo by Yaniv Schulman

A re-enactment of The Battle at Little Big Horn.

Reading “Love in the Ruins” and waiting for Old Faithful to blow. Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.

xoRel

It’s sad to leave such a wonderful city, but all good things must come to an end.  As you can see, Jody and Henry really got into the spirit of things.  Next stop: Los Angeles.

xoSM