One man and his dog: Heartbroken father takes his beloved mutt on an epic ten-year motorbike adventure across America
- Ara Gureghian, 67, embarked on the journey with his dog Spirit, following the passing of his mother and only child
- Nomadic pair have travelled all over America on his motorcycle and sidecar, braving heavy storms and snow
- Trained chef says his faithful companion was just a day away from euthanasia when he adopted him from a shelter
A man who lost his mother and only son embarked on an epic journey across America with his dog, battling heavy storms and even snow in just a motorbike and sidecar.
Ara Gureghian, 67, from Naples, Florida, and his faithful companion Spirit, a
'We have ridden about 300,000 miles mostly up and down the west/central USA following the cool weather in the summer and warmer weather in the winter,' said Mr Gureghian, who is a professionally trained chef.
Scroll down for video
Mr Gureghian took to the nomadic life after not being 'able to cope' with
'I have always camped all my life and after my only child Lance passed away, not able to cope with the
'Turned out to be the therapy of our life as Spirit was also rescued and I started writing my own conversations into a journal every morning,' he says.
Spirit, who wears full riding gear on his travels in the sidecar, was given a slice of luck on his first encounter with Mr Gureghian.
He's an easy rider: Spirit the
A sunset mirrored in
The dog was the victim of abuse by a previous
Gureghian explains: 'I wanted a dog and I found Spirit at the shelter one day away from euthanasia. We looked at each other and we both knew. He had been very badly abused and it took a while for him to now be a people lover with a heart of gold.
'He has become my life as I know vice versa is also true. We are one now. He is quite the rider in his own sidecar and such a ham when wearing his goggles and helmet.
'He has become my life as I know vice versa is also true. We are one now,' Gureghian says of his canine companion, Spirit
Canine adventurer: Spirit poses in his sidecar as hot air balloons land behind him, in Utah's stunning Valley of the Gods
'Every day is memorable,' says Mr Gureghian. 'We live in the moment. Something I have learned from Spirit.
The pair have been documenting their progress through photography and videos, which has seen around five million visitors on their website.
Mr Gureghian said: 'Without sounding like a cliché, every day is memorable. We live in the moment. Something I have learned from Spirit. Yet, incredible landscapes are a bit more memorable especially in Southern Utah or Northern Montana as in the Glacier.
'Meeting others like us on the road is also always memorable.'
The duo
Spirit enjoys the ride in Utah. The pair have been documenting their progress through journals, photography and videos on their website
'There is no goal to the journey. We continue staying on the road. It becomes and addiction to seek new especially isolated spaces with much beauty. We will be resting forever some day... so why stop now?
Mr Gureghian and Spirit are now looking to document their journey so far in a coffee table book called 'Hues of my Vision', will feature a collection of photos, maps and quote.
He added: 'There are many sunrises, sunsets, nature, moon rises and other dogs we meet. Out of the ordinary scenes that
Most watched News videos
- 'Predator' teacher Rebecca Joynes convicted of sex with schoolboys
- Diddy breaks his silence after shocking video of Cassie beating surfaces
- Alleged airstrike hits a Russian tank causing massive explosion
- Moment Brit tourist is stabbed in front of his wife in Thailand
- Pro-Palestinian protestors light off flares as they march in London
- Final moment of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi before helicopter crash
- Suspected shoplifter dragged and kicked in Sainsbury's storeroom
- Site of helicopter crash where Iranian president was killed
- Shocking moment worker burned in huge electrical blast at warehouse
- Seinfeld's stand up show is bombarded with pro-Palestine protesters
- Moment Scottie Scheffler arrested outside 2024 PGA Championship
- Blind man captures moment Uber driver refuses him because of guide dog