The Republican River Road
312 miHastings · Red Cloud · McCook
Small-town main streets and river-valley cottonwoods, the slow way west.
Life off80
Tales of a Highwayman
The good stuff is off the exits.
Camping, two-lane highways, and small towns between the Missouri River and the Tetons.
Camp Setups
Route Logs
Summit Days
Small Towns
Backroad Finds
off the interstate
The Routes
Four highways I keep coming back to. Each one beats the 80 for scenery—and loses to it by an hour or three. Worth it.
The Old Lincoln Highway
455 miColumbus · Kearney · Sidney
The first coast-to-coast road, one grain elevator at a time.
Through the Sandhills
358 miBroken Bow · Arthur · Scottsbluff
Dune grass to Scotts Bluff—the biggest-sky drive in the state.
The Pony Express Route
400 miMarysville · Smith Center · Norton
Prairie towns and history markers all the way to the high plains.
from the camera roll
The Gallery
Wind River Range, WY
Alpine lake day
Morning trailhead
The crew
Where the plains break
Small-town iron
Golden hour, Hwy 30
Back home
tales of a highwayman
From the Journal
Camp NotesJun 14
First Light on the Trail
A cold-morning walk before the coffee was ready.
Route LogsMay 30
Where the Plains Break
The first sight of real elevation heading west on 92.
Backroad FindsMay 9
Small-Town Iron
Every town off the 80 keeps a few good trucks.
the highwayman
Most of my life, an hour from the 80.
I'm Trent. Wichita patrol cars, Omaha server rooms, church offices—all of it along the I-80 corridor. Life Off 80 is the other side: the exits I take when the week is over, the two-lane highways, and the campsites between the Missouri River and the Tetons.
Expect camp cooking, route notes, small-town diners, and a lot of Nebraska sky. Less cowboy, more campfire.
on the mic
Speaking & Training
From corporate keynotes to hands-on workshops, I help audiences understand how AI can become a trusted tool—not a threat—for their work and mission.
Upcoming Event
Business Process Management (BPM) 2026
Speaking on AI & Workflow Automation
AI & Technology Speaking
Conferences • Corporate Events • Churches
I speak at conferences, corporate events, and churches about leveraging AI responsibly. My messages focus on practical implementation—helping people who don't consider themselves "tech people" discover how AI can serve their mission.
- AI for Church Operations & Ministry
- Leveraging AI for Good (Nonprofit Focus)
- Digital Transformation Strategy
- Manufacturing & Business AI Applications
Workshops & Training
Hands-On Sessions • Lunch & Learns
Through interactive workshops, I help teams take their first steps with AI. These practical sessions focus on real implementation—not just concepts—giving participants tools they can use immediately.
- Custom GPTs for Your Organization
- AI Ethics & Responsible Adoption
- Workflow Automation Basics
- Leadership in Digital Transformation
"If you can email or search Google, you can use AI."
My mission is helping people who don't consider themselves "tech people" discover how AI can become a trusted tool for their work.
Business Ventures
Technology should serve people, not the other way around. These ventures represent my commitment to helping organizations harness innovation for meaningful impact.
Marigold ONE11 is an AI Solutions Agency helping mission-driven organizations harness technology for greater impact. Like the companion plant that helps its neighbors flourish, we help businesses grow through thoughtful AI implementation.
AI & Automation
Custom AI solutions and workflow automation
Digital growth consulting
Strategic technology adoption guidance
Strategy & roadmap planning
Aligning tech with organizational mission
A kingdom-focused planning methodology that helps individuals and organizations align their goals with God's purposes. Because every year has the potential to be your best year yet when surrendered to His will.
Personal Planning
Discover God's vision for your life
Business Planning
Strategic planning that honors God
Ministry Planning
Kingdom perspective for organizations
Interested in working together?
Start a Conversationsay hello
Let's Connect
Got a route tip? A campsite recommendation? Or just want to talk highways and small towns? Drop me a line.
Route Tips
Know a great two-lane I should drive? Share it.
Camp Spots
Favorite campgrounds, dispersed sites, or hidden gems.
Just Say Hi
Or talk AI, work stuff, or small-town diners.