THE ORGANIC COFFEE VESPA TOUR was inspired by the ideas first explored on the inaugural Local Time Vespa Tour. That 7,000 mile (11,000 kilometers) ride across the United States focused on local economies and sustainable food production. This Vespa-powered journey took me through Central America exploring the business of specialty coffee and to meet the people growing some of the finest beans in the world for the Organic Coffee Cartel and other specialty roasters.

My plan was to spend time making photographs of the farmers, families, and landscapes that most of us know nothing about or just don't concern ourselves with when ordering our five dollar coffee concoctions. I planned to put a face to that morning cup.

The same way tasting a fine wine can connect you to the rolling hills of Burgundy, I believe a great coffee can be equally stimulating to the imagination. I love the idea that a cup of coffee can connect us to far away places and hard working people. This adventure was hatched to creatively test that idea and then share my findings.

I hope to give all who visit this site a glimpse into my travels. Please share clayenos.com/vespa, the select portfolio, or the entire Flickr archive with anyone interested in travel, quality coffee, and creative discovery.

Onward!

Clay