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 pitbull, have spent the last decade travelling through the continent on a life affirming and therapeutic adventure, taking photographs and writing a journal along the way.

'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.

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Mr Gureghian took to the nomadic life after not being 'able to cope' with every day life after losing his mother and son, Lance

'I have always camped all my life and after my only child Lance passed away, not able to cope with the every day life, having the motorcycle, sidecar and Spirit, there was nothing to lose while becoming a nomad.

'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 pitbull terrier in full riding gear, left, and right, getting ready to ride in his sidecar

A sunset mirrored in water, in Riley, Wyoming. The adventurous pair have travelled over 300,000 miles on Gureghian's motorcycle

The dog was the victim of abuse by a previous owner, and was very close to being put down before the pair met.

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 have since travelled parts of West and Central America on a motorcycle and sidecar, braving heavy storms and even snow

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 touches my heart. With each photo I have inserted a map with icons and arrows showing where the photo was taken and a quote per photo.'