We tried to do too much too fast. We were averaging about 100 miles of riding a day, eating only oatmeal and rice and camping on the side of the road and our bodies were beat down and done by the time we reached Cedar City, UT. Jeremy bought a late 80's/early 90's Isuzu Trooper and we drove home. We had been in the saddle for six days and covered over 600 miles, but not without a little help from our friends.
To anyone who envisions Hwy 50 to stretch straight and flat across Nevada, you are terribly mistaken. It is mountain rage followed by another and again and again. There were times when we were so worn out, both body and spirit, that all we could do was stop, "set up shop" (as we called it) and stick out our thumbs.
This is where this dream began. Hitching rides with people created for some of the most unique experiences of my life. I don't think I'll ever forget some of the people that picked us up on the loneliest highway in America. There was an unexpected and unprecedented openness in the people that had the compassion to stop and load up bikes, gear and two very smelly gentlemen in tights.
I think it was out of Ely, NV one night that we got picked up by two locals in an old beater pickup. There was room for one more in the cab, so I took the bare metal truck bed. Thanks Jeremy ;) The kind sirs were bearded and burly, not to mention at least a little buzzed with bottle in hand. (Understand how desperate we were?) Not only did the Lord keep us safe, well, alive, but he took the opportunity to use me to minister to the man crammed in the back seat.
There, through the back sliding window of this beat up Silverado, with generous amounts of alcohol of his breath, this man told me of a broken childhood and scars from rigid religion that I bet even the driver was unaware of. I saw him melt into something real, all his pride was laid aside and he opened up to me because, for some reason, he trusted me. That experience changed my life.
We failed to make it to our destination, we failed to ride the whole way, but we gained the experience of a life time. That trip taught me so much, mostly that life is less about where you're going and more about experiencing the journey at hand.
It has been five years since we returned home from that epic journey. Within a week of being home, a new dream was starting to develop. I wanted to see more of this beautiful country, meet more of these wonderful people. I found a map of the U.S. and highlighted a projected route, just to get an idea. I didn't have money then, so this trip would have to be cheap and if we're honest after a $120,000/priceless education, I'm in an even worst state than before. At least financially :)
Half a decade has passed; for over a fifth of my life I have been dreaming about this adventure. It is time. It is now, relatively. I plan to embark in about 2 months from now, sometime in August, which sounds far off, but not when one considers how long I have been planning this. Over the years I have acquired everything I need for this trek; a backpack, one-man tent, backpacking stove and cookware, down sleeping bag and loads of inspiration and restlessness.
To those who know me, thanks for understanding what some call crazy. To those of you who think I'm crazy and wonder why this is a dream, I dare you to not be afraid of the unknown; embrace it, it's what life is all about.
Some people insist I should carry a gun. I wouldn't dare even if it were given to me. That goes against everything I am dreaming of. I will have knives, but as tools, not weapons. There are bad people out there, but I will not live my life afraid of the evil in people, instead I will seek out the good in them.
When people ask why do something like this, I tell them simply and honestly, "because I want to." I want to experience life differently from most people, to gain a repertoire of extraordinary stories to draw from for the purpose of the future.
Besides "why?", people always ask me where I plan to go. Given the nature of the trip, to map out a specific route would be absurd and rather counter productive, but to have an idea of where I'm going is fair game. I want to head north from California into the Northwest, Oregon and Washington and then head east from there all the way to Maine. From Portland Oregon to Portland Maine, more or less. :)
I am drawn to the personal mystery of the wilderness of the North. I want to meet new people and see new things as well as see friends and family along the way. I am going to take my time, there is no rush. I say 2-3 months only because winter will be closing in, but the future is unknown and I want to keep it that way.
This blog will be my main venue for thoughts and to keep a record of experiences I want to share with you. The action won't begin right away, but for me the Journey began years ago.
Thanks for reading and please, join the journey.
