"All you'll give them."
- from "Blue Highways: a journey into America" by William Least Heat Moon
One week from today we'll be driving up to Seattle and I will start my bicycle journey across America.
What started as a "someday I'll do that" thought after overhearing a conversation 40 years ago, is now here. This abstract idea started to become a reality after retiring from my job last fall and moving to California. Little by little the tasks began; ordering maps, getting new parts for the bike and gathering equipment. It was difficult to even talk about the trip to anyone because it seemed so overwhelming.
It would be easy to stay home, but after having a dream occupy your thoughts for so long, the "wish I would have" is something I don't want to think about for the remainder of my life. I at least have to try. There are many reasons this trip may not be successful - bike breaks, body breaks, or it just might not be fun! And if it's not fun, it's not worth it.
I'm in the final stages of getting everything together, weeding out the stuff I can do without, hopefully getting the weight down to 30 - 35 pounds -- not much when it includes all your clothes, your house (tent and sleeping bag), your kitchen (stove and foodstuffs), laundry and bike repair shop. How much does your suitcase weigh when you go on vacation? I've had to accept the fact that I never will have the perfect item for any occasion, I can only hope to have an acceptable item for most.
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| This is a current picture of my brain. |
I'm intrigued. I had some friends who biked across the U.S. and the thought has preoccupied me. Good luck. I will be routing for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes. This has been in my head for a long time too, we'll see how it goes!
DeleteI absolutely love Joan! I am so happy to see her pursue her dream. There is no doubt in my mind she will do it and it will be FUN! Joan is FUN.
ReplyDelete