My, how things change! The last time I checked in, there was talk about a river trip, Europe, Africa...
Since then, there have been a couple trips to Denver, and probably a dozen long conversations about where and how we're going. As it turned out, the ideas of December were actually the product of not having a clear vision. That vision didn't take long to come, and yes, obliterated those of Indiana Jones.
I'll let Chris explain his end for himself his specifics, but our ideas and individual focus seem to dovetail nicely.
For me, this seems to be a continuation and expansion of last year. As I go back and re-read some of my posts from "Running With the Wind", and then reconcile them with what's happened over the last six months, it seems apparent that my focus hasn't changed much while certain aspects have intensified; particularly my interest in synchronicity, and the ability to sort of tune in to that personal "mechanical resonance" (apologies to Tesla!) that we all seem to posses if we can only eliminate the static. The last four months have been pretty powerful in that regard, as Chris can attest.
So, here's the updated "plan", and trust me... that's a very loose term. We have four destinations in mind. Nashville (hi Kim!), North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Then? West. Probably toward Seattle via the U.P of Michigan, and the northern tier of states. From there maybe Oregon and California. Maybe India! We had batted around the ideas of New Orleans, Florida, and the entire eastern seaboard to New England... but neither can think of a good reason to bother with Florida, plus North Carolina's enough "southern hospitality" for me. If I never see Mississippi again, I'll be fine.
We had set a target date of April 1st to leave, but that appears to be on the verge of being pushed back due to DENTAL WORK, of all things. I need two root canals and four fillings, after having a tooth pulled in January. If I can get my appointments expedited, it'll be sooner, but there's a possibility that the start, for me at least, could be pushed back into May, just like '08. To be continued...
Personally, the rest of the winter has been spent selling stuff like the rest of my bike gear, my computer, a fancy cell phone and also struggling to find a backpack and shoes. This sounds an awful lot like LAST March, except that this year, I've had success selling this stuff! It's pathetic how little I own now.
I've also been connecting with a sister I've never met, and reconnecting with two that I haven't seen in 12-years. That's all been over the last couple of weeks and has been one of the most intense, rewarding times that I can remember. This is the foundation of the Michigan leg of the trip. Plus my 20-year reunion is this year. How is that possible? I'm only 29.
After a long, drawn out drama trying to buy a backpack on eBay, I decided to just go new and picked up a Gregory Baltoro 70L @ REI this week and have also settled on some boots (Asolo). In the end I would just rather not worry about a pack after I leave and if anything goes wrong I can have it replaced, even a year from now. Seems worth the investment. If anyone needs a Kelty Red Cloud 5,600 with a HOLE IN THE BOTTOM, I know where you can get one real cheap...
It appears that I'm Denver bound one more time, this weekend, so we can go on a test run, perhaps Monday, make some final decisions on gear, and also initiate some other ideas. Look for those soon.
Every winter, I hibernate to some degree and this year has been no exception. However, things have really accelerated over the last few weeks. Right on cue. There should be lots to talk about this month...
Travel stories and the occasional rantings of an evolving cynic who's simply in search of a little human authenticity. Tales include hitching across the Rockies with an eventual cop-killer, a weekend with a terminally-ill billionaire, meeting my siblings for the first time, trips to Mexico, and scores of random people from Mass.-Slab City-Chiapas who are often even more interesting...for better or worse!