IPFS

CONNECTING THE DOTS
Frosty Wooldridge
More About: Entertainment: Outdoor RecreationAdventure Beckons: Continental Divide Ride 2013
Each summer, I enjoy clearing my head, flexing my muscles
and traveling somewhere in the world on my expedition touring bicycle named
“Condor.” Pedaling allows me to gather
my spiritual energy, stretch my body toward incredible heights, physical
well-being and a chance to refresh my mind.
Additionally, I love camping by a lake, stream, ocean or somewhere out
in the vast expanses of any desert. I love pedaling the long tracks of land
through deserts, seacoasts and heavily wooded areas like in the New England
states. Of course the Outback, Amazon,
Asia, Europe and even snow drifts of Antarctica have seen my tire tracks.

(Frosty Wooldridge on his bike Condor somewhere on the road
of adventure.)
I love climbing mountain passes from 3,000 feet to 16,000
feet in the Andes or Himalaya. I can’t
begin to explain the incredible rush of joy that transforms my mind and body at
the summit of such passes. Along the
way, I share the world with critters like kangaroos, golden eagles, hawks,
deer, elk, buffalo and endless fields of flowers. Emerson once said, “God laughs in flowers.” I agree.
Jack London said, “I
would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather my spark burn out in a
brilliant blaze than be stifled by dry rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor; every atom in magnificent glow—than a
sleepy, comfortable planet. The proper
function of a man or women is to live, not merely exist. I shall use my time.”
My bicycle carries me to distant peaks, amazing countries
and different cultures. Having ridden across six continents, from the Arctic to
Antarctica in my lifetime, I can attest to a dynamic world, incredible people
everywhere on the planet and stunning experiences with scenery and wild
life.
Mike Dooley said,
“Invariably, when big dreams come true, and I mean BIG, there is a total
metamorphosis of one’s life. Their thoughts change, their words change,
decisions are made differently, gratitude is tossed about like rice at a
wedding, priorities are rearranged, and optimism soars. Yes, they are almost annoying. You could have
guessed all that. Would you have guessed
that these changes, invariably, come before, not after, their dream’s
manifestation?”
So, this magnificent summer, I will pedal Condor from the
border of Mexico near El Paso, Texas all the way to Canada’s border north of
Eureka, Montana on Route 93. At some
point, I will write about it on my adventure website: www.HowToLiveALifeOfAdventure.com
. I will post pictures, too.
For each of us living in the United States of America, we
may enjoy our own path to, as Thomas Jefferson said, “Life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.”
While strangers come up to me saying, “Man, how do you do
that? Isn’t that a lot of work to haul
that loaded bike down the highway and up mountain passes?”
I respond, “It’s a lot of ‘hard play’.” Sure, I push my body to the limits. My muscles each night after a long day in the
saddle let me know that I’m alive. I
feel exhausted, cleansed with lots of sweat, toned as blood rushes to every
cell in my skin and calmed by the day’s miracles. A shower feels like a miracle from
heaven. (Yes, I carry a shower bag!)
Henry David Thoreau
also said, “If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams, and
endeavor to live the life which you have imagined, you will meet with success
unexpected in common hours. You will pass through an invisible boundary; new
universal and liberal laws will begin to establish themselves; and you will
live with a license of a higher order of beings.”
At night, I pitch my tent under the stars by a popping
campfire. I cook up dinner along with a hot chocolate. While I sip my drink, I stare at the starlit
sky or listen for a Great Horned Owl.
Seldom am I disappointed. Of
course, remarks by my cycle mates make for campfire laughter and memorable
moments. Life glows when shared with a
friend.
Robert Service said it this way:
The summer no sweeter
than ever,
The sunshiny woods all
athrill;
The grayling aleap in
the river,
The bighorn asleep on
the hill.
The strong life that
never knows harness;
The wild where the
caribou call;
The freshness, the
freedom, the farness---
Oh God! How I’m stuck
on it all.
On June 6, 2013, I will touch
the Mexican border, take a few pictures, and begin this 2,500 miles, 10
crossings of Continental Divide passes, 150,000 vertical feet of climbing,
guzzling endless gallons of water, inhaling food like a Kansas combine and, if
you see me out there with my three flags flying from my back rack, you will see
a big smile plastered on my face from ear to ear. Stop and share a word and a cold lemonade
with me!
As Goethe said, “Plunge
boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will; it is always
interesting.”
What about you? What dreams will you pursue this summer of
2013? Whether a weekend, week or
month—go out into the world and explore.
Discover your own creative energy, enthusiasm and joy for a life well lived.
I’ll be back in my writing
chair by the 1st of August to bring you more commentaries on America
and her many challenges. Love and light, Frosty Wooldridge, six continent world
bicycle traveler and nine times across the USA.
And, as you read this travel note, I’m probably sweating up a very steep
mountain pass in New Mexico headed into the Rock Mountains. www.HowtoLiveALifeOfAdventure.com
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