2 days to go – Some last minute inspriation

The going away speech

At the going away party about a week and a half ago, I was really happy to see so many good friends, and to hear them all wishing me well on my trip.  As I’ve been known to do, I decided to make a little speech, and in that speech I spoke about how I’ve been transformed and inspired by all the folks at the party.  I mentioned that it’s been a great honor to have done so many extraordinary things with all of them.

I’m really fortunate to be surrounded by all of these folks that are adventurers in their own right.  We often undertook adventures together, but they also undertook adventures completely independently from me.  It’s great to know people like this, and it was nice to be able to speak about it during the speech.  And, best of all, we got the whole thing on video.

The lost camera

Yes, it’s a true statement to say that we got the whole thing on video, but it seems that a combination of darkness, too much wine, and a touch of confusion caused me to lose track of the camera, and we’re now considering the camera to be lost.  So, with just a few days to go, I had to purchase another Sena PRISM camera.  It’s schedule to arrive today, Tuesday, the day before I leave.  I guess that’s what I get for waiting until the last minute.

Anyway, with the camera lost, I was unable to share any of the speech with you, but I’m on my way to recovery.

Some last minute inspirations

It was only yesterday that I was on the phone with another couple of friends, who are also business partners, and I learned that one of them had done a trip across the US on a motorcycle some years ago.  He talked about the trip, and how his approach was different from mine, and that he planned a rough route, and then found whatever accommodations were available, as things came and went.

The idea of doing a trip like this without planning like a madman was a bit foreign to me, but I heard in Martin’s voice, the enjoyment that a trip like this brings.  And besides, I’m always up for reading about and listening to stories from other motorcyclists that are doing the same kind of thing, in their own way.

Now, Martin is also a technologist, like me.  So, when he mentioned to me that he had captured his trip as a Blog (or actually, it was in a forum.  Blog’s hadn’t been invented yet!), I was really excited to read about it.

The trip took him around the US, hitting 48 states, and all 4 corners of the US map.  If you’re interested, you can read about it at www.mmorris.org/usa99/  .  Martin may have been a motorcyclist at one time, but he’s more of a Renaissance man these days.  Like me, Martin has retired, and unlike me, he’s bought a boat.  In fact, it’s a healthy size boat, and he’s sailing it around the world.  If you want to see what he’s up to, or to track his progress, you can find all of his adventures at http://n60blossom.blogspot.com/ .  Now, I mention these two bits of documentation of adventures because I’m feeling pretty damn inspired these days, and it’s because of folks like Martin, and all of you that I’m motivated to do this trip.

I’ve found inspiration through friends, and a sense of curiosity and adventure.  Now it’s time for all of us to find our own inspiration, or to enjoy the adventures of others.  Take a moment to wish all of the adventurers out there all the best, and just know that you are, or you can be one of those adventurers.