Reasons for Adventure

Some people may wonder why people may climb a mountain or row the Atlantic or thru-hike the Appalachian Trail or pack raft across Iceland or cycle the world. When George Mallory was asked why he climbed Everest, he responded with, “Because it is there.” That, I believe is the simplest explanation for adventure.  Why must I cycle down the Pacific Coast and up through the Sierra Nevadas? Why must I expose myself to the elements and cruelty of the harsh terrain? Why would I spend a vacation outside sleeping on rocky ground and challenging myself each and every grueling day and why would I choose to become sore and endure pain? Why would I do this? Why cycle down the Pacific Coast of Washington, Oregon and California and up through the Sierra Nevadas through National Parks and a glimpse of Nevada? Answer? Because it is there.

Because it is there…Mountains rise up above the world and are just asking to be climbed. Vast oceans and seas are just asking to be sailed across. Jungles, rain forests and deep canyons are just begging to be explored. The arctic north is egging on those who venture that far. Adventure is to be had everywhere. Because they are there...why not? Why not cycle a few thousand miles? It is worth it. It is challenging. It is glorifying. It is awesome; awe-inspiring.

Adventure for the sake of adventure. Is adventure ever a bad thing? I'm not quite sure. Yes, there are misadventures. I have had my share of them. But even a misadventure can be looked back upon as a great experience. And isn't that what we strive for? Great experiences? When people set out to accomplish a great task to raise money for charity or some other noble event, they do so because they enjoy what they are about to do, or at least they crave the adventure of it. Adventure requires stepping out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. Because even if we have done some trip or experienced some activity before, it is a new day and with new days come new, unknown and unforeseen encounters. Yes, danger lurks nearby and within each adventure we choose...and don't choose, but isn't that a part of adventure? Without danger and the unknown aren't we still within the boundaries of our comfort zone? A lot of people are too quick to say, "Oh man, I would never be able to do something like that." "I can't," is uttered far too much by mere mortals. They say, "never," or "no," without thinking twice, and when they do think twice, it is usually due to the fact they have not though thrice. Think again...try again...and do it...just do it brothers and sisters. Set out and embark on some adventure for the sake of adventure.

Rekindling Love & Passion - While out on the road for 11 weeks (God-willing), I am eager to bask in God's creation. As I cycle with the wind in my face, stop at the top of hills for a lunch break, break open God's Word with the view of the Pacific, converse around a campfire at night, as I meet the locals and discuss life with friends new and old and as I seek out new adventures each day, I hope to find and rediscover my love and passions. As I am alone with my thoughts on the saddle with an endless road in sight and as I reunite with my partner, I anticipate to wonder and take the opportunity to rekindle my passion and life's mission. What on earth am I here for? What is my calling? What is my game plan? Where must I take my life from here? Who is really in control? I anticipate to set out on this adventure and come back with a rejuvenated sense of wonder and calling.

New Places & New Faces - Although I don't always consider myself what some refer to as a "people-person," I do enjoy meeting new people. Everyone on earth is a unique creation and each is here for a reason and each has something to offer and bring to the table. Some are funny, some are not; some are happy, some are grumpy. But whatever the case, they are loved people and it is always a pleasure, whether I think so at the time or not, to meet them and make new friends and contacts. In addition, I enjoy traveling to new places. To meet new people, one usually has to travel to new places. Again, each place is unique and offers many new adventures and misadventures that will be looked upon later as great experiences.

Incentive & Fitness - What I want this journey next summer to be is, above most, an adventure. I think I have made that clear. However, another reason for this particular adventure is to keep my state of fitness and give me an incentive to live healthier and stay stronger. Riding 40-80 (an estimate) miles a day for the better part of 2.5 months would seem to accomplish this task. My first hope is that this trip comes to fruition and my second hope is to continue a sense of adventure post-trip to stay healthy, fit and strong. These ten months leading up to said trip will also provide incentive to live a healthier life and come to a better understanding of living for adventure.

New Perspective - There is nothing like bicycling farther afield to better gain perspective on life. Nothing compares. Backpacking I suppose comes close. But bicycling is a field unto itself and we cyclists know that with riding far distances comes new perspectives about distance, about hunger, about the outdoors, about creation, about thirst, about comfort, about discomfort, about family, about warmth, about cold, about, about, about... New perspectives remind us there is more to life than a 9-5 job, the annual office party and raising 2.5 kids. Gaining new perspectives cause us to crave more perspectives and more, you guessed it, adventure. It dawns on us that there is more out there...new friends to be made, new places to visit, new thoughts to enter out heads, new discomforts to create. Okay, so that last one may cause some eyebrows to be raised, but think about. We emerge from comfort zone to discomfort zone and we're like, "Why am I here. I don't like it." But there is a reason. It stretches us and it causes growth. And sometimes those discomforts merge into comforts. Try it sometime, you won't regret it...unless you choose to.

Adventure Again - adventures, misadventures, adventures, misadventures, adventures...let's venture out and have some fun!

P.S. Fundraising & Support for a Camp Start-up - I am not usually one to ask for money or donations. In fact, it has never come easy for me. However, it is my desire for this trip (and future trips) to be, not only a trip of adventure, but also a fundraising trip. I would like to raise funds, not only to complete the trip itself, but also to go towards a camp start-up. If you know me, you know that starting a Christian camp based upon Biblical principles and Jesus' leading, has been a dream of mine for several years. If you would like more information about this project, I will be more than happy to talk to you about my dream and even e-mail a copy of my dream camp paper if you are interested and if you want to be invested in this endeavor. What this camp will look like at the outset (whether a small camp or a travel/trip camp to begin), is unknown at the moment. I am currently working on a brochure that will explain my vision and desire and calling that will hopefully go to people and camps I meet along the way. I currently do not have a paypal or giveforward account (I will update if/when I do get one of those accounts for easy donations), but if you feel called to donate to this cause, please send it to the following address:

1123 Orchard Ct. N. Apt. C

Keizer, OR 97303

This is a great way to get involved in this adventure. May God bless you as you seek His direction.

P.P.S. One last thing...I hope to keep a journal, maybe even a video diary of sorts along the route. If God wills it, I may be able to put together some writings and journals and thoughts and memoirs into a travel book recounting my adventures.