About Me
Who and Why?
"Remember when you were young? You shined like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond." Pink Floyd.
I have noticed in the past few years, that my body can no longer do the things that my mind expects it to do. I imagine that is not an entirely unfamiliar experience for those in the 50 year old set. I recall a time in my life when I was a fair athlete, and able to perform feats worthy of storytelling. When recently getting back into mountain biking and finding myself so bereft of cardio-vascular fitness that I was resting more than riding, it seemed the time to do something about it.
One time not so long ago, I took on a large project that extended me significant benefits. It did not make me any money (in fact quite the contrary.) It did not make me famous, though many of my friends and acquaintances are aware of my project. It did leave me in the best physical condition of my life, and with a wealth of experience that permeates my memory still 20 years hence.
The project was a tandem paddle the length of the Mississippi river. It was really a "because I can." sort of project. In 2000 I hobbled my career and took this trip that left me penniless, and in the process acquired riches that cannot be stored in a bank. Snippets of the tale of that adventure will certainly come out over the course of this blog. This particular project is more about recreating my expedition of 20 years ago, and the differences in ability and preparation that exist and are required today.
It is also about recording the experience. When we took on the journey, Jamie and I intended to relate the tale in a published work. We began with diligent journal keeping, and exposure of enough film that it took some time afterward to finance the processing of it. Alas, there exists today no book as was envisioned. It is a regret of mine that while I did manage to finish the trip, I did not finish that portion of the goal. Recording my experience this time in this way is a step toward correcting my previous mistake. So while this blog project is really for me, part of my selfish motivation is to share it with you. While I don't yet know the specifics, I plan to share rather candid details of the steps I am taking along this path I have already tread. This time, it will be seen through the eyes of a man shifted 25 years in time and experience from his memories of having traversed it before.