Forty years ago, I embarked on my first journey. I guess that excludes, daring strolls on the paved streets of my 1950’s super-suburban neighborhood and adventurous hikes in the sandy New Jersey pine forest behind the childhoood house; both in my earliest youth.
In summer of 1976, the year of America’s bicentennial, I packed up my 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass with camping gear. I invited my sister, Annamarie (age 18) and my brother Rich (age 17) and we set out for California. The 6-week journey was choke f
ull of learning experiences, wide-eyed interactions with locals and a keen sense of family bonding. July 4, 1976 found us in rain soaked tents in the mountains near Raton, NM relishing in the adventure of it all.
The following summer, 1977, my younger brother, Tommy (age 12) joined us for the return journey. Th
is camping journey across the northern states of America, southern Canada, Niagara Falls and home to New Jersey piqued my interest in adventure travel. Again, wide-eyed local interactions and a keen sense of family bonding are my memories.
I was hooked! Thereafter, planning and realizing journeys had become my passion! A most memorable journey was the cross-country bicycle trek in my formative years – early 20’s (pic 1). With some minor forethought and a ton of enthusiasm, on a bright June morning, after a few healthy pancake breakfasts, four of us launched. We rode through campus, crossed the river and turned easterly. Riding along the riparian of the Willamette River, I vividly recall thinking that we will not significantly deviate from this course until we hit the Atlantic Ocean. That was a very cool thought! A few days later we were cresting the snowy Cascade Mountains and before we knew it we were ready to cross the Snake River into Idaho (after sharing sleeping space on the river’s bank with a band of skunks the night before). I experienced so many interesting and memorable times on that journey; the best of which was my deep, respectful, lasting, truest friendship with Chris – 40 years running!
The journeys varied but consistent themes remained – outdoors, healthy adventure, fresh local encounters and building bonds with your travel mates! Often, my favorite time of day was awaking up in my sleeping bag and thinking back as to how I got there (pic 2). Immediately my thoughts would jump ahead. I would excitedly start wondering where I might end up rolling out my sleeping bag for the coming night, how I might get there and how might this new day unfold. How, I loved that anticipation!
Over the years so many journeys, with so many awesome traveling buds came to pass. I recall simple weekend alpine ski jaunts. I recall the month long powder seeking trek throughout the western states with brother, Rich. So many back county ski journeys (pic 3), including a handful of treks in the majestic Wallowa Mountains with numerous frigid days but cozy nights. Mountain backpacking trips, with minor but exciting peak ascents throughout the entire US unfolded (pic 4). Trekking journeys through cities and countrysides of North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia became almost commonplace. Somehow I even ended up on boats – a 21-day run down the Grand Canyon (pic 5) and a private sailboat cruise in the BVI with a handful of cheerful, crazy sailor mates. Of course the cycling miles continued to pile up fast – tens of thousands – so many different mountain ranges (Rockies, Appalachians, Alps, Tatras, Apennines, Dolomites, Andes………….), the tundra of Alaska, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way to Nordkapp (pic 10), the Pampas of SA, hosts of Mediterranean isles and even Hawaii. Laurie and I developed a cycling love affair with Europe, as we found ourselves pedaling through the countryside and countless, ageless villages of Italy, the Balkans, Switzerland, Spain, Italy (pic 6) and Italy again! Did I say Italy? How did Laurie and I end up on a 70-day, 4500 mile Trans America trek, 30 years after my initial run?
Somewhere in there I became (and still am) hopelessly addicted to sport and traditional rock climbing – pursuing all kinds of adventures (pic 7). As spectacular as these journeys have been, however, I stress the unparalleled value of the intensely personal bond developed between climber and fellow climber. Alan! Recently, I got a little sidetracked from completing my Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area climbing adventure. In addition to the spectacular climbs, I was so anticipating the reunion and rekindling of my 25-year climbing relationship with Grandpa Dave. Soon enough!
Quite early on, I realized journeys are not limited to the physical world. I had been invited on quite the emotional journey in my mid teens as I experienced the passing of my dedicated dad at the all to early age of 45. I was sucked into the vortex of dealing with my mom’s mental illness. For her whole life this energetic, zestful, loving mother of seven struggled to stay afloat in a very confusing world (pic 8). Thank goodness for successful drug therapy. Of course, like most of us, I have gone through the ups and downs of romantic journeys. The one that brought me to my knees though has resulted in a women and her extended family that are the most loved and cherished people in my life (pic 9). And, yes, like the rest of us, I’ve struggled though many first world problem journeys that have impacted my life, from which each and every time I’ve come out on the positive side.
Somehow, I miraculously completed a journey through the American workplace. Despite my Swiss cheese like resume, I was able to carve out a tremendously satisfying middle school teaching career. I was ever so blessed with an almost infinite set of opportunities to build and nurture positive relationships with exuberant adolescents. They have certainly molded and impacted my life in such a rewarding, fulfilling way – absolutely all for the better! (pic 11) That journey has been incredibly enlightening, impactful and just plain fabulous!
With this background in place, it seems that I am about to embark on my newest journey: A journey through the modern world as a cancer patient. Similar to all my previous journeys, I know not how this will unfold. Nonetheless, I invite you to come join me and watch it unfold together.
Here we go:
The Beginning, Getting Serious, Moving toward Frazzled, Rapidly Unfolding, Moving towards Grateful, Psyched, Coming Hone, Relieving our Friends, Feeling the Fatigue, Feel’n Groovy, Second Treatment, Not Quite 100% in Paradise ……………….
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