Here is a random quote I saw in a restaurant that moved me: "How well did you live, how well did you love, how well did you learn to let go?"
I found this short piece I wrote, I think I was going to use it as an introduction for a letter to send to companies to inquire about sponsorship:
It's one of those gorgeous, perfect days, which I wish would never end. I'm biking along as usual, but fortunately there are no cars today, so the ride is quiet. All I can hear is the wind, that's gently blowing and bringing scents of faraway places. The landscape is a lush green that a picture or painting could never do justice. In this moment, everything is perfect, and I can't help but smile at it all.
I am finally updating my blog after a few-month hiatus. The reason for this is mainly due to the death of my friend Miles (see previous post) and because I wanted to do a tribute post for him first.
I am leaving next week for Anchorage! But I am getting ahead of myself, let me start from the beginning...sort of:
Miles' memorial/paddle-out was slated for three weeks after his death, coupled with the fact it was exceedingly difficult to sell my truck, resulted in me reevaluating my trip plans - I decided to stick around, get a decent price for my truck, find some work, and leave in the Summer to restart in Alaska and continue to South America (I've always wanted to see the interior of Canada, the Yukon, BC, the Tetons, Yellowstone, etc).
So I drove to Crescent City, CA for the memorial and paddle-out for a few days in late February. Upon my return, promptly sold my truck, interestingly, (finally after having several people test drive it) to a couple that had first checked out my truck and filtration setup.
I bought a fun little hatchback Mazda that gets excellent fuel mileage to drive for the remaining few months I would stay in San Diego and work. I found a job at a local restaurant waiting tables (my bread and butter), and have been working there the past few months 4-6 shifts a week trying to save up as much as I can. I bought a plane ticket to Anchorage shortly after selling my truck, for nearly the exact same price of when I flew to Seattle in the Fall (yes!), however, I have a 9-hour layover!!!
I contacted a few different companies about possible sponsorship for my upcoming trip. I actually randomly stopped by the Patagonia store in Santa Monica on my first bike tour (biking the pacific coast) where I spoke to Bryan, the manager. He was very generous in offering a gear donation (see picture below) everything I'm wearing in the picture is from them, including a nice rain jacket. Thanks again Bryan, Danni, and everyone at Patagonia!
Besides the obvious... my time in back in San Diego has been grand, hanging out with friends and family, surfing and snowboarding lots, staying in shape (trying). I went on several snowboarding trips (most of the time with my good friend Reza), to the local mountains where we spent most days hitting jumps and practicing tricks. I discovered the thrilling hobby of frisbee golf, and played at a local course that is about 2 miles from my house in North Park, numerous times. I went to Las Vegas to meet my cousin and his friend who are both from Minneapolis (I usually see them every summer when I travel there to see family). We had such a great time lounging by the pool, and checking out some clubs at night. I made a trip up to Mammoth with my uncle Don where we scored some great powder. I ended up slightly injuring my ankle after over-shooting one of the landings, that still slightly hurts to this day.
I completely rebuilt my bicycle upon returning to San Diego. Kevin, a bike mechanic at Adam's Ave Bikes, was extremely helpful, and kind in helping me to dial in my bike. He let me come in a few times and use a bike stand, tools, and his knowledge while I replaced nearly every piece on my bike. Thanks again Kev, appreciate the help!
In order to accommodate my travel plans, my Mom and her long-time boyfriend finally sealed the deal and were married at her house just a few weeks ago. I brewed a beer for the occasion, a 6% brown ale that went down smooth. It was nice seeing old family-friends and family again, and was a beautiful setting on the patio over-looking the canyon.
Besides working, I've been spending a lot of time trying to enjoy all the little things society, and having a car, has to offer. I have definitely been surfing a lot (after Anchorage, I won't even see the ocean again until my return to San Diego). I've gone beach camping quite a few times, which consists of having a bonfire on the beach, then wake up in the morning and surf. I have been playing my acoustic guitar regularly. Recently, I realized how nice it is to have cooking appliances, like a big stove, pots/pans, and a blender, so I've been cooking some meals that I know I won't be making on my trip.
As if I wasn't carrying enough garbage on the first trip, I bought a 3/4 size travel guitar, and a case, that I will be bringing along. I bought the guitar for cheap on craigslist, and it's conveniently called "Amigo" (it will probably turn into a "Wilson"- like object at some point in the trip).
I finally spent some time and figured out why I wasn't receiving notifications when comments are left on my posts, so now I get emails when responses are left, fyi. Also, I have made a map of my first bike tour, Biking The Pacific Coast, that can be see below.
So I bought some more tools, got a few more maps, and basically with the same gear, I'm ready to take on the world! The knowledge I gained while working in the bike shop with Kevin, I would consider to be priceless, and will surely come in handy at some point in the trip. I am feeling both nervous and excited, but wait anxiously for the trip to begin.
As I embark on this trip-of-a-lifetime, I would like to remind you how important this trip is to me. Although I cannot prevent everything bad from happening, I will sincerely do my best. Just remember, if something tragic were to happen, I'm doing something that I truly enjoy (can most people say that in their lives?)!
I fly out July 6 to Anchorage, arriving in the evening. My dad frequents Alaska every summer for a few weeks. He is arriving a few days before I do, and will pick me up at the airport. We'll spend some time together camping, fishing, flying, then part ways and I'll make my way down to Seward where I'll stay with a couchsurfer and hopefully fulfill a life-long goal of seeing Orcas in the wild. From there I'll head back to Anchorage, then bike North to Fairbanks, and continue pedaling South-East into the great, unknown...
Here is a map of my last bicycle tour in the Fall of 2010:
Pink markers = ~ camping locations, Blue markers = people I stayed with
Local pub that even has ping pong, my new favorite spot
Desert
Good 'ol rock bocci
Heavy sand-barrel
Always crowded...
Great day at Bear hitting jumps with Ahmad and Reza
Farewell to the mighty Fox
Go the distance
Sunset outside the bike shop
Brewing beer (old house, but same setup)
Joshua trees just outside of Vegas
Tasty hookah
Vegas with cousin Kellen and friend Pete
Powder days in Mammoth with Uncle Don
Stacey and Paul, proud new owners of the veggy-mobile
Snowboarding in shorts - goodtimes
Big THANK YOU to Patagonia for the gear!
Beach camping with friends
The sporty Mazda
One of a few day trips with Reza up to the mountains to board.
Huevos rancheros and home-made spicy salsa
Mi Amigo
Kevin and my awesomely rebuilt Tank
"Around The Corner" - original little something I came up with
Dealing with the loss of my friend Miles has been trying to say the least. Miles was such a good friend to me, and I miss him dearly. It's good that I'm leaving for this trip, because at times I find it difficult to escape the thought of him...especially while surfing, which doesn't seem the same now that he's gone.
Not a day goes by that I don't think about him. Knowing that I can no longer pick up the phone and see how he's doing is tough. Deleting his phone number out of my phone was immensely tough. Knowing that my friend was in pain, and there was nothing I could do to help him, may be paramount and most bothersome. I have never had a friend like him, and likely never will again - I don't have words that can explain the difficulty of this.
I try to remember how important it was to have known him, learned from him, and grown because of him. I have never felt such pain and loss that ceases to fade. Miles was such a unique character who drew people towards him. Meeting people at his memorial, and hearing their stories of how he enhanced their lives, was no surprise.
Miles and I had a lot in common: we both broke our necks and recovered, took great pleasure in coffee and beer, but the thing that connected us from the start was our mutual, deep respect and love of surfing. I got into home-brewing beer after hearing him tell me about a mocha porter he made. He taught me how important it is to have a continual stoke of surfing, enjoy being out there because surfing in general is better than doing a lot of other activities...like work. He introduced me to multiple surf sessions in a day, having a beer in the shower, but most importantly; kindness to people of all walks. I have never witnessed anyone with such respect for people in general. Miles was so courteous and cordial to everyone he met. He would go out of his way to help people, give people the right-of-way, open doors... even waving to everyone he would see around town while driving.
Miles would jokingly end most phone calls with "I love you".
He was probably a better surfer than I, certainly having surfed longer. He would make a point to do or say things sometimes, like complimenting my surfing; "that was a nice turn, lots of spray" or even just telling me how much better I was surfing since the last time he saw me.
I remember after he died, trying to call his phone, like maybe it was all a hoax, a misunderstanding, and he would pick up the phone and jokingly explain it all... Then hearing his voice-mail and his voice, and a dark feeling would wash over me, and remind me of reality.
I wish I could go back and say one last goodbye (something I really didn't even get to do formally when I saw him last in Crescent City, he was gone the morning I left, on a day trip to Oregon).
I feel a void inside just trying to understand that Miles is truly gone. A great friend who's life was cut far too short. Camping at Big Flat and staying at his house in Crescent City in the Fall of 2010 would be the last time I would see him alive. We had a tremendously good time together camping creekside, doing some work on a ranch, surfing daily, sharing some beers and some laughs in the evenings.
This post is a dedication to my good friend, and all the memories we shared together over the years. Thank you for changing my life Miles, I love you and miss you. I'll see you in the water again one day, and we can share some waves once more. Until then, I'll be out in the line up, trying to get that next barrel for ya...
Three weeks after Miles died, a service was held at a local restaurant in Crescent City where family and friends came to reflect and reminisce on his life. The following morning, a paddle-out ensued to honor his love of surfing, and provided the oppurtunity to have his father and brother spread his ashes to the ocean that he so dearly loved.
Shortly after Miles' death, I contacted Surfline.com to find out about posting something about Miles. It took me until early June to compile a short piece that can be seen here:
