Setting out on an adventure can be a daunting experience especially when we are travelling alone. We fear that we will be just that “alone”. This is rarely the case, more often it is the people we meet and the experiences we share that form the best and strongest memories of our journey.
I enjoyed this experience recently spending 5 months rock climbing in Fontainebleau, France and today’s guest post by Nathan Winters describes just such an experience of the power of connection with new people when he embarked on an amazing 4300 mile bike ride across America.
A 4300 mile cycle across America
On Mother’s Day May 10th 2009 I set out on a cross country bicycle adventure starting in Belfast, Maine. My destination was the Washington coast and I had very little worry about what came in between. With a peaked curiosity into environmental and agriculture issues and the never ending desire to see what type of obscure situations I could land myself in… I packed 70 pounds of gear on my bike, kissed my mother goodbye and set out to live my dreams.
My experiences on this journey allowed me to do the one thing in which I was most eager to accomplish most. And that was get to know my fellow Americans. On this journey I visited, stayed with and exchanged long conversations with all walks of American life. From the Amish, organic, and conventional farmers to hermits in cabins, college professors, drunkards, and just about everything in between.
Over 4.5 months time I had done what most people advised me not to do. I rode a bicycle from coast to coast going East to West fully loaded. During this journey I was faced with many physical, emotional and mental challenges and with a great deal of determination and an amplified sense of intuition I climbed over mountain passes in extreme heat, against relentless winds and with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.
When my journey was complete I walked away knowing that I would never have to live with regret and that we all share the ability to live out our dreams if we just learn to put our fears aside. I learned that if you hold a strong passion for a particular topic of study or an art form you could uncover a plethora of knowledge by taking action and asking important questions.
I had come to understand and witness countless people doing great things in their communities all over America. Despite all of the negative talk you see and hear in the main stream news outlets. America is still the kind of place where you can ask a complete stranger for help and you will find an answer. With or without the swine flu and an economic recession. America is still a place we can all be proud of.
To connect with Nathan on Twitter @FollowNathan
To see Nathan’s amazing collection of photo’s from this adventure please visit Nathan Winters on Flikr
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Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with your readers! This was excellent!