The
Earth is large, and we ourselves are so small that we have a
hard time relating to it all. It seems too much to perceive and
relate to. It can be intimidating. Therefore, we often tend to
settle into and cherish the comfort zones of our neighborhoods
and areas that are already familiar to us. We tend to not seek
out new and strange places, and we generally resist the
unfamiliar. And that's just regarding the places on the earth.
Experiencing new people and different cultures is another thing
entirely...
Having
finished a working career serving the community, the draw now is
to go elsewhere, to meet others, to find new adventures and see
and experience the places and people that have until now mostly
been known vicariously through stories, the media, and other
sources.
We are
all aware of the Egyptian pyramids at Giza, the
Great Wall, the
Nazca Lines, other great monuments. We recognize instantly
the iconic and unmistakable images of
Chitzen Itza, the
Colosseum of Rome, the
Taj Mahal, and
Petra. Ever been there? People visit these and other
places all the time, but there are so many more places and
cultures than we can ever hope to know.
Many of
the great wonders of the world are natural, such as Yellowstone
National Park,
Angel Falls, the
Great Barrier Reef, or
Ayers Rock. Other
wonders are human achievements. All are worth experiencing.
With
the intent to see and experience as much as possible in this one
brief life that we can be sure of, the journey begins in
earnest. Retirement now allows more time freedom, but
everything comes at a cost. Some things will be missed and
sacrifices will be made. One has to be okay with that.
This
website has nothing to do with a career that is now well spent,
but rather it will focus on what travels and adventures are yet
to come. Like an Errant Ronin indeed... no master to serve and
traveling (or not) as whim, desire, and circumstances allow.
Much of
the travel to come will be by motorcycle. Two-wheel travel has
become a way of life and has been quite a source of both
adventure and misadventure in recent years. As to the
misadventure, the plastic and metal bits get repaired and the
minor wounds heal.
Our
wonderful memories of thrills, chills, and challenges, however,
will remain as long as we do. That's not saying much, perhaps,
but it's all we have. We exist only insofar as we perceive,
remember, and imagine. Once those are gone, so are we.
So the
goal is to add as many perceptions, memories, and imaginings as
possible.
Oh, and
this site will always be "under construction" to one
degree or another. And since I hardly know what I'm doing, the
construction is poorly done.
