REd Eye

     "Forgot to tell u this: last night as I was putting her to bed she askd me if I was going to die someday. To say I was caught off guard is an understatement. I told her not for a verrrrrrrry long time and then she said "so then what?". Through my tears I found so much peace in being able to tell her that Heavenly Father makes it so that even after we die we will always be together so it is nothing to be sad about. The best part is that this was enough of an answer for her - she knew it was true. I love the thought of our four-person bubble forever :) lvz". This text from my wife has been echoing for days.... For obvious reasons, it makes me very happy and I enjoy the sound. On the other hand, it brings me to tears. I miss my kids and wife. For me, this is the hardest part of Ridefor9-11. When all is said and done, we will have sacrificed for those that have sacrificed.

        Saint Louis, MO in a small nutshell= Atomic Cowboy, unwinding friends, ice water, haunted houses, haunted people, 1800's architecture, zucchini salad, summer peach salad, The Mud House, graffiti, rail cars and their tracks, Mississippi River, rain swimming, rain running, pesto sea crackers, pears, shirtless, prostitute, black-tar heroin, "Buenos Dias", Vega Health Optimizer, macca, Cherokee, Foam, Metro, rainbow flags, slaves, Mia, es, Sulard, Lemp's  basements.

       I will remember tonight for as long as my heart beats. Occasionally, I find myself staring... disconnected... silent... completely removed from that which surrounds me. We were, in fact, in the presence of Achim Heukemes. Achim thought I was Frank Zappa and I thought he was, indeed, Jesus. On the wall behind him, hung a photograph of a firefighter rescuing a child from a burning building. I adore moments such as these. They make me feel very small. I will never accomplish what AchimHeukemes will... and I may never make a rescue like that one... and I certainly will never be mistaken for Jesus.... But, I will remember the silence.

         I'm not sure of tomorrow's route..  and I'm not sure I care. I will be riding for my teammates/brothers. I've always liked the half-way-point.... the Earth seems to tilt downhill from there. I'm grateful for this experience. At the end of the day, I will have hopefully learned. I'm excited for every one's progress, both physically and socially.

       

Happy Birthday Sharalyn !

        Happy Birthday Sharalyn! A few days ago I saw an orange horse. It all came together for me at this moment... I had been thinking a lot in the days leading up to this and really couldn't put a finger on what my feelings were. We had passed through so many towns and met so many people... and, this horse did it for me. It didn't take me long to figure out that the horse was orange because it had been rolling around in the orange mud of Oklahoma for quite some time. After time, we become what we roll around in. I had many thoughts of decisions I'd made growing up... I thought of so many people, living in so many different places... I remembered getting in trouble because of the people I surrounded myself with at that time.... naturally, I had thoughts of being raised a Mormon and deciding to be a part of it and it's family... Ultimately, I realized that we / I have decisions to make. Maybe it's about where we roll around. That horse will always be a horse, but... it's hair will certainly tell you where it's been and what it's been rolling around in.
        We've had so many highlights in the last few weeks. Seeing my family in Oklahoma was a big one. I will be forever in debt to them for their sacrifices. I'm not afraid to say that my family means everything to me. At times, I really don't care about too much more. For me, life is simple this way.
        Happy Birthday Sharalyn! I hope that your ride was everything you hoped it to be. I pray you remember some of the sights and sounds that day. I officially won't make it to your party. Happy Birthday! Thank you for the special spread. I cannot eat enough of it. It honestly makes me so happy and reminds me of Your day of riding.
        I wish I had so much more time to write..... I will never be able to write enough about my mom. I always feel like I'm cheating when she's around. If you don't know her.... you should. She makes everyone happy.
       
      

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      My wife is beautiful. Casey has an incredible ability to wait. When most jump- she stands. She is, in fact, the dancing flower in the tree house I vacationed today. The mandolin played as she listened, decoded, and smiled as a response... she tells the future. Over the years, Casey has taught me about reaction and patience. I've really tried to be patient with this service project. In doing so, many words have taken on new meanings.
       Love, wind, space, oxygen, magnet, star, honor, tumble, wings, rank, alive, seed, sand, birth, save, consume, grain, motion, stem, brother, same, different, moon, alarm, bargain, home, God, cultivate, stone, bone, rhythm, war, truth, soul, brave, joy, sail, country, floor, hands, red, white, blue, antelope, ghost, gun, lightening, bar, waste, shame, ashes, wire, pearls, resurrection, eyes, timid, oak, whiskey, gutter, sing, freedom, family, Satan, weakness, apple, melody, view, concern, faded, blues, them, us, we, window, storm, sundown, divide, tribute, sacrifice, heaven, gold, simple, summer, parade, tune, angels, dime, cedar, tram, dance, planet, last.
       Recently, I have studied birds and lightening. Birds are either sailors or pirates.... never both. As pirates and sailors, they are completely free. They listen... they decode... they respond... certainly, they will tell you your future. I like them most when they see me. Lightening keeps us in check. We wonder how far and when it's too late. It's energy is contagious. We want more but not too much.
       Today, I rode for Richard Picciotto. I have never met him nor do I know much about him. I read an advertisement that made me want to meet him... to hug him, to praise him, to love him. I think he's a good person. He has donated enough already.
       The last couple riding days, I have become a bird. I have had moments of freedom and moments of fear. I have listened, decoded, and responded. As a bird, I can respectfully honor others. I hopefully make music that people want to hear.
       Yesterday, I rode for Kent and Pam Miles. They are wonderful people. The best part about Pam is that she became very concerned about Casey and wanted her opinion of the ride before donating. Kent and Pam have always seemed to get it. They gave me a job when I was counting pennies.
       I love my family and friends
      
       
      
      

Paper Cities

            I've always enjoyed the atmosphere of a college campus. I look forward to USC Homecoming night with my wife and Father-in-Law. It's amazing to see so many people putting their hands together for a particular team. I wouldn't trade the days we spent surfing Campus Point for anything. I clearly remember posing in front of Harvard's gate, pretending I was clever and entitled to membership. The remains of my art work continue to sleep in the bushes next to the lagoon. I'm reminded of bar-fights and bicycle crashes, as my roommate now lives two streets over. I sincerely loved college and college life.
           While running the paved pathways of New Mexico University's today, I recognized familiar faces. They were confident faces... they were faces of uncertainty. Their eyes were focused, yet free. Their posture told a story of risk versus gain. I knew these people- I was one of them before. Like them, I knew the definition of sacrifice. Our moods seemed to fluctuate with the economy.
            Ridefor9-11 has made me a student again. Most nights for me end in prayer, asking for strength to finish. I love Ridefor 9-11 for it's simplicity. We are just firemen riding our bikes to raise money for two causes. Although there are risks, I believe we will eventually gain from this experience. I think we all benefited from the ride into Albuquerque. We took turns sacrificing our bodies by riding out ahead and pulling so that others could rest. I believe these to be small victories in a large war. We've all worked extra time and burned vacation days to help pay for the trip so that one day, we can pedal our bikes into New York City in the name of those that have lost their lives.
           I like this part of the country. New Mexico is a patient State. I think you really have to know a lot about yourself and what you like to get what you want. For this, I have had an incredible time here. The firemen at Fire Station 13 treated us like their own. I find this to be rare these days. They were enthusiastic about our ride. They were eager to support us, going as far as making me tofu tacos. I learned of La Luz Trail from the same fireman that took a few riders to coffee the next morning. I learned of a few vegan joints from a local. Giuseppe cafe treated us like Kings since they offer discounts to those that ride their bikes to the place. We explained we had ridden from Los Angeles and they held to their word. While swimming with Scott this evening, we had a perfect view of the Sandia Mountain Range. The Mint Tulip was definitely a highlight for me. A trip to Whole Foods made me feel at home.
          My experience running La Luz Trail is indescribable. I was able to carve ridefor9-11 in a tree at the top with the hopes that a few people will ask themselves what it is and why it's on a tree at 11,200 feet. For me, the ride is about giving. That mountain gave me a lot to think about so it only seemed right. I was offered a free beverage at the top for my efforts and took the tram down in silence. Shortly after, I hitched a ride with a print-making student and her Dad back to the hotel. I'm glad I met them and I appreciated their service. It really was a day of giving. You have to be patient with New Mexico and it will love you.
          I'm excited to be on the bike again tomorrow. I will be riding for Kellie and Daniel Hames. I didn't have any money give them for my ride back to the hotel, so I'll ride for them as a thank you. I apologize for my shirt-less body and lack of directions. Who would of thought North Dakota residence could be so friendly. Thank you for dropping me off and not taking me to some creepy field and killing me.
          For those interested: YouTube.com/watch?V=AAnQFxP_Ssl     I have had this song on repeat for the entire trip.......