up grad school, moving out of my apartment, saying goodbye to family and friends, and planning the trip, getting sponsors, and raising awareness that merely repeating all of this in a run on sentence is tiring. But here I am and I thought I would reflect on the first section of this amazing journey. First up it is amazing what an iphone4 does. I have just one piece of electronic equipment and this thing is a winner. Over 200k apps in the app store. Need directions done. Need GPS done. Need to talk to your friend while you ride the last 20 miles done. Need to tweet photos to the 400 people following you on FB done. Need to listen to 1000's of songs while you ride done. Need to blog while you lay in your hammock done. Need to send videos to sponsors done. Need to watch avatar in your hammock at night done. I am just beside myself stoked on this thing. It is nice knowing that I'll never get lost and that my friends family and people following our journey are just a call text or tweet away. It is great to feel so connected while out here on the road.
Secondly I was stoked to be riding w davin. The guys is a beast on the bike. He has been pulling me everyday for about half the ride. The other half is split with me pulling and us just off doing on own thing riding. Davin is a thoughtful easy going guy who is just a blast to travel with and when we need to motor on the bike that dude can put it down
Thirdly I have been stoked and overwhelmed at the love and support we have experienced thus far on our journey. People are following along on our FB page and it is full of nice thoughts and comments and I'm grateful for that.
Fourthly I can't believe how many funny things happen everyday. I have been trying to catch it on film and am learning that is an art.
Fifth I have NO REGRETS about doing this. Life is to short. I have met alot of people that have told me so far that they wish they could do a trip like this. I want to be clear with what I'm Bout to say. Quit wishing. You have one life and your in charge of it. We all choose to live the lives we have so if you need to choose to live life differently so you ocan go on a trip then you are free to make those choices. Or you are free to not make those choices. But wishing?? Wishing is for people who can't make up there mind with what they want in this life and no one can help you with that except you. so there's my two cents about wishers and their wishing.
Sixth I feel a renewed sense of grace and faith. Being able to do this is a GIFT. I feel that many things have 'fallen' into place to make this possible and it has me humbled and left in awe that I get to be part of an adventure like this and the opportunity to help irradiate water borne disease in the Fijian island. I truly believe that with a moderate effort from a broad group of people we can accomplish this. I hope to see this happen over the be t three years.
Lastly-the first part of this trip has already reaffirmed somemthing I have thought for a while now PEOPLE ARE THE SAME EVERYWHERE. I have found this to be true in the 35 states I have visited and in the 20+countries I have traveled to. a polite nod of the head gets one back. Please and thank you's are respected. Smiles are usually returned. When people sense you appreciate and respect them you get it back.
So that's my first section reflection. Hope to check in again soon and I hope your life is going good.
Ryan
P.S. A big thanks to my friends in Hudson, Ohio who sent Davin and I these dope jerseys as we made it to CA. Davin takes his back to Ohio and I will take mine as I journey forward
Ride4water via iPhone4
Location:San Diego CA