Waking to the sound of rain, I smile. Still dark at 6am, I snuggle further into bed, happily tucked into the weather proof cabin, without a care.
About to drift back to sleep, a vision of my lax moto packing from the day before flashes before me. I sit straight up, startle Baylor. Jump out of bed, calling out, Good morning Bay! as I run down the stairs. Baylor follows suit wondering what all the hullabaloo is about. Hopeful it means an early breakfast is coming.
Happy there aren’t any neighbors nearby, I run into the cold rain in my underwear. Gingerly jog across the gravely driveway. Stash gear, zip bags, pull out the tarp and cover Rufio.
Mission accomplished I turn towards the cabin. Laugh at Baylor standing under the cover of porch, smirking at the show. Fully energized from the frigid unplanned morning aerobics, I give up any idea of going back to bed. Roll out my yoga mat. Stretch, balance, invert to my heart’s content.
Settling at the desk, I open my laptop. Looking out the high windows, the valley is immersed in morning fog. All definition lost, we could very well be floating in a cloud.
Work complete for the moment, I look up. Stare across the sunlit valley. Give Baylor a scratch and head out for a walk in the woods.
Cranking the tunes, I luxuriate in the use of a kitchen. Chop and dice and prep. Go to use the knife to scrape carrots off the cutting board and imagine Dan’s disapproving look. Quickly flip the blade and use the backside. Soup simmering, I sit on the porch as the setting sun washes the world in a golden glow. Sets the valley ablaze.
Fire crackling, Baylor snoring contentedly, I open the book. Read about the life of UFC fighter Ronda Rousy. It’s a fascinating tale. Filled with hardships, battles and victories. I cringe reading about the pain, pops and tears inherent to fighting. Laugh when she talks of running hills to process a crush on cute dog park guy. Can hardly imagine when she tells of training to the physical limit, of the hopes and disappointments from competing in the Olympics. What stands out the most, though, is her tenacity. Through setbacks, obstacles and challenges she just kept going.
I find myself nodding in agreement when she writes,
For a long time, people shot down my goals as impossible, but I knew it was only because I hadn’t given them a reason to agree with me yet. They did not know what I was capable of.
That’s exactly how I felt when I was planning this adventure, building Rufio, and getting ready to hit the road.
I remember talking to Austin,
I don’t get why everyone doubts that this is going to happen, I told him. I mean I’ve lived in a van, traveled around solo, gone on adventures. People know I’m crazy.
He looked at me, Yeah, but they’re all just waiting to see if you’re crazy enough.
I think about that as I close the book. Everyday on the road I’m learning what I’m capable of, proving nothing is impossible, and, hopefully, finally giving people a reason to believe in me. Five months and more than 10,000 miles later, I’m proud to report that,
Yes, I am definitely crazy enough.
153 days down. Many to come.
