OMD Travelogue | Day 17

[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_counter num_start=”0″ num_end=”0″ num_speed=”1500″ num_prefix=”” num_suffix=”” num_color=”#2ecc71″ text_above=”Rode for” text_below=”Minutes” text_color=””][x_gap size=”45px” class=”x-hide-xl x-hide-lg x-hide-md “][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_counter num_start=”0″ num_end=”0″ num_speed=”1500″ num_prefix=”” num_suffix=”” num_color=”#3498db” text_above=”Covered” text_below=”Miles” text_color=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Sent to an institution and given rounds of electric shock “therapy” he would not be deterred. His parents viewed his unwavering desire to write a clear sign of mental illness, yet he remained committed not only to his sanity, but his passion. Paulo Coelho would go on to write more than 11 books, including the all-time Brazilian best-selling novel, The Alchmemist.

In it he writes of the mysterious force, “It’s a force that appears negative, but actually shows you how to realize your Personal Legend. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.”

Teetering on the edge of extreme emergency, I came back from the brink of darkness. Only half of the chocolate is gone. The whiskey still in tact. Bay ate his bone, but we replaced it with a new one. This isn’t an obstacle, rather an opportunity. To fast-track my engine knowledge. To become the adventurer I envision.

Post oil-excitement the filter is full of shiny, silver flakes. Aluminum confetti signaling irreversible metal-on-metal damage. Rufio isn’t terminal, just in need of a visit to the operating room and an organ donor. Serious business, but adventures have survived worst.

I sip my coffee slowly, elongate my time in the presence of free wi-fi. Reading about engine failure. Posting to forums, asking questions, getting advice.

“If the damage is already done, can I at least make it the 350 miles to Tok, AK?” I ask.

From there a stranger/soon-to-be-friend has offered to haul us to Anchorage.

The consensus is that it’s hard to say. It’s possible. It’s also possible that there could be sudden engine failure. And while riders have survived that uneventfully, it’s not a great variable to add to the lineup of limited experience riding, rainy weather and new roads.

Despite this, I’m considering making a mad dash. Throw everything on the bike, rub the good luck coin, make it to Tok on a hope and a prayer. And then I look over at Baylor. My adventure sidekick and best friend. It’s not worth risking. My parents can once again rest assured that Baylor is the voice of reason, keeping me out of danger.

So I scheme. Trying to imagine the best way to get this crew – girl, dog, hack – to Anchorage. Because 600 miles away in Anchorage awaits a stronghold of knowledgeable riders. People I’ve never met willing to school me in the ways of all things moto, to get us back on the road.

For the moment Operation Moto Dog(OMD) is Mission Get to Anchorage(MGA). Not as catchy, but with the right attitude I’m certain it will be just as fun.

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