OMD Travelogue | Day 57

[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=”420″ 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=”290″ 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]Having spent the morning working and generally putting off departure, I finally pack up. Say goodbye wistfully. Find it fitting that the last man we see before leaving this state is the very one who hauled us into it.

Gray skies sitting low over snow covered peaks, I brace against the wind and rain. Having the good sense to scoot further into the nose of the sidecar, Baylor remains mostly dry, entirely blocked from the wind.

Transitioning from one country to the next, a sense of melancholy settles over me. Wiping rain from my face shield, I chew on the heaviness. Bittersweet thick on my tongue.

Crossing back into Canada is a milestone. I did what I originally set out to do, made it to Alaska. And even more than that, this transition marks the beginning of OMD’s expanded mission – visiting all of North America. It’s exciting, fun, fantastic.

But still. There’s a part of me that wants to turn around, cruise back to Alaska. Discover all the beauty I haven’t yet seen. Return to all my favorite places and people. Stay close to this network of helpful, kind, knowledgeable riders. A part of me that worries Alaska has set the bar too high. That the rest of the journey won’t be as friend-filled, supportive and wonderful. That maybe I should just play it safe and stay here.

Then I remember that adventure requires calculated risk, that this rider family spans the continent, that hope rules my choices. Remind myself that bittersweet one of the best emotions out there. A sign of mindful appreciation paired with the gumption to move ahead.

Enjoying the healthy engine sounds, I open the throttle, zoom down the rain-soaked highway.

Road to ourselves, we slowly bump across the gravel swatches of highway. Weave back and forth looking for the least jarring path. Baylor sits up as we bounce down the road. Takes great pleasure in sniffing the wild Yukon air.

Thousands of miles of adventure lie ahead. States to cross. Mountains to climb. People to meet. Rivers to jump into.

I don’t know what will come, but I do know Alaska has prepared us well. Rufio is in the best shape of his life. Baylor is dirty, happy, filled with treats and adored across the state. I’ve never felt more alive – having learned the value in taking a trust fall, in turning strangers into friends, in seeking adventure, in becoming the person I envision.

Thank you, Alaska.

It’s not goodbye, just see you later.

57 days down. Many to come.[/x_text][x_image type=”none” src=”http://mallorypaige.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-13-at-4.24.07-PM.png” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]