Alaska...a new world to Discover

"It's 50 degrees and raining...Welcome to Valdez." Alaska is a place like no where I've ever been before. You can taste the sweetness in the air and feel the magic of the mountains even from far away. From the moment I set foot on the plane I have had privilege of meeting one incredible person after another. I spent the entire flight talking with a stranger about the plight of our planet and the courageous spirits who fight every day for a better life and healthier planet for their children. I was so blown away by this gentleman's kind heart and spirit and his willingness to share his wisdom with another. He was a retiree from the army and I could tell he had seen some of the worst in war. I asked him if he had any advice for a traveler like myself and he said, "it's all about perspective. " I thought long and hard about what he said and it made so much sense. We travel, experience other cultures of the world and because of that, we are unable to return to our homes and see our life and the lives of others in the same way. It is important that these new perspectives do not generate feelings of despair or even allow us to become jaded, but rather motivate us to change first ourselves and then our local communities for the better.

At times I become so overwhelmed with the task of changing the world, and then I have to pause and think about how ridiculous a feat that is, and focus on what I can change... myself and the interactions I have with everyone I meet along this journey. Thus far, I have made so many connections from simply being open to opportunity. I want to Thank all the guys at REI in Anchorage for helping me in every possible way to prepare me for the arduous bike journey ahead. I feel so lucky to have met you all! On another note, I also managed to hitch-hike from Palmer all the way to Valdez, which I thought was going to be near impossible, since I began so late in the day. But, as it turns out nothing is impossible and it being Alaska, I met another wonderful individual who took me the remaining four hours to Valdez. Thank you.

I am currently sitting across from the Valdez marina with an incredible view of the mountains in the background. I have decided to stay here for a few days because I have a wonderful, close friend here who shares a special musical connection with me. We have been singing our hearts out and have become quite the singing sensation in Valdez. Yesterday we serenaded the entire marina from a friend's sail boat as we sailed on by into open waters. Unfortunately the wind didn't last very long but the song never died. Oh, how  phenomenal it is to be ALIVE!