The Endgame
(what was accomplished, what was learned and where things stand)
So what did giving up 'society' for lent, driving 11000+ miles, flying a couple 3000 more, spending over $20,000, being morally forced to lose my share of a dream company in the span of 46 days (origiNally planned for 40) get me?
One word answer: Everything.
An awesome adventure, a great travel log, thousands of burned in memories (and pictures to prove it), a new home, meeting my partner for life, starting a new company with exciting problems to solve and most importantly, a new smile.
On Lent & Catholicism
While I actually started this trip as a cleansing and happened to think of it when imagining what to go without for lent, the process actually stirred some deeper scientific thought. And so, on major result was that I gave up Catholicism (all organized religion actually). I found my inner peace on the open road, on the open highway fluke 70F day in Ohio, in the comraderie experienced in Northern Michigan, waking from a nap in the Badlands, in Seattle, swimming in the pacific off hanalei, seeing magical spaceship lights in new Mexico, drivng through a mini tornado or massive dust devil in Texas, tossing beads around the streets if new Orleans and mustering the courage to let it all hang out in atlanta (twice). I found god spelled with a small 'g' and nothing more. I found myself and have man's worst inclinations to thank for it. Amen.
On Travelling and the Road Trip
As for travelling the open road, I learned more about Jesus, Buddha, Michael Stipe, Hemingway & Kerouac, Steinbeck & Che', and even Tom Robbins than any professor could teach on their best day. Forget the food, the drink, the sunrises and sunsets. Forget the child-of-alcoholic supposed need to please others. For 49 days I forgot the rules, travelled the road and took care of me.
On Living & Breathing
I realized quite early on that my parents set me on course to excel in the actual living - and this trip was living at it's most outrageous.Coming up on the 10 year anniversary (whatever it means to be 10 trips around the sun past something), I have to say, if I had a VW van or small motorhome, my wife would have me, and my partner would agree - you had better believe I would do it again. In a heartbeat.
Everyone I interacted with on this trip is special - not just to me, but in their own right.
I hope they all have their own SmartBeetle trip someday...