Learning to Fly: Paragliding in New Zealand

The Jagged peaks of southern New Zealand rise above the green valley floor. From my vantage point high on Coronet Peak I can see forever. Everything slowly comes to life as the sun inches above the horizon. I struggle to return to the task at hand while surrounded by the movie-set scenery. The lines to[…]

Journey through the Rockies: 2018 Tour Divide Post-Race Thoughts

I started driving down the main road to the Mexican border with Jeff Sharpe at around 1:00 in the morning for a 2:00 northbound departure.  I was thankful for his willingness to provide transportation at that early hour and he mentioned he wished more riders would get an early start because the heat of the[…]

Fasting and the Firing Line of Life: Turning Tents into a School for Syrian Refugees

Last week I started a fast. For five days I wouldn’t eat anything; I’d only drink water, herbal tea, and a concoction made from fresh-squeezed lemons, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. My goal was three-fold: to give my stomach a rest, to clear my mind, and to re-focus on what is important. Though it is[…]

Camel Races and Smiling Faces

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.” -Iain S. Thomas   As we bumped along discreet[…]

Improbable Jordan

The tires of the pickup whined as they hugged each turn. It was difficult to look at the young driver, head wrapped with a keffiyeh, making two cell calls simultaneously in a language I didn’t understand. I felt the back of the pickup floating as small waves in the road sent it slightly into the[…]

The Dark Night Sky and Unbroken Dreams

The sun is setting over the Pacific Ocean. I stare at the last sliver of light, hands on knees, slightly bent over so I can breathe more efficiently. Sweat drips off the tip of my nose and I watch it hit the dirt; it is one of the driest summers in the last decade in[…]