One year ago today, just about this time in the afternoon, I climbed in my truck after lunch and goodbyes with friends and started off on a trip that would change my life forever. From the outside it looks like one guy got in his truck and drove as far south as he possibly could. That however is not even close to being the truth. Without the people listed below, that one man, me, never would have made it on, through, or back from his adventure. Each played their own role, some more significant than others, but each and every one of you is appreciated. The list doesn’t include all of the 118 people who subscribed to my blog (yes I have a list but it only contains email addresses and figured you wouldn’t want them posted for the world to see) or viewed it regularly. It also doesn’t include the hundreds of people I encountered along the way that took kindly to a poor speaking gringo.
In the next few days I’ll post up some reflection and I intend to start writing more frequently in my blog about my current misadventures and excitement. (since my return I have had at least one more ‘once in a lifetime’ experience that I need to share with you all) but for now I just want to say thanks to everyone that made my trip possible. I hope the list in complete and inclusive, but as is expected from a guy with my limited intellect and shabby organizational skills I’m sure there will be inadvertent omissions.
Muchas gracias mis amigos…
My parents for instilling in me the belief that the world is best viewed through a windshield on dusty road. For allowing me, after the sell of my house that funded the trip, to fill their basement and garage with clothes, camping gear, spare parts, tools, and all other sundry items that I’m sure they got sick of as I prepared for my trip.
Mike and Wendy Connors for living the more traditional life and providing my parents with Grandkids so that they are far more tolerant of my wandering.
My amazing friends who showed up, night after night and weekend after weekend to help get Ruby Claire prepared for the trip. Trent and Shellie Ashby, Jason Call, Darren Webster, Ryan Davis, Adam Tolman, Dave Helm, Cory Fillmore, Will Carroll, Johnny Lange, Troy DeMill, Cody Morgan
To William Joseph, Jen, Emalee and Gage Carroll for many dinners, hours in their garage, skills, talents, laughter and friendship.
To all of my sponsors whose donations ($10k worth) made my trip possible. Paul May at Equipt Expedition Outfitters, Kurt Williams of Cruiser Outfitters, Wes Johnson of Menlove Toyota Scion, Scott Brady of Overland Journal, Jim Jackson of ARB
My awesome managers Trent Anderson and Jared Jolley (and to my former team, especially Josh Carmack, TK Hollberg and Brad Neves) for dealing with my giddiness about my trip and with accommodating my schedule during my last few weeks of work.
Ben Butterfield, Justin Kirkham and J Ralls for being brave enough to join me along the way. Greatest six months of my life will always bring fond memories of you gents. Sorry about my foul odor and dave matthews addiction. Life on the road makes a man stink. Words, or my ability to organize them, will never full explain how grateful I am to each of you for sharing in my journey.
My assistant Cory Fillmore, Jen Carroll, Kim McArthur, Jen Morgan (usually about 4am) and Adam Tolman for always being online to chat with when I had a connection. Keeping me up to date on the real world and reminding me how easy it is to stay in touch. For being there in my moments of panic when I needed to realize I was only alone physically and could find friendship quickly and easily when I needed it.
Eric Vogt, Todd Kaderabek, and Henry Cubillan for various and sundry reasons. Your excellent words and photos over the years definitely fueled my motivation to go. Inspiration is a better way to put it. For also giving me confidence in my own ability to provide that same motivation to others.
Scotty Brady for the last initial push over the edge after I had made up my mind to go.
Mr. Brian Hanson, for not kicking the baby and giving me access to your sling box for the Masters broadcast.
Travis Jeremy Farnes for being the freak you are and providing me with friendship, humor and 200 DVDs for my trip including all of the Red Sox World Championship DVDs
Again to Jim Jackson, your contacts in the latin world were invaluable to me.
Frank Diaz and Alvaro Pachon. Two men, emblematic of the love and warmth I felt throughout the amazingly beautiful
Ken Romer for keeping me in the loop at IH8MUD. To all the guys at Rising Sun for the gracious welcome to Cruise Moab 2008. Cheeseman, Jethro, the Quigleys, Matt Farr, Perry Loughridge, Jeff Zepp etc Great group of people. Thank you for the kind words.
Brad Gillespie and Robert Gardner. Two best parts guys you’ll ever find. Friends first and the guys in the know second.
Motivational emails from Lisa Webster and Loretta Rose since neither of their husbands know how to type. And of course your friendship as well.
Erin van Zant and Kevin Bradley. My Canadian friends I met along the way. For the camaraderie, adventure and shared meals.
Barbara Belyea for saving me thousands of dollars with the buddy passes.
Ryan Davis for picking me up and the airport, sharing my last American meal with me, and being the funniest person on the face of the earth. Your friendship is never taken for granted.
I could go on and on but I’ll cut this short. Each and every name below had an impact on my ‘solo’ journey through
Aaron Weaver
Alvaro Rodriguez
Bart Anderson
Trent Anderson
Alvaro Pachon
Frank Diaz
Trent and Shellie Ashby
Chris Atz
Bob Waterbury
Tim Baker
Barbara Belyea
Evelyn Batista
Benji Butterfield
Kurt Jeffrey Williams
Tyson Blackner
Mark Kuz
Steve Kemerling
Brandon Madsen
Brennan Dates
Bret Van Tuyle
Brian Dean
Mr. Brian Hanson
Brad van Uitert
Todd van Uitert
Cameron Egan
Joshua Neil Carmack
Jared Call
Nique Christensen
Christo Slee
Mike Connors
Wendy Connors
Royal and Loretta
Cspencer175
Kevin Bradley
Erin Van Zant
Dan Davis
Darren Webster
David Jeffs
Davey Patey
David Petersen
Stephen Petersen
Dominic Gill
Dylan Austin
Eduardo Silva
Eric Cline
Eric Paine
Eric Thorne
Eric Vogt
Esteban Campos
Cory Fillmore
Ben Ferguson
Flor Granados
Frank Diaz
Gary Cummings
Ryan Gaz
Cameron Gibby
Grant Stewart
Gustavo Nunez
Guy
LRDTGSMJLWCBFF
Heather May
Henry Cubillan
Kelly Hildt
TK Hollberg
Igor Karpovics
Woody
Ken Romer
Jarek
Johnny Lange
Jairo O Rincon
Jan Alsen
James Roy
Jason Call
Jay Jones
John Curnutt
David Callister
Jen Morgan
Jennyfer Carroll
Jeremy Christoffersen
Jim Jackson
Jared Jolley
Jonathan Hanson
Joseph Muir
Juan Carlos Cruz
Patricio Rios
Justin Borg
Justin Burrup
Justin Kirkham
Kaleb Galbraith
Kelsey Cavanaugh
Kent McComb
Chris Koulouras
Kurt Nosack
Ed LaRosa
Lisa Webster
Luis
Lynn Scow
Mark Woytovich
Mark Amstock
Martin Jensen
Matias Calvo
Matthew David racker
Matt Nelson
Kim McArthur
Megan Lapage
Matt McKay
Natalia Basso
Nathan Eilers
Nate Thompson
Onur Azeri
Paul May
Perry Loughridge
Peter Carey
Rachel Romer
Jack Arthur Ralls
Trevor Ralls
Rodolfo Mata
Ron Petersen
Ryan Christian Davis
Ryan Sharp
Jeff Salzman
Scott Brady
Scott Simpson
Sean Pritchard
Sean Robbins
Julie Sediq
Sharon Bowdish
Shreesh Taskar
Spencer Bybee
Susie Davis
Liza Swift
Traske Muir
Tangi Quemener
Travis Jeremy Farnes
Steven Davis
Ken Thibault
Tiff Muir
Trent Taylor
Todd J Kaderabek
Travis Manning
Lance Vaughan
John Whipple
Russ Wilson
Spencer Lynn Winegar
Tyler Wade Winegar
Brad Gillespie
Wes Johnson
Robert Gardner
Cody Morgan
John Yang
Aaron Weaver
John Curnutt
Joseph Thoming
Andre Shoumatoff
Matthew Pitkin
The guys from RideParts in Osorno
Luis and Odile
I shall be eternally grateful.
dmc
4 comments:
It isn't as cold tonight as it was the night you left. But there is the same eeriness to the sky and the dampness in the air which is unusual for the high desert of Idaho. There aren't any SEMA trucks at the Pilot tonight unless they didn't make it there on time. As I think back to that cold night when you left for your big adventure, I'm reminded of the year before where our really late in the season trip to Silver City almost left my Cruiser in peril on the side of the mountain. Gabe shouting, "I'm hungry" as we teetered on the edge where we could have slipped off at any time both makes me smile and makes me thankful for small miracles. And how the crazy trip continued for you as you trekked onward to Alaska and back. I also smile as I remember the early morning reports I read each morning as I waited for an exciting update living vicariously through you. Take care my friend!
Eric V.
it's definitely colder here. we're expecting mid 20s tonight I think. I need to find a way to make it to mtn home in the next few months. a winter run would be good.
Well, someone has to make sure the interwebs are still working at 4am.
Hooray! I've missed your postings. I hope you do more. I enjoy your way with words. (and photos, we just got trails in the mail today)
What would you do without the Jen's of the world??
Just once more for old times sake... Congratulations on making it to Ushuaia!!!
Thanks for all the months of entertainment and I'm looking forward to more random randomness... and late night snow runs!
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