Jin,
After deliberating over my maps and routes for an hour or two, I’ve come up with a total number of mileage thus far.
I poured over state and city maps with accurate mile markers. Only counting mileage where I carried all my gear, otherwise the number would be much higher and more daunting to count.
Therefore, with roads and streets taken, under load of pack and posture, my “tires” treaded with Nike footwear have carried me to the distance of 1,361 miles.
That is the current total as of entering Lincoln City, Ore..
From Lincoln City to the Oregon/California border it is approximately 242 miles. Which does not count any additional miles I may incur, due to added invite to inland towns.
Mine, is a journey of untold length, for there is no number that can be counted, mapped or approximated. Mileage is that of which I have already crossed, no more. And in that only, speaks of the true length of my quest, of my odyssey.
–Ed–
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-A traveler ventured forth one day
upon a long and winding road.
with faith and trust to lead the way,
with strength and will to bear his load.
And at a slow but steady pace,
In cold of storm, in warmth of sun,
He journeyed on from place to place
And gained some value from each one.
Until at last one quiet night,
He climbed a hill’s soft-rounding crest.
And saw a single light
That seemed to promise peace and rest.
And following its glow, he came
Upon the house in which it shone.
A voice inside called out his name
And told him he was truly home.
Now all of us must travel, too -
Like his, our paths wind slowly on,
And surely when the course is through,
A welcome comfort awaits beyond.
May we believe that sweet content
Is earned by all those miles passed.
And never doubt each travelers meant
To reach a loving home at last.-
-Karen Ravn-
Where does it come from? This quest, this journey, this odyssey. This need to solve our life’s mysteries from the simplist of questions of which can never be answered. And yet, we try to find something that can explain it all to us. Something we can understand, something substantial.
Why are we here? What purpose do we have? What is the soul? Why do we dream? No single answer would be enough for the question, only many would suffice, so that we have a choice of which to choose.
Perhaps it is better off not knowingat all. Not delving, not yearning, not questioning our own answers. Only taking the truth for what it is. But, that is not human nature, not the human heart. That is not why we are here. Why we are who we are.
Yet, still we struggle to make a difference, to change the world, to dream of hope. Never knowing for certain who we will meet along the way, or what will happen in our future. What unknown event will change our lives. Who among a world of strangers will hold our hand, pick us up when we fall, wake us from our sleep? Touch our hearts and share the pain of trying.
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