Every Man Needs A Dog

I should write about my parents visit or my rafting trip but instead i'm feeling something else. it's such a nice day out and i haven't been on my bike in a while so i just went for a ride. i ended up in the woods along the beach just sitting on a rock relaxing.

there have been only a hand full of times since i've been here that i feel TOTALLY myself and relaxed. it doesn't happen often and not for a long time. only brief moments that make me feel amazing. it's really having the feeling of not giving a crap about what anyone says. i mean we all "say" we don't care what anyone says but i think it's rare to find someone who TRULY doesn't care and is so free.

i want to be totally comfortable with myself. to not put forth ANY effort to try to impress someone the least bit. i was feeling that today on my bike journey. ex.. when is the last time u rode a bike. when is the last time u rode just for fun, and stood up and weave while u ride. not only the riding but the surroundings too.  it gives u such a carefree feeling. like a child would have. then u realize how awesome it is to be a child..

so then this all leads into another goal...

when i get home i want to put some serious effort into spending real time with my nephews and nieces. i want to do things with them that they don't get to very often. i want them to have a real good time. i really want to take them camping. i remember growing up all the camping we did as a family and how much fun i had. looking back on all that stuff now i really value it. and i want to give the kids something to look back on.

on the way home i stopped at the viewpoint for a while. the mountain is just coming out. she had her peak up out of the clouds, and for some reason today it struck me to be even more beautiful then before. i realized i  had missed the mountain. it's been cloudy and hidden for almost two weeks. i had forgotten what it looked like. i want this image to be burned into my brain so that when i leave here i never forget what is was like. i'm going to miss it here.

how often do u see a man driving down the side of the road on a 4 wheeler holding his dog on his lap. or even better try riding a bike and holding your dog that way. this is a dog town. everyone loves their dogs.

every man needs a dog. it's a companionship that cannot be compared.

one more thing. we have small earthquakes here all the time apparently. but the other morning early like 4:30am i felt my first quake. i was laying in bed and at first thought it was my drunk roommate coming in but then realized my entire bed was shaking and things on my dresser. it wasn't anything big at all and only lasted a few seconds but still, it was kinda cool..

u don't get that in pennsylvania. and while everyone is back home sweating it out in the heat wave i'm relaxing away at a nice 71 degrees with my favorite jeans, t shirt and flip flops...ahh the life

even though this blog is all over the place and jumps all around i have one more thing to offer. since i've been here and gotten more comfortable i often ask one important question to every wise older person i meet. and believe me i've met my share since i've been here. like Carvin Marvin, and Kitchen Hippie Cary and Fairview Lori. all these people are amazing and i love to hear their stories.

I always ask : "What is your advice on life. What have you experienced that has taught you a life lesson you can pass onto me."

and one answer I got is "Start your bucket list now. Don't wait till you're older to do it. Make sure you live your life and do what YOU want."

so here is mine so far:

1. Bungee Jump

2. Own a motorcycle and ride

3. Get a camper and just go...OFTEN

4. Drive from PA to AK