The Departure

I begin this blog on day three of our journey.  Gratefully, it is a day off.  I’m not gonna lie, I’m tired, sore, and I have a monster headache.  Despite all that, I feel alive.  I have found beauty within the pain.  Not to be confused, I’m not saying pain and suffering is a good thing.  This ride, even in two days, has exemplified the concept of sweet and soar.  I would not have had all the amazing moments, nor would I have seen some of the most beautiful nature, had it not been for this ride.  The pain is an absolute blessing in disguise.

Our send off was amazing.  The Coast Guard unit from Station Golden Gate is manned by some of the most amazing individuals I have ever had the pleasure of sharing space with.  Not only did we have the chance to spend our final night before the beginning of our tour on base, but also were given an escort to the northern entrance of the Golden Gate.  3 crewmembers took my bike & 3 took zaks.  We walked together as went down two flights of stairs, passing under the bridge and back up two more flights to the northeast side of the bridge. 

Thomas Brown, Mark Allstott, Zak Chipps

There are no words to explain how I felt. The wind was a tempest and the rain was pelting down on us as we stood under the dark grey sky.  The escort was more than either of us expected, or could ask for.  If I weren’t so pumped with adrenalin, I would have cried.  I hope a day comes where I can repay the favor to everyone of those service men & women.  To add to the emotional day, before we left, station commander, Warrant Officer Allstott gave both Zak and I a unity coin.  This signified that we were brothers and a part of the same team.  I will carry that coin with me till the day I die.

As we passed through the mighty Golden Gate, the wind was something fierce. The wind ripped my helmet hood off my jacket & I seriously thought a gale would swoop in and sweep Zak away.  We stopped for a moment and collect ourselves.  After taking a picture, I put on some music.  My ipod was already paused on a song: Third eye by TooL.  Lyrics blasted in my ears, “we’ll see you on the other side… we’ll see you on the other side… we’ll see you on the other side…”  I smiled at the obviousness of the synchronicity.  As McKenna would say, it was another Cosmic Giggle.

Waiting for us on the other side was Sumer Smith Castro and Noah Kaplan.  Sumer I have known since 7^th grade.  She gratuitously accepted to take us in months before March 1^st.  Unfortunately, a month ago, she lost her brother to suicide.  Sumer wanted to be a part of the day, so she was our support vehicle for the day.  Noah, who we had never met before crossing the bridge, has a history with the Golden Gate.  In 2007, Noah’s brother jumped off the bridge.  He contacted me a few weeks before we drove to California, and asked to ride with us, as well as escort us through the city.  We were very grateful and blessed for both Sumer and Noah that morning.

 

It is still much too early, but the first few days have showered us with lessons of the road.  Many people have reached out to help us as we move from town to town.  I am learning very slowly how to not only readjust, but to learn patience with this new lifestyle.  Time and experience are the best teachers, after that it is on us to just pay attention, integrate, and adapt.