Irony, adventure, and inspiration
My post yesterday was entitled, How could we imagine such a thing? In case you have yet to read it, the title referred to how I believe some people reacted (or react) to our less-than-mainstream plans. In what I feel is a perfect example of irony, I found myself asking that exact same question yesterday.
My question was directed towards a young lady who had a crazy dream. Her plan wasn’t to sail around the world, or ride a bike from one continent to another. No, it was to capture a few feral camels in Australia (I didn’t even know wild camels existed there), train them to carry her gear, and then walk 1700 miles across the outback with them. When she set out, she knew nothing about camels, or desert travel, and she had no money. Seriously, how could she imagine such a thing?
Two days ago I hadn’t even heard of Robyn Davidson’s book Tracks, or the movie that was inspired by it. After seeing a recommendation by Alastair Humphries, I purchased the book yesterday. Although I’ve only read just the very beginning, last night Rebecca and I watched the movie. We both found Robyn’s story crazy, but incredibly inspiring, because the best part is, she really made it happen!
What’s the point of adventure?
As I mentioned yesterday, we’ve been doing a fair amount of reading, almost 100% of it being travelogues and biographies of people who have done unique things (admittedly, mostly bike touring lately). If you find yourself uninspired, in a rut, or discouraged, perhaps you might want to try something similar. The world is huge, and contrary to what many would have you believe, the majority of people in it are good, just like you and me.
Do you have a book or a film that you find particularly inspiring? Please share the title in the comments.
That is a really amazing and inspiring movie. I haven’t read the book.
The book has started off great, and as expected, it has a lot of detail not possible in a film. I’m sure I’m going to like it. It has excellent ratings.
Just for the record, I have no doubt in my mind that you and Rebecca will succeed. The book I am about to read is “The Long Way Home” by Saroo Brieley. It is an inspirational true story. Movie is called “Lion”.
Thanks, Lisa.
I really liked ” Chasing Bubbles” in the sailing category. In terms of motorcycles, I find youtube channels by fellow adventurers such as eveRide ADV are my thing more than a movie like Long Way Round.
Thanks, Sal.
If you would allow me to double comment: I will never get over the feeling, the jittery excited anxiety and fear of setting off on a motorcycle adventure, even one that’s just a couple of days or a week in the mountains with a sleeping bag and tent. Then bit by bit the reality of the journey pulls me into the joy of adventure, I open up my heart, meet great people and see beautiful sights. It is magic. I hope you feel this as you set out on your bikes.
Please feel free to comment as much as you like! 🙂
Are you going to keep Frost?
Great question.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney
I hope not everything I dream comes true. 🙂
Without a doubt:
Sailing Alone Around the World: Joshua Slocum
Awesome story and adventure. The next one I love is
Two Years Before The Mast: Richard Henry Dana
I started reading Slocum’s book. I stopped after he left Patagonia. 🙂
It’s interesting to me that both of these books were written a LONG time ago, and the issues they face are not different from those faced today in many ways, other than the navigation challenges. My perception is that in sailing today, you never really have to ‘guess’ where you are or which direction you want to go.
Two years before the Mast really inspired me to learn more about the history of California, as he spent about a year there before there were any real inhabitants other than America Indians, and really spent time describing what he saw.
Other than the navigation, and being attacked by natives. 🙂
I particularly liked reading about when Slocum got blown south during the storm, and had to go back through the Beagle (or whichever channels, I don’t recall exactly), facing the same angry faces.
It boils down to this; for most of us, life must feel important. There are as many ways to achieve that as there are people. I’ve never kept a job that was too dull (there are always dull or unpleasant bits), I’ve have never had a hobby that was dull, and I have never kept a friend that didn’t at least understand why this was so important to me.
I’m not sure I would have ever had the perseverance or daring for such an undertaking. Perhaps a miniature version, taking a few weeks, absolutely. But then it isn’t really an adventure, because the ending is never truly in doubt. I’ve only had a few real adventures, where I really didn’t know how they would turn out: my first long cruise with my daughter in my Stiletto 27, a long ice route on Grand Teton, and trying to make a living as a writer. Otherwise, even on big rock climbs, the future was pretty much known. The adventures were more memorable and, ultimately, worthwhile given a life-view.
You have picked an adventure, and you’ll just have to work it out as it comes.
Very very true.
For me, the movie Hold Fast about SV Pestilence is my go to for inspiration.
Thank you for sharing.
Two books by Roz Savage:
Stop Drifting, Start Rowing: One Woman’s Search for Happiness and Meaning Alone on the Pacific
Rowing the Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean
I followed her blog posts while she rowed across the Pacific and Atlantic. She’s kind of famous for having written two obituaries – one for herself as she was currently living and one for how she wished it would read. From that, she hung up her corporate world job and rowed a little freaking rowboat across the Atlantic and then went on to top that off by rowing the other major oceans. Right now she is teaching a course titled “The Art of Living Courageously”.
Impressive. Thanks for the recommendation.
I watched Tracks yesterday, based on your article. Interesting movie. My wife lost it when the dog died.
Dude! That’s a big spoiler!
PS: I’m 35% of the way through the book now.
Sorry, my bad! I figured it was an older movie, and anyone who was going to see it already had!
And since you moderate, you could have deleted it! LOL
I censor very few posts. Usually only the ones from crazy stalker types.
Lurker for several months and have read every post since the beginning of your journey. This post finally got me to post a comment. My movie would be Rudy, the movie of the underweight, overhearted football player. That movie inspired me as a grade 12 student to give my attempt to play university football my best shot. While my two years redshirting for McGill didn’t have the Hollywood ending that the movie did, it taught me about the value of hard work and the benefit that comes from knowing you gave all you had and there was nothing more to give.
Thanks for your blog and the potential inspiration to give my family a sailing experience. I haven’t yet determined if it is the best thing for our family at this time but I appreciate your approach to the blog–warts and all. Keep keeping it real.
Hi Jonathan. Thanks for finally stopping to say Hi, and for sharing that story about yourself.
Mike <--- cut from football team in Grade 9