Well, there are only a few hours left in 2014, at least here
on the west coast of Canada. Quite
a bit has happened this year, including some significant “downs” and exciting
“ups”. In other words, life has
happened. Actually, I’ve directed
my life better this year then at anytime in my life and it’s been fun.
First, the “downs”…
In January I received word that a friend had passed away suddenly from a
heart attack, just a few months away from his 50th birthday. We had a lot of fun during our high
school years and into our first year of college. Imagine a large yellow Ford 4X4 (his) and cruising the
streets of Roseville, California, setting off Estes model rocket engines in
science class and “borrowing” his
older brothers 67’ Camaro. In fact
his brother’s Kawasaki KZ 900 was responsible for my first 100+ mph experience
on a motorcycle. Erik I will miss
you!
In June I received word from another close friend that she
had contracted a form of leukemia and that the treatment was going to be a long
one. She’s a fighter and will be
going through the most critical time of her treatment in the next two
weeks. My thoughts and prayers are
with you Marci.
The last downer of the year came in July when another friend
and my business partner passed away from a heart attack while on a 2-week
bicycle ride through the Canadian Rockies. I was in Peru when I received the news. Frances, you packed more into 56 years
then most people will experience in a lifetime. You taught me a great deal about passion and taking action
on my dreams. The past 12 years
were a fun ride. Thank You!
Now for the good stuff!
About this time last year Paul Opp, a former teacher of mine
and friend asked if I wanted to go riding in the Andes of Peru and I said yes. I’ve always wanted to visit South
America and this trip sounded too good to miss. The trip took place in July and it was even better then I
could ever imagine. The riding was
spectacular as was the scenery. My
favorite part was walking across a bridge made of grass and twigs. Few people find this place and even
fewer walk across it.
Q'eswachaka crossing video
Peru Trip highlight video
A month before the Peru trip, my wife and I took a trip
through the Canadian Rockies along the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise
and Jasper Alberta. I’ll let the
pictures do the talking, as words are insufficient when trying to describe this
part of the world.
The final big adventure of the year took place in September
when my wife and I flew to Las Vegas and picked up a Honda Gold Wing for a
weeklong ride through Nevada, Arizona and Utah. The US National Park system is a treasure that more people
should explore, especially in this part of the country.
This past year I made the decision to become more involved
in the direction I wanted my life to take. The death of my friend Erik was a big part of that
decision. I can say without
hesitation that taking action and being active in how you want your life is the
only way to life. Taking this
action has attracted many new people in my life who’ve made that same choice
and what a blessing they’ve been to me.
2015 will be even better and I trust and hope that my
readers will make the decision to take action in making their dreams,
especially their dream motorcycle ride a reality.
Have fun, ride safe and go exploring.
Gerald Trees
Dream Your Ride