Go West, Young Man

In January of 2001, I took those famous words, "go west, young man" to heart. Horace Greeley, an American author is sometimes credited as having said that. I had moved from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, CA. I did it in a 1995 Honda Civic. But this is where 20 years

later, the story is jaw dropping. I had previously owned a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara and sold it for the car. I had vowed driving across this great nation of ours in a Jeep would be a stupid idea. Boy, what did I know...

This Summer, I and many others are preparing for a trip, that my club, Florida Trail Stompers is hosting. We will be heading out West to Moab, Utah. I and others are excited at the rewards we will benefit from. Excitement. Adventure. Challenges. Self-growth. Jeep Badges of Honor. Friendships made. Memories that will last forever.

A little over 5 months from now we will be departing for the big trip. There's time to still get things completed on the Jeep, lockers for one have now been elevated to the top of my list. I have to get ready mentally. It's a whole new type of terrain out there. A new style of driving. Not to mention the 100˚+ temps out there. That will be a beating on anyone.

I leave you all with this, as I write this blog, the first in over a half year, it is an outlet for my thoughts, for what I want to say. I want you to sit and think about your life, the risks not taken, heck, even the risks you have taken. Are they worth taking? Was it worth taking? Live your life and take a chance, seek new adventures. Have fun on those back roads, have fun on those trails. If I haven't met you, hopefully one day soon I will, as we all continue to explore the world, one trail at a time.