that aren't too hot at all because I've been used to 100+ degree
weather for the past week. I'm drying because I swam out in the ocean
with some friends. First it was freezing and then we were floating
around the waves laughing and trying to find the best wave to bodysurf
on. It got exhausting after 20 minutes, and that's okay because I have
a lot of time left here - We got here pretty early because we all
automatically woke up early, despite the fact that we went to sleep at
3AM. It wasn't a far bike ride and the breeze made the journey
perfect. Oh yeah, and yesterday I reached the Pacific Ocean after 2
months of biking across America from the east coast.
I love the beach lifestyle and mentality here. People are here
enjoying the ocean and weather. Slowing down to take a moment and
enjoy some simple luxurious things like sand. I could live here.
We stopped half a mile before reaching the beach yesterday on our
bikes. We all regrouped and waited for the 30 of us to be in the same
spot. We hugged, we sang, we took pictures and then we bravely got on
our bikes to acknowledge the ending. Meaning, we were hooting,
screaming and Timur was blowing a whistle all the way to the boardwalk
behind the sand. La Jolla beach was packed, mostly with people that
didn't know we were coming, as well a friends, family, and relatives.
People turned heads, were surprised, and Amanda fell for the first
time (twice) about 300 yards from the final destination we've been
biking to for the past 65 days. She was okay, and didn't really feel
anything because adreneline and endorphins were at very high levels.
Hopped off our bikes, alligned them on the boardwalk, then stripped
off any nonwater friendly items and bolted for the ocean. I have never
celebrated anything in my life for as long as I did with our group in
the ocean yesterday. "Shock" works, but it wouldn't quite describe how
I felt. It was almost an emotion I was confused on how to deal with
(more so now), but I was definetly elated. There was hugging,
screaming, a dance called the Cupid Shuffle, some improptu kareoke of
songs we listened to a lot this summer, lots of clapping, and
surprisingly no one crying. But maybe I just didn't see anyone because
I was blinded by all the people surrounding us in the sun, watching us
and smiling - maybe out of wonder or maybe out of respect. It was good
to scream.
Now most people are here for the next two days, but my friends have
started to peel off slowly now (after the party we had at an alumni's
house last night). Thank you, Todd. A few have flown off, some are
with family and some are with significant others they haven't seen for
days - still in San Diego. I accept that people need to go, but it's
weird and sad that these people who haved formed my experiences for
the past two months are leaving. I know I'll see some of these people
again, but the GROUP is ending and that's what is hard to say good-bye
to. Ode to the group...
We are strong, we are tenacious, and most of all we rock. My memories
are contained in the heads of all 31 of these people. That's because
their memories are mine.
I liked this summer. If you couldn't tell, I got a lot out of helping
people and biking across the country. These people I rode, napped,
ate, sweat, cried, laughed, danced, drank, hung out, waitied in line
for the bathroom, unpacked the trailer, made dinner, and snored with
were an important part of the equation. All good things must come to
an end.
I have inspired myself and hopefully others as well. There is a faith
in my peers - more than capable of being leaders and with an infinite
capacity to do great things.
Here is a great quote from Richard Bach in Illusions: Adventure of a
Reluctant Messiah -
"Argue for your own limitations, and sure enough, they're yours"
I always knew we'd get here, but now I know my limits can be streched.
What an awesome summer. Thank you for following, if you did. I hope I
did a good job and that you liked the pictures. Not sure what comes
next, but I almost guarantee you it will cower in the shadow of this
summer May 17th - July 18th 2009. Goodbye.
Sharif
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments - we really enjoyed then and were grateful for updates. Hope to see you some time in Charlottesville
Eric and Leslie (Ginger's parents0
Thanks for following!! And I'm sure we will see each other in Charlottesville sometime soon
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