Just do it

This is crazy, this life.

I woke up shivering, couldn’t see outside the windshield because it was snowing again. The cold reminded me of my purpose for being there so I put my pants on and grabbed my snowboard. A few hours of sheer bliss passed. Then I did what seemed impossible. I drove to another world less than two hours away. By this time I had traded pants for wetsuit, snowboard for surf, and paddled out to sea. I couldn’t fully appreciate…all this, until afterwards while I was lying on the sand. Shirtless and warm, watching the sun give up on day.

People were always talking about what I had just done, and it was so easy. So fun.

So I guess I am asking, what are people telling you that you can do?

Whatever it is, today is your day.

radiance radiates relentlessly

So simple, always simplifying, until... well that's irrelevant
So what? The dreams get better every night. They become longer, until... life becomes one long dream
I believe this is a good thing, a good dream
I have never been so happy in all my life
People ask what I have been doing and, I stumble over words to explain but I can't; it's too simple
I surf, I smile. I am simply trying out retirement for a brief while, and it agrees with me...allot
I don't have any answers, but don't tell me that.
I'd rather be happy then right anyways.

back from the dead

A year ago today I was ... in a bad way
It was hard to look forward, and I wasn't a very fun person to be around

A year later and ... I AM BACK
I am looking forward, and ready to wreak havoc, utilizing my body to its fullest potential

Aus was sweet, Colorado was so fun, Alaska was Beautiful, and California is home
Get ready for greatness ... its all happening

down...under

I stepped out of the cold shower with soap still on my face. She was playing Michel Jackson for me. He kept on saying, “the daw gone girl is mine.” I couldn’t relate.

Instead I thought of home. Its amazing how much they love bad music “down under.”

She rode horses. We met on a ranch. I had my kids with me and they knew it before I did. She would let me stay at her flat for a few days in Sydney before I had to fly home. For this I was obliged, but now I had to focus on the task at hand; psyching the kids up for the night dive to come.

Theres nothing weirder than dropping anchor when theres no land in sight, but that’s how it is on the barrier reef. The diving was unreal, huge sea turtles were everywhere. So many fish its almost overwhelming. After sunset a light lit up the water behind the boat. I turned on a flashlight and prepared to jump into the darkness. Huge fish would streak through the lit up area of water because it was their feeding time, and that’s what they do. With a little hesitation and a purple glow stick attached to my tank, I took that long step off the boat into silence. If you haven’t dove at night before I recommend it. It feels like you are in the movie ET. Light rays from other peoples flashlights and the sound of yourself breathing; its surreal to say the least. A 5 foot reef shark passed me on the left and then disappeared into dark 8 feet in front of me.

This ship has sailed

Today is crazy, The happiest and saddest day rolled into one. A feeling of freedom, knowing that I have nothing tying me down...and yet...the realization that I have officially woken from what was the best dream to date.

The NOMAD VI has set sail with her new Captain.

Formulating new dreams is keeping me awake when I should be sleeping, but Australia is definitely the place to be lying under the stars with eyes open. The Southern Cross is so simple, yet I can stare for hours. Its beautiful.

I laughed out loud flying my kite this morning...simple pleasures: stars and kites.

I believe in the future

I just arrived in Aus. and forgot that I have been asleep for the last year. Having to interact in an unfamilar place really wakes you up quick. It feels great. It feels alive. It feels like...work. I had forgotton such a feeling was possible. While riding on the train this morning the future became so clear. I know that people are good. I know that people want to help. Example:

Last week I was carpooling thru Teluride, CO. There happened to be a huge music festival going on and the place was packed. The closest place to camp was 20 miles away and cost $50 per person per night! This wouldn't work with my budget, and thats when I heard something I was not expecting.

"YES, we can help you out" was the response to my first question to a couple of strangers. I had asked if there was any way they could help my friend and I out. With out even knowing our names, Mike and Bev told us we could put up a tent in there side yard and stay for free. We were within walking distance to a free stage and life couldnt have been better. The next morning we woke up to a home cooked breakfast and hot showers. And why? Because we asked for help? It boggles the mind I know.

Dont be afraid of the people around you. Dont be afraid to ask for help. And most of all, dont be afraid to offer it.

I believe in the future, dan

Gotta find out

My good friend Vince just sent me an email asking about the path I’m heading down. It’s a good question that I don’t really have an answer to. And I’m ok with that right now.

I am pretty sure that the NOMAD VI will be put up for sale at the beginning of June. I bought the boat to travel with. I simply can’t afford to keep a boat for weekend trips to the Channel Islands (even though they are more amazing than I could have ever imagined). The summer job (AAVE) that I have had for the past four years is sending me to Australia and I am totally stoked about it. There I will hope to find some perspective as well as some inspiration for what to do next. I am also applying to be a member of an expedition that is trekking from the south pole to the north pole this fall. Although the odds of getting in are slim, I have a really good feeling about it.

I am getting excited….excited for life, and soon I will be unstoppable!

beginning to accept

Sometimes things change and you don’t even realize it. Sometimes something changes and it changes everything in your life, whether you want it or not. The key to remember is like my old pal Michel McGinnis always said, “Change is OK”. He’s told me a lot of other things over the years but those words always stuck out in my mind.

This time last year I had just gotten my sail boat and had grand illusions to sail off to Mexico and who knows after that. Well it’s been a year and I have learned a lot. Mainly, boats do cost a lot of money! I know I know, I couldn’t believe it my self but it’s true. Something always needs to be fixed and it’s never cheap. I have learned so much and yet still haven’t made it down to Mexico. I have however stumbled on one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The Channel Islands are a series of 5 islands each quite different from the next full of secret surf spots, mountains, huge arches, fresh water waterfalls, unbelievable sea life, and of coarse Painted Cave, the worlds largest sea cave. They are so special that they are a National Park. And when you are there by boat you truly feel as if you have traveled back in time to an uncharted island as it is unlikely that you will see anyone else during your visit.

And so things change again. I doubt I will take the NOMAD VI into foreign waters. In fact there is a very good chance that she will sail under another captain by the end of the summer.

I am still waiting in limbo at the ski resort and it is time to move forward. Anna and I are returning to the boat in Ventura and will be looking for part time jobs. We plan to take as many trips to the Channel Islands and Catalina between now and June 1^st as the boat will most likely be gone after that.

This is the time for you to change something about your life. Come sailing and explore the Channel Islands with us. Never again will such a golden opportunity come like this one. The boat sleeps six people although four is ideal for a trip. And with the closest island only three hours away we can do anything from a long weekend to 3 to 5 day trips, or longer! Got a wave runner? Bring it along! We have a sick dinghy with a 10hp engine. Got more friends? Bring a tent and get a permit to sleep on the island. I have four scuba setups on the boat and we can rent tanks if you are interested.

The most important thing to me is for my friends and family to experience life aboard the NOMAD VI before it’s gone. There’s no ticket necessary and the only cost is food beer and gas. Don’t miss out on joinin’ Captain Dan and Anna on an adventure you’ll never forget!

Drink up

The past five and a half months caught me off guard, you might say. The hardest part has been the waiting. That horrible limbo period where there are no answers except, “Only time will tell.”

It seems like the only thing time ever tells me is that patience is a virtue. Go figure on that one. Well I am out of the wheel chair and off the crutches. I went snow shoeing last night and for my first hike today. It feels so good to restore some normalcy to my life. I am still waiting to return to work as I am held up by mountains of paperwork and work releases. Restoring this element of life will have a huge impact on my state of “normalcy” and I can’t wait to get back to it. I feel stronger every day.

I still can’t believe how much I got to do with two broken feet! Anna and I had a radical cross country trip, I went for a sweet bike ride with my buddy Gary, and went sailing to the Channel Islands twice. Sometimes life throws you a lemon or two. Its up to you whether or not you want to make lemonade.