"WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?"…YOU ASKED You know how fb has the question, “What’s on your mind?” Well this morning it particularly begged me. Let me share with you what is on my mind. It is Sunday morning and a beautiful day. I am reading an inspiring book by a former high school classmate, Keith Jackson and brother of Harry Jackson Lawrence. The book is of Keith (and Keith Klehm another classmate who rode from Alaska to San Francisco with Keith Jackson) riding from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina in 1974. He accomplished this in 9 months, but the most impressive part is he crossed The Darien Gap…300 miles of dense snake, bug, swamp, and drug cartel infested jungle. Keith is the only cyclist known to have not flown or boated around the jungle. Keith is the youngest person known to accomplish this trip alone. The trip was done in the shortest time period known. At the time Keith’s 18,000 miles, was the longest solo bicycle trip ever! No GPS, no internet, no high tech moisture absorbing clothing, no light weight carbon fiber bike, but heavy metal. This trip makes my Oregon to Delaware U.S. crossing in 1972 look like an afternoon kindergarten class, complete with a mat nap and snack with juice. What Keith accomplished is nothing shy of remarkable and mind blowing! This should absolutely be made into a movie for all to see and feel. Some quotes from Keith Jackson: These quotes were written when Keith was in the jungles of The Darien Gap. "Forced to hustle simply to survive, on finds the streets of Panama uneasy and unpleasant. One is constantly on guard; there is little trust. I am moved by this struggle and find it consistent throughout Central America. I appreciate our desire for democracy much more. In the States we have much to be grateful for but it is so often that we want more. I acknowledge that our country suffers many wrongs, but nowhere that I know of does the individual have such freedom. Here we sleep on board mattresses in a thatched-roof hut without walls. I use the term "we" as I am made to feel easy. I am accepted simply as I am. These are not the Panamanians I knew from the city. These men are honest and open. They come from all walks of life and different countries; yet, there is no open prejudice or hostility. I once referred to my mind as a virgin to so much. At times it is raped by the blunt harshness of human survival. Often times it is moved by the humility and goodness, the generosity and selflessness of those who have so little, the openness with which I am accepted - there is no question why. It simply is. My gratitude is immense."
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 23:13:44 +0000
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