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| Colombia |
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| Alaska to... |
Stats
- Miles biked: 10,865 (roughly... our odometers broke/died)
- Countries biked in: 9
- Bird species seen: 376
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| On a ferry from Monterrica to La Avellana, Guatemala |
- National Parks
experienced: 19
- Time zones
traversed: 5
- Boat rides taken,
including dinghys to and from larger boats: 18
- Trucks ridden in (with or without bikes): 10
- Highest elevation
achieved on foot: 15,800 feet, El Pulpito, El Cocuy National Park, Colombia
- Highest elevation
biked: 13,100 feet, El Cocuy, Colombia
- Highest elevation
camped at: 14,970 feet, El Cocuy, Colombia
- Longest time spent
in one place: 4 weeks, High Trails, California
- Number of bike shops visited: 57
Superlatives
- Biggest unexpected
bike problem: The steel eyelet that my (Tam's) rack was attached to broke off in California.
Didn't think that my steel frame would break.
- Weirdest food eaten:
roadkill moose, Fairbanks, AK
- Favorite food eaten
(in terms of quality and quantity): pupusas, El Salvador or fish tacos, Baja California
- Strangest plant
observed: boojum trees, Baja California
- Favorite/most
helpful bike shop: C.O.B., Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
- Worst big city for
biking: Panama City, Panama (although, they are developing a nice path along
the coast)
- Biggest cultural
difference everywhere: being vegetarian
- Favorite national
park (although it's hard to pick): Denali, Alaska
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| A grizzly fishing in southern Alaska |
Annual Blog Update Quiz, courtesy of Tam's dad, Michel:
Which is greater:
1) Miles travelled by bus or miles travelled
over water?
2) Number of flat tires or days of rest?
3) New bird species seen in North America or Central and South America?
4) Number of crocodiles seen or bears seen?
Check back in about a week for the answers!
Thoughts by Danny
This past year, Tam
and I have done some things. We have swum in glacial Arctic rivers,
explored submerged shipwrecks in the languid Caribbean, and surfed the
barrels of the El Salvador coast (attempted to, anyway). We have been
caving in California, packrafting in Alaska, and birdwatching in Costa Rica.
We have eaten salmon fresh from the Yukon and drunk tequila in the town
of Tequila. This past year of travel, so unlike anything we have done before, has
been a whirlwind of color, music, culture, activity, people, and experience,
almost all of it entirely novel and utterly, ineffably incredible. The
people especially, from day one in Alaska and every single day since, have
surprised, inspired, and educated us more than I could have imagined, and
receiving such kindness has filled our own growing hearts with the hope of
passing it on.
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| With many new friends in Chiapas, Mexico, on Tam's birthday |
Accompanying such
positivity has been a conspicuous absence of negativity. Although someone
in every country we've been to has told us horrible things about the next, so
far we've had no security issues at all. Some rumors are based in truth,
but the vast majority of what we have heard has been little more than
schoolyard whisperings, their augmentation and distortion stemming from
ignorance and fear of the unknown. We all have dreams, we all need a
human connection, and we are all more similar than we know. Were someone to rob us tomorrow, one thing they
wouldn't be able to take is my firm belief in the good of humanity. One
negative experience, or even multiple, could never overshadow all the laughter
we've shared.
With all that we've
done, there is also plenty that we have missed out on. A prestigious job,
processed foods, TV, a fancy car... living outside a culture that pushes
us inexorably towards these things has been self-affirming and liberating. And while
I plan to further my education and accomplish something, someday, in the
working world, right now I have a whole lot to be thankful for. An
abundance of food and health, a loving partner and family, and the fortune and
clarity to follow the road we choose are a pretty good place to start, not to
mention my trusty bicycle and a pair of well-made shorts.
A large portion of
this next year will be more of the same, if you can consider experiencing new
places and meeting new people every day "more of the same."
We've just discovered the Andes, and, though we still plan to reach
Patagonia, we've resolved to slow down and take more back roads, enjoying and learning as much as we can.
A huge thanks is due to our parents, grandparents, and everyone who has supported and encouraged us along the way! We wouldn't be able to do this without you.
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| Yosemite Valley. Goodnight for now... |
