After a 2.5 month journey across the country on my bicycle, the last thing I want to feel is...settled and rooted. And so, my new adventure and new life exploration will be in Burlington, Vermont. Why?
1) The great outdoors:
When it comes right down to it, I just want some fresh air. Living in the 21st century, means living indoors for a lot of people and blocking out nature as much as possible. With air conditioning, cars, and gyms, people don't have to spend time outdoors if they don't want to. They can live in artificial environments if they choose, but that way of life is not for me. Here in Ohio, particularly Southern Ohio, I can certainly find ways to be outdoors, hiking in foothills of the Appalachians, horseback riding, kayaking in our many lakes, cycling the country roads, and even doing farm work. But there is a part of me that wants to live in the mountains for a while and take hikes up to vast vistas, ski on real snow, and so much more.
2) For a change of scene:
I grew up in Ohio and I went to college here as well and I love it. I embody the midwest, but I don't want to settle down, just now, in a place that I know so well. It's time for a change and to experience a new place.
3) To meet like-minded people:
There are cyclists, rock climbers, foodies, environmentalists, and people with my lifestyle here in Ohio, but in scarce numbers. I see them at the farmers markets, at the bike co-op, at the rock gym, and in coffee shops, however they are the sub-culture hidden beneath the trending suburban lifestyle. I want to find a place where my lifestyle is reflected in the majority of people around me - I think Burlington is an excellent start.
4) For an adventure:
Plain and simply I just cannot sit around any longer. It's only been about 3.5 months since I ended by cycling adventure and it's time for a new one. Now is not the time to settle, it's the time to get up and go do something new.
Six months ago, I was not in this mindset at all. Had I not taken this cross-country trip, I would be settling down and I may have ended up miserable. It took an adventure to push me onward to even greater adventures. So, to all those young people out there - take the time right now if your life to go exploring...whether that means a moving new big city, traveling abroad, picking up a new hobby, do it. You don't have to go far to find it and you won't regret it when you have exciting stories to tell your children someday and life experience to draw from.
