Back in Indy

Well, I'm back home. (Even though the pic is from Pamplona.) And exhausted. I've been living out of this backpack for three weeks. It's been a great pack, designed for this kind of travel. It converts to a duffle bag for easier flight or train travel and to protect the backpack straps. I've had it for more than 10 years now. It's traveled a great deal. Not as much, however, as my Timberlands. These shoes have been to some 20 countries and have logged some 1,000 miles! It's time to retire them. They stink beyond belief and they have no tread. (A problem that nearly killed me in our hiking expedition in Nevada last Fall.) So, I left them at the hostel and put on my Reef sandels and was out the door.

Carrying your life in a 2200 cubic inch pack and small daypack makes one realize we don't need all the crap we have in our lives. Heck, I didn't even need all that I took in my pack! Mostly, a good pack, a little money, a sense of adventure and a great travel partner is all you need... maybe even in life. Also, running next to and away from half-ton horned beasts puts perspective on every day life. I have to admit that I was content, but kind of bored during the hang gliding despite having a mild fear of heights. It was wonderful and I'm glad after looking at the sky as a child many years ago with my family at Kitty Hawk that I finally got to do it.

In life, there are no obstacles. There is nothing of too great importance that it cannot be tackled. There are no great problems if you and your loved ones are healthy. There are few true "needs" and mostly "wants" that should be in check.

With that said, it's true money doesn't buy happiness, but I have seen it make people desperately unhappy for lack of it. It's the endless pursuit of money, the cycle of earning to spend, the weekly bills that make people unhappy in the end. But money is necessary and affords us the opportunity to take that next adventure. To provide and to help.

Ultimately, life is about experiences... ideally shared with those you love.

Thanks to my family for supporting me on yet another crazy adventure and to my friends who were not able to join. But, thanks mostly to five great guys who were fortunate enough to tackle another adventure...who dared to be -- and made it to -- that great arena.

Great health and strong relationships. The gift of a smile. Positivity. A laugh. This is life. This is what is important. Less stuff and more experiences. I'll continue to update the blog with photos and videos from the trip and otherwise with the random, nonsensical dribble that normally comes from me.

Here's to new adventures!