Pushing Silver

The Journey

With a budget of about $15 each day, I’m going to ride my bicycle around the country in search of something unknown:  Fulfillment. Peddling on with songs stuck in my head, I plan to travel the back roads and run into everyday people, to see what makes the world tick on a day to day basis. To study those that persist at regular jobs. People say “it takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round,” and I’m not sure I’ve seen “all types” yet.

When I return, my intention is to compile a book of my trip, based on anecdotes and journal entries … a journal which will be updated regularly through this website, so come back frequently and see the country vicariously!

The Jukebox in My Brain

In 1998, I took my first bicycle tour from Seattle to San Francisco.  What I missed most was music.  I took nothing more than a weather band radio, and my brain made up the difference.  I had songs stuck in my head all day.  I'm sure this will happen again, and as I think of lyrics written by others that fit the theme of my trip, I will share them (as accurrately as possible).  The lyrics below are the first verse of "Change" by Blind Melon, and reflect the spirit of my trip perfectly!

I don’t feel the sun’s comin out today
It’s stayin in, it’s gonna find another way
As I sit here in this misery
I don’t think I’ll ever see the sun from here
And oh, as I fade away
They’ll all look at me and say
“hey, look at him…I’ll never live that way”
and that’s ok they’re just afraid of change

Pushing Silver?

Some refer to my trip and all of the actions it implies (quitting my job, selling off all of my possessions, etc) as sounding like a mid-life crisis, so the website name is a play on the 25^th anniversary (known as the "silver" anniversary...which would imply an age of around 50). The entire thought is “pushing silver in my twenties,” and is reinforced because my bike and trailer are both a silvery/gray color. Maybe it’s best to go through the motions of a mid-life crisis when I’m still young enough to really enjoy it. Maybe it’ll change my life. Maybe I’ll come home broke. Regardless, I hope that the current time is not the middle of my life…rather the beginning!

…Yes, I said trailer!

Website Disclaimer

OK, disclaimer time ... and it seemed like a good way to test the posting system so I know how all this works.

This journal will be my outlet, and readers will get the unedited account of my trip.  If I go off on a tangent, I cannot promise that it'll be censored, so parental discretion may be advised at some point.

Any time I make reference to other work I will do my best to site the appropriate sources and to provide accurate quotes.  Realize that I'll be on the road and may not have the originals with me to confirm accuracy.

When I make reference to a vendor or product manufacturer, it is because they have helped me out immensely and deserve recognition.  Once again, these are not sponsors, simply my personal endorsements of products and/or services that I have had positive experiences with.

Lastly, my internet access is through my cell phone and only works when I'm in the network.  If I drop off for a few days, do not panic.  I'm probably alright, just out of electricity or my cell phone is roaming.  I intend to update this journal at least twice a week.

That's about it.  Kick back in your sheltered and climate controlled spaces and read along to follow my adventure.  When it's gorgeous and you're stuck at work, I'll be thinking about you.  Likewise, when it's rainy and nasty outside and you're wrapping hands around warm mugs of your choice beverage, I hope you'll be thinking of me ... soaked to the bone and pressing forward :P