As I flew from Denver to Dayton I caught a glimpse of the Rockies and my throat tightened. I had become intimate with those mountains in the last fifty days. I had screamed, yelled, cried, sung at the top of my lungs, laughed and just quietly passed through. Those mountains had seen the worst and the best of me; both ends of me ...literally. They had become a partner of sorts. I had slept with them, eaten with them and spilled my morning coffee on them. They had humbled me... and I them... or at least I had withstood their fury. I was sad to see them go.
As we moved on I watched the parched earth pass beneath the plane... it is something I will not miss. It has beauty and grace all it's own yet still I do not understand why people live there. I met a rancher who was offered a stay in a bed and breakfast in Marin County Calif. and she answered, "why would I leave here I have everything I need". I would have gone.
We flew through clouds, those friends you can count on; and I did not cower... matter of fact I smiled. They are what scared me the most in the end... I am pretty sure they intimidate the bears that I was so afraid of.
I met friends, made friends and deepened friendships. I learned more about friendships than I have in years and I thank each and every one of you for that.I re-enter the world outside the Tour Divide different yet the same. Your support, kindness, attention, love and acceptance has changed me. I understand it's power.... your power, and I am grateful for that. I am the same because that power always has and forever will ... move me.
Love, Tracy
AMAZING!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I talked about your adventure everyday and checked in to see where you were. I can't wait to hear the stories!!! What is next on your bucket list? For now, relax and enjoy the rest of your summer vacation.
~Jen Brannock
Thank you and hope to see you on the 12th!
Deletesmoooooch...
ReplyDeletejulie
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteYou're just beautiful.
That sums it up pretty well... for now. ;-)
Love you.
Child of the Wind (Tracy B Burge)
ReplyDeleteI love the pounding of hooves
I love engines that roar
I love the wild music of waves on the shore
And the spiral perfection of a hawk when it soars
Love my sweet woman down to the core
There's roads and there's roads
And they call, can't you hear it?
Roads of the earth
And roads of the spirit
The best roads of all
Are the ones that aren't certain
One of those is where you'll find me
Till they drop the big curtain
Hear the wind moan
In the bright diamond sky
These mountains are waiting
Brown-green and dry
I'm too old for the term
But I'll use it anyway
I'll be a child of the wind
Till the end of my days
Little round planet
In a big universe
Sometimes it looks blessed
Sometimes it looks cursed
Depends on what you look at obviously
But even more it depends on the way that you see
Hear the wind moan
In the bright diamond sky
These mountains are waiting
Brown-green and dry
I'm too old for the term
But I'll use it anyway
I'll be a child of the wind
Till the end of my days
Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j1SIUGRxRM
{{{Hugs}}} to you, my friend. I'm glad you're home safely. Now go lay in the hammock for about a week!
ReplyDeleteLove, -cindylist
No hammock laying. Looking forward to seeing you guys, call you soon.
DeleteI hope through this egotistical trip you were able to look at your innner self and realize that it was not due to your own self will, rather it was due to the people that picked you up along the way....the ones you never really acknowledged. How about the couple you met in Butte, MT at the Outdoorsman, inviting you along when you were going to quit or if it wasn't for Jim you would never even had made it to the end. What does it take to truly swallow your pride and to see and acknowledge things for what they are. It sounds like some inner self-reflection is needed as the truth has been seen by others, though not yet by yourself.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments and a reminder that indeed I did not thank everyone who was essential to my success on this trip. Not only the couple Doug and Jen Wenger and Rob Leipheimer at the Outdoorsman, but Brian and Melissa Demarais and family, all got me back on the road in Butte. George and Harlene in Silver City were also very kind. Many people touched my life and my heart.
DeleteThough I have not yet written about these experiences this does not mean I am not grateful both to these people and for the experience I shared with them. It is the people that I met along the way that made this race a journey, my experiences rich and my soul humble.
I can't wait to hear all the stories at lunch, and look forward to reading the book(hint hint).
ReplyDeleteI am soooo proud of what you have done.
See ya soon, Vickie Mahan
It was a pleasure riding with you and I wish you well on your next adventure. Jim Stansbury, your TDR friend.
ReplyDelete