After feeling revived from Scott and Lynnette’s filling dinner and passionate conversation about our cause, along with Kate’s well-prepared breakfast, provided by Sue, Ziev and I tentatively began to prepare for our departure from the great hospitality of the Orchard Life Church in Carbondale Colorado.

Today was different than most days on the road, as Kaitlin was called for duty in San Francisco, as the president of her sorority, leaving Ziev in charge of the sandwiches, and very little organization or order in the van. Despite the changes in the daily schedule, Ziev and I took off toward Vail on the beautiful Rio Grand Bike path. It was so difficult to leave, especially because I could see the massive Sopris Mountain in my rear view mirror, which happens to be the largest freestanding mountain in Colorado.

It has been so fascinating making our way across Colorado and observing all the various landscapes that this beautiful state has to offer. Ziev and I couldn’t get over the beauty of the canyon as we continued on the bike path along the Colorado River, observing the steep canyon walls and the unique colors of the canyon. I loved the variations in the rock formations and changes from dense green landscapes to the red rocks that glistened in the late morning light. The beauty of the ride took our attention away from the difficulty of climbing over 80 miles and gaining close to 2,000 feet in elevation throughout the ride.

Today certainly was one of the most difficult rides of the trip thus far, which made it that much more rewarding to accomplish. Throughout the ride I was reminded of a poem by C.P. Cavafy, which emphasizes the idea, “it’s the journey, not the destination,” which I have included below. I am so fortunate to be able to go to school in such a beautiful state, which has so many friendly and interesting people.

Stay tuned for Kate’s reflection about our time in Vail, including our interview on Vail TV8 and our fundraising event and bike ride at Yeti’s Grind at 4 PM on Monday.

 

Ithaka

 

As you set out for Ithaka

hope the voyage is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery.

Laistrygonians and Cyclops,

angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:

you’ll never find things like that on your way

as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,

as long as a rare excitement

stirs your spirit and your body.

Laistrygonians and Cyclops,

wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them

unless you bring them along inside your soul,

unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

 

Hope the voyage is a long one.

May there be many a summer morning when,

with what pleasure, what joy,

you come into harbors seen for the first time;

may you stop at Phoenician trading stations

to buy fine things,

mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,

sensual perfume of every kind—

as many sensual perfumes as you can;

and may you visit many Egyptian cities

to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars.

 

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.

Arriving there is what you are destined for.

But do not hurry the journey at all.

Better if it lasts for years,

so you are old by the time you reach the island,

wealthy with all you have gained on the way,

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

 

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

Without her you would not have set out.

She has nothing left to give you now.

 

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.

Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,

you will have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

C.P. Cavafy
-Colin W.