Let's start at the beginning.

Hello Faithful Blog Readers,
This blog is being created in an effort to better supply the many friends and family members and perhaps a few new people with the details regarding the lengthy adventure we, Maggie and Lani, are endeavoring on over the next few months.  We will make a very concerted effort to update you with stories and photos from the journey along the way, as much as time, internet availability and circumstances will allow.

If you are not aware me and Lani will be departing from Minneapolis, MN on September 13th, 2010 at 11:15pm CST via Amtrak for Portland, Oregon.  From that point we will mount our respective touring bicycles and travel the lands south of Portland on said bikes carrying with us all we may need for the coming months journey.  If it can't be stored on the bikes between the 2 of us, chances are we won't have it and in my opinion probably don't need it.

Lani will be riding her Fuji del Rey, tricked out by Brent at Recovery Bike Shop and toting a Burley Nomad trailer along with her.  I will be riding my Trek 7600 Multi-track I bought from a lovely gentleman on craigslist.  My bike came with bags, otherwise known as panniers, and the bulk of my gear will be spread out amongst the front and back panniers along with things being strapped by bungees to my rear rack.

The plan of attack as far as the route is concerned is that there really is no plan.  We will grab a map when we arrive in Portland and more than likely pick a destination that sounds good and go from there.  With no set duration of time for this trip we figured the best plan is one of spontaneity and serendipity.  I'm really looking forward to meeting people along the way and gaining insight about the various spots we visit based on the overall vibe we get from other people and just moving forward from there.  There are no constraints of expectations and therefore we will have minimal bouts of disappointment, at least that's the "plan".

I suppose the reasons behind the trip are as relevant as the trip itself, though I fear this explanation will be vague on not entirely appeasing to some of you, I will attempt to sum up some of the key points.  First and foremost Lani and I are young and until now neither of us has really done anything super out of the ordinary.  We met when we were about 12 or 13 in middle school and have remained close through high school, college  and beyond.  We pretty much followed suit with the other people our age, graduated from high school, went to college, took out student loans, earned a degree, got jobs, sought partners....and that was fine, for a least some period of time...until one day, it just wasn't enough.  Independently we both had decided that the paths we were on were not ones with wished to continue on.  The societal pressure to couple up, make a family, buy a house, accrue debt and work until you die or retire was starting to become too much for us and it was time to either succumb to those pressures or act.  So this is us taking action and choosing something different. We are disillusioned with the state of this world and instead of just standing by idly while we watch the world fall to pieces around us, we are instead hoping to blaze a new trail for ourselves. We hope to walk the walk, instead of just talking the talk. And in the spirit of change we have quit our jobs, stream lined our possessions down to the bare essentials and are setting out to brave the elements and discover ourselves.

We hope you enjoy all that this site has to offer and wish you the very best on your own journey, may it be showered in blessings.

Thanks for looking and check back soon,

Maggie and Lani