Good Friends

This weeks post is going to be a short one, mainly because I'm heading out for a couple of days and my computer isn't coming with me.

While part of this trip is centred around business, a good part of this trip will be spent with friends.  The older I get, the more I'm understanding the importance of good friends.  People who you enjoy being around and who will be there for you no matter what.

With that in mind, here are a few pictures of a group of guys I consider brothers.

Gerald Trees

Musings and Observations of an Adventurous Life Seeker

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Tonight is Christmas Eve and for many it's a time that's being spent with family or friends or preparing for Christmas Day, also with family or friends.

For others it's a time of sadness, remembering love ones lost or spending time alone, having no one to share the holidays with.

Still others do not celebrate this time of year and life continues on, leading to the end of the year and preparing for 2017.

For me, this time of year is one where my children and grandchild will be home, extra time will be spent with good friends and greetings and reminiscing will be done with friends and family who live far away.  Indeed there will be thoughts and feelings for those who are no longer here, knowing that they will be a part of me for the rest of my life.

For those who celebrate Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

For those who don't, I wish you all the best in the remaining days of 2016!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Baby!

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

The positive side of facebook

Social media and facebook in particular has been a part of society for a decade, at least.  Social media is now part of the daily existence for most of us.  The media has become a way for us to share with friends, family and the world parts, if not all of what goes on in our lives and our opinions on everything from politics to what our favorite restaurant is.

Over the years more than a lot has been written about the negatives of social media, with facebook being one of the popular targets.  Everything from people waisting time to airing their "dirty laundry" to the world.  In typical media fashion, little is written about the positive side of social media, including facebook, and yet there is a positive side and in my opinion a big one.

I first joined facebook in 2007, when my daughter was in her first year of university and while I probably spend too much time "browsing", I've also reconnected with childhood friends, classmates and I have made new friends that over time I've had the pleasure of meeting in person.

A former teacher and good friend who "convinced" me to join him on an adventure in Peru.  We reconnected thanks to facebook.

Recently I met someone who I'd been "friends" with since 2010 when we were on the opposite sides of a debate about Harley Davidson Motorcycles shutting down Buel Motorcycles.  For those who spend too much time riding, dreaming and reading motorcycles, you'll understand.  For those who don't, you'll have to imagine it in political terms, only more important.

Anyway, over the years Graham and I have found that we have more than a few things in common besides motorcycles and it was only a matter of time before we'd have the opportunity to meet in person.  The only significant issue was distance as I live in Canada and he's from Australia.  Earlier this year he made a career move to the US and was on holidays in Victoria, a couple of hours from where I live, earlier this week.

It was a pleasure to visit and have some food and drink with someone who I'd only known from cyber space.

Friends finally meet in person.

While the web and cyber space has a dark side and can involve hours of uselessness, it does have a positive side, if you choose to look for it and use it.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Time Is Short So Get On Living!

Last week I received news that a friend from my youth had passed away after a 2 year battle with cancer.  We'd not seen each other since college days, more then 30 years, and yet through the power of letters and Facebook we kept in touch.  We connected with each other more after her diagnosis and I got a small glimps into her vallient fight.

In the past two years I've lost no less then 4 friends due to either heart attack or cancer and each time it jolts me into the reality that I need to get on with living and doing the things that are important instead of things that are "easy".  

In other words, it's time to get on finishing the "bucket list" and stay connected with family and friends on a regular basis.

Rest In Peace Marci and my God give your family, especially your sons, comfort and peace.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

It's A Small World After All

I apologize if the tune from the Disney ride gets stuck playing in your head, however the words do ring true.

The World is small!

Over the years I've met people I know who happened to be traveling to the same destination that I was.  I've also met strangers while traveling who happened to know the same people that I do.  Both are interesting as the chance of meeting someone you know or someone who knows someone you know while traveling seems small.

My most recent encounter is also the most "improbable" I've had to date.  So here we go...

While riding in Baja, Mexico with some friends during November 2015 I met Mirko from Serbia in the city of La Paz.  We happened to be staying at the same place and motorcyclists, regardless of where they're from are attracted to each other.  Mirko was riding through Mexico, on his way to Los Angeles before heading home and we were on our way back to San Diego before heading back to Canada.

La Paz, Baja Mexico

Not thinking too much of the encounter, our group headed to dinner and then off to sleep before an early morning exit to avoid the La Paz traffic.  Later the next day, I was stopped at a Pemex station for gas when Mirko rode in to fill up.  The first thing he did was come up to me and ask if I knew Sky?  I was surprised as I did know Sky.  I'd met Sky in August while riding in Utah with Great Southwest Moto Adventures and we became friends.  Sky lives in Las Vegas and is originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Sky and Mirko are friends and Sky knew I was in Mexico and let Mirko know what my motorcycle looked like.

My friend Mirko is on the right.

My friend Sky having fun in Utah.

This chance encounter still seems miraculous to me.  However I'm also a believer in what my friend Sky says.  "Good people fined each other".

The best part of any adventure is meeting people and it's very special when the person you meet for the first time happens to know someone you do.  The world is small and the people we meet are more connected to us then we realize.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker