Wherever you go, there you are!

Wherever you go, there you are!

Richard Feynmann, one of the most brilliant Nobel prize winner's in Physics made this famous quote many years ago. He died of cancer on my birthday in 1988. Now what the heck does this have to do with riding your bike in the crisp Minnesota climate? I have received so many email messages about how tough a transition it must be moving from the Golden State...to the Golden Gopher State. Especially for a cyclist...and especially for someone who's farthest North long term living experiences are limited to Northern California. Sure, I've visited winter (even for long periods at a time!)---all over the globe---but I have yet to know the below 0F experience. Luckily, I won't have to think about those temperatures for several months.

Anyway, riding my mountain bike in Camden yesterday was in fact a whole lot of fun. It's amazing what a few trees can do to shelter a person from the wind. (That's the problem here...not enough trees!) I love the sound of the cold earth and the cold leaves and all the other cold stuff as it crunches underneath my bicycle wheels. I love all the different birds---Dave (Minnesota Dad) knows all the birds by name...and can even imitate their distinct sounds. I believe I was the only person out there---no other humans. So the locals are smarter than I...they don't feel the need to "feel Minnesota" the way I do. They are familiar with her enough to know that some days it's best to just not go outside to play. It was exhilarating. And it allowed me the time to get to know, on a more personal level, the beauty of my new surroundings, and to think. (uh ho!!!)

For whatever reason, I thought of Richard Feynmann, and his quote, which is the subject of this email. For those unfamiliar with him, he was a great teacher/professor/writer. He was always admired for his wit, intelligence, independence and a never-ending curiosity. He was never satisfied with what he knew and always continued to question science. But his curiosity was not restricted to science. Anything that puzzled him became a challenge to be solved for him. I don't have a clue really about Physics...but I loved reading his stuff and this quote always stuck with me. And I am VERY curious and intrigued by my new surroundings---even when it isn't always easy or fun.

Speaking of not easy or fun, the current weather readings are 29F, feels like 19F. Sigh. I am being tested by the powers that be. Oh well, what I have learned for sure and what I was hoping would stay true is that the weather does not make or break things for you. I really could (and perhaps did?!) move to Siberia---but as long as Mike and the small hound are in tow, I'm fine. Life is one cool adventure and "Wherever you go, there you are"!!