People aren't strange when you refuse to be a stranger.

I met a young man while shopping in Estes Park, CO that I want to introduce you to (at least in writing).

Bard is a clerk at a clothing retail shop.  It's not a glamourous job by any means.  He is more than meets the eye.  Expressive in his features, he wears eyeliner and a bit of mascara.  I overheard him telling some customers that he began wearing eye makeup before it was more accepted as it is now.  He relayed a story of a night out where he got teased by some guys.  He educated them by reminding them that if they like AC/DC or Kiss then they've accepted men wearing eye makeup.  Well done Bard!  His finger nails are long, his hair is inverted from top to bottom as well as side to side and he wears leather bomber jackets and skinny jeans. 

Past the exterior he is an intelligent, kind, outgoing and generous young man and it became obvious in a hurry that he expects and respects that same qualities in others.  He told me he was a touring bicyclist and had visited Lincoln, Nebraska after I told him where I was from.  He shared that he liked Lincoln better than Omaha, Nebraska.  He rode from Estes Park to Omaha and planned on taking a train back home.  However, after getting shot at and seeing not one friendly face he couldn't stand one more minute in Omaha and rode back to Lincoln to take the train out of Lincoln.  He won't stand for arrogance or unfriendliness let alone down right danger, but who would?

He then proceeded to educate me on the process one goes through when they need to travel with a bike on a train.  He dismantled his bike to fit it into a long box that he then began lugging to the train station.  A family in a van pulled over near him and said they saw him struggling and asked if he'd like a lift.  They couldn't fit he and his "bike in a box" in the van so they drove to the train station with his "bike in a box" and waited for him to walk to the train station.  After he arrived they bought him lunch and talked with him while he waited for his train.  He said they were not only nice they went out of there way to be nice and helpful and that is why he liked Lincoln so much.  Well done Lincoln! 

He asked me to share that story with Lincolnnites as well as the joy of bicycle touring from his standpoint; "You can go at your own pace. Even if you go 10 mph you can make 60 miles in a day!" His passion is contagious.  "After all, you don't see what you see at 60 mph along a highway that you see at 10 mph!"  I admire his pioneering vision and courage.  It reminds me of myself 13 years ago.  "For instance!  Did you know that in western Nebraska there are tons of grasshoppers hopping alongside the highway!?"  No, I said, but I don't really want to either. 

I hate to say it but age has caught up with me.  My interests, passions, pioneering visions have changed.  The 20-something girl who took solo 500 mile trips, lived in another country, began two non-profit organizations, rode her bike everywhere, wore outlandish compilations of clothing either self-made or from a thrift store, refused to take medicine for anything (even headaches), protested: eating meat, using products tested on animals, tolerating usng animals in medical research; well, you get the idea, is now a 30-something girl who appreciates her home town and creature comforts, including medicine and cars, and enjoys buying well-made, designer clothing that flatters her slightly less slim figure because she doesn't ride her bike everywhere. 

I will drop my fists and refuse to beat myself up as I see my life's journey.  I chose to take certain characteristics too instrinsic in me to leave behind.  Currently, I am riding my bike to work.  I own a business.  I am eating less meat and more vegetarian options when I think about it or feel like it.  I still do not donate to research or use products tested on animals. I do continue to travel. I am teaching my children these values and I do admire and respect innovative, passionate, visionary young people, like Bard...and when I meet them I tell other people about them.