Blake Bikes Baja

Dana Point, California to San Quinton, Mexico... 264 miles

I haven't had much contact with Blake since he's left, but he's been good about trying once a day to keep me posted. He has pictures but has not been able to send them, hopefully soon! 

On Wednesday Blake rode to Ensenada and found an RV park to camp at. He was able to call that night. It was 6pm and he was getting to sleep... He said it was a rougher day then he planned because there were some hills. "But it's fun going up then going down, going up then going down," he said. 

I hate riding up hill. Blake has always seen further and said "if you go up then you must go down, and that's my favorite." I feel like that's how Blake views life. He is really good at looking beyond the difficult moment, or the season we are in and knowing that there's a future, a change coming. Life is so much about riding up those difficult hills and then rejoicing when you can soar down them. I would like to work on thinking more like Blake during those up hills; that working hard for your reward IS the reward and pushing through, past what you THOUGHT your limit was, will only make you stronger. And then you can be grateful for those few seconds of downhill when the wind is in your hair and you are flying, knowing you worked hard for it! 

On Thursday it was raining so Blake stopped early in St. Thomas for a hotel. He called from a gas station because there was no service or wifi. He said he was good and that he was eating well (happened upon a juice bar) and to make sure to tell his parents where he was. 

Yesterday I only got one text from him saying he was in San Quinton and he missed me (❤️.) 

My girlfriends ask if I'm worried and scared... Of course I am. But I have FAITH in the unknown and the unseen. I have faith that Blake is going through every experience that's intended for him. Talking to my bestie who's husband is going to go through 3 months of hard military training in a different state at the same time she is going to have their first son... Well I'm SUPER THANKFUL for my situation and I'm so BLESSED to be surrounded by other women who are strong in their independence and in their relationships! 

No pictures yet but I'm sure when they come in they will be great! Did anyone follow Blake while he rode from Monument, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the summer of 2011? 

                                    Dream Big, Ride Far

             

Blake Bikes Baja

My Big Dreamer,

You rode away on your trusty Cannondale today with your bags full and a smile on your face. I know that we were both holding back the tears of saying goodbye. They came pouring out once you were around the corner. I got ready for work, worked, and came home thinking of you every minute. You know I am only sad because I hate missing you, my best friend. But it's just a "vacation" right? That's what we kept telling eachother so the word "goodbye" wouldn't actually be said.

I am so PROUD of you! I am proud of the dreams you have and the determination to actually get out there and do them. You are so inspiring to not only me but everyone around you and even those who don't know you (the ones I get to brag about you to.) I admire your courage to be able to leave your comfort zone. I look up to your strength to take your body to it's limits. I appreciate your trust in me to let you go on your journey. You have always made me want to be a better version of myself, and this trip that you are taking is challanging me to keep pushing my own limits, as you push yours.

I hope that you find everything you are looking for. I hope that you get quiet enough to listen to your inner workings. I hope that you see things that twist your view of the world upside down. I hope that your tires keep spinning and your legs keep pushing. I hope that you won't miss me or your family because you are in such an amazing place. I hope that you find lots and lots of fresh fruits and veggies! I hope that you forgive yourself for eating too much rice and beans and guacamole. I hope that you get as many miles as you can in every day. I hope that you get to hang out enough to appreciate where you are at. I hope that you and I will see the same sunsets over the same ocean.

I'm lucky that I know who you are when you are on the road, with just your bike, clothes, and camping gear. I know how happy it makes you. I know how there are no words to describe the peace and simplicity of that white line on asphalt and I'm so happy that you are strong enough to say that you wanted that again, and in our neighboring country no less. Viva Mexico!

Thank you for being my Big Dreamer and Riding Far! Can't wait to see you in Cabo, at the end of your grand adventure!! Merry Christmas and Happy New year, my love.




I was thinking during the last few weeks that Blake couldn't go one month after our three month adventure in Colorado before he started thinking up another one. I know that Mexico has been heavy on his heart and I am so proud of him for finding this season now to listen to himself and take this journey. Blake's been enjoying his time off of work, but that in no way means he hasn't been working hard. He's been doing yoga, biking in Laguna, running on the beach, and focusing on good nutrition in order to prepare for what he's about to put his body through on this trip. He's been reading and researching bike routes through Baja and making good enough arguments to help me become comfortable with this trip as well, which was hard work. I had been asking him if he was ready to tell his parents what he was doing, and I think it took a few weeks to get there, but once he did I could tell he felt a little less weight off his shoulders. {Thanks for being so supportive, Shawn and Mary! I know that he wouldn't be able to do this with a peaceful mind without you guys.}

Yesterday we set our intentions on celebrating one anothers' strength in going forward in this dream. We had a great run on the beach, watching the sun rise. Then we took our blanket back to the beach, played in the sand, and watched the sun go down. It was the most incredible sunset I have ever seen, the vibrancy of the colors were made just for us.

Blake left our home in Dana Point, CA this morning at 9am. He packed up, had a juice, and said "see you in three weeks!" as he rode his bike down the street. He got on the train in San Clemente and got off right before the border to ride across it himself. He then took the Tijuana trolly into Rosarito and is safe at a hotel right now. Tomorrow he says he plans on waking up early and heading to Ensenada.

Dream Big, Ride Far