Sometimes, Synchronicity

After exploring the North Island, I wasn't seeing any signs pointing me in any direction. I was hoping for an indication that I was supposed to stay in New Zealand. Maybe I look too hard. I came all this way and I was not ready to give up. I called the airline the night before and changed my flight departure date to give myself two more weeks with hopes that maybe I would find what I was looking for - whatever that is.

I was trying to convince a woman I just met into joining me for an itinerary-less adventure. She had just arrived to New Zealand from the United States on a Working Holiday Visa. She said she needed to find a job first. I was trying to talk her out of that.

“You should explore before having any obligations! You’ll be back in two weeks! Find a job then. It’s an opportunity! An adventure!”

I was trying really hard. I didn’t want to go out there on my own. I would rather go with a complete strange whose name I didn’t even know than go alone. I heard about opportunities to relocate rental cars for free and I thought this would be a great way to travel! 

The things is, I was afraid to drive on the left side of the road and I wanted someone, anyone, to come with me.

A girl I met a couple of days before joined us at the table during this conversation. She interrupted my campaign and says. “I’ll come with you if we can hitchhike.”

My head began to buzz. "Really? Okay! You're sure? We are really doing this? Really? When should we head out? Okay!"

We exchanged a few more excited words and then she held her hand across the table for me to shake.   

I liked this gesture. The deal was sealed. And the excitement that there was now a no-plan filled my body!

It always works out; I always find my way.

Suddenly, in the background, I heard a familiar song from the television on the other side the room - and not just any song. This was not an especially famous song, but it has played a role in my life.

The buzzing in my head got louder as I felt the universe telling me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

The song I heard belongs to my musician-friend, Israel, back in Oregon. We have actually talked about what he was thinking when he wrote it! And it was playing. From the television across the room. Here. In New Zealand.

Why now?

As my new travel companion, Emma, and I came up with a rough itinerary of the places we would go on the South Island, the commercial seemed to keep playing every couple of minutes. Over and over again.

(This is not the commercial, but this is the song:)

A couple days later, Emma and I found ourselves on the very scenic ferry ride across the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton.

My new friend and travel companion, Emma, and I on the ferry crossing the Cook Strait. 

We spend the night in a really cozy backpacker next to a cemetery and with plans to begin the hitchhiking portion of our southbound adventure in the morning!

To be continued!

Stopover on Kauai

Arriving in Hawaii.

It had been almost nine years since I had seen Eric and I expected him to look exactly the same. He pulled up to the arrivals gate where I was waiting for him. As soon as I saw him, that huge smile, just the way I remembered it, spread across his face and it was like no time had passed at all.

Eric and I met freshman year of college when he sat behind me in English 101 and started telling me pirate jokes. He was intense, funny, and just enough crazy that we quickly became friends. He left the beginning of sophomore year to study in Hawaii for "one semester" and he was supposed to come back for the spring, but then keep delaying his return... And now here we are, 12 years or so later, and he is still there.

Over the years, our relationship often consisted of late-night phone conversations when I've either been drinking or suffering from insomnia. I really, really appreciate having a friend like him. He is always ready to have intense conversations about anything. He is by far one of the most genuine and passionate people that I have ever met.

Just like the last time I visited him on the Big Island in 2006, he was ready to provide me with an experience of Kauai the way most people will never have a chance to see it. 

He throws a trail book at me and tells me to navigate. While he drove, I attempted to follow the directions, which went something like: "Once the road ends, you'll drive though a couple of rivers, make a left at some tree with branches, another left at one of the forks" and so on. And of course there was no map.

There had been some heavy rains over the past few days and eventually we got to a very large puddle. Eric decided to walk in to determine how deep it was.

So, we aren't going to make it any farther on this road, but that's okay. He takes me to another trail that is more accessible. Luckily, the entire island is full of beauty.

Eric and his truck with our adventure awaiting in the background.

View from our hike just after I have arrived to the island.

#Selfie

Over the next few days, if Eric is working, he lets me drive his truck around to explore. If he is not working, he takes me on adventures.

View of the sunset from Eric's backyard.

During a hurricane in 1992, chickens got loose and now represent an ecological nuisance on the island.

I found this while exploring on my own one day.

Bamboo forest canopy.

On one of our hikes, Eric made me cross this waterfall. The rocks were really slippery, but we survived.

Another friend of mine, Pete Kartsounes, who had been traveling around the world for something like two years happened to be in Kauai at the same time as me. We met up to talk about where we had been and where we were going - life.

When I first met Pete in 2008, he was preparing to hike the 500 miles of the Colorado Trail to raise money for children with cancer. I remember meeting with him for breakfast in Boulder just after he returned from the hike and I wanted to know if he found the secret to life while hiking. I don't know that he gave me an answer, since I don't remember one, so I'm guessing he hadn't yet. I'm sure he is always getting closer though.

The more I travel, talk to people, move, experience, and leave my comfort zone, the more I'm beginning to wonder if maybe the secret to life is to just always be seeking and striving to be the best person you can be. Do you know what I mean? Just don't stop trying and don't stop growing. Ever. Don't ever think that you are better than anyone or know more. Be honest. Be thoughtful, patient, and kind. Be selfless and ask questions. There is always more to know and I think that the more we seek, the better off we all are. Say "yes", but don't be afraid to say "no" either.

But, what do I know, right? This is only my first time here.

This is Pete.
He is a musician and you should check out his music.

Pete contemplates the ocean.

A crowd of people had gathered here and we thought someone fell in.

But then we saw this sea turtle instead! The Hawaiian word for turtle is honu.

The following pictures are just from other places around Kauai during my visit.

On my last, full day on Kauai, Eric took me hiking. I don't remember the name of the place, except that he called it, "The Grand Canyon of Hawaii."

When we were in the parking lot, before beginning this hike, we overheard the couple in the car next to us talking about Portland. Eric knows how I feel about Oregon, so he made friends with them and the four of us hiked together for the day. They were really nice and when we completed the hike, we exchanged numbers so that I can dog-sit for them if I do end up there! 

For the last night in Kauai, Eric took me to this beautiful beach on the west coast to camp. We stopped on the side of the road to fill his truck with firewood. 

The view from our "camp site".

The small blob of color on the bottom corner is my friend, even if he just looks like a pile of towels.

While Eric played around on the beach, I stood by the shoreline to capture every moment of the sunset. Here are some of the pictures of the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean from the west coast of Kauai: 

The next afternoon, Eric drove me to the airport. We hugged goodbye. Then I walked into the airport full of excitement and fear. My next stop would be Auckland, New Zealand. I did not know anyone in there and I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do when the plane landed, other than put one foot in front of the other and keep breathing.

A rainbow bids me farewell and good luck before I begin my next adventure: New Zealand.

---

If you have the time, I recommend watching this interview with Eric regarding the controversy surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope project on the sacred volcano Mauna Kea. He is very passionate about this subject matter. 

Exploring Oregon's Northern Coast

Heading south away from Astoria, I crossed the long bridge that separates it from the next town over. I had no schedule. I was completely free to do whatever I wanted right now. This kind of moment is what I had in mind.

The first stop was Fort Stevens State Park. I wandered around the park for a few hours, taking it all in. Fort Stevens is the only military fort in the entire United States that has been fired upon during wartime by an enemy since 1812 when it was attacked by a Japanese submarine in 1942! (I read that on the website, so if you didn't click the link above, I wanted you to know.)

Beaches at Fort Stevens State Park.

After that, I made my way to Gearhart. As I was walking through the dunes to get to the beach, a man and his dog walked by me. We acknowledged each other and I didn't think anything of it. 

The dunes here reminded me of the ones back home in New Jersey, except there are mountains on the horizon. In New Jersey, the ocean is flat forever. When I was young, I used to strain my eyes as hard as possible trying to see Europe. Turns out, you can't see Europe from New Jersey.

Gearhart, Oregon

Gearhart.

#Selfie

After Gearhart, I went through Seaside and Ecola State Park until I got to Cannon Beach. This is that famous one. Most of you enjoy referencing The Goonies. Go on, say it: "GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!"

I have been to Cannon Beach once before in 2011 when I visited Oregon for the very first time. I decided to hang around and take photos. A lot of them. And since I have been told by at least two people that you only look at the pictures on here, this is for you. Jerks.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Tiny little bird. Big ole rocks!

Creeping on other people's lives for a spot of color.

Goonies never say die!

#Selfie

I have about 3,000 more pictures of this place. (Selfless plug: If you want to buy any, let me know! It'll look great in a room, right?)

Back when I was on the Amtrak a week or so ago, hanging out with my new photographer friend, he told me that it was okay to ask people to take your picture. This seems awkward, but because I was alone, I would like to be in a picture every once in a while so you believe I was there and not stealing someone else's stock photos. That would be a weird thing to do.

I saw a man with a big camera taking pictures, like me. I asked if he wouldn't mind.

I was really there! This is not Photoshopped!

He asked if I was staying for the sunset. It was probably two hours or so away. "It's going to be a good one!" he said. 

I thought I was going to leave. But I was already here and I didn't know when or if I'd be coming back. And it was going to be a good one! So, I decided to take off my shoes and wander around the beach, taking 8 million more pictures. Live in the moment and ignore the imaginary feeling of having to be somewhere else. You are supposed to be right here! Say "Yes!"

I'm pretty sure the elves live here.

Goodbye, Sun.

Hello, Beautiful.

While waiting for the sun to set, the temperature was dropping. My feet were freezing. I could barely feel them by the time it was down. I felt like I was balancing on stumps and it was painful. 

In Oregon, unlike New Jersey, you can have fires on the beach. I saw a couple having a fire so I walked over and asked if they would mind if I tried to warm my feet before going back to my car.

They were clearly having a romantic evening, drinking white wine by this fire, on this beautiful beach. Instead of feeling like I was imposing, I would just pretend that I was invited, because my feet were cold and they said they didn't mind. 

I told them I was driving south towards Eugene. They told me that the roads are too dark and winding. I should stay and leave in the morning.

Eventually my feet were warm enough and I started walking back to the car. On my way, I passed a condo where two men were sitting on the balcony. One of them yelled down to me, "Hey! I saw you earlier in Gearhart when I was walking my dog!" 

Remember that?! Isn't that crazy?!?!

I stopped and stared at him for a second, said something useless, and then kept walking. I immediately regretted not trying to make friends! I am pretty sure that I was supposed to! And now I will NEVER know the meaning of that! The regrets we have to live with! It was too awkward to take five steps backwards now!

I ended up deciding to rent a room before all of the offices closed for the night. A man in his forties or fifties was at the desk, I'm actually no good at guessing ages. He told me he spent a lot of time traveling the United States and living abroad alone but he came back to run the business for his parents.

He gave me a gigantic condo with two rooms, a full kitchen, fireplace, balcony, and a jacuzzi overlooking the ocean for a low price under the condition I am definitely alone. (This definitely sounds creepier than it was. It was not creepy.)

I said, "I wish I wasn't." Even though I truly love the freedom of traveling alone, sometimes, it would just be nice to have someone to make decisions with. Stay or go?

After that was settled, I walked over to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I was trying to choose a mini bottle of red wine that I could enjoy in the Jacuzzi overlooking the full moon-lit beach when my phone rang. To my delight, it displayed the name of another Oregon friend! He says that he will be passing Cannon Beach shortly on his way home so he will stop by to see me.

I wandered back down to the beach and see that my third-wheel-date from earlier had left their fire, abandoned, and still full of fuel.

Israel meets me there, under the full moon, next to the bonfire. He sits down and we talk for hours until the fire burns low with our feet buried in the warmed sand.

Israel is a talented singer, songwriter, artist, and frontman for Blind Pilot. He is a good-natured person who speaks with so much thought and intention, conversations with him are nothing short of enlightening. The time passes easily while engaging with him as he shares his ideas, perspectives, and stories.

After hours by the fire and having conversations about everything, he says that he needs to go but we can meet for breakfast before I head out in the morning.

Take a minute to watch this video as Israel performs one of my favorite songs with his band. He is so very talented.


Blind Pilot :: '3 Rounds and a Sound' via @liveset from Blind Pilot on Vimeo.

The next day, we meet for breakfast at some adorable, little-town cafe.

During breakfast, he asked me if I trust people with blue eyes more than I trust people with brown eyes. I never really thought of this before, but now that he mentions it, when I meet someone with the same blue eyes as me (of the bright variety), I want to maintain intense eye contact with them and kind of say, telepathically, "Hey, I've got 'em too!"

In the past I've noticed while working and living on boats, that the majority of these people, which I like to affectionately refer as "Boat People", have the same bright blue eyes. I asked a coworker in 2007 if he noticed how we all had the same eyes on the boats. He said something like, "It's because we have the ocean in us." I like that idea.

Anyway, I feel the same way when I encounter someone who is left-handed. And if they are blue-eyed AND left-handed, forget it! We can read each other's minds!

He also told me that in Iceland, highways are diverted for elves! It's true!

After breakfast, we said farewell and I left the Oregon Coast without using a GPS, because I am really brave.