The good life does not consist in its length. The good life is defined by its accomplishments. A long life lived too little is a short life. The best approach is to focus on the task at hand, whatever that is.
You have two voices in your head. Don’t let the “resistance voice” prevent you from doing what you know you should be doing. Listen to the voice that tells you what to do. Ignore the voice that is trying to give you excuses not to do it.
Use philosophy to prepare yourself. The pursuit of wisdom is the best work you can undertake to prepare for any outcome that might befall you.
Choose quality over quantity.
How do you keep up with all.the information, all the books published every year. You don’t. Choose wisely what you consume and absorb carefully what you consume. This is how you fill your mind and enrich your life.
How do you get good at Pickleball? “Learn, practice, train.”
The Stoics knew this. Epictetus in his Discourses said: Don’t be satisfied with mere learning. Learn, practice, train. This is as true with philosophy as it is for athletics. Learn the right thing. Practice the right thing. Train for a lifetime to do the right thing.
Thinking about the future, thinking about the past, is easy. Real thinking is to focus on what is in front of us. What you do today might be the last thing you ever do.
Momento Mori
A Latin phrase meaning “remember that you will die.” The phrase is a symbolic reminder of the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. Ancient Romans used the phrase to inspire humility, perspective, and urgency. It is intended to encouraging people to live fully, value time, and avoid wasting life.
I didn’t believe in it for a moment
but I gulped down the wine of my own voice
And then I wrestled with the darkness inside me,
knocked it down, clawed at it, ripped it to shreds.
We need to examine the darkness inside ourselves. If we can’t do that honestly and describe to others what those failings are, we are not truly human. Don’t ask someone “what are your strengths?” Instead ask them, “what are your shortcomings?” The answer will reveal all you need to know about that person.
Beware the “Illusory Truth Effect.” That is the tendency to believe something you have heard multiple times. This is a trick politicians use to suck us into following them. This is usually accompanied by the suggestion (again made multiple times) that they are the only one that has the answer.
The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) has established many classic bicycle touring routes across the United States, possibly none more scenic than the Northern Tier Route. The Southern Tier and the TransAm are the other two classic transcontinental routes. I have ridden the Southern Tier and the TransAm, the Southern in 2018 and the TransAm in 2023. It’s time to complete the trifecta.
The Northern Tier is the longest of the three routes. I plan to do it solo unless there are others that want to join. My intent is to camp and cook most of the time. From time-to-time I will be taking meals at restaurants along the way and staying in motels or hostels. My partner is planning to sag me the first few days, likely across the state of Washington. The would be the first 400 miles. After that she will meet me along the route in a couple of different places for some rest days and to enjoy some of the many sites along the route.
I’ll be starting the tour in Anacortes Washington on June 1st and finish in Bar Harbor Maine. This makes sense for me because I live in Central Oregon and Anacortes is a one day drive from my doorstep.
There are four major mountain passes along the route. It will be challenging. I believe nows the right time to have a go at the Northern Tier. I’ve been given the gift of cycling and I’m not getting any younger. I’m not world class, but I enjoy the experience and find it challenging and also exhilarating. I will be using the ACA’s digital map set to navigate the route.
I ride a custom titanium road bike built by Bill Davidson in Seattle Washington. I’ll be carrying my gear in Ortlieb front and rear panniers on Nitto Campee touring racks. I have a hub generator for the front light. I would also like to use the hub generator to keep my cell phone charged, but I’m still working out the details on that. There are other options for charging, including solar. Since this route presents some road challenges, narrow shoulders in places and both truck and recreational traffic on the road, I’ll also be using look-back radar to keep me apprised of what is behind me. That is another piece of equipment to keep charged, so I may have to add a second generator to the bike. I might go with a simple handlebar mirror in lieu of radar, or I might opt for both. The rest of the equipment is what you would expect a trekking backpacker to carry.
For the mathematicians out there, here are some calculations you might like. These are approximations only.
As I get closer to the start date these will be refined. Once on the road these are subject to change.
I typically start riding early in the morning. That gives me the most options at the end of the day for finding accommodations, or setting up camp and cooking. I like to relax after dinner, unwind, write a bit about the day and generally get ready for the next day. A late start to the day’s riding just makes all that a lot more difficult. I do not ride after dark.
Keep scrolling. You will find information below about:
Each of the 11 sections on the route. These pages have been compiled from the official ACA mapping information.
My proposed itinerary. This is a suggested itinerary. Riding circumstances are variable. Weather, terrain, physical conditioning and a host of other factors could have an impact on this plan. The plan does not show rest days and will likely be modified before heading out and during the ride itself.
My personal training plan. Caveat: I’m not an expert in developing training plans but I think this is a good start. It’s a 13 week plan. Each week I will update that week’s training plan with pertinent commentary (just for fun).
I will be posting additional information here about sight seeing, side trips, campgrounds and other accommodations as I develop those.
You can follow me on the journey. Once the tour begins, I will be posting here every day, Use the link “Bicycling the Northern Tier” on the Contents page to filter and view just those entries pertaining to the Northern Tier tour. (There’s a lot of other stuff here that may or may not be of interest. That is of course a matter of opinion and taste.
Here is one of my favorite photos from my TransAm tour in 2023.
Here is one of my favorite photos from my SouthernTier tour in 2018.
When I had the bike built back in 2018 I didn’t know much about dynamo hubs. I had a SON Deluxe added to the build but it only puts out 2.8w. That wasn’t a huge consideration for my first two tours because I was using paper maps for navigation. This is 2027 and I’ll be navigating digitally this time so keeping the phone charged is a must. The Schmidt SON Deluxe dynamo hub isn’t going to cut it.
This time around I’m probably going to go with the Schmidt SON 28. That is a high output dynamo at lower touring speeds. I will need to find a wheel builder that can put this together for me. It will be important to be able to take the headlight out of the circuit when maximum charging is needed. I’ll be charging to a power bank, not directly to the phone. That will give me more options.
This page intentionally left blank. Please use the “Bicycling the Northern Tier” link on the Contents page to access additional material.
This page intentionally left blank. Please use the “Bicycling the Northern Tier” link on the Contents page to access additional material.
Those who know the essential to be essential and the unessential to be unessential, dwelling in right thoughts, do arrive at the essential.”
—The Buddha
The year 2026 I have devoted to the study of Stoic philosophy. This has been a daily endeavor. I’ve enjoyed it enough that I have decided to make 2027 my year for the study of Buddhist philosophy.
There are many similarities between Stoic philosophy and Buddhist philosophy. An interesting question would be how familiar were the ancient Romans with Eastern Philosophy. That’s an interesting side question.
Both philosophies seem to be directed to helping the individual find a pathway to peace. Humans have been dealing with the same fundamental issues since the species became self-aware. The goal of both philosophies seems to be to alleviate suffering and find happiness, for ourselves and for everyone.
I’m not saying one is better than the other, quite the contrary. I’m a firm believer that all philosophies and all religions have something to offer us if we are open to listening. At a time when openness and listening seems to be in decline, I’m committed to making it a daily part of my life as a path to personal growth.
Please feel free to dip into my 2026 Stoic entries. They are easily filtered using the Contents link in the navigation bar above. I hope you will be inspired to follow along in 2027 as I explore Buddhist Wisdom.
Namaste
The real failure of America is that the richest and most powerful nation in the world — the nation that has led the world since World War II and that established the postwar international order emphasizing multilateralism, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law — is now being led by a rogue president who rejects all these values.
If you voted for that man because you thought he would be good for your 401K, because he would lower the price of gasoline, because he would end all wars around the world, or for any number of other promises he made that have all been broken, you have been duped.
Now, let’s talk about immigration. America was founded as a pluralist nation. The strength of our economy and society has always been based on the diversity of our population. You cannot have a nation of golf-playing white people and expect that nation to thrive socially and culturally.
Now, let’s talk about war. America is engaged in a genocidal war and the American people don’t even know why we are fighting it, not to mention the fact that whatever the perceived threat, it can not be solved by bombing a nation. Many U.S. allies have declared the American and Israeli action a violation of international law and a breach of the UN Charter. In what world does it make sense to wage a war without the support of your closest allies…
Now let’s talk about democracy. Never in America’s history have we been led by a man with more authoritarian desire. Authoritarianism is something that is difficult to roll back once it becomes instantiated. We have a weakened Congress that is afraid to do its job — legislate. We have an administration that has filled its leadership rolls with people that have little to no experience in the duties that have been assigned to them. We have people in positions of leadership who outwardly confess that violence and chaos are valid leadership strategies. We are watching the dismissal of anyone in government whose job it is to provide legal guardrails. These deficiencies are hallmarks of authoritarianism, not democracy.
Let’s talk about government waste. At the same time that benefits and important programs supporting Americans are being cut, Government spending is at an all time high on things that are benefiting those in power instead of the people they are supposed to be representing.
We are in for a tough time ahead. Let’s consider the possibility of a change in leadership direction. Let’s encourage our legislators to start talking to each other. Let’s consider electing representatives that are more interested in America than they are in their own wealth or self-aggrandizement.
Let’s think critically about the future of our country when we go to the polls.
The title might lead you to think I’m asking an existential question, I’m not. What I’m asking is “why am I here and not on Facebook?” The simple answer is I look much better in print than I do in a video feed or a photo. That’s not the only reason. I’m 72 years old. All I’ve done my whole like is write (and occasionally take photos to remind myself where I’ve been). To go after “followers” and “produce content” for consumption by strangers, all the while counting my likes and follows is not something I want to spend time doing. (You can, if you prefer, insert the word “curmudgeon” in place of any pronouns used to identify me.)
Naturally, you’re about to ask me so what is a blog if not simply an old school version of a Facebook presence. Fair question. The difference, for me at least, is I am reaping the reward that comes from writing without the pressure of having to “create.” So what good is writing without pressure? It fulfills me in a private and personal way that forcing myself to produce content can’t. Also, on occasion a friend drops in to see what I’m up to. But perhaps more important than that, I’m leaving behind a legacy. Even if it is one that is largely ignored. Some of the people closest to me don’t look at these pages, that’s okay. When I’m all done writing, or when I can’t write any longer, I’m going to have all of this printed and handed out at my memorial. (As punishment for the survivors I suppose.) I’m well over a thousand pages, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you skip reading a few here and there when you are handed all this and told your dad, partner, friend, wanted you to have this. If you’re not handed this, it’s because I decided to have it buried with me instead, or cremated with me, or composted with me, I’m not sure which path I’m going to take yet. Whether your receive this or not is largely dependent on whether or not I eventually master English grammar.
President Ronald Reagan signed an executive order directing in part “no person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination.” Reagan was not the first President to sign such an order. The Reagan version narrowed the scope significantly, i.e., “no person employed by or acting on behalf of.” Reagan’s version of the assassination ban remains in effect, last amended by George W. Bush in 2008.
Unfortunately, sitting Presidents are not legally bound to obey the orders of previous administrations. Most often a new administration will rescind previous orders. President Trump hasn’t revoked it, but he has chosen to ignore it.
Which is preferred, theories alone or conduct based on theories that have been tested and proven to be of value…
Conduct takes precedence over theory every day in every way.
As Hamlet said:
”There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Philosophy (theories) alone will not lead to a good life. Only action taken based on sound philosophy can bring us fulfillment.
When something is told to you, don’t allow yourself to embellish that news with your own thoughts and opinions. It’s news and that’s all it is until it has been verified. The wise man verifies carefully. In other words, he uses an enquiring mind to examine the news from all possible angles before determining what is fact and what is fiction. Even then, the door to clearer understanding is never closed.
“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough.”
It’s not about “settling.” It’s about not getting overwhelmed by idealism. Don’t look at the world through the lens of where you want the world to be, look at the world as it is and ask, what is it I should be doing to effect change?
Abraham Lincoln was humble, self-educated and well spoken. He was deliberate, fair, open-minded and purposeful. He did all that while following a career as a politician.
It doesn’t matter if you live in the snake pit of D.C., the materialist zoo of Wall Street or you grew up in a small closed minded community, you have a choice.
You can still live well. Others have managed to do it.
Besides the love of my life and my daughters, there are few people that care more for me than my camping buddy. Honestly, he can be hammered out of his mind but when it’s time to call it, he makes sure I get into my trailer instead of walking over a cliff. He even turns on the heat in the trailer for me because he knows the digital control panel is too complicated for me… Just so there is no confusion on this topic, that is a true friend.
This post may contain some slight exaggeration, but on balance, it is basically accurate.
Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of this mind, I remember writing about this topic: Why write? Just so there is no confusion, I don’t do this for you. I don’t even know who “you” is. It certainly isn’t the love of my life. (Occasionally I will read something I have written to her, when she’s half awake.) It’s not my cat. He can’t read. I tried to teach him to read so I would have a following, but that was a hopeless endeavor. It’s not my good friend that goes camping with me. As pathological as he is, I can’t even get him to read this stuff. It’s 2:40 in the morning. That should tell you everything you need to know. I do this for me. That’s it. There is no other possible explanation.
So what am I saying?
Nothing really. My vain hope is that doing this will prevent my brain from turning to Jello. I think it has already started (turning to Jello) maybe that’s why no one reads this… They don’t want to feel obligated to commit me. Still and all, I can go camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I can get 25 miles off road on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon above Glen Canyon Damn. How many people can say that? Damn few. Even our most respected leaders that pride themselves on knowing all and being able to do anything, have not had this experience. I consider myself blessed. So you play golf and you own golf courses all over the world… Good for you. All golf courses are pretty much the same, especially if your caddy will retrieve all of your shanks and put them back in the fairway for you. (I suppose that’s another story.) Getting back to the matter at hand, it’s now 3:10 in the morning and I probably need to try and get some sleep. Thank you for not reading this.