Thursday, February 21, 2019

Geronimo

I stand now at the headwaters of the Gila River in southern New Mexico. The place where I stand is very near the birthplace of the legendary Apache warrior and chieftain Geronimo. Geronimo's people were subjected to the abuse of early settlers, and he spent much of his life fighting back for the integrity of his land and the livelihood of his people.

Standing here in this valley brings me much closer to this person whom I only know by name. Geronimo was the word I shouted as I jumped off the diving board into the deep end of a swimming pool as a boy growing up. I had no idea the caliber of the man that this name invoked.

While nothing can excuse death and violence, one must appreciate the reasons for Geronimo's actions. They are symbolic of so much of what is wrong with the history of our country. The persecution of minorities. The rape the land. The reckless consumption of natural resources. The destruction of cultures.

Today's hiking journey will take us 5 miles into the vast Gila Wilderness. This is the first federal wilderness established in the history of the world, in 1924, due in large measure to the efforts of the naturalist Aldo Leopold who's namesake wilderness lies just to the east of us. Both of these wilderness areas were incorporated into the federal Wilderness Act when it was established in 1964, over 50 years ago.

As Camille and I hike through this land today, the spirit of the ancient people will be with us. Our thoughts will be focused on how we can serve this land that has been so carefully protected. By this we honor the legacy and the memory of the Mogollon, Apache, and countless other peoples that went before... and will come after.

Geoffrey

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Southern States Odyssey 2019


The bicycle industry is notoriously slow in the month of January and February. So, rather than sit around our retail shop in Santa Rosa, rearranging furniture, and providing free service to transients, we decided to reduce the shop hours for the month of February and hit the road*. The purpose of this Odyssey is to explore the wild and protected places of the Southern States with our bicycles and our hiking boots. We are traveling from California to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas to Louisiana and possibly as far as Arkansas on this adventure.

Traveling with us in our company van are a variety of folding bicycles that we plan to share with people we meet along the way. On board we have:
  • Montague Paratrooper Pro (two) 
  • Bike Friday Pocket Rocket 
  • Tern Link A7 
  • Brompton S6L 
No Bike Friday tandem on this trip! Camille and I have matching his and hers mountain bikes so we can explore the off pavement dirt road treasures of our national parks. Mercifully the occupant of the White House has lifted the government closure that he started so we actually have national parks that we can enter.

I will be blogging regularly as we travel and encounter fascinating sights and experiences along the way. I remain in contact via email, text and phone.

*Meanwhile, back at the shop, my good friend and colleague Bob Stender will be keeping the lights on on a reduced schedule, and meeting folks by appointment. Thank you Bob!

Stay tuned to this blog channel!

Geoffrey + Camille
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