Inspiration and Justification

First, the justification for this outdoor adventure.  I have already discussed why I was ready to leave my last job at a small college in Maine.  While I loved living in Maine, and had many friends, staff members primarily, at the college, the situation there, the teaching and learning environment, was a joke.  While I felt bad leaving to some extent, knew there would be some who miss me, I was pretty much the only faculty member who was always around, who participated in the college community, both inside the classroom and laboratory, and outside as well, it was time to go.  Also, adventure is good for the soul, and challenge, both mental and physical, is important for continued growth.  I also am a scientist, so I love learning, and am an ecologist, so appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.  So my idea of an adventure is an outdoor adventure.  And, I often think of an old tagline from a Nike commercial, "Life is short, play hard".  I personally have experienced much loss during my life, Father and Mother, and my sister Tracy, friends I grew  up or went to school with, but I obviously am not alone.  It seemed like 2015 was a difficult year for many, I lost a very good friend from my youth, Marc, and heard of others from my past who experienced loss and very difficult times as well.  I was ready for a break, to get outdoors, to get back on the dirt on a mountain bike, to learn to surf my SUP, to challenge myself physically, intellectually, and artistically.  Life is indeed short, and unpredictable, better to go now while I still can, go now before it might become too late.  That is my justification.  

The inspiration for this trip really relates as much to the logistics of such an adventure as to more emotional or even spiritual inspiration that comes from time spent outdoors.  What I mean by this is that I really do not need any inspiration to bike, hike, paddle and explore outdoors, these are part of who I am, who I have always been.  I often would tell my students that if I was no longer able to explore nature, to spend time in the presence of the beauty of nature and natural places, I doubt I would have the inspiration to live.  Being out there is that important to me, so I need little inspiration for an exciting trip like this, exploring Patagonia in particular.  But inspiration did come from the folks who helped provide ideas and tips to help make such an adventure at least theoretically possible.  My inspiration for this trip comes in part from two groups of people, the Sprinter van converters, and the group of adventurers often referred to as the "overlanders".  The first group, mostly people from the US, includes people who also love the outdoors, people who hike, bike, climb, paddle, etc.  Some of the people take up permanent residence in their van, on the road, driving from one little adventure to the next.  Many work on the road, the internet makes many things possible, some even have corporate sponsors such as Goal Zero or NRS which provide some support, while others are weekend warriors or just on a leave-of-absence like me.  Regardless of the what's and the why's, all of these people share a passion for the outdoors, and converting a Sprinter van, with its high roof and roomy interior, makes a great adventure vehicle.  I also like the 5-cylinder diesel Mercedes engine, and, starting with a blank canvas.  Most Sprinters, like mine, are a big metal box with no windows, with a sliding side door and rear doors, a box which you can stand up in, lots of options are available.  And lots of ideas, instructions and inspiration online; there is a Sprinter van community out there.  These can definitely be a tiny house on wheels.  Now, I am no master carpenter, though I can swing a hammer (which I actually hardly ever did, though lots of screws) and measure seven times before cutting once.

My other inspiration is from the "overlanders".  This is an interesting, diverse group, a group which there is no way I can adequately and accurately describe, and I am sure, any attempt to do so would offend most of them.  To generalize, which I tend to do, often with unintended results, this group is all about modifying vehicles which have a range and capability which my Sprinter does not.  These are often 4-wheel drive vehicles, tough trucks, which can go almost everywhere.  Their modifications do still provide tips for me, such as dual battery systems for refrigerators, safety equipment, and other important information for life on the road.  Plus, based on what I saw, and read on the web, this is a tough and resilient bunch, and bet they know how to have fun.  They seem to show little fear, love adventure, and the unpredictable and unexpected, will eat (and drink) almost anything, and do not mind being dirty, uncomfortable and occasionally a bit lost.  Plus, it is all about adventure, outdoor adventure, about seeing and doing, about exploring the new, the different, the beautiful.  I think I will fit in.  I hope to be an accepted member of the overlanders, I like what they do, who they are, what they stand for.  They are an important inspiration for me.