Monday, September 25, 2017

Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting California 2017 recap

This year's annual Horizons Unlimited event in Mariposa was very informative as it always is. To be surrounded by so many people that have done or are planning to do some serious adventure travel is unlike anything routine. Five years ago I attended my first annual meeting in Cambria after having learned about it from Carla King who I met shortly after reading her book American Borders that was given to me by a friend who thought it "sounded like me".  I remember thinking then that I finally found "my tribe" where people live very much in the present and look into all the infinite possibilities with positive attitudes even when things go sideways. It was like being surrounded by a bunch of Buddha-like enlightened ones.

The best part now for me going to this event is meeting the new people (at least new to me) and saying hello to those I've met before and usually am following via social media all year. This time I was especially impressed by meeting Amy and Buck Perley who went after a Guinness World Record and set out on July 19th, 2013 on what would turn out to be a 146 day, 34,153km/21,221 mile motorcycle ride around the world’s most populous country -- China. Their presentation was riveting for me (mostly since I was in China traveling in 2002 so could related to some of it even more). They have a website here.  They've published a book and have a TV Pilot in the works... here's a trailer of their trip:





Another of the many people who got my attention was Kerri Dougherty who has launched her own motorcycle touring company for women called Motobird Adventures. Kerri is one of those people you've heard a story about and then get to meet in person. At the Oakland Motorcycle Club two months ago, I'd heard a recap of an adventure ride where Kerri apparently did a hard core wipeout over a log on her F650 but then bounced up to give "all is well" thumbs up. But the whole thing was captured on film, I'm still trying to get a link to that video. It was great to put a face with the story and know she is so resilient. I can only imagine what her tours would be like.


Kerri not afraid to get INTO IT on her F650 

Those aren't the only two that impressed me by a long shot, many of the other presentations and people were very moving and interesting too.

Some of my photos and experiences getting to, getting home and during the event are as follows:

California Highway 130

the landscape en route to the venue, beautiful golden hills

Highway 130 heading west, back home

Pete Corboy on Highway 130 ~ saw him on my way home ~ he had done RTW moto trip in 2002 and 03 on this bike

Kerri Dougherty of Motobird Adventures and me on Sunday

Merced River

serious fire damage seen just south of Fish Camp on the way to Wawona, Yosemite
 


Mariposa is Spanish for "butterfly" ~ this all over the downtown area

one of the many camping areas all over the Mariposa Fairgrounds

the "ladies only" discussion on Saturday morning

Carla and Jonathan talking about travel with trailer conversion (affordable)



selfie in the mirror at Lick Observatory


















oak tree with golden hills -- this one near Livermore
350 miles round-trip

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