Testing Limits

I have been very distracted by summer, but I want to return to creating a Life List.

Next category is: Test Your Limits

Can I level with you? I am not so much into physical endurance tests. When Mr. Geek gets up at 5:00 am to go swim laps or signs up for another triathlon, I am not filled with envy. Not even a twinge.

I have run one 5K and I did enjoy that. Seriously I did, well mostly. I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the women I trained with and the end of the race when we all hung out and ate fruit and bagels. I think I might want to run another 5K, but only with a group of friends. So are you out there? Do you want to train for a 5K with me? There will be food!!

Getting Lost (The Plan)

I have paused in my review of No Opportunity Wasted to expand on an idea that I formulated in the last post.

Go on a Quest

Not only is the book North to Freedom by Anne Holm, one of my favorites, but I was reading the book to College Geek when he was in grade school. We were reading in when the Littlest Geek joined our family, if you want read about that story go here .



Because of the book and its impact on me and the College Geek, we agreed to give the Littlest Geek the middle name of David. David is the central character in the book. The book is both an incredible adventure book as David escapes a forced work camp and travels through Italy north to Denmark. It is also a journey of self discovery and awakening of a mind and soul that has never been free.



Call out to the producers of No Opportunity Wasted - the television show .

HEY READ THIS!

The Littlest Geek, named for the main character is now the age of David in the book (or will be next summer, hint hint). How awesome would it be to travel David's route and see it through the eyes of a young boy.


Here's the itinerary.


David escaped from a camp north of Solonika (Greece). He mostly walked this route and snuck aboard a truck for some of the traveling. This would put him in an interment camp either in Bulgaria or Romania. Parts of some of these camps are still around and can be visited. Perhaps Lovech Bulgaria where we could take some hikes in the mountains and come to understand David's journey.


David walked to to the shipyards of Solonika where he stowed away on an Italian Cargo ship. He was discovered in the hold, but the man finding him did not have the heart to turn him in. He gave David a makeshift floatation devise and let him jump off the ship shortly be for the ship entered the port of Salerno, Italy.



I am still searching for a boat that would take us to Salerno. I think we probably shouldn't stow-away, even in the interest of accuracy.


In Salerno, David first saw a world that was not grey. He saw a beautiful world full of light and color and the pictures of Salerno are very beautiful. David began to appreciate how precious his freedom was. He began to explore the village during the daylight and tentatively talking to the people there. The Littlest Geek and I should spend some time meeting the local people and eating the local food.

From there David walked and hitched rides through Italy stopping in Naples, Perugia, Florence,
Bologna, Milan, and Como before crossing into Switzerland.

View Larger Map

After traveling through Switzerland and Germany, David finally enters Denmark. He travels to Strandvejen 758 Copenhagen. This is an actually address.


View Larger Map

We can visit Bellevue Theatre. Bellevue Theater is a theater on Strandvejen in Klampenborg north of Copenhagen, who visited annually by more than 100,000 visitors. Building are among the architect Arne Jacobsen's absolute masterpieces. In addition to the theater is the theater hosting and co-producer of a summer ballet, which annually ballet company created by Copenhagen International Ballet, headed by Alexander Kølpin.

Getting Lost

I am continuing to add to my Life For Life. Some people call this their Bucket List or list of things to do before you die.

The next category is Getting Lost.

This could be literal, drive or walk somewhere until you are lost, and then let life happen. I prefer to think of this as a suggestion to let go of control, go to the unfamiliar and then let stuff unfold. Sort of like planned spontaneity.

Some of the suggestions - and my thoughts

Join a tribe By a tribe, Phil means a group of people bonded by family, culture or mutual interests. When I think of my tribe, I am reminded of sitting around the sorority house full of geeks in college. I love to spend time with people who are passionate about something like art, music, feeding staving children, etc. Also my favorite part of any vacation is to get out of the touristy areas and find grocery stores and people that live there.

I have always hoped to visit Burning Man . However as this event gets bigger and bigger I am thinking there is probably a better counter-culture event to join. Any suggestions?

Get marooned Get somewhere remote and live off the land. Oh my, that sounds like my "honeymoon" in the Canadian Bush. Can we just say, been there done that. (And someday I will have to blog about it.)

Go on a "quest" You find a journey and retrace the steps, like those that follow Lewis and Clark's trail or go to every hotel that Washington slept at. I have been on marked trails like the Freedom Trail in Boston and we have traced some of Route 66 .

I have two quests I am considering. One is easier- I would like to bike across Missouri following the Katy Trail carrying everything we need for the week and exploring parts of rural Missouri.

The next is a bit more out there. My third grade teacher read books to us and my favorite one was North to Freedom . It is an adventure story of a young boy's escape from a Detention Camp in Eastern Europe. He takes a boat to Italy and journeys north to Denmark. If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it. It is for about 7th grade level readers but I have reread it many times as an adult. There is a movie based on the book called "I Am David". It is also good, but not near as wonderful as the book. So to be able to retrace his journey north would be lots of fun.

Have you ever been lost?

Creating a Life List

Phil Koeghan's Ride Across America was primarily to raise money and awareness for MS. It has been succeeding and has raised more than the original goal.

Phil has been sponsored by (and endorsing) GNC new Square Meals. It is an energy bar that can replace a meal. I have not tried that yet so I cannot review it.

Phil has also combined this ride with somewhat of a book signing tour for his book (and TV show) No Opportunity Wasted -- NOW.

I started a list of Things I wanted to do (from a Meme from Mean Mom back in December). It included:

Write a bucket list of thing to do before I die

Sing in a Gospel Choir (just once, I know I would be embarrassing)

Give a sermon (not to my children, a real sermon)

Stay in a hostel

Write a book

Take a culinary course


Be referred to as an expert by the local news



So guess what? We are beginning with the first item on the list. Phil's book is all about "learning how to live while you still have the chance" and "sharing experiences with other people you know and connecting with people you don't know." So I urge you find the book (or don't) but please join in on this discovery.



There are "Eight Great Themes" and I am going to try and explore each one and choose an activity to place on my LIST.


The first is Face your fear


Some of the possibilities (from the book) include:


Public speaking - Anyone that knows me, knows that this is not really a fear. In fact I love public speaking (odd I know) so let's move on.


Airplane Flight - Okay airplane take offs make me nervous and when I saw the itty bitty plane that I was going to fly across the ocean to Haiti, well I won't lie, I considered turning around. But I think I can say I faced that fear.


Snakes - I don't fear snakes so much - okay I don't adore them.


Heights - Now you are talking, I don't even like to look down when I am in the top tier at a stadium. My memories of the Grand Canyon makes my palms sweat.


So here's my first addition to my LIST.

Repel down a cliff.

There I added it.