Simply put, Portland was, and is, incredible! I was in Portland for 48 hours and enjoyed every single minute of it. I almost considered adjusting my schedule simply so I could spend another day there.
Amazing bike ride: My bike ride was a 43 mile out and back tour along the east side of the river toward Mt. Hood. When I wasn’t completely confident where I was headed, I asked a fellow cyclist I caught up to at a traffic light. He told me that I was on a forty mile path and proceeded to pick up his pace and join me for some great conversation for most of the rest of the ride. Another example of life’s little, pleasant surprises when reaching out to someone for an assist.
Peace and harmony on the road: The other pleasant part of the cycling experience was how peacefully bikes and cars shared the road. When driving in the downtown area, bikes actively shared/owned the lanes they were in. Cyclists obeyed the laws just as any other vehicle. And, cars treated cyclists with the respect they would treat any other vehicle on the road. Loved the harmonious relationship on the road.
Speaking and presentations: I had the pleasure of sharing a 100Pedals: Four Wheels of Personal Leadership talk at the Sherwood YMCA. With a comfortably small crowd of a dozen people, I loved the informal, close, and interactive conversation. It is amazing how many people have a story of their own and how they readily they engage in looking for answers and share their passions, challenges, and commitments. These talks are wonderful gifts. I welcome the opportunity to celebrate the energy and community building moments associated with every single one of them.
Making connections: Finally, I had the opportunity to meet-up with a good friend of an acquaintance of mine from Scottsdale. They had been in Portland for a little less than one year and had was excited to share what they learned about Portland. From the food trucks, to Powell’s Book Store, to the Pearl District, to Voodoo donuts, I participated in an engaging walking tour. And, I made another friend!
There in a clear and repeating theme with this year’s adventure — meet interesting people, make new friends, engage old acquaintances, and celebrate life. Every single day I have made at least one new connection. I have also celebrated at least four great rides and delivered two great presentations. I am enjoying every opportunity to celebrate this adventure and share my stories, pictures, and lessons with you. Now it is on to Seattle for the last leg of the Pacific coast swing.
Love, live, and embrace your life — this receptive and positive mindset will take you to incredible and unpredictable places.
