Dee's Alaska adventure

3 years ago when I did my one month ride around the USA hitting all Lower 48 States on my motorcycle after riding a motorcycle for less than a year, the question I was asked often was "why?". Last year when I peddled my bicycle 1500 miles to Fairbanks Alaska with my brother, Cliff, again a common question was "Why?". This year as I get ready to run 550 miles of the 2400 miles to Fairbanks, again I am asked the same question. Part of the answer is to do something that offers some solitude away from ministry pressure for awhile in order to refocus and get emotionally refreshed in order to do a good job for the next year. I could go sit in a cabin out in the woods by myself and have the solitude but the physical challenge is a key to the time being fully rejuvenating for me. There is something about a very difficult and physically challenging experience that helps keep my passion hot and my vision high for the future. When I turned 55 I was aware of a growing boredom in my life that seemed to lead to a level of apathy that I hadn't experienced in my years of ministry. I fretted over it not wanting to be unfaithful to my calling. These weird and wacky goals have really worked for me to help keep me young in my head. When I finished my 48 State motorcycle ride I remember thinking, wow, I think I can effectively Pastor until I am 100. I realize there is a level of risk involved in them, but that seems to be part of the formula in these goals working in my life.