A River Runs Through It

By Frosty Wooldridge

Brad Pitt starred in a movie 30 years ago: “A River Runs Through It.” The general theme revolved around two brothers and their father fly-fishing in the Montana Mountains. It stuck with me for the past three decades. Did the movie examine the fishermen or the river?

When fly-fishing in the Colorado Mountains, I understand the magic of moving water. I appreciate the solitude of Nature’s profound grace in all seasons. I revel in the grand scheme of wildflower splendor. John Muir said it best, “The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love.”

Every time I ride “Condor” on major touring adventures, I fancy a feeling that the concrete or gravel beneath my tires represents a “meandering river—-thrilling, tingling, vibrating and enhancing every cell in my body as I follow it toward the horizon.” The journey offers colorful sights, amazing skies, tremendous sunsets and captivating campfires.

As in the photograph of this vignette, I got up at 4:30 a.m. to ride up the “Road Going to the Sun” in Glacier National Park, Montana. The mist captured my heart as it weaved its way through the glowing rays of the rising sun over St. Mary’s Lake. Once on the road, with no traffic at that hour, I spread my emotional wings for a flight into never-never land, much like Peter Pan.

Such moments create a romantic-emotional-spiritual connection between you and the universe. Such moments thrill your very being. Such moments let you know you live at the highest level of energy, love, joy and peace.

Yes, I talk to Condor on my travels. I thank him. I thank people along the way. I appreciate everyone and everything. I especially appreciate that asphalt river beneath my pedals for it gives me wings to fly across all the continents on this wondrous planet.

Frosty Wooldridge, on tour, Glacier National Park, Road Going to the Sun, Condor resting by a river raging beneath the snowfields in July.

“Any baby boomers out there, about 80 million of you, who worked your butts off your whole lives bringing up a family, paid the bills and did what you were supposed to do? It’s time for you to live your own dreams. If you love bicycling, this band of old guys knows how to have a good time. But it’s more than cycling: the author encourages retirees to follow their dreams by backpacking, skiing, sailing, canoeing, painting, pottery making and just about anything that turns you on to your own life. On this journey, these cycling dudes pedal, sing, camp, joke and they laugh a lot. What did I like best about Wooldridge’ tale? He showed me that I can pedal my own bike across the country. This is a hell of a great read. Buy it. Learn from it. Then, go do it yourself. He’s got everything you need to know at the back of his book. It’ll be the best thing you’ve done in your life. And, he tells you how to buy an E-bike with electric assist, so your wife and you can enjoy cycling adventures together. You truly will live, as Wooldridge said, ‘On the edge of wonder.’” Herman Jackson

“This book brings incredible energy to any reader, male or female, young or old. It’s got so much wisdom and inspiration. I couldn’t help but feel like I could conquer the world while reading this book. It really delves into living at what the author calls, “high vibrational frequency living.” When you create adventures in your life, big or small, short term or long term, you live on that “edge of wonder” that the author speaks about. I didn’t realize it until I finished the book. That’s why I read it twice to cement his concepts into my mind. Great reading and compelling prose.” Harold Morgan

Latest book published in 2020: Zen Between Two Bicycle Wheels: Eat, Pedal, Sleep by Frosty Wooldridge, amazon.com and ph 1 888 519 5121

Newest book: Old Men Bicycling Across America: A Journey Beyond Old Age, available on Amazon or ph. 1 888 519 5121

Living Your Spectacular Life by Frosty Wooldridge, Amazon or ph. 1 888 519 5121

FB page: How to Live A Life of Adventure: The Art of Exploring the World

Website: www.HowToLiveALifeOfAdventure.com

Email Frosty: [email protected]