I know that it may seem odd that my first post is a quote from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, not Teddy, but there is a very good reason. If I reflected on all the things I have ever regretted not doing, the reason has almost always been based on fear. Fear of failure, fear of looking silly, fear of not being liked, fear of losing, fear of winning. Our imaginations can stop us in our tracks by painting a very convincing picture of ourselves crashing and burning, to the point that we become paralyzed by it.

When I read books or blogs of people I admire they usually are based on a time in the authors life where they had to do something different. Even if it disrupted their entire lives they did it because they no longer feared the outcome. They needed change and it was needed now.

I was reminded of this as I stumbled upon a blog to which I have found myself glued. It happened when I overcame a recent fear, the fear of achieving a dream and yet another dream that followed.

To understand, we need to go back to a bedroom of a small boy in Minnesota. When I was young, I fell in love with the Porsche 911 sports car. The design and speed has intrigued me since I was 8 and like many young boys, my room was filled with car posters.  All but one of mine were of Porsche’s. (The required Lamborghini Countach was in my room back then too). By high school, my first girlfriend had to endure many hours of boring conversation as I talked about them. She even was kind enough to go to races with me, where we could watch them fly past as I applauded in admiration.  She looked into my eyes as I watched and told me that if I was ever to get one I would probably be so reckless I would drive it into a tree. Along with being pretty she was also smart and dumped me just before for college.  Heartbroken, I figured she was right and scrapped that dream and replaced it with sailing.

I never bought a Porsche. (afraid to park it, afraid to not afford it, afraid…). When I found the love of my life, I got married and the dream was replaced with reality – being a family man with practical needs like a home, reliable family cars and family vacations. Each time I had some extra money that could be applied to my Porsche dream, I did the right thing and found a family solution: a family sized sailboat, a family sized motor home, paying off bills. In fact, I decided that perhaps I really didn’t want a Porsche because the 4 times I went to buy one, I came home with something else. But real dreams are meant to be stuck on you – they have purpose.

My son went to college and I was working so many hours in my real job and as Teddy that most of my recreational enjoyments had been replaced with work.  The only time I had for any hobby was my commute.  And so the Porsche bug bit again.  I told my wife that I was looking and she had all sorts of reasons why we didn’t need one, and of course she was right.  I had kept the dream secret from her, because thus far I had never acted on it. I promised her that the chances were slim I would find the car I wanted and not to worry.  When I started seriously looking it was a painful process. I had a low budget and high expectations, a combination that seldom works.  But the timing felt right somehow and so I kept on. My future car was waiting for me in Chicago, and with some airfare, a cashiers check and my son by my side, we drove it back to its new Minnesota home.

It’s only new in the sense that it is new to me.  But like most people who have to wait 42 years for a dream to come true, it feels different to overcome my fear of doing it by just doing it. I find myself second guessing my actions constantly, but then I drive and all my pent up apprehensions just melt away. I know “Teddy” in a Porsche is weird.  Welcome to my reality – I am weird.

As soon as it was in the garage I began to dream about a long trip in it. It so happens that in the fall of 2017 is my 25th wedding anniversary and while my bride and I were discussing what we should do, I said, “do you mind if we keep checking things off my bucket list?”.  She listened and agreed.

If you don’t have a bucket list, make one NOW. Stop reading this blog and take out a pencil and paper or open the notes section on your phone.  Research places to go, things to experience.  LIVE LIFE, that’s why you are here on this planet. End of my bully pulpit speech.

My wife and I decided that given our budget, the only fancy part of the trip will be the car. Everything else will need to be frugal.  What it means for us is visiting the National Parks the way they should be visited – camping in them.

Camping with a 911 Porsche means things must be the size of things that will fit into a backpack. I am a hiker, kayaker and bicyle touring guy, so the gear was mostly in place except for the one thing that has changed since I have aged – my need for back support. When my wife and I camp these days, we do so in cots.  Those are way too big for a two week camping adventure of 3000 miles in a 911. Oh, and chairs. I need real ones with a back and where you can sit high off the ground as you admire a fire, for the same reason I need a good bed.  Electronics.  I like to document things with Camera’s – not just one, because there’s video that needs to be taken.  Hiking sticks, can’t forget those, we’ll need those because I am not as nimble as I once was and I have the scars to prove it. You can see the challenge, small car combined with camping comfort. I needed ideas.

One of the things I have learned is that the internet is full of other people who have the same crazy idea as you and they have a need to share their experience, either to tell you how great it is, or to warn you.  Wisdom from others can be your friend and for fearful people, they can be the best way to talk ourselves out of almost anything.  I used my dear friend Google and searched “Camping in a Porsche 911”.  I soon discovered that I am part of a handful of people who own a 911 that would have any interest in camping out of one. Most Porsche group websites recommend small luggage and a Visa card with a high limit.  Most Porsche owners can afford it. For my wife and I, well one out of two ain’t bad.

Those who have done my dream are pretty much like me.  Low budget, blue highway folks who are about the adventure and meeting new friends along the way. That brings me to a blog recommendation I found with my internet search. http://www.Johntesi.com  One of my favorite books is “Blue Highways” by William Least Heat Moon. It is a modern adventure book about the search for ourselves through the connections with others.  John figured this out, and his reflections as he travels with his Porsche meeting people and fly fishing keep me mesmerized.  He questions himself constantly, brings his fears to the surface like a rainbow trout rising as he eyes a juicy fly.  His is the kind of reflective writing that reminds me there is much more to life than the football score.

I recommend the aforementioned book and John’s blog as a way to stop and think and wonder.  My recommendation is that you read them while enjoying a nice beer on a cool porch in a rocking chair.  Absorb the message as you enjoy the scenery. That, after all, is really what life is about.