There is no substitute for enthusiasm

One of my favorite things is sharing something I am passionate about with someone new. I often get too wrapped up in how the other person is enjoying the activity, movie, song, story, whatever...rather than enjoying it myself and letting them have their own experience.

I have, on more than one occasion, eagerly taken a fresh-faced, trusting individual on an outdoor excursion that left them with a permanent desire to remain indoors for the rest of their natural life. I have since discovered that perhaps I should temper my intensity + exuberance and lighten the fuck up and give them the space to actually have their own experience. 

So now when I have the opportunity to share something that ignites my spirit, I try and do so with a little more serenity and acceptance. But there are those rare times, when I meet a a person who gets as excited about an anthill as I do. And all of a sudden I am free to thoroughly and intensely enjoy my passion and totally share the experience with them, with no ifs attached. 

Today was one of those opportunities. Kazuto is visiting California from Japan for the first time and has never mountain biked before...imagine where this is going.

It is such a treat when things are easy. When you can give freely and be inspired by someone else's sheer joy and gratitude because everything is new. I think everyone should share their experiences with someone from another culture, country, religion, ethnicity...whatever, because Kazuto's enthusiasm renewed my joy in what often feels less like an adventure and more like training. If you're looking for a international activity buddy, I feel like the bus station is probably a solid place to start, and not remotely dangerous. Anywho...

So Kaz and I headed out to Crockett Hills Park and rode what had to be the bumpiest singletrack I have encountered...I forgot that the combination of mud and cow hooves makes the dirt dry like a very unzen rock garden and makes you feel like your in a paint mixing machine. 

After all the bouncing we made it to the head of the flow trail and Kaz got to experience his first pseudo-downhill pump + jump trail. To his credit he stayed on the whole time and even made it through the mud hole at the end. We rested at the edge of the trail and just enjoyed the exhilaration of the ride and the peacefulness of being totally surrounded by nature. 

We hoofed back up to the top and rode back to the trailhead having had a thoroughly enjoyable and exhausting time. As we drove back, he shared with me how much fun he had and how different it was from his bike trips traveling around the roads of southern Japan. We had quite the adventure and the whole deal took about three hours. No wonder people don't seem to leave California. 

Until the next adventure...if you need to reach me I'll be at the bus station. JF