Setting off on my journey a couple days ago was quite the freeing feeling. You could certainly see the excitement all over my face! Heading into the unknown is something I always [enjoy](http://static1.squarespace.com/static/6352c258b2426c0f533b8e29/6359d656c32ef9690e15b67c/6359d676c32ef9690e15bab4/1666831990550/?format=original). It can be scary at times, but once you understand it is simply a matter of time before fear becomes pleasure, life can really start unfolding for you! Here is how my journey begins!
First stop: East Granby, CT
I headed to East Granby, CT to see my friend Nate, who showed me some pretty amazing backroads around the area. These roads gave me some good opportunities to really lean the bike with all the weight, and see how it feels! One cannot describe the feeling that arises when leaning a bike fully loaded. Hopefully you can try it for yourself one day!
Our motorcycles pre ride
It was so great catching up with Nate in his new home. A really beautiful place he truly earned. I wish him and his wife, Angie, all the best on their new journey together. Plenty of room in the backyard for toys and for dog [zoomies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64X4cuAR2fI)!
Stamford
After a 3.5 hour ride I made it to a part of New York I did not even know existed. Anytime I thought of New York, I thought of city and nonstop motion. Stamford was the total opposite.
I arrived by the welcoming of 7 dogs, all eager to check out a new visitor. Cathy, Dennis, Martha, and Barbara followed behind the dogs, where I was welcomed with open arms and some really good food. The reality is, these wonderful people did not know me at all. The only thing they knew about me was I worked with a friend of theirs!
Stamford, New York
My favorite thing..
You know what it is! Eating! We joined at the dinner table over food and started sharing stories. I learned they have all lived pretty amazing lives! Martha had traveled the world while working on a cruise ship, and had nothing but nice things to say about my travels. She met a lot of great people on her journey, and told me I would experience the same!
Dennis and Cathy shared stories of when they used to work with my co-worker, Chuck. Pretty crazy stuff they experienced back in the day at that job!
When dinner finished, Cathy brought out a favorite desert of Greek’s all over the world! A big pan of homemade baklava. She put her own spin on this amazing treat. Instead of using honey, which can be a little heavy and thick at times, she used MAPLE SYRUP! Are you kidding? I didn’t even know this was possible. This was definitely the best baklava I have ever had (but don’t tell my aunts this).
The house was beautiful, and Dennis did a great job building it to what it is today. He even used some of the old lumber from the farmhouse as studs inside. A really nice touch if you ask me!
It was simply too nice of a night to stay inside. I set up my tent by the base of their 250 acre property, and took in the full moon and the howling coyotes. With the seven dogs, I knew I was safe from any kind of animal that would want to come my way. I slept very well that night, and awoke to a very big breakfast. Loads of bacon and eggs for the family. Needless to say, everything was eaten pretty quickly.
Stamford from above
Dennis decided to take me around the property on the ATVs, where he brought me to this view:
Bird’s eye view of Stamford, New York
One of the dogs followed us all the way to the top of the mountain! You could tell he was getting gassed, but wanted to stay with the pack. On the way down the mountain, the dog was trailing REALLY far back. I was getting nervous, not knowing if he knew his way. Dennis told me he knows all 250 acres around here, and he’d cut through the woods to make it home. He even beat us there with the shortcut he took! My journey began with one of the many beautiful views I am sure I will see on this trip!
A big farewell
I truly could not have asked for a more welcoming first night. As much as I wanted to stay for a few extra days for their family reunion, I was too eager to continue on my journey. I look forward to seeing these amazing people again in the future! Their hospitality shows what a great family this is, letting a stranger into their home and feeding him some of his favorite meals.
‘Til next time,
Pete – A Traveling Teacher
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The fact my journey began the way it did, with such incredible people, only affirmed my thoughts of how this trip would go from the start. As I look back, I am forever grateful of how my first few days went on this journey.