Too Many Dreams

     Introduction:

     So the plan was to fly through Illinois at 50 mpd or more, passing through Memphis and landing comfortably in New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras. But through gettin' knocked all around by The Wind, the ever increasing cold nights, and the added weight I've taken on, I must have put a little too much stress on my joints. My knee starts hurting after just about 15 miles of riding or so. Is The Universe just trying to tell me to slow down, or can my body not keep up with how hard I've learned to push it?
     Maybe both! I am now in Carbondale, a cool little college town just on the border of Southern and Northern Illinois. In a way, I did beat The Cold, as I'm in a significantly different temperament than Chicago and Connecticut. But I'd like to admit without complaining, getting here was tough—and it cost me. With my knee the way it is I'm sort of stuck here, though I could keep leap frogging South through Memphis, or start cutting West through Missouri.
     Every choice has an infinite amount of consequences, most of which I cannot hope to see or predict. I suppose that's true for everyone though, all the time. We just learn not to think about it so much.

     The Wind has been relentless.
     The Cold has been slowly breaking me down.
     And I've just been carrying Too Much Stuff.
I can't be everywhere at once
I can't be everyone at once
I can't escape My Path
And no one can catch The Wind.

     Gifts From The Road:

     Pictures:

 Sunsets out here are always great.

Didn't quite capture The Stars here

I Love this open space!

 Another Windy Day

 What and Who

 When you stop to take a rest
You definitely want to try to take a break at a little Magical Place

If you can find 'em

 The Universe is always talking to us.

 Exactly

Circles are generally good things!

 Found a Way to cross this Lake

 Every Day is a New Day.

 I am not alone.

 Sleep in the spooky old barn?
Hmmmm... Naaaaaaah!

And instead I find myself at a spooky school in the middle of the night!

 At least it has a nice name
Right No War

 "LionHeart, you're a jerk!"
"No I'm a bike lol!"

 Ladybugs have been guiding me recently
Thanks lil' buddies!

 So many choices
All the time

 That's part of being Free
You take what you can carry
And Let Go of the rest

Found a little spot to contemplate through/survive the night

 My current "fortune"
As in, my collection of Lucky Quarters

I'm a rich man!

 But it's a lot of work luggin' all these dreams around.

 I can't hold on to everything.

 I can't ask for everything.

 I can't go everywhere.
I have to choose.
And what I don't keep I have to Let Go of.

 I worry, too much, that I'll make the wrong decisions
and find myself
stuck, broke, defeated
in some place I don't want to be.

Really I just need to take my own advice
Love More. Worry Less.

My Mind and My Heart must come into sync

What I need to find
Is West
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfMlDPxOS_c

And whatever happens
Wherever I end up

I'll just have to accept it as it is

 But I hope I can leave a path of goodness in my wake

This is cool!

Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind!

 Different pieces of myself

I'm collecting more out here

Good to know!

I reached Carbondale, IL
and made a new friend, Amar!
He helped me find a place to stay that night.
Thanks Amar!
I hope I see you again soon!

My new brother Tyler petting Zig-Zag the cat

I liked this a lot

Another new bro Mason and I track animals on his land.

Then Mason gives me a few lessons on Mushroom Hunting

This is some Hen of the Woods
Usually edible
This one is just a little too old

You can tell because the bottom has this yellow tinge
That means no good

This one is way too old
Covered in mold and rotting
Use your head!

And this one is a few years old

Mason thinks this one is a Honey Mushroom
But is unsure because it's so late in the season

And then we planted a bush.

It's always a good day when you plant something!

Followed by a nice light meal

Every turn I take leads to another Crossroads.
This is what Freedom is
Being entirely responsible for every decision you make
Every turn you take
Every judgement call

And every time
What you do will come back around
So remember ya'll
keep an eye on the ground
for any Lucky coins ya might pass by.
Ya never know what some people are letting go of.

     Poetry:

     I didn't write this, but I'm getting into Tao and Zen now so here's a sample before I try my own.

     Sit quietly doing nothing,

     spring comes,

     and the grass grows

     by itself.