Casa Robino

there is a road calling my name
I’m not too sure where this one will lead, I guess I haven’t thought it out that far
but I feel it in my toes, as they curl and tap in unsettlement
and I see it in my thumb as it lifts itself as if to practice the movement to come
and I wonder if through all their fear they hear my tails of excitement
and I know that something wonderful is waiting for me on that road.

“I will ride my bicycle around the World.” With an audible power, these words drew a fantasy into the realm of possibility.

People wanted estimates, people wanted answers. “What's your plan?” they asked.
“Plan? What plan? I told you – I will ride my bike around the world. That's the only plan.”

The only thing I knew for certain was that nothing is certain. On September 15, 2007, with a bike and a passport, I left my beloved Wisconsin. I went East on two wheels, food for fuel and freedom for breath.

Somewhere past Norfolk, Virginia, I discovered an ocean in my way. “What do I do now?” Deep inside, I knew I wouldn't fly across it. Airplanes are just too damaging to the environment, and besides, they move too fast.

So I went down to the docks to look for a boat.

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We were driving north on the North Island of New Zealand, entering the Waipoua Forest that houses the largest kauri trees in the world, when we first spotted these interesting looking backpackers along the road. We were going to give them a ride, but we were too late as the car in front of us got them first.

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