Elijah-juan, My Brother

My brother Elijah has just undertaken a voyage (more on this later), and in honor of his voyage I am devoting this post to him.

Elijah (Eli for short) is a consummate adventurer, athlete, and an excellent photographer.  Better yet, he is an all around terrific guy.  His talents are many.

(Line Cook at YMCA Camp)

(Jamming with Nieces and Nephews)

Athlete: Eli is a natural athlete and he isn't afraid to take risks that result in broken bones, scrapes, and bruises (maybe this explains all the broken bones, scrapes, and bruises!)  He has always been doing a lot of cool things that make me realize I am a chicken.  Understandably, his willingness to have fun has sometimes had questionable results.

(Eli Tearing up the Skate Park)

(Herb Bauer Snowboarding Competition)

Once Eli, another brother and a friend were rollerblading over by the local supermarket.  Eli must have been 8 years old and someone convinced him that it would be really fun to grab onto the back bumper of a car as it was pulling out of the supermarket parking lot.  Eli thought this was a brilliant idea and went for it.  Because he was so small, he wan't visible in the rearview mirror so the driver didn't have a clue she had an 8 year old attached to her bumper.  The car took off and suddenly Eli was going 25mph and wondering how he was going to let go without taking a tumble.  The speed wobbles got the best of him and that put an end to his joy ride.  Next thing I know, my brother and his friend are bringing Eli home through the door covered in road rash.  He looked like a new terrazzo floor with all the small pebbles embedded in his hands and face.  Of course they wanted a prize for bringing him home alive.  They were duly rewarded.

(Doing an insane flip off a huge rock)

Photographer: Eli has a great eye for composing photographs.  Here is a small selection of some of his great photos.

(Mt. Hood, Oregon)

(Oregon Marina)

(Sailing the Gulf of Mexico- one of my favorites)

Adventurer: Eli has always had an adventurous streak.  One could say this is a Sears family trait.  He has hiked from San Francisco to Los Angeles, spent the winter backpacking and snowboarding around Mt. Hood and Mammoth Lakes, and accompanied us on a sailing regatta from Houston to Corpus Christi, Texas.

(Sailing with Tall Ship Elyssa)

(Into the Wild)

(Bird Whisperer)

(Swimming in the Big Blue 20mi Offshore)

And here is where his latest voyage comes in.  Eli is undertaking a "little biking jaunt" around California.  In his own words he says:

"Through meditation, deep contemplation, and wide open spaces, I seek sanctuary to cultivate [my] understandings more completely, clarify some abstract concepts transcending time and space in [order to achieve] a more unified awareness of the collective consciousness we are all unified in."

Ok, so I had to read that twice and I'm still not sure I understand it.  It sure sounds good though.  I think I have a rough translation: "I will be riding my bike and thinking a lot".

Eli started in Glendale, CA and plans to make his way north via 14 to 395, then on to Mammoth Lakes, over Tioga Pass to Fresno.  Then north to Florence, Oregon via San Francisco and Hwy 101. 
He is on a single speed bicycle loaded with a backpack, sunscreen, water, sunglasses, red ginseng, goji berries, trail mix, and some home made PH balance bars. 

Wish him luck, and if you see him riding around somewhere, tell him I said "hi"!

I will be logging his position on this blog, so stay tuned for his updated location.

His location as of Oct. 7, 2009 at 3:00PM is

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.68814n%20117.4490w  <---click link to see location on map

Eli- I love you loads and I'm glad you are my brother!  Be safe!