The Last Hill Before Home

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Golden Gate Bridge

So this is it. My last day of the ride. 3 months, 8 countries and something like 3,500 miles. This was one of the first views of the bridge along the ride.

What a perfect day!

I gave the bridge a hug..the bridge huged me back...

Outside San Francisco State University

We made it boys!

Alctraz in the background.

Devin, Candice, Scott, John and I dodging traffic in downtown San Francisco.

This was a pretty cool moment. This picture was taken in Daly City. But from here you can see the top of the Golden Gate bridge. When I first saw the bridge I almost lost it. I started gigiling like a kid. Rob was next to me with this huge smile on his face. He thought it was pretty cool to share that experience. I think I said something to Rob like..."wow man...wow...there it is...the bridge...I was wondering what this moment was going to be like."

Getting ready in Pacifica for the big day.

Taking a moment to let it all sink in...

Somewhere along the bridge the guys got caught up and I had a few minutes to just chill before we crossed the bridge.

Its not really the same as riding through downtown San Salvador.

Check out the giant picture that Mike gave me. Its a compilation of some of the best pictures from the trip! What a great present. Coming across the Golden Gate Bridge to my friends and family cheering me on...that will be a day that Ill never forget.

This was an amazing moment!

Peace, Power and Pedal

Aaron

"The Civic Generation"

On my first ride in the US I noticed a USA today headline at a gas station somewhere in San Diego. The headline said something about a new generation, the article called these people the "Civic Generation". Once I got into LA I found the article on the internet. The article talked about a new generation of people. These people are affected by current events like 9/11, these people are inspired by Barack Obama and his message of change and these people, in most cases, lost their jobs because of the current economic crises. I thought this was interesting because this project was inspired by a lot of these topics.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/sharing/2009-04-13-millenial_N.htm

Peace, Power and Pedal

Aaron

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The San Francisco Party!

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all can make it out to the Last Hill Before Home final fundraiser event in San Francisco on Saturday, April 25th. The party is going to be one to remeber. Its goingto be held at Atmospher on Broadway in San Francisco and all proceeds will be going to the school construction project in Jalapa, Guatemala. Live Latin Bands, DJ, photo slide show and a speech that Im a bit nervous about are all part of the program. Check out the link below for more information and to get your tickets online. Act soon because this event will sell out. Hope to see you all there!

This event will be held at Atmosphere - 447 Broadway in San Francisco
http://www.a3atmosphere.com

The Last Hill Before Home is a grassroots fundraising effort aimed at helping raise awareness and money to help make a difference in the lives of children living in poverty.

830pm-10pm Party kicks off with the musical stylings of Gabriel Navia and his band while we welcome Aaron back and celebrate the cause.
http://www.gabrielnavia.com

10pm - 2am DJs Jason Everett and Greg J will be playing the latest house/ hip hop/ top 40/ and mashups in both the mainroom and lounge. Pre-sale tickets are available and highly recommended as we anticipate this event selling out. http://www.lasthillbeforehome.eventbrite.com/

Aaron

Big Sur

Biking along the California coast through Big Sur was probably one of the most challenging and most rewarding rides of the entire trip. It really didnt seem to difficult until looking at the elevation climb and distance travelled. I think thats because it was so nice to have company along the way.

Climbing out of big sur was a two day ride. We all felt like champs once we hit this sign on the other side of the park.

This is a typical seen. Scotty does Iron Man competitions. His bike is super light and he only carries about 20 punds with him. On top of that he doesnt even have a small rig on his gears. He does this to cut down weight. So we usually get a good view of his back side as he flies past us on the hills.

Getting closer.

The views were amazing but that ocean looks a bit colder than the ocean in Costa Rica!

Taking a break after a big climb.

Pushing through the drizzle, the fog and the wind in Big Sur!

The road was amazing!

Scotty and Rob setting up camp in the rain after a 80 mile day.

Some funky little towns along the California coast.

Robs checking the map!

Aaron

Is it only a sign?

This was exciting. The first road sign that pointed the way to San Francisco!

This was actually something that I had dreams about. Where would I be? What would it look like? How far would I be from San Francisco? I was riding along with Rob when I saw it. I looked back down at the road and then I realized that this was it...this was the first San francisco sign Ive seen in forever!

I had to touch it!

Getting close to home!

Aaron

Plan USA

¨Plan is a global partnership of caring people founded in 1937 to bring hope and help to the world’s poorest children.

Plan began as a child sponsorship organization. Today, we are one of the oldest and largest organizations of our kind—our grassroots, self-help programs assist more than 10 million children and their families in poor communities around the world.

We are proudly private, not for profit, and respectful of local religions and cultures—we have no agenda other than helping kids. Plan USA is one of more than 60 national organizations bearing the renowned Plan logo. ¨

Right about the time that I was identifying non profit organizations to work with I received an email from my cousin Joshua. Josh, a meteorologist for the United States Air Force who is living in Germany and currently stationed in Iraq, mentioned that he was now sponsoring a child through Plan USA. He said that it was a small step but a small step in the right direction. He also mentioned that Plan USA was backed by the Better Business Bureau, a point that we both respect. Through various research of my own I found that Plan USA is a prominent NGO and has a great marks from InterAction and the Charities Review Council. Most importantly I found that Plan USA´s mission of ¨striving to achieve lasting improvement in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries¨ linked exactly to my own mission for this fundraising event. Needless to say, it was a great fit.

The Inspiration

¨You must be the change you want to see in the world¨

- Mahatma Gandhi

I love to travel.

I have been lucky enough to throw on a backpack and visit 5 continents. I have been fortunate enough to see some amazing sights. It´s hard not to be inspired when your standing under the rotunda at the Taj Mahal or approaching the Pyramids of Egypt or wandering through the waterfalls at Iguazu in Argentina. These have all been inspiring times.

I also cherish the fact that I have met people from all over the world and been able to learn and share in the differences in cultures. You can learn so much when you share a spicy vietnamese sandwich with a local in Hoi An, when you take a stroll with a friend in a park in Santiago de Chile or gather with pilgrims over a pitcher of sangria at Santiago de Compostella in Spain. I´ve learned a lot and I´m incredibly grateful for all the opportunities.

With all the ups there´s also the downs. Theres another side you see when travelling. This side isn´t shared as much and it can also be quite difficult to talk about. Many countries, especially in the developing worlds, face many problems. HIV/AIDS, pollution, over population, lack of clean drinking water, dangerous living conditions and of course people living under $1 a day are just a few of the issues to mention.

I have wandered through the ghetto´s of Bangkok, I played stick games with the kids in the slums of Mumbai and seen the horrible living conditions of the street beggars in La Paz. While these encounters were only brief they still had a profound affect on me. Somehow, I draw inspiration from these encounters and connections. In so many situations these people who seemed to have nothing, were still smiling, still playing and still trying with all their means to get by. If only I had that much courage!

It was culture shock and it hurt.

I feel that now is the time to give back.

I encourage you to leave comments on this blog. Every word of positivity will help me along my journey. I encourage you to pass the message forward. Together we can help make a change for the kids that need it most. Finally, I encourage you to donate. There´s an icon on the top right hand corner of this blog that will direct you to a third party site that facilitates the donations. Its totally secure and safe. I appreciate all the love and positivity that I´m already recieving, of course this is not possible without people who want to help make a difference.

I don´t think that I´ll necessarily change the world, after all I´m just a 28 year old guy from San Francisco. But, I do want to give back. I do want to help. I have the opportunity so why not use it to help the children in the world who don´t have the same chances.

Now is the time to ¨be the change¨.

The Goal

In riding my bike from Panama City to San Francisco, I am initiating a grassroots fundraising effort to help raise money to feed starving children in Central and South America. All proceeds will go to PLAN USA. My goal is to raise a minimum of 15,000 dollars. In doing so I also hope to bring the plight and struggle of these children into the concious of the public, as well as their profound sense of life, courage, hope and faith. Their undeniable love for life, and ability to continue to dream.

Donate today http://www.firstgiving.com/lasthillbeforehome

I Believe

When taking on a mission like this it´s important to create a set of ideals, principles or beliefs. The task at hand is by no means going to be easy. These 7 beliefs are truly the fundamentals that will help me along my journey.

I Believe...

- In Plan USA. Plan´s clearly defined mission of ¨striving to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries¨, is possible with the support from us if we are willing to make a difference today.

- In grassroots charitable efforts. Dedicated individual leaders and community outreach groups are fighting the growing problems of poverty.

- In the power of communication and information. Plan´s key programs of ¨growing up healthy, learning, habitat, livelihood and building relationships¨, are possible by making a donation and passing the message forward.

- Riding a bike from Panama City to San Francisco will raise awareness to the fight against poverty.

- In outdoor adventure travel. Riding is one of the positive and healthy activities that plants confidence into any individual.

- In the power of synergy. A group with a common mission driven by creativity and passion can accomplish any set of goals.

- A dream, a bike and a regular guy from San Francisco can help make a change in the lives of children whom need it most.

The Last Hill Before Home

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Golden Gate Bridge

"The Civic Generation"

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The San Francisco Party!

Big Sur

Is it only a sign?

OUR FINAL EVENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donate Today!

Join our Cause on Facebook

Social Networking groups's

Pics from the road

Sponsor a Child

Visit Plan USA

About Me

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The Map

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Plan USA

The Inspiration

Mission

The Goal

I Believe

The Crew

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