RaeRay's Great Adventure began as a gift. Ray would be turning 60 soon, and he decided that the greatest present he could give himself was a cross-country adventure. He had driven across the land while in college. A few years later, he had bought a 30-day bus ticket and criss-crossed the continent a second time. That was nearly 40 years ago. Things had changed.
When he mentioned the adventure to his wife, she was appalled. She would have no part of it. His youngest daughter had the same reaction. Not so with his oldest daughter, Rae. She immediately signed on. About nine months have passed, and the constellations are finally lined up for the adventure to begin. Ray and Rae will record it here for everyone to follow.
Ray discovered a poem during his time in college. It was called "Song of the Open Road" by Walt Whitman. It began: "Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me; the long brown path before me leading wherever I choose." It became his bible for many years. The end of the poem has been used as a wedding vow by many. It was in a long-ago movie -- maybe "Love Story." RaeRay issues this same invitation:
"Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law;
Will you give me yourself? will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?"
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