Tasha's Great Adventure
Tasha had the most amazing opportunity yesterday to meet an incredible young man. His name is Chris Figureida and he is currently riding his bike from Vancouver Washington to Key West, Florida. He stopped at the deli where she was working for a sandwich and they struck up a conversation and then when she got off work they continued talking for several hours. 
His mission statement is: "To engage people - and especially kids, our leaders of tomorrow - to know that they can make a difference too - starting with themselves and healthy habits. Every day." As he travels across the country, Chris has the opportunity to speak at many schools where he not only shares his adventures, but challenges them to get healthy. He states: “Studies have proven that healthy, nutritional and active lifestyles can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s my hope that by raising critical research funds and awareness about prevention, I can help make a positive difference. So, starting in Neah Bay Washington this fall, I will bicycle from the Northwest across America to Key West Florida. My 4200-mile journey will last 3 months and includes stops at local schools, media outlets, state capitals, and city halls to educate on the importance of nutrition and an active, healthy lifestyles.”
Chris told Tasha many of his travel adventures in his life that were truly unbelievable – in fact he pulled out his passport at one point to prove to her that he had honestly traveled in so many exotic places and experienced so many phenomenal things. He says on his website: “I have ridden elephants in Thailand, watched lions and hyenas walk around my tent in the Serengeti, kayaked in the Sea of Cortez, hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, watched the sun rise over Africa from the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, dove in the Channel Islands, seen Cambodia from the back of a pickup truck, fed giraffes in Kenya, walked the beaches of Zanzibar, driven the Alaskan Highway, canyoneered slot canyons in Zion, and chased trains all over Europe from Greece to Sweden.”
Obviously, Tasha was in awe the entire time she was talking with Chris. He was extremely fascinating, but even more than that, he was a true gentleman. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Tasha and one that I’m sure that she will never forget. If you interested in reading about Chris, please go to his website: http://www.cycleforheart.org/
Comments
Tasha was generous and kind. I enjoyed hanging out with her and being shown around Brigham City. After many days on the bike crossing southern Idaho and northern Utah, and spending so much time with only my own thought to keep me company, it's an exhilarating feeling to speak to, see, and hang out with someone. I am fortunate that Tasha was that "someone".