American Road Trip – Part 2 – Yosemite National Park
Wow wow wow! This is the only way I can describe the beautify of Yosemite National Park.
After the beautiful San Francisco myself and the other two amigos drove to the awesome Yosemite national park. As I’ve said many times before nature played a massive part in helping me get through my chemo and I feel instantly more alive when I’m around any type of natural beauty. I was a bit run down when I was in San Francisco but as soon as we got to Yosemite I felt instantly better.
The Americans were the ones who first came up with the idea of protecting areas of natural beauty and always maintain that it was their best idea. Yellowstone park was the world’s very first National and Yosemite wasn’t very far behind.
I’ve seen so many wonderful natural sights over the past 12 months but Yosemite has to be the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced. The park is enormous with spectacular granite cliffs, huge waterfalls, endless forests and my favourite, the Giant Sequoia trees.
These trees can grow up to 300 ft tall and can live for up to 3000 years. They are amazing. (Have a look at the size of the people in the pics compared to the trees. Crazy big!)
The famous half dome of Yosemite also had me standing in awe. I’ve taken quite a few pics of it as you’ll see in this album. This massive granite rock rises over 4737 ft above the valley floor and is just stunning. It’s also the logo for The North Face clothing company which is something I only just found out. (good knowledge for pub quizzes there).
Just as I thought the world couldn’t get any more beautiful Yosemite National Park came into my life. This is definitely one for your lists!
Next stop, the hottest place on earth, Death Valley!
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Thing #67 – Go on an American Road Trip – Part 1 – San Francisco
A new edition to my list after I was kindly invited by a couple of friends (Jim and Dave) to join them on a dream road trip around the western part of the US. I’m feeling very lucky to be here and even luckier to be able to share these wonderful experiences with friends. This was never something I planned on doing but I’m so happy I am. It’s lovely to have someone else do the organising for once. I don’t have to worry about where I am staying, what bus I need or how I get to places. I feel like I can relax a bit more here. The guys have organised an amazing itinerary and I’ve been managing to stay of the ‘right’ side of the road so far!:)
First stop on the trip was the beautiful San Francisco where I met up with the boys. Unfortunately I wasn’t very well in San Francisco so I’m not sure I got the best out of the city. I’ve been feeling wiped out since my charity bike ride and it all came to a head in San Fran in the form of stomach issues, a cold and fatigue. If I’m completely honest sleep and a diner called Lori’s were my most favourite things but I had a lovely time and visited Alcatraz prison, Muir woods which are home to the giant redwood trees (some were hugged) and also saw the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
I also bought my very first souvenir when I was at Alcatraz. I don’t usually buy souvenirs and in the 11 months I’ve been travelling I haven’t bought a single one but this one caught my attention and I bought it without even hesitating. I bought a baseball with Alcatraz written on it. One of my most favourite things has always been throwing and catching a ball. I can’t explain why but I could do it for hours and since buying it I can’t put it down. As soon as I bought it I threw away the box and started throwing it around. I always wanted a dog so I’d have someone to throw a ball to on a daily basis. Ha! I might add that one to my list for when I get home.
We’ve just arrived in the awe inspiring Yosemite National Park and I can already feel my energy levels rising. Maybe it’s something about me and cities these days. I just feel better and more alive when I’m around nature these days.
Lots more pics to come gang.
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Life after loss
When in New York my mum and I went to visit the newly opened 9/11 Memorial museum. We went along with my friend Anna and her baby daughter Amelie.
I don’t think I need to write too much about what happened on the 11th September 2001. It’s without doubt one of the most horrific things to have ever occurred and is etched into the memory of every living soul who was alive when it happened.
The museum is located underneath where the two towers once stood and tells the story of that fateful day but also how everyday people turned into heroes to save others. As Barak Obama said at the opening it tells the story of “co workers who led others to safety, passengers who stormed a cockpit, men and women who charged into an inferno”.
I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be when I saw the memorial site. Is it something I would want to be reminded of? But I was really surprised at how beautiful it is. The areas where the towers once stood are now beautiful fountains with the names of those who lost their lives inscribed around them. The people of the untied states do not want to forget this tragic day. The museum is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking.
Having little Amelie there added a new dimension to my visit. She has taken a bit of shine to me and likes to call out ‘Geg’ at every given opportunity. When she sees me her little face lights up. One minute I’d be looking at these heartbreaking images and stories and the next I’d hear ‘Geg…Geg’. I’d look down and there was this little beautiful face smiling back at me completely oblivious to all the horror that had occurred that day 13 years ago. It was lovely having her there as once again it was that little reminder that at this present moment all is well and there is a lot of love and hope for the future.
Something that has stayed with me since I visited the museum was hearing a voice message left by one of the victims of Flight 175 for his wife. Believing he was going to die this amazing man called Brian Sweeney phoned his wife and left a voice message telling her that he “absolutely loved” her and wanted her to “do good and have good times”. A selfless message saying that he wanted her and his family to be happy without him.
As heartbreaking as that message is, it is also lovely because he loved his wife so much he wanted her to be happy again and not spend the rest of her days being sad that he was no longer there.
I have met and received messages from people who have lost loved ones far to early in their lives. Some have told me that when they find themselves feeling happy it sometimes makes them feel bad because they their loved one is no longer with them. As I’ve said before I believe happiness is our ultimate goal in life. It the right for everyone to experience this but many struggle to find it. If I hadn’t survived cancer I would definitely wanted my family to ‘go and do good and have fun times’. I certainly wouldn’t want to think of them being sad and angry all the time and not enjoying life.
As heart breaking as Brian’s message to his wife is, it’s also lovely because he got to tell her that there is still a life after tragedy and that it’s ok to feel happy afterwards.
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Into the West
Well it’s fair to say that I was a bit knackered after last weeks amazing bike ride. My brother flew home the day after the ride and went straight from the airport and into work (the guy is a machine…or just crazy) and my mum and I headed to New York to stay with our wonderful friends. It was so wonderful to see my brother and mum after so long away.
What was planned as a 3 day sightseeing frenzy of New York before my mum headed home on Friday actually turned into a sleeping, coffee shop visiting and chatting in the park extravaganza. Both mum and I were absolutely exhausted from the weekends shenanigans so we decided to do our favourite thing of sitting around with a cuppa and watching the world go by.
I have just touched down in San Francisco on the west coast of the US. This is a place I’ve wanted to visit ever since I first saw the film Escape from Alcatraz.
As ever I can’t believe I’m here now (I may have said that a lot in the past 11 months).
When I told people I was coming a couple of my friends got in touch and told me they were coming to the states for a holiday and asked if I fancied joining them. So I got a cheap last minute flight and will meet my pals Dave and Jim tomorrow. They have hired a car and the plan is to go on a three week road trip with me as a stowaway!:) First stop San Francisco, then Yosemite Park, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and then Vegas baby! I can’t wait for Vegas as I am due to give a talk at a school…. I’m probably more excited about the talk than actually going to Vegas!
Hoping to bring you lots of amazing pictures and stories in the coming weeks gang. Jim is a photographer so get ready for some amazing photos.
Oh, and I thought you might be getting bored of pictures of me with my arms up in air by now so here is one of my mum instead!:)
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The persuit of happiness
As those of you who have read my website or have joined me on my adventure over the past year will know I wasn’t a very happy chappy a couple of years ago.
Gripped by thought of cancer returning (or never actually leaving), suffering from insomnia and caked in eczema I felt like the world was falling down around me. The limited future I saw for myself was ridden with illness and suffering. After months of therapy, anti depressants and eventually the break up of my relationship I knew the time had come for drastic measures. I could either change my life or live in a world of fear for the rest of whatever life I chose to give myself.
It was then that 101 Things to Do When You Survive was born. I made a list of cool stuff I always wanted to see and do and as I planned my trip I started to feel better. I slept, my skin cleared up and I found my smile. I was back to being Greig before I even left on my pursuit of happiness.
The thing is, travelling for such a long time is not really my thing. I love seeing all these wonderful things but I find when I get there the thing I enjoy the most is wondering what you guys will think when you see my pictures or watch my videos. How will it make you feel and most of all will you imagine yourself doing it in the ‘future’.
Without you guys my trip would have ended about 6 months ago. I’m a homebody at heart, I like routine, believe it or not I’m an introvert and I love being around my family.
When I was riding this weekend, tired and in pain I thought about people experiencing illness seeing what I’d done and then believing they could do it too. That’s what kept me going, especially on the Saturday when I rode 86 miles over a long 10hrs 30mins. That’s why I had to finish, so I could show others that there is life after cancer.
People came up to me afterwards and told me how I’d inspired them by what I’d done. Some people who had never done the ride said they would have a go at the ride next year after seeing me do it. That was the best feeling of all because they saw a normal guy who on paper sounds like a medical nightmare do something extraordinary and then they believed they could do it too. Its the best feeling.
We are all searching for things that make us happy. I thought seeing the world would make me happy but it turns out that happiness for me is actually helping and inspiring others. This is what gives me that little excited butterfly feeling in my stomach. I didn’t experience that feeling for a long time. I missed that feeling very much and I’m so grateful to have found it again.
That same guy who was once gripped by fear and sadness only 2 years ago has just been voted on to a ‘Happy List‘.
This is a list complied by the Independent on Sunday newspaper. A list made up of 100 people in the UK who ‘make life better for others’. Founded as an antidote to all those rich lists and celebrity lists, it celebrates a different set of values, embracing those who start charities, help troubled youngsters, give huge amounts of time to volunteering and raising money, foster children, care for wildlife, and much more.
I don’t often share any press on here but apart from feeling completely honoured, I wanted to use this to illustrate that there is a way out of a world of anxiety and depression. And please believe me when I say you don’t need to travel the world to do this.
I can’t emphasise enough that I am just a normal person who is not special in the slightest. If I can get through these physical and psychological battles then you can too. Just keep searching, keep fighting and in every sense of the term, never stop trying to get better.
Thank you so much to everyone who voted me onto this list alongside all these amazing people. I’m feeling ridiculously honoured and happy at this very moment which is the only moment that matters.
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Link to article
Two bits of amazing news
Amazing News 1
As much as I’m looking forward to the ride on Saturday I’ve also been dreading it. 140 miles in two days on one weeks training! The last weeks training has been hard work and a complete shock to my system as I’ve never really done any long distance bike riding before.
But I now have the best source of energy ever… My mum and big brother are coming over to support me on the ride. My mum is going to volunteer and my brother is going to ride next to me.
I can’t even begin to describe how excited I am. I haven’t seen them in over 11 months and have missed them like crazy. I only wish my dad could make it over as well.
My brother and I have never done anything like this together before. He has always been the one undertaking these kind of crazy challenges with me usually looking at him in awe. It will be an amazing experience to have him ride next to me and I know he will help me achieve what is without doubt my biggest challenge yet.
Amazing News 2
I am going to volunteer at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in July. I am so honoured to be able to do this as this is the type of healing that I believe to be the most effective, having fun and experiencing joy!
Every person I have spoken to here in the states has raved about this camp and the great things it does for seriously ill children.
A little bit about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
The camp’s founder, actor Paul Newman wanted a place that ensured that every child with a serious medical condition had the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer. Kids who are normally unable to swim because of their condition can swim, kids that feel isolated because of their condition get to be around others who are going through the same thing.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp community provides this unique healing experience to kids in need and their families, including those who may not be able to come to Camp.
There are now Hole in Wall Gang Camps all over the world. With unobtrusive expert medical care, it was Paul’s dream that Camp would provide seriously ill children with a fun-filled experience defined by compassion, laughter and acceptance.
The best thing is… it works! Parents see a marked change in their child when they go home from camp, healing white blood cells increase ten fold and the best thing of all…a child who is seriously ill is taken out of their worry filled life and gets to experience pure joy for a week.
An amazing place and I’m honoured to be part of it.
I would be so grateful if you could help me raise money for this wonderful cause and sponsor me for the ride. Please see link below:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
Thank you all so much
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Training update and the dreaded Ivan Dragos (Hills)
I’ve now been here in Connecticut for one week which means I’ve had a total of one weeks training before the big ride next weekend. I don’t regret a single thing about coming here and signing up for this charity bike ride at such short notice but I’m now wishing I had more time to train.
I’ve never done anything like this before and believe me I am exhausted. I’ve been riding an average of 20 miles a day which is a good way short of the 80 miles that is needed to complete the first day of Angelride. I have an even greater respect for the guys that complete the Tour de France now.
Today I finally mastered the gears on my bike and learned how to unclip from my pedals after learning the hard way from two minor wipeouts!
A few people here have been telling me how hard this ride actually is and that I shouldn’t expect to finish on my first attempt… which makes me want to finish it even more! 🙂 I’m not going to lie, yesterday’s hills were a killer and my legs are struggling to get going but I really want to finish this one. I keep thinking back to 3 years ago when I could barely walk down the road and now here I am about to ride 140 miles in 2 days!
The hills are going to be my biggest worry on the ride. I’ve named the hills ‘Ivan Dragos’ after Dolph Lungrens character in a Rocky IV! This has inspired me to make a Training Montage video which should be hilarious. Just think Rocky minus the big muscles! 🙂 I’ve attached a screenshot picture from my video which shows a drawing of me on a hill as a homage to Rocky. Rocky has a picture of Ivan Drago (his nemesis) on his mirror in the film to inspire him to train harder! Yes, I’m that sad!:) (Rocky wins in the end by the way so the picture thing worked)
A massive thank you to all those who have sponsored me so far. If you would like to sponsor me and help raise money for the Hole in Wall gang camp which is a camp for seriously ill children then please see the link below.
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
This camp let’s kids with serious illness be kids again and experience joy. Something I believe to be the best medicine of all. They also have a hospital outreach program which sends the fun to hospitals for kids that are too ill to attend camp.
Tests have shown that the children’s disease fighting white cells are much higher at the end of camp so if you are feeling a bit run down or ill get out there and have some fun or as Paul Newman said when he created the camp ‘raise hell’!:)
Training montage video coming soon!
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A very warm welcome to connecticut, my first training ride and a message from Bear Grylls
I arrived in Connecticut yesterday to an unbelievable welcome. I have to say I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. These kind people have built me a bike to use, donated equipment and a wonderful family have even given me their daughter’s beautiful apartment to use up until the big ride.
I still can’t quite believe it and find myself looking around to see who they have made all this fuss for. Such generous welcoming people and I am so honoured to be here and ride and raise money for this wonderful cause.
I went on my first training ride today on my new bike. I certainly looked the part in all my kit but was completely petrified of how tough I might find it. I went on two rides and managed around 20 miles in total. Add another 60 miles to that and I have the first day of Angelride sorted! Yikes! The good news is I only fell off my bike once! 🙂 oops!
To add to this amazing experience I woke up this morning to the most wonderful emails from two of my heroes, my childhood doctor Prof. Alan Craft and Bear Grylls. They had heard what I was doing and wanted to wish me luck for the ride.
Bear wrote –
“Well done Greig- an epic mission and for an amazing cause- you are a man who has battled to overcome great adversity and I am sure you will conquer this challenge too! You are an inspiration.”
I am feeling blessed and humbled at this very moment. I hope I don’t let anyone down and can complete what is my biggest challenge yet.
Whatever happens, I will never forget this experience and I’m so happy to be here and raise money which will help seriously ill children smile and feel better.
Thank you to all you amazing people that have already sponsored me. I am so grateful for your support. A massive thank you to Lynn, Andy, Fred, Chaleen and Brian for making me feel so welcome.
If you’d like to sponsor me please see the link below:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
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Rio de Janeiro and Thing #24
I was lucky enough to spend my final 4 days in South America seeing the amazing Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.
From what I hear Rio has been in the news back home recently for all the wrong reasons. Even my mum emailed me and asked me not go there. That was the first time she had ever done that.
Obviously Rio has it’s issues but when I got there I was overwhelmed by how friendly people were. People went out of their way to help me. One guy even left his stall and walked right down the street to make sure I got to where I was going. I was greeted by smiles wherever I went and I never felt unsafe.
I took a tour around the biggest favela in Brazil and experienced nothing but happy friendly people. Zezinho, who runs the tour is a long term resident to Rocinha favela and has opened up his own DJ school to help kids in the community. The favela has restaurants, paved paths, electricity, shops and a sense of community that you don’t really experience anymore. The mail is delivered to a barber shop and left in a box outside and people check to see if they have anything when they pass. (See pics)
Rio was again a place I couldn’t believe I was in when I was there. It’s one of those magical places that you only get to see on TV so when I ticked off Thing #24 and stood at the feet of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue I couldn’t quite believe it. It was amazing and better than I ever imagined….even if he did steal my 101 pose!:)
I went up sugar loaf mountain, watched the sun set on Inpanema beach, met an amazing bunch of new pals and stayed in a hostel with a hammock and the best terrace view in rio…..not bad for £12 a night!:)
A wonderful way to end an amazing trip around South America and another example of how the news doesn’t quite show the world as it really is.
Definitely a place to add to your list!
Brazil, I wish I had more time to explore you but there’s a 140 mile bike ride with my name on it!
I’ll see you again one day!
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Training for Angel ride begins in New York City
First stop though was to the Wall Street bull where apparently rubbing the bulls balls brings you luck! If I’m ever going to manage 140 miles in two days without much training I’m going to need all the luck in the world… so I grabbed them both! 🙂
Please please please sponsor me and help bring a bit of happiness and hope to seriously ill children:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
Thank you so much gang.
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