b"You Dont Need To Be Perfect Or Turnsout,theresnobettertimethan and riding as a passenger on a DR650 inFearless To Live Your Dreams. Baylor now to go for it. Ecuador. She purchased a 1998 Kawasakiand Mallory have been together since he Mallorybelievesthat,throughher KLR650andanoldCaliforniawas a puppy.That was 10 years ago. It Companionsidecaroncraigslist,andwas love at first sight, she said.spentseveralweeks,assherecallsit,Two years ago, reeling from the unex- Ignoringthehatersandbuildingthepectedendofan11-yearrelationship, beast now known as Rufio.Mallorygaveawayeverythingshe Twoyearsago,Malloryhadneverowned, traded her Prius for an old VW, even spent the night outside, uncovered.andhittheroadwithBaylor.Itwasa She didnt know how to use a compass.simmering spark that would soon ignite a She had no idea that a treasure trove ofburning desire for something more. But free, dispersed camping around the coun-first,shewouldsettleinthethriving try existed. She says her friends set hercommunity of Bend, Oregon, a town she straight. They taught me what it reallygrew to adore. I loved the life Id built means to dirtbag, that having a stop-backthere,surroundedbyanexceptionally can keep you from getting lost, and thatinspiring, kind, hilarious friend-family. I itsokaytomakemistakes,itsmorewas comfortable with the daily existence important to just get outside.there. Oneyearago,MalloryhadneverOne day, as she looked at Baylor, she An Entry from Mallorys MotoDog blog: riddenamotorcycle;didntknowthefelt the pull of the road and the uncertain Succumbing to the cold and dark,I pull off brakes are on the right, clutch on the left.excitement of the unknown. Amazed at I had no idea that a do-hickey existed oronto an abandoned road. Bump towardshow fast the years had gone by with him, the lakeshore. Pass a decrepit cabin that that a chain needs lube. But, again, myshe suddenly realized how little time we would be interesting in full daylight, but is friends set me straight. They taught meactually have with our dogs. Their lives simply creepy in the abandoned Yukon the joys of getting off the beaten path onare so short. And, at that moment, look- night. Setting up camp, Baylor and I go dual sports, that with the proper care eling at Bay, I made a conscious choice to about freaking each other out. Ears back, moto can take you around the world, andstart living a semi-retired life now, while hejumpsateveryforestsound.Ultra that its okay to make mistakes, its moreIm fully alive and able to commit to this paranoid I peer into the darkness every important to just get on the road.adventurewithhim,saidthe31-year- time he turns his head, certain he sees Mallory makes it clear that what sheold. So much time had already gone by, something I dont. Nervous energy feed- is doing is not an extended vacation. Iand while none ofus knows how long ing nervous energy. work everyday on the road, writing andwe have on this earth, Mallory was ready Tent almost up, Baylor and I jump building a few select websites for clients,to devote whatever time Baylor had left simultaneously as the hoo-hooty-hoohoo she said. With no regular monthly over-to living in the moment. She owed it to begins. Zipper barely up, Baylor dives into head such as a mortgage and accompany-him. the perceived safety of the tent. I quickly ing bills, she is able to keep her expensesOperation Moto Dog is Mallorys cross followsuit.Snuggledintothesleeping as low as possible. Sometimes, she admits,continent trip with Baylor and Rufio, the bag,heartratedecreasingsteadily,I scrapinguncomfortablyclosetojustnameshechoseforhermotorcycle. notice the owl has gone quiet. barely getting by.Smiling, I drift to sleep imagining himInitially, her plans were to go from Bend Earlyon,sheadmitstosubcon-laughing his feather-covered ass off at theto Alaska and back, but something hap- wacky duo he was so easily able to terrify. sciously waiting to get slapped down; topened on that journey and her mission Shaking his head that weve been able to have people turn on her and the adven-expanded. It was the kindness of people makeitthisfar.Wonderingwherethis ture; tell her to give up. Instead, what sheshe had met during her earlier journey crazy adventure will lead us next. has found is what she describes as an end-that inspired her to explore more. less trust fall. The more I lean back withThe goal now is to cover all of North completefaith,themorecaringhandsAmerica - every US state, each Canadian own adventure, she will inspire people - arise from all around to catch us. CookiesprovinceandMexico.Shepostsher young, old, male, female - to go for it; to and love for Baylor, an entire communitythoughts, dreams and fears on her blog, choosehappy,seekadventure,bringthe excited to make connections, hot maple-stayingconnectedwithfamilyanda stoke. Mentally, and through her writings, syrup-lacedteaonarainynight,sparegrowingfanbaseonsocialmedia. she is collecting and sharing stories of the parts,motoschooling,kindnessandMallorysGrandpaBubishernumber other adventurers she encounters along encouragement around every corner. It'sone fan. From a young age he taught me the way. Those people who get off the slightlyuncomfortableandentirelythe importance of connecting with peo- beaten path, find opportunities in obsta- inspiring.ple and giving life your all. He recently cles,embracelifeandlivewith Tent camping has become a way ofsaid to me, Youve got plenty of gump- passion,said Mallory. life for Mallory and Baylor. She seeks outtion. Live long enough and youll easily Her only experience riding motorcy- free dispersed camping areas such as theturnallofyourdreamsintorealities. cles was owning a 50cc Vespa in college National Forest. Continued on page 38. g36 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com"