"He crossed the Atlantic because it was there, and the Pacific because it was also there. He made both crossings in a rowboat because it, too, was there:" John Fairfax, Who Rowed Across Oceans, Dies at 74
The obit at the link gives you a bit of a resume most men, if they are men, would die for.
Pistol packing kid who shot up his Boy Scout campground? Check.
Off to commit suicide by feeding himself to a jaguar and then shooting the jaguar instead? Check.
Self-employed as a trapper in a South American jungle with a specialty in jaguar and ocelot skins? Check.
Literature and philosophy student? Check.
Apprentice pirate? Check.
Row alone across the Atlantic in a rowboat from the Canary Islands to Florida in 180 days? Check.
Row with a girlfriend for company and recreation across the Pacific from San Francisco to Australia in 361 days? Check.
Finish out your days as a professional baccarat player and die of a heart attack at 74 in Nevada?
Check and double-check.
Hard to out do this life. I couldn't help thinking about this other story of a will to live: http://www.badassoftheweek.com/koepcke.html
Posted by: stephen b at February 19, 2012 3:52 PM"Fairfax is survived by his wife Tiffany, a professional astrologer."
Well at least she knew when to take out the insurance policy.
Since I left the Marines, it's been pretty boring. I did play hockey up until I left for the island last fall. A few years, ago at the age of 47, I got kicked out of a christian hockey league game for fighting (I was not a regular member of that league, the fight started because I couldn't tolerate the hacks I was playing against). Other than those little adventures it's been all mouse pad and toner cartridge.
Posted by: Mike at February 19, 2012 8:57 PMI read his obit in the paper this morning, then to everyone else within earshot, and wondered what his boat looked like. Thanks for answering that question.
Posted by: robinstarfish at February 20, 2012 12:08 AMAs TMIMITW (The Most Interesting Man in the World) says, “it’s never too early to start beefing up your obituary”.
Posted by: Fausta at February 20, 2012 9:06 AMStay thirsty my friends
Posted by: cletus socrates at February 20, 2012 3:24 PM
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