What did you convince your parents to do when you were 9 years old?
Whatever it was, it probably can't hold a candle to what Shepherd Colver got his dad to do--with him. (With a name like "Shepherd," what do you expect from such a kid?) The Washington State native managed to influence his father, James, to go on a bike ride with him.
But it wasn't just a ride around the park. You see, Shepherd and James have just completed a tour that culminated with a trip to the Statue of Liberty.
Visiting the Lady of New York Harbor was Shepherd's overriding dream. When they finally arrived--after pedaling 3300 over 18 weeks--in New York City and took the ferry to the island, Shepherd offered this assessment: "It was definitely worth it," he declared. "It's pretty cool."
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| Shepherd Colver (r) and his father James look toward the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park, New York City (Photo from CBS News) |
A CBS reporter asked whether his legs hurt at the end of a ride. "Not as bad as my dad's do when were done," he said, laughing. James described the trip as "a wonderful bonding experience" and believes "I invested my time as a dad really well here."
That investment didn't include only this year's ride. Two years ago, they started their journey but had to bail when Shepherd, then 7 years old, kept on getting headaches. He was diagnosed with diabetes. This year, though, neither he nor his father would allow it, or anything else to deter them.
James and Shepherd Colver. Family handout.
Now he's reunited with his mother, who now has a son who's done something not many other kids his age can claim. That just might be enough to convince her to increase his allowance!
