When I was a teenager, I went to Universal Studios in California. One of the things I still remember about the visit is riding the tourist trolley through the "Red Sea." Of course, I'm not talking about the body of water that separates Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. What "parted" in front of me was the re-creation of it that was used in The Ten Commandments.
Because of the movie, which my family and I watched every year (If I recall correctly, it always aired on Good Friday.), whenever I hear or read the name "Moses", I think of Charlton Heston. Having the "sea" part in front of me without the aid of Mr. Heston left me with an even crazier idea: If I could part the Atlantic, I could ride to France and Italy.
Of course, even if the logistics of parting the sea could be solved, there would be other issues. The distance from New York to France or Italy (or England, Portugal or Spain) would be roughly the same as the distance from New York to California. However, when you cross the country, there are all sorts of things to see and, more important, places to stop and eat,sleep, wash and take care of other needs. Somehow I don't think such amenities would be available on a trans-Atlantic crossing. And, as much as I love water, I'm not sure of how I'd feel about seeing nothing else at least until I got to the Azores (assuming, of course, my route went that way).
Now, having cycled in Europe several times, I'm not quite as taken with the idea of a trans-Atlantic bike ride as I once was. (Also, I am older and, I would like to believe, have a firmer grip on reality.) Still, if it were possible to do such a ride, I just might try it.
Maybe that's what the young man in this video had in mind:
Because of the movie, which my family and I watched every year (If I recall correctly, it always aired on Good Friday.), whenever I hear or read the name "Moses", I think of Charlton Heston. Having the "sea" part in front of me without the aid of Mr. Heston left me with an even crazier idea: If I could part the Atlantic, I could ride to France and Italy.
Of course, even if the logistics of parting the sea could be solved, there would be other issues. The distance from New York to France or Italy (or England, Portugal or Spain) would be roughly the same as the distance from New York to California. However, when you cross the country, there are all sorts of things to see and, more important, places to stop and eat,sleep, wash and take care of other needs. Somehow I don't think such amenities would be available on a trans-Atlantic crossing. And, as much as I love water, I'm not sure of how I'd feel about seeing nothing else at least until I got to the Azores (assuming, of course, my route went that way).
Now, having cycled in Europe several times, I'm not quite as taken with the idea of a trans-Atlantic bike ride as I once was. (Also, I am older and, I would like to believe, have a firmer grip on reality.) Still, if it were possible to do such a ride, I just might try it.
Maybe that's what the young man in this video had in mind:
