Davy and Daryl Vogel. Who are they you ask? Well, they are two young boys who have done something that most of us would faint away just thinking about it: they rode from the northern edge of Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina on the Pan-American Highway. They are the youngest people EVER to achieve such an accomplishment. And they did it on bikes.
Yes, bicycles. You can read about their journey here. It is an amazing feat that should be recognized by the world at large. Except that the people who bring those records to the world, Guinness World Records, are now refusing to recognize the incredible accomplishment because the people there have now said that they boys are “too young”.
Huh? THAT WAS THE POINT! Now, as their mom has explained– and I can see the point to a certain extent– the people at Guinness didn’t want to be responsible for young children doing stupid things. But that was so far from the point here that it has no meaning.
If the boys’ parents, John and Nancy, had dropped them off in Alaska and said, “Okay! We’ll meet you down there in about three years.” Then yes, I would agree with Guinness’ sentiment. That wasn’t what happened, however. The trip was meticulously planned and carefully monitored by the WHOLE family. They all went. (And I’m STILL getting tired just thinking about it!) The boys embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that has enriched their lives and education. Can you imagine not only teaching your kids about the world and its many rich cultures, but also showing it to them?
Well, I don’t think that’s fair to them. Not one bit.
So here I challenge you. Tell people. Link to this blog. Look at their website and blog posts about their journey– the boys did their own entries as well– and write something on your own blog. Tweet about it. Leave messages on their blog and Twitter feed (@familyonbikes). If my friends tell their friends, and they pass it onward, there’s no reason that the world won’t know about this amazing adventure.
Davy and Daryl? Regardless of what Guinness says, YOU ARE the record holders in my eyes and in every way possible. I am so incredibly proud of your accomplishment. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Editing to add Nancy’s Blog Post about the denial as well.
