HURRICANE, W.Va. -- Hurricane High class of 1968 graduate John Davis took a path less traveled this week to get to his class reunion. He arrived in town Friday afternoon on his bicycle all the way from Michigan.
Davis left Sunday on his 400-mile trip from Waterford, Mich., with his sister providing a car escort and brother riding alongside him. He said that the weather was quite fair until Thursday, when the rain kept him from finishing the last leg of his trip into Hurricane where, after an overnight stop, he arrived around 1 p.m. Friday.
Davis said there was no special reason why he chose his bicycle as his means of transportation, other than it was simply something he'd always wanted to do.
The oldest of nine, Davis was born in Charleston, but says his first recollections were of the Hurricane area where he lived throughout his childhood. Following graduation, his family moved to Michigan, where Davis resides.
Retiring in May after 35 years as a computer programmer, Davis said that he's enjoying taking in all that life has to offer. Though bike riding is a passion for Davis, with nearly 65 miles averaged for him weekly, it is just one of his many interests. He taught sailing for a community college for some time. He also coordinated rafting trips that he says led to him bringing 700 to 800 people to West Virginia and Pennsylvania over the years. Canoeing and train trips are among some other excursions he's enjoyed. Davis acquired a pilot's license in the 1970s and flew into Hurricane's old airfield for a previous reunion.
"I'm pretty sure I'm the only high school graduate who has flown a plane and ridden a bike to Hurricane from Waterford, Mich.," he said, smiling.
Davis has always been a dreamer but also says he's been fortunate to see many of his dreams become a reality. It began for him in his high school years when he sat down and made a list of things he wanted to accomplish in his life. Once he completed those tasks, he said he made another list and completed those things as well. Now, many years later, he continues to make his lists and find ways to achieve those dreams with his accomplishments stacking up behind him.
"That's the way I live now. If you get the chance to do something, you better do it," Davis said.
Over time and adventure, Davis says he's acquired some 40,000 photograph slides from trips, events and activities he's participated in. This winter, he has planned a biking trip across New Zealand. Next summer, he intends to ride from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. He expects some of his siblings to participate in those events with him, as well.
Davis spent the weekend reminiscing with old high school chums, and this week he spent some time in St. Albans visiting with childhood friends from St. Francis Elementary School during its 60th anniversary.
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