will’s first post-injury blog entry: typed by carol i’m a little embarrassed to admit it but, i’ve been watching a lot of reality tv lately. in particular, i’ve taken a morbid interest in terell owen’s new show on vh1. it’s partly because i’ve grudgingly become a dallas cowboys fan over the last few years and...
Will,
You made my eyes sweat(not tears, Marines don’t cry). We pray for you and Carol every day. We keep up with your progress through Mamma and Daddy. I have tried to contact Carol several times, but we keep missing each other. I really don’t want to bother her, she has enough going on. We just want you both to know that we love you, and are here when you need us. Semper Gumby Bro!
Will and Carol,
Both of you are in my prayers!!
Love you both,
Brook
Will, I’m one of those people you don’t know. You have already made me proud of you. Keep fighting and don’t be discouraged. We’re all pulling and praying for you.
OMG! I’m (almost) speechless. Horrific. I hope you make a full and speedy recovery!
Hey Boss! Great post! You’ve always been an inspiration to me and now more then ever. I know that you can do this! I’ve never had a doubt. My prayers and thoughts are with you and Carol.
Carpe Diem!
Nuff Said.
Dog
WP,
I’ve been checking your blog since shortly after you began the Eurotrippen. Your writing captivates me…and I wish nothing but a speedy and complete recovery. It’s so hard to see this happen in the sport we all love so much.
Take care,
Kevin
Sometimes game changers bring out our best game… !
Will – been thinking about you everyday. Hang in there, you know what to do, and you will succeed!
Will and Carol, I know you can make it through this time of hardship. My family, including my parents, are praying for your full recovery. You can do it, Will!;p
Will, you have already given more to the MX community that you’ll ever get back, so don’t worry about repaying anybody anything. DO worry about getting your arms moving well enough to shave that scraggly beard and your legs moving well enough to take that angel Carol out to dinner!
We’re all thinking about you. Please keep us updated and please have Carol call me: 803-507-8665
I wish you a full and speedy recovery!
Will,
I have no doubt that you and I will ride together again. I am looking forward to it and know that you will not quit until we do. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. You are one lucky guy. And don’t you ever let Carol get away.
will, its been awhile since we last spoke. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Cheers
Matt
Hi Will, wishing you a speedy recovery. I am keeping you in my prayers and I know that we will see walk out of that hospital very soon.
Hey guess what??? I am a huge T.O fan as well. Can’t wait to talk T.O with you.:-)
p/s – your name “WILL” says it all………..
Sam
Will, heard about this just recently, our hearts are obviously with you. Our family is thinking about you daily. Your attitude is a grand tribute to the power of heart. Keep it up. — Glenn
I loved getting to visit and hope to be able to come to Craig’s to see you continue to improve .. Can’t wait for you to be able to squeeze ALL my fingers ! – Carol and your Mother are true angels! .. Remember: God doesn’t give you any more than he thinks you can handle .. 
) Love you tons Willy P ! -Kristen
Will, Kruck here. Your accident has weighed heavy on my mind the last few weeks. Your personal strength showing in this post has also put my mind a little bit at ease. How does one go through a day without movement. How do you concentrate? do you try to move and what occurs? I am working myself to the bone but after your thoughts on this post, i am thru complaining about it for sure!
keep us all updated
Will and Carol: You both are amazing. Faith and LOVE, above all LOVE has seen and WILL see you through this test. Thinking of you both always. Will: Get better soon because I am not done learning from you!!!
I just received the link and knew it would be very difficult to read. You are right this is a game changer (in more ways than you can imagine). Just know that many people are praying for both of you. Let me know how I can help. Cyn
will – my mother recently passed away and i’ve been “looking back” a lot lately. my father and i were going through pictures of her from my wedding and i’ve been aching to reach out to you to say thank you for capturing so many beautiful moments on that day. when i heard about your accident, i was speechless…all i can say is never give up, even when it seems impossible. there’s a great quote that i painted on my wall because i love it so much and i want to share it with you…”god will always give you enough light to take the next step.” you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Your courage is astounding, and we’re all pulling for you!
Will, you are as good a writer as you are a photographer. You’ve got a lot to give, my friend. So give it hell!
Mike
To the most interesting man in the world…
We love you and we are inspired by your spirit.
You will make it all the way back. The love between you and
Carol is a beautiful thing to see. Love,
Phil and Meme
Will, I just read your post and I am very sorry this happened. You show a lot of courage just by posting this and sharing it with us. Hang in there! Get better soon! I will be thinking of you! I don’t know Carol personally but I am so glad she is there with you. Carol, thanks for taking good care of him!
Hey Will, I’m thinking of you every day and optimistic that you’ll make a full recovery. Keep up the good fight.
Will and Carol- “i’ll be back” Huh? From what me and Lonnie saw Saturday, you are back. Man o man, you gave me a lot to think about on the ride home. So here’s what they say about Craig Rehab: “That will make you tough!”
See you soon. All our love and gentle thoughts to you and Carol…..Scott&Beth
wp, I know you will work very hard to make a full recovery and my prays and thoughts are with you all the way. Your work is not done here on earth and we all want you back at 100% asap. sincerely yours, DC
will, i never even realized you had this blog until yesterday afternoon. it has been a great work. i eventually had to turn in about 3am…and had a couple of hours of office work this afternoon…but it’s 5am now and after about 30 hours or so reading everything and enjoying your photos, i’m inspired to look at my own life and how i seize the day. thank you both. carol, hang in there. injuries like this take time and more time. will, it’s ok to hate your therapist in the moment…because in the end you’ll love your therapist. i’m confident and optimistic about everything. be patient and keep the faith!
Heck yeah man, we’re all here for ya and are praying for the best. You’re a strong, strong man and we expect the best from ya! It goes to show that in hard times, people can still prevail. You even got your cousin Mark to take a descent photo of you!
-Brian!
Will Buddy, it was good to talk to you & Carol. God has definitely answered my prayers concerning both of you. Lori & I look forward to seeing you in Baja. I look forward to jamming you up tight and into the snow fence soon. Jesus is Lord!
Godspeed, Dr. Jon
Determination,Peace,Perservence.
You will get to the other side of this.
Now is the time for healing, growing, paitence and moving forward.
Lots of love a fellow photographer from dallas
here’s to your full recovery Will, let it be a quick one!
Will, I’m sorry I didn’t know about this until today. I just read your blog account and I’m in awe of your positive mood and good spirits. Keep up the fight and I’m sure you’ll amaze those doctors with your quick recovery. In the meantime you know you have a huge group of friends here in N. TX pulling for you. I’m sure we’ll see you out on the trail again soon! Take care buddy.
Bloody hell Will! Just got the shock of my life coming across this blog and was wondering why it had gone a bit quiet – somehow been so busy I missed what had happened. Jeeez ole chum! So nearly been where you are now too often, so I really feel for you as only another biker (and one who used to race ‘em over the mud too) can feel. You will be fine. I think it is not over-presumptuous to state that we who read your blogs can probably all sense straight away from your strength of character, your determination, your spirit and sheer élan that you will get this wee temporary problem sorted. When you do, we’re going biking together and I’m showing you round a special place I’ve just come back from with my son Ollie. Two BMWs, seven days 2,600 km later, we just got back from touring the Alps of Bavaria and Austria. Wow! Amazing biker roads trails and stunning scenery await, so get your digits twitching again!
Vicariously we only really know each other through your beloved Carol, who is an extraordinarily wonderful person. But that doesnt matter really – the benefits of IT mean that communication and getting to know people can be swift and lasting. So I guess you’re stuck with me!
Wishing you a steady recovery and a full one. Your body can do amazing things with a determined brain it charge of it! Just be patient.
Alles Gute, as the Berliners say, and liebe Grüße to the wonderful Carol. Best of everything, Nigel.
WILL! you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are a survivor- can’t wait tohear the next chapter. Now what is this about Indiana???
Will and Carol, I know with the love you guys share for one another and with God’s “will” and power, you will get through this soon! Will, wish you a full recovery and will keep you and Carol in our prayers. Your blog brought me to tears. Your strength and determination are so inspiring!! Keep the faith.
Alex and Maria.
Will if you can get ahold of me so i can send you donations from this past weekend and the Clovis Cowboy Church..We are all praying for you..Hang Tuff
Bulletbob#473
Will you most certainly experience a big game changer. You will beat this and you will get a bigger slice out of this life as a result. Your photography is fantastic and that most certainly appears to be your calling. This blog and the honest photos that go with it are an inspiration to others that will follow after you. Keep up the hard work, it will be worth it in the end, and by all means keep up the blog and photos. It is good to see you.
how truly sorry i am this happened to you. i had heard you were in an accident, but i had no idea. i’m sorry i didn’t reach out to you sooner.
i am moved by your determination and spirit. it’s why i always wanted to talk music and life with you. such a unique and strong man…
what an amazing partner you have in carol. a testimate of true love.
you will continue to be a staple in my prayers.
lauren
Wow – Will, I can’t even begin to come up with any words that seem appropriate right now. You’ve got some amazing skills brother, your grasp of the content through the lens and your mastery of verse are just plain blowing me away!
See ya soon!
I’m really glad to hear about the great progress you are having!Can’t wait to hear about you out walking around and back to doing things you enjoy.
Will, wow that is some nasty stuff your going through. I know you have the determination to conquer these challenges. I want to tell you a brief story that might help. This past May my brother-in-law had an auto accident. A bus t-boned his truck and hit right behind his door. He had a shattered C1, ruptured spleen, tons of broken ribs and a laceration in one artery that needed a stint. Today he is at home and out of his neck brace, doing physical therapy. He is walking great and talking fine. He had some eye blurriness from some damaged nerves from the concussion but those have cleared up as well. That is the quick summary and not to compare to your injuries because all are different but it just goes to show with determination and good support a lot of things can be beaten.
Good luck.
Will, I know you are doing well! We all regret the challenges you and your family are working through, but want you to know that we will pray for good things for you right now and we genuinely do care and wish you the best!
Im pullin for you Will, I know you will be back up and around soon! I will be at the Bonita 100 for sure. Hope to see you soon bro!
I know you can beat this, will. im still in a surreal state after reading. we all believe in you.
I just wanted to say thank you for your writings. They are very inspiring. You may not remember me as I only knew you through Patman but your enthuasiasm and passion for whatever you were doing was obvious. I am sure your enthuasiasm and passion will guide you through this as well. Our prayers are with you. KM
Damn, Will! i had gotten out of riding for a bout 2 1/2 years, and just bought a 08 yZ450. I found out about the Bonita 100, and wanted to find out more. What I didn’t plan to find out, nor want to see, was that it was to help you. being out of the loop, i didn’t realize that you had gotten injured like this. hang in there, because I believe with you willpower, and with the help of people around you, you will be back! i know it!
this blog seems to have not been updated in a while. i hope to find out more, and that whatever i find is good news!
Will, how are you doing? We all wish you the best and hope that things are getting better for you every day. Dear God please help Will and the rest of us to be our best! Amen.
Happy Easter to you and your family! I am sorry didn’t have more fun with you when we all the chance to do some riding vs trail work at Red River! Let us know how you are doing and how we can help, please.
[...] that, of course is the cliff notes version. if you want the unabridged details, go here. [...]
my life is complicated right now. carol and i are moving from dallas to indiana, and we did it by way of belgium, and at the moment i’m hanging out at my parent’s farm in new mexico. i know…confusing to me, too, but the fact is the movers can’t get our stuff out of dallas...
by will
2 comments
tss,tssk, wonder what this guy did to get in the doghouse!
Hi cousin. This means success to you as you accomplish another goal in your recovery, because you are reading this.
We love you and are looking forward to your entries.
Sherri and Paul
a long flight from bologna took us to another universe. where italy had been hot, brassy, and harsh in many ways, scotland was chilly, lush, and inviting. the air was clear, and so was our understanding – most of the time, anyway – of the inhabitants of this new world since we were finally in...
by will
7 comments
No, you’re not the only one who finds this funny. There are two teams in the Scottish Football League – East Fife and Forfar. Of course I’m talking about proper rest-of-the-universe football and NOT the kind that they have in America 
I dream of the day that they are in the same league and are able to play each other so that maybe, one day, we can all enjoy the scoreline – East Fife four, Forfar five. Only then will I be able to die a contented man 
Perhaps I need to see someone?
I love the last picture by the way: In the eye of the beautiful beholder!
Great shots, dude! Hope you’re enjoying the Scottish countryside
thanks, parveen! i’m actually back in the u.s. and working away. and, daz, that’s hilarious. thanks for providing more insight!
I would guess you already know that the Hawes Inn (Miscalculation photo) is the Inn where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote more of Treasure Island and is the setting for the first part of the book. The Inn was there long before the bridge.
- Another wee factoid about the bridge: During WWII it was draped with camouflage nets and painted in camo designs. The Germans attempted to bomb it on several occasions but the extensive anti-aircraft batteries around it (you can still see the concrete emplacements) and the apparently effective camouflage prevented it from being knocked out.
It is also the fifth bridge to cross the Firth of Forth, so it is sometimes called the First of Forth Fifth or the Fifth Firth of Forth.
Firth is a local modification of fjord (which is also where we get “ford” as in “a place to cross a river.” It refers to an inlet or a narrow place between an island and the mainland. In Scots Gaelic it is usually spelled Foirthe. The river’s name “Uisge For” (pronounced “Wiskey Fore” means “black water” because of the dark peat stain in the water.
Stirling Castle, where both Wallace and Robert the Bruce defeated English Armies, was situated on the first ford above the Firth of Forth. It was at the first ford above the Firth of Forth that the Bruce defeated Edward’s Army, took his Royal Seal, and won independence for Scotland.
Now you perhaps understand why the Scots could never call the Firth of Forth something mundane like “Edinburgh Bay.” I think they get a perverse pleasure out of saying all the “Firth of Forth” history lessons associated with place names that begin with the letter “F” in the heaviest accent they can muster.
jeff, that’s an outstanding supplement to the post! i didn’t know most of that.
baaaah, ha, ha. You are the firth dorkiest person I have ever met!
[...] find the firth of forth bridge, which we spotted as we flew into edinburgh and which i posted about here. edinburgh was awesome and i wish we’d been able to stay there longer, but we only had two [...]
so if a meteorologist were to forecast my life, i imagine that terms like “whirlwind,” and “blowing through” would come up a lot. i just blew through about 10 days in texas and am back at my parents farm in new mexico. carol is into her first week of rockstar-dom at depuy, living out of...
by will
2 comments
I’m so glad you’re back!
will, i will send you some snail photos i took one morning in my garden.
by will
50 comments