In the summer of 2017, ultra runner Clay Williams hopped on his Harley and rode west. It was initially planned as a break from work and developed into a journey, an opportunity to say some goodbyes, visit some old friends, make some new ones, and revisit some old haunts. Each day on the bike took his body and his focus west and north, and his memories further and further into his past. This book is a sort of travel log: about a journey westward and then home on a motorcycle; about a journey back into a personal history that had been intentionally tucked out of sight; about the physical journey of an ultra distance runner; and about the family history that led to the development of a mental health advocate.
Clay is a 58 year old father of two living in Elmira with his wife of 37 years. He was born in Northern Manitoba and his family moved to southern Southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and eventually settled in Thunder Bay. In 1982 Clay lost his older brother to suicide, and then in 2007 another older brother took his own life. Clay's wife, his older sister and his daughter all struggle with mood disorders and he has recently found his voice as an advocate for mental health awareness and education, speaking to middle school and high school students and encouraging conversation about mental health.
A3, A8