In addition to his growing up in government housing in southeast Washington, D.C., Bryan M. Byrd’s early years were also shaped by the rhythm of music and the magic of words, courtesy of his accomplished mother, a concert violinist, teacher, and writer, and a father who, among many skills, could also right a wrong. Blessed with two parents, two siblings, and a game of Scrabble, Bryan learned that words weren't just arbitrary symbols—they carried weight, conveyed emotion, and held the power to shape his world and others’, tested and verified when writing his first love letter, one well received. From that moment, he was hooked on the transformative power of language.Bryan's professional journey into the realm of written expression began with the complexity of program code and evolved into the intricate dance of IT systems integration, corporate communications, sales contracts, and leases—where a well-placed comma wasn't just a matter of style but a legally important, precision tool. Despite the demands of bureaucratic landscapes, Bryan's sense of humor and zest for life remained undiminished. An unexpected confluence of events at an early age set him free from a constricting job for other pursuits.His love for adventure has taken him to 48 U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Venezuela, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, some trips of long duration. An avid bicyclist, Bryan explored many of these regions on two wheels. Visits to his son, Chris, in Thailand, became a challenging chapter in his story. Twice riding in Chris’ Tour de Thailand—to establish, then perfect—a charity event covering over 1400 miles, Bryan added new heights of success and satisfaction to his journey. His day-hikes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon added depth, and balance.A serendipitous request to assist a friend in sailing a boat to the Virgin Islands opened the door to a coming-of-age odyssey, sailing the Caribbean islands over multiple winters to Trinidad, then retracing the route back to the U.S. The gamble was treacherous and glorious in abundant measure, and Bryan was persuaded to share the adventure with the world.Read more about this authorRead less about this author