In conversation with Caitlin McCranie, she may mention she’s an English teacher at Oak Park High School, that she likes to knit or that her current favorite book is “This is Happiness” by Niall Williams. You would then create an idea of who you thought she was, and be happy with the oversimplified description—oblivious to the other half of the picture. McCranie would humbly forget to mention her stories of dirt biking in the Mojave, sea kayaking in the glaciers and backpacking in Alaska. This is McCranie’s full picture.
Growing up surrounded by orchards and open space on the edge of Santa Rosa, McCranie and her three sisters would spend the day riding with their horses and motorcycles.
“We were kind of feral children. We had horses and motorcycles and just would take off for the whole day to go do our thing,” McCranie said. “I got my motorcycle probably when I was about five. And we would ride, usually a couple times a month, out into the desert.”
Hoping to make her students laugh and possibly gain their attention, McCranie’s favorite story to tell her classes is about her dirt biking experience in the Mojave when she was 10-years-old. She was on a day-long ride with her family, and treating it like a race she rode alone until things went south.
“I ran out of gas and I was stranded in the desert. It was dusk, I had no gas, I couldn’t see anybody and everybody was way ahead of me. So I thought that I was going to be left in the desert all night long, by myself, as a 10-year-old. But, that didn’t happen! They found me, filled my motorcycle up with gas and I was good to go.”
Her hobbies—knitting, backpacking, rock climbing, riding motorcycles and her favorite, skiing—may have cost her some bloodshed from time to time. Still, McCranie makes sure she can optimize safety whenever possible.
“I have been injured. I recently crashed my motorcycle and broke four ribs and my clavicle. But I have friends who were walking down the street, tripped and did the same thing,” McCranie said. “When I do whatever hobby I’m doing, I make sure that I am safe, and my equipment is in good condition. I check it all before I go.”
Most of McCranie’s hobbies stem from her father. He inspired her and her sisters to live deliberately and not be afraid of fear. McCranie remembers the two-week-long motorcycle trip up Highway 49 and down the coast of California that her father took them on. How he taught them scuba diving and helped her get her street biking license at 16. McCranie now jokes with her sisters that they may not have a healthy understanding of what is safe and dangerous.
“My dad used to tell us as little kids not to spend our life with our face pressed up against the window of life, afraid to participate,” McCranie said. “He would say things like we should pay attention to our fears but we should never let our fears stop us from doing something we really want to do. Instead, we should let our fears help us to be vigilant, to keep ourselves safe, but to still go for it.”
Her college experience at Santa Monica City College was where she met her favorite teacher, a retired UCLA professor who was then teaching marine biology. Later transferring to UCLA, the architecture and atmosphere of the campus were a memorable experience for her.
“The professor took us out on his research vessel and we did actual marine biology research … he was the best teacher I ever had,” McCranie said. “But at UCLA I just loved being on campus. Being surrounded by the beautiful brick buildings and hearing the bells on the great lawn. Even if I wasn’t smart it made me feel smart.”
McCranie’s life may seem adventurous to some, but she wouldn’t describe it as such. McCranie thinks defining adventure is critical, because there are many ways to be adventurous. She mentions her colleagues who engage in hardcore mountain climbing or surfing big waves, as well as others who are adventurous in how they are educated; like traveling abroad to strengthen their education.
“I think I take more physical risks than some people but there’s all different kinds of ways to have an adventurous spirit,” McCranie said. “I think it’s driven by curiosity and I think one of the cool things about all my colleagues is their curiosity. I think that’s how they ended up in education. I think you’d be surprised how many of your teachers out there have lived equally adventurous lives.”
If given the chance to start over, McCranie would confidently decline the offer. Satisfied with her life, she is still eager to travel and discover as much as she can.
“I wouldn’t change anything,” McCranie said. “I think I’ve made pretty good choices so I’m happy with my life so far. But I think there are so many incredible things to explore.”
McCranie’s philosophy on life doesn’t stand in defiance of fear. Rather, she gives fear a voice but doesn’t let it hog the mic.
“Go for it. People often talk about the things they want to do, but then in the next breath they come up with a bunch of reasons why they can’t or shouldn’t,” McCranie said. “Some of those might be legitimate, so I’m not saying ignore them. But I think you have this one beautiful life, go live it.”
