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"The Oasis of my Soul"... a Lifelong Journey...

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And on Christmas Day and beyond. AZ

I read the other day a good comment expressing our ÔÇ£domesticationÔÇØ onward from moving off the grid for the time being till surgery happens in a couple days. Enjoying the ÔÇ£momentÔÇØ is always the path we are on and so these days are not any different than previous others. I sure can close my eyes and be transported back into our Desert, Mountain tops and Valleys we have so many times crossed, they are all memories which enhances the present, yet, the Holidays are lived gracefully and joyfully by both Spirit and I, my beautiful Friend Robin, ÔÇ£wet noseÔÇØ Audrey and Ms. Cool Cat ÔÇ£LoveyÔÇØ. Always much cooking, seemingly many errands which make me wonder how I manage with so few of those in our ÔÇ£normalÔÇØ environment. The City must be conductive to jumping from store to store always ÔÇ£needingÔÇØ something, maybe as jumping from boulder to boulder needing the feel of Mother Nature. I felt it when we took a drive up to Mt Lemon the other day before today's bad and beautiful weather. Just in case... have a Great and Happy New Year as every Day should be.

Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage

Ara & Spirit
 
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2 4 1... Tucson, AZ

How could I ever turn down a two for one hernia repair? I have to think in a bizarre way about the good Karma of pain a couple days ago when the previously twice repaired right side started to create much discomfort. A quick word to the surgeon only minutes before the procedure about this new incident and now fixed up on both side as the old mesh had slipped away causing a wrongful blood flow. Close call, this could have been happening in the near future needing again another surgery. What good fortune! Slow going, very slow, barely off the neutral switch and happy we had gone out on New Year's Day to visit the Mission San Xavier a few miles south of us. Coincidentally it is where the stabbing pains started. Say no more, Life has it's mysterious ways. Enjoy the photos on the Journal mixed in with also some of my present favorite quotes.

Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage

Ara & Spirit
 
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A stroll down 4th avenue, Tucson. AZ

A long intermission these past days they have seemed to be. Laid back while reading a new issue of "Overland Journal", the pages filled with adventures and photos of spaces not so foreign in the past are not helping for me to stay put. So it has only been 5 days since surgery, there is much improvement, not as much as needed however in the patience department. No lifting, none of this and that, even the mind has become a bit slow in the thinking department. We did manage a couple afternoons ago a mini adventure strolling up and down 4th Avenue in Tucson under perfect weather, a street filled with colorful characters, restaurants, coffee shops and gift shops from mostly local Artists. That has been it... Thinking about the northerners snowed in for the winter helps, yet, I know what is awaiting for us in the south... Fair weather, rides, maybe even camping in those remote areas I seek for. So I can dream for now and wait and wait... Enjoy the photos on the Journal. Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage

Ara & Spirit
 
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Reddington Rd. AZ

Sometimes the ride cannot be of the desired one. ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ is nicely still tucked in in Texas as we should be returning in about a week or so. In the meantime it is the ÔÇ£luxuryÔÇØ of an SUV with my Friend Robin, the dogs... Audrey and Spirit (yes, Spirit has a new buddy... girlfriend?) which has taken us on our first outing since surgery. I had never realized the abundance of unpaved roads within a 100 mile radius of Tucson as slowly with much fun and... food (!!!) we took on our first outing. It has been as a scouting day trip, roads we will return to when the flowers and the lush greens are in bloom all in this midst of winter right now being a bit more on the mute side. Left over roasted chicken, home made hummus, so was the banana bread, nicely al dented peeled and cooked asparagus, the list went on as I was in charge of the picnic part of it, well, also the route with however very little driving for myself. Try the loop sometime while in the area, well worth it. Not designed for a street car or street motorcycle, dual sport either way will do.

Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage

Ara & Spirit
 
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A jaunt to ÔÇ£St DavidÔÇØ and the ÔÇ£Dragoon MountainsÔÇØ... almost. AZ

Tomorrow is the big day, the point of return as ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ is still 600 miles away tucked in this shipping container I call ÔÇ£the green giantÔÇØ, laying alone in the vast Desert of Big Bend Flats. We will crank her up Sunday when we get there, for no other reason than starting her up since we left her with a flat tire. Well taken care of here it was a ride in an SUV instead wishing it did not have a windshield! No complains, acceptance is always the key of it all allowing for the balance we need daily. We first stopped in Vail, little village and then on St David where the Trinity Monastery was a nice source of photographs and some well deserved silence after being in this present urban environment. On then to almost Tombstone where we took an eastbound road with the thought of making it to the foothills of ÔÇ£Dragoon MountainsÔÇØ. Still healing, washboard road, all those facts present did not allow us to go much further than about 15 miles... bouncy and more bouncy... There will be a next time when we will actually reach Cochise's Stronghold. Enjoy the photos...
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage

Ara & Spirit
 
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Back at ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ. TX... near Big Bend.

What past month it has been! It actuality flew by as here we are again at ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ healing quickly and in less than 24 hours having already ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ purring and rolling after having fixed a flat due to, not a nail, but a thorn! That was a first. I would have never found it if I had not passed a paper towel inside of it, I was told pantyhose works better but neither of us wears one! A bit cooler today and yet the skies are blue, inviting to ride, it will have to wait another day, I cannot push the issue as we have a bit of dirt roads to go on before reaching the Highway. Spirit feels at Home, he is already running stick in his mouth like a madman, of course with the knowledge that treat always awaits him. The tent has held up well, we got some help from our neighbors moving and getting ready for me heavy bottles of drinking water and a couple filled propane bottles also. We are all set... The night's Moon has been beautiful emerging from a set of unusual clouds, a simple sunset... enjoy the photos.

Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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ÔÇ£Seven CandlesÔÇØ. TX

A couple days ago was the Anniversary of my Son's ÔÇ£LanceÔÇØ seven year passing away. He is part of this Journey, always has been, he is the reason for Spirit and I living on this path we call our ÔÇ£roadÔÇØ. He is the one that keeps us going, that gives me the courage as to not abandon it all, daily, nightly, hourly often, as the alternative as provocative also might be has yet no words spelled within this Life of ours. We have been back at ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ now for those days, the vast ÔÇ£empty spacesÔÇØ as I also label this area and besides a bit of riding on the saddle, ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ turning her wheels again for a few miles I am only waiting for a better healing and gaining some strength. The beautiful weather here has been a gift, the temperature showed over 80 this afternoon and the nights, well, the blanket of Stars are back again as just walked back from a short stroll and the skies never cease to amaze me. I am a step away to pack up all the camping gear laid out without any order these past couple months and head out with no direction chosen, Spirit is ready, unfortunately my body is not yet. More patience, I keep counting the days after this one evening lighting up ÔÇ£Seven CandlesÔÇØ around a roaring fire with my thoughts in mind.
Soon.


Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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Chasing the clouds in and out of Big Bend Park. TX

Winter was kind to us a couple days ago. It showed it's sunny and warm face following a couple days cooped up with a severe case of cabin fever. Enough was enough. Not quite suppose to be riding, but... while taking it easy the temptation was greater than the threats from the surgeon. An early breakfast in Terlingua and on into the Park, that is Big Bend National Park. It had been a long time for us, short in others considerations I realize, over a month. The roads were bare from traffic as Spring Break is yet not here, the vast empty spaces for as far as one can see and a regained slow pace was the greatest prescription would could have used. For the both of us. It was as I had suddenly regained my composure, as if the balance of it all one more time was just perfect as stopping when we felt like it, eating when hungry, taking photos of nothing and everything, time had finally seemingly stopped it's clock. What a day it was, the photos will prove it. We will be looking for more of those days.

Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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Hot Coffee, 0 Degrees and a good Dog Book... TX

These past days have been a bit rough for us, the temps dropping to as never before, yet, there is no complain when I witness the inches and inches of snow accumulating north of us. We actually had some great days being the most lazy ones we have had in a while. Not much outdoor activities while dressed in more layers than I can count, only to hook up some more propane and more propane, let Spirit run who himself after a few minutes would make the fastest run I have ever seen him do for indoor. A day or two have now past and besides strong winds all is back to normal, coats are put away, even trying to light up a fire to bake some bread and roast a chicken in the Dutch Oven. It is after all Sunday, it was an old custom in Europe a few Centuries ago everyone being able to roast a chicken for dinner. I think tomorrow will see us riding again, maybe River Road on to Presidio, I am sure I will see something I had never seen before, only looked at in the recent past. Enjoy the ÔÇ£winter photosÔÇØ and my thoughts on this great Book I am now reading.

Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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There is a frenzy around here... TX

82 degrees today. Nights are still cool, of course... we are still in winter times, spring felt however when this warm sunshine hovers over us. It has been time for outdoors, cooking again over the fire, bread, whole roasted chicken and much more to come as my Friend Robin and her critters are coming down to visit us, it is after all Valentines Day soon.
For those wondering why I have chosen this Nomadic Life, specially as spring.summer.fall is around the corner and the roads far from us will call us, already have, a new Friend of mine, Becca Baker, has been published at StubbyDog with a very well written article about us, a tribute to Lance, the Journey and of course Spirit. This would be the first time someone does not for some editorial reasons twists the words concurred with me through an interview. I thought I would enter it in my Journal for everyone's benefit of understanding.
In the meantime it s a bit of cleaning around here, or maybe just shuffling the constant dust with live with from here to there...
Enjoy the article, I did.
Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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Hot Coffee, 0 Degrees and a good Dog Book... TX

These past days have been a bit rough for us, the temps dropping to as never before, yet, there is no complain when I witness the inches and inches of snow accumulating north of us. We actually had some great days being the most lazy ones we have had in a while. Not much outdoor activities while dressed in more layers than I can count, only to hook up some more propane and more propane, let Spirit run who himself after a few minutes would make the fastest run I have ever seen him do for indoor. A day or two have now past and besides strong winds all is back to normal, coats are put away, even trying to light up a fire to bake some bread and roast a chicken in the Dutch Oven. It is after all Sunday, it was an old custom in Europe a few Centuries ago everyone being able to roast a chicken for dinner. I think tomorrow will see us riding again, maybe River Road on to Presidio, I am sure I will see something I had never seen before, only looked at in the recent past. Enjoy the ÔÇ£winter photosÔÇØ and my thoughts on this great Book I am now reading.

Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit

Front page photo!
 
It was wild day!!!

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On and around Valentines Day... TX

It has been an unusual week with the shadows of Valentines Day now behind us. Us meaning Robin, Audrey, (Spirit's four legged girl friend), Spirit and Miss Lovey, always the Cool Cat, a great traveler. Neither of us being for quantity, versus quality of time spend, it has been relaxing times with only a couple rides to show off the neighborhood. A ride to the ÔÇ£Swimming HoleÔÇØ, which might be after the next rain probably be the last time as the road is already half way washed out, one long day through the Park down Maverick road to Santa Helena Canyon and back through Castolon with a jaunt to the Basin and it's Lodge, short stop overs at Sotol Look Out and Mules Ears. This ride is my favorite one expanding the geological diversity of the Park. There is a saying here which goes as such... ÔÇ£When Earth was created all the left overs were dumped in Big BendÔÇØ. Much cooking over the fire, sunsets always the back drops of our wonderful evenings, full Moon last night lighting up this vast empty spaces as almost daylight. The weather a bit on the warm side, it hit 104 yesterday in full sun, but will take it over the past teen's we have had here in recent past.
More in the Journal... Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 

You are a funny man... Spirit is laughing too... :laugh

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Thanking my Present Destiny... TX

We have sat here pretty much these past winters. I always thought this is a good space for us, as it is, and yet, lately I have been thinking, even telling some Friends about being over-saturated with the area. Kind of like ÔÇ£been there, done that... too many timesÔÇØ. I have even added, sometimes, we will not be back here next winter. A funny thing happen however the other day while playing guide in Big Bend Park with Robin while she was visiting us for a week or so, as she pointed out this and that, I realized that I had seen nothing yet. For someone such as me who travels the roads with such a slow pace, it was a big surprise. I actually was shocked when I realize I had never noticed this rock formation, or that one, or even some roads foreign to me. It reminded me of my Life when working in Florida and living on a sailboat and yet, never going to the beach.
We don't have long here, I started going the camping gear today, will probably do a dry run into... the Park itself for a few nights and toward Death Valley we will go. Follow the weather, follow the path as always as it is calling us more than ever.
So... some more photos of Big Bend Park in the Journal this time.

Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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A bit North of here... TX

Right now the winds have unleashed with a fury. The clear blue skies have turned into a liquid mud, visibility is I would call it ÔÇ£rareÔÇØ, sand bursts are passing by at great speed, it is a weighing hot, a humid air that will only allow me to breath mixed in with powder and sand. Everything has changed so rapidly. It is as we have moved onto another Planet flying in with a heavy turbulence yet not so foreign as familiar throughout the year as also throughout the country, yet always a bit unnerving as the wind finding it's path under my skin.
A couple days ago was a different stage. One has to seize in these times the opportunity to ride as we did when I decided to go on a bit north of here. Ft Davis, the Mc Donald Observatory, all was ahead of us. Packing, mapping up my bags, all took a back seat. ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ oils have been changed all around, throttle bodies checked, a small repair here and there , the rest will wait, all is one day at the time.
As a few years ago I was allowed behind the glass wall to take some photos of the big lens. Always a treat. More on the Journal.Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
My brothers' Labrador is in love with Spirit... :rolleyes

They need to meet... :thumb

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The ÔÇ£Two Wheeled TexansÔÇØ in Terlingua. TX

I never know what the day is going to bring up when saddling up ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ and heading to town, the closest one, Terlingua, about 30 miles south of here. I quickly notice an unusual motorcycle activity, question answered by the fact that this was the weekend of the ÔÇ£Two Wheeled TexansÔÇØ riding the area, camping in many different sites, some all the way to Lajitas. It was warm, meet up with some Friends who had decided not to ride that last afternoon, a bit of shade, a gracious lunch and much chatting end up being the day's menu. One by one the riders were returning, dusty, tired for some, everyone ready for the Sunday night dinner were I was graciously invited. Texas fare, more conversations, Spirit was behaving within a crowd he is not used to be within, what a great day it was, a day to remember.
In the meantime packing is still going on, the fear of not fitting in bags what we always need for months to come is always present trying to avoid last year's mailing to a Friend 26lbs of unused items. One never knows. Trying to be out of here in about a week, should be just about right to ride the southern route to Tucson and on to Death Valley.
More in the Journal.
Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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Readiness for the road... TX

Quite often I wonder why I even bother unpacking and yet the answer is always so obvious: winter... cold... At times I feel stuck, stuck in this beautiful area. I project too much, get ahead of the miles and forget the present we rest on when here Mother Nature is and has been so generous to us. It only takes a ride into Big Bend Park to awaken me of such wrongdoings, such thoughts knowing too well unfounded too often. Some chatting with Friends in Terlingua, visiting my neighbors, watching Spirit letting it all out while running freely here off his leash, that leash... a must in other areas. Human Nature can be so complex, maybe it is only me and my thirst to move along continuously. The Sunsets, the Sunrises, all glorious to no end. Cooking outside amongst the three fire pits, riding the dirt with no traffic as I have yet to see a car go by here since September! Besides Friends and UPS that is, the brown four wheel drive truck. But this season is coming to an end, we are indeed leaving early hoping the weathers ahead will not be too striking with us. Thursday morning we are again starting to wander. In the meantime I posted a Video of our last ride into the Park and more photos on the Journal.

Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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Trying to blend in with the road. Columbus. NM

The Photo? riding the Border.
The Sun rising is slowly brightening the inner tent this morning through it's yellow material announcing the start of a beautiful new day. Mixed in with early clouds the temperature is still mild, perfect I would say as we sit right on the border, Columbus, New Mexico. It was an easy ride from "The Oasis" with a bit of a hang up in Marfa, we are avoiding freeways at all cost and this is turning out to be a bit of a game while on our way to Death Valley. We arrived here almost in the midst of much turmoil which we missed, a good thing, and yesterday was a great reward being part of the "Columbus Furlong Days". Decided to spend another day here as now all is quiet, cool shade at the ÔÇ£Pancho VillaÔÇØ State Campground with showers and all, even power as primitive camping along the border is never a very good idea. We are getting into the groove of this aspect which now will last for months as Spirit also is quick to think anywhere we stop is his Home and has a duty to protect it with a growl for anyone coming a bit too close. Best ÔÇ£buddyÔÇØ ever had...
More on the Journal....
Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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ÔÇ£Columbus Furlong DayÔÇØ, N.M.

Our Karma is good, always while wandering the country without much of a schedule or route. No, we do not know where we will be August 14th 2015... Trust me that some do, some on the road as us thinking they have achieved the freedom desired only to be governed by their perpetual calendar. If it was so, we probably would have not stumbled on this great event in Columbus, New Mexico. Such a wonderful day it was we are thinking about returning next year. Oh! So there goes the planning... contradicting myself here. Smile. Many photos in the Journal about it all, free abundant and delicious food, ÔÇ£FriendshipÔÇØ was the banner throughout the day placed up high for everyone adorning a smile and kind words. Perfect weather, on to the Chiricahuas for a couple days, Portal and on over the Mountain on that very familiar dirt road to the Chiricahua National Monument and back. Moving on forward as now sitting in Tucson for a few days before taking on the road to Death Valley and back for Overland Expo 11 the following weekend where I will be teaching a ÔÇ£one panÔÇØ cooking class combined with ÔÇ£traveling without refrigerationÔÇØ... I think we will take on a vacation after that...
Enjoy the photos...
Be safe and well.
Peace, Love and Courage.

Ara & Spirit
 
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