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

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ÔÇ£LostÔÇØ in Big Bend Park, Texas.

The ability with ÔÇ£Crusty'sÔÇØ two wheel drive and reverse is keeping us away from this ÔÇ£InternetÔÇØ aspect on roads and campsites which we have not been able to reach before. ÔÇ£Big BendÔÇØ has changed into a new World for us. Here we are though now, out for a few days having put some photos together, a couple videos, a couple new entries into our Journal, these Chapters which maybe some day will form themselves into a thick Book!
The latest days were passed on ÔÇ£Old Ore RdÔÇØ witnessing the magical changes of a stage so present, from clear blue skies to storms, from hot to cold and all in between and windy curtain calls. It is what we do best at times having to come out for water and provisions, a bit of fuel and then on right back into the silence and quiet that have surrounded us lately.
We live in such a beautiful Country which never cease to amaze me. There are no Urban ruffles where we go, it is always Spirit and I and the sights as they were centuries ago.
Enjoy, much more to discover.

Be well, always.



Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them
 
So Much Inspiration - So Much Life !

The adventures of Ara and Spirit come across as so much more than a man on a motorcycle trip with his pet dog - I find it a soul searching journey inspiring so many along the way- those who enjoy reading, pictures, travel, camping, outdoors, motorcycles, vacations, etc.....Thanks for the efforts you have taken to share your experiences with all of us...no doubt many will read your journey on 2 wheels and finally decide that maybe, just maybe, they should jump in and enjoy our country too.
 
The adventures of Ara and Spirit come across as so much more than a man on a motorcycle trip with his pet dog - I find it a soul searching journey inspiring so many along the way- those who enjoy reading, pictures, travel, camping, outdoors, motorcycles, vacations, etc.....Thanks for the efforts you have taken to share your experiences with all of us...no doubt many will read your journey on 2 wheels and finally decide that maybe, just maybe, they should jump in and enjoy our country too.

Thank You for writing those kind words and understanding the Journey as we are all on "A Journey". The sharing is the source of it all as so many others [like you] also share as such. There is more than riding... Much more as much as 'riding" is the best Prescription of Life!
You be well... Ara and Spirit
 
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A week in between at ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ. TX

I started thinking ÔÇ£in between what?ÔÇØ. Maybe between episodes? A Friend of mine wrote to me that he is trying to stay ÔÇ£Off the GridÔÇØ. That was the expression I was seeking for though we ÔÇ£areÔÇØ off the grid ourselves and yet I long for maybe what I can call ÔÇ£Really 'off' the GridÔÇØ! I also call it ÔÇ£deeper inÔÇØ and ÔÇ£more inlandÔÇØ. This ÔÇ£OasisÔÇØ of ours with power trickling from solar as are also showers with hot or hotter water on a sunny day, meals cooked with wood or again solar as a mean of heat, all for some reason, maybe being used to it, seems a bit ÔÇ£urbanÔÇØ as much as it is not.

We have been in and out of Terlingua lately listening to some good Music [Video on the Journal] and longing for the past days when spend on ÔÇ£Old Ore RdÔÇØ. Now looking at maps and trying to figure out our next destination in a couple of days. With almost 3 million acres ahead of us it is not a very difficult task.
So yes, this is a week ÔÇ£in betweenÔÇØ with more Dentist and Dr visits giving me the clearance for another Healthy Year. No ÔÇ£hopingÔÇØ, it just will be, positive thinking always. It is what makes us going, going... gone.

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
 
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ÔÇ£Grapevine Hills RdÔÇØ. Big Bend, Texas

Another great space into the Park for a few days. Another interesting road, not as difficult as ÔÇ£Old Ore RdÔÇØ but with the prize of a nice hike to the ÔÇ£Balanced RockÔÇØ. Once again the weather was more than perfect, the skies allowed for the clouds daily to play around, sunrises, sunsets, all in between could have not been any more enjoyable. Much cooking this time around, the cooler it is, the more I will cook, the better I eat and the more Spirit most likely gets frustrated as he cannot handle Human food. Poor Buddy of mine, sensitive stomach. It is all so well as ÔÇ£CrustyÔÇØ continues to perform, she was designed for those roads. Hoping to get back in there again soon, maybe lucky enough to get a site around ÔÇ£Terlingua AbajaÔÇØ right before the Holiday Madness starts. Of course this is not an Urban environment, such madness is limited, yet, it is for us as Terlingua and the Park will fill up quickly.
Enjoy the hike and the video.

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
 
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ÔÇ£La Linda Bridge, a Border ÔÇ£Ghost TownÔÇØ. TX

I had more in mind calling this destination a ÔÇ£Dead EndÔÇØ. As it is. Coincidentally we were there the same day of the horrific saddening [as words escape me] of last week's senseless shooting ensuing the loss of so many Lives. The Children. It has now been a few days and I still cannot wrap my thoughts around it. This healing Desert is slowly allowing me to again face the daily present and not consider ÔÇ£that DayÔÇØ as a ÔÇ£Dead EndÔÇØ of it all as much as it has felt like it. There are no other avenues here for one's mind to be distracted, as a ball of fire dropping into this landscape the images, physical and abstract have not gone away honestly not understanding much of it all, not comprehending neither how everyone has had the ability to go on ÔÇ£laughingÔÇØ and ÔÇ£smilingÔÇØ when there is nothing to do as such. But yes, Life goes on, this is the Society we live in wondering myself if we just have been conditioned toward such tragedies and if we are turning the pages just a bit too soon. It is a bit of a state of confusion I must say. My Heart goes for the Parents, the Families, the Friends and everyone which their Lives are now changed forever as mine did now almost 9 Years ago and still feels as it was yesterday.
At the same time the Holidays are upon us, maybe we can balance it all out never forgetting the ones when these times are not of Happy ones.
I don't know if all of this makes any sense.
I do wish you I am going to say ÔÇ£A Good HolidayÔÇØ. That is to me the balance of these present times.

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them


www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
 
Somebody...

...I guess; must be the next post to your comments Ara. Yet most of us, do NOT have the "space", that allows your perspective.
So... if this is difficult for you, with insight as you have; then I understand why I feel helpless. And myself as a grandparent...
I share your attempt at "balance", yet...
somehow on this eve of Christmas 2012, I do wish you happiness & Merry Christmas Ara.
As you say best... be well, always.

Travel'in John.... ."breathing is easy... but living takes effort; more so these difficult times"
 
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...I guess; must be the next post to your comments Ara. Yet most of us, do NOT have the "space", that allows your perspective.
So... if this is difficult for you, with insight as you have; then I understand why I feel helpless. And myself as a grandparent...
I share your attempt at "balance", yet...
somehow on this eve of Christmas 2012, I do wish you happiness & Merry Christmas Ara.
As you say best... be well, always.

Travel'in John.... ."breathing is easy... but living takes effort; more so these difficult times"

Well said. Words to think about and ponder on. Thank You.

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And a ÔÇ£Happy New YearÔÇØ

...as we come out of ÔÇ£Big Bend National ParkÔÇØ after spending a few days camping at ÔÇ£Rattlesnake MountainÔÇØ. It is a Day like others yet does not feel as such. Such have become milestones for us, thinking we made it another Year and another one ahead of us wondering where this will take us, at what level will our Adventures climb up to? Some ideas are present, some decisions taken and now one step at the time to apply them all.
These past days in the Park were gifted with such incredible scenery, a weather so acceptable considering the snow coming down up North, some good riding and even meeting a few others also enjoying this land always so talkative.
A couple videos rendered today, one I am calling ÔÇ£The Moon climbing the OcotilloÔÇØ, it was luck being at the right place at the right time.
I found some footage from 7 Years ago [or more?] of the days when we received the sidecar, hooked it up and Spirit's first stay in it! I was choked myself watching it. I had to include it in another Video also in the Journal.
On to Terlingua now for the Annual ÔÇ£Black Eye PeaÔÇØ Cook-Off. Why not? Many Friends there and familiar faces, smiling one which I am sure also are welcoming this New 2013 Year.
Enjoy...

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them
 
What cool videos, especially this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-7f1uW8UIYY

What a long strange trip it's been!

Voni
sMiling

Thank You Voni... here is to 2013! :)

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The Passion of the Road. TX

It is starting to be indescribable to day in and day out have the freedom to roam. Seemingly one would think it would diminish, only the opposite is happening. Could it be the New Year and the thoughts that all these days of 2013 lay ahead of us? and then again, what is time? Dates?
We were gifted with some snow a couple days ago. I know the Northerners would not call it a ÔÇ£giftÔÇØ but here in this vast Big Bend area it is what we call it as being a rarety, maybe a couple times per winter giving us also much water. We of course had to ride it as ÔÇ£CrustyÔÇØ with her two wheel drive plowed through as being on pavement with much ease and fun.
It happened as on cue right after the New Year's Day ÔÇ£Black Eye PeaÔÇØ Coo~Off by the Porch in Terlingua. A full day mixed in with ÔÇ£everyoneÔÇØ gathering around crock pots, Dutch Ovens, you name it. Big smiles, much chatting and much Music also and games and raffles. This is truly a special area of this beautiful Country we live in and feel so fortunate to have discovered it. The word is out!

Enjoy the Videos, Photos...

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them
 
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Language of January Winds. Texas

This time around a physical and mental wintery time is setting in. Yet, lucky for us the weather is not near anything as abrupt and severe as the Northern spaces. With heated gear and an electric blanket for Spirit we can still move around. We also have Terlingua which I would almost say is ÔÇ£a town that never sleepsÔÇØ as there is always something going on. ÔÇ£Farmers MarketÔÇØ on Saturdays, much Music on the Porch on Sundays, we stop by, we chat, we feel it all and then on back here to ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ trying to sort what I call some ÔÇ£stuffÔÇØ and ÔÇ£thingsÔÇØ out before Spring shows up. The snow is also long gone, the mud is still here more than ever this time around from also much rain, I feel a bit as I am vegetating and spinning my wheels. The shadows of a January of 9 Years ago is dropping by weighing over the present moments as I do not try to escape it but putting in much efforts to have smoother times. They are a bit of ÔÇ£flat timesÔÇØ pushing myself to stay busy, busier keeping my mind off the past, thinking about the good times trying to leave the dark ones tucked away as yet words of wisdom confront me, sometimes they are just a bit harder to comprehend and put to good use.
Enjoy the Terlingua Music and one more Snow ride.

Be well, always.



Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them



www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
 
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Open Mind and ÔÇ£Closed CanyonÔÇØ. TX

Weather in Big Bend! Our path is always about the weather. It dictates our coming and going. Staying put or roll down the roads with an acquired over these past years freedom. Right now after the rains and a bit of snow it has been as Paradise, as in sunny, warm and I might even go as far as saying ÔÇ£hotÔÇØ. A hike throughout ÔÇ£Closed CanyonÔÇØ had been on my mind for a while and the perfect day for it arrived. Even more perfect with the company of a good Friend we had not seen in years. The kind ÔÇ£we picked up where we had left offÔÇØ. Another surprise was in store for us, pools of water adding to the beautiful vision of this Canyon carved from years of waters and debris passing through to finally end up in the Rio Grande. A larger pool however was awaiting about a mile into it. That was the end for us, we were not going to swim in the icy temperatures. Not that day. The destinations are endless within this area, where will we go next?

Enjoy the Canyon and another video.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos
 
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Same Day, another Year gone by. TX

Winter in Southern Texas can be these almost warm balmy days and nights following each other, they can be the most exhilarating rides on the many roads present, paved and unpaved, yet the calendar does not spare certain dates coming around year after year. Sometimes it is Nature that wins it all pulling the senses into it's womb exposing herself with all her beauty and appeal, sometimes it is a date throwing a shadow of memories as on the 26ht from 9 years past.
That is just how the Journey is and it's acceptance and endurance of such days is making it possible to go on feeling it all as that is what matters ÔÇ£feeling it allÔÇØ. There is no escape, only awaiting for time throughout it's course to smooth it out when it desires to do so.
ÔÇ£Indian TrailÔÇØ is a path which reminds me of many other spaces we have been to. It is a stretch of road that digs deep into the imagination of how all has been laid out. It takes my mind away from a certain present. The forms and shapes of the rocks are endless regardless how many times one has been there. There is always new discoveries.
Enjoy it's Photos and a short Video.

Be well, always.



Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them
 
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What this is all about, ÔÇ£RidingÔÇØ. Texas

The prescription for sanity, for the balance in one's Life as ours: ÔÇ£RidingÔÇØ. Might be other avenues for others, such as driving, sailing, diving, climbing, soaring in the skies and more. So fortunate to be here for these winter times faced with only the decision of which roads to take on. One of my favorite loops came to mind through Alpine, Marfa, Pinto Canyon, Presidio, Terlingua and back up here. Turned out to be a cloudy day, one preferred for fewer stops while the video camera was rolling but not the hand held. It is as the miles can fill void created when not riding. Some paved roads, a bit of unpaved, a stop here and there as it is regardless a must for the both of us, all around a great day only to return when really not wanting to. Those days are near also as Spring seemingly has indeed arrived here, we are just awaiting for it to also make it's mark a bit north of us. ÔÇ£Old FaithfulÔÇØ was purring all day, it was as she has been reborn with an engine only having 30,000 miles on her, not even broken in. A strange concept when actually it's frame has over 300,000 miles.
Enjoy the Photos, the Video.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them
 
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A wonderful Life at the ÔÇ£Swimming HoleÔÇØ. Texas

Another day gone by, timeless zone prevalent at a stand still, the Big Bend spaces call me, one always has in particular which we here is called ÔÇ£The Swimming HoleÔÇØ. It is on private property, yet shared by the Locals as the owner has basically deputized everyone to be responsible when enjoying the magnificent array of carved rocks from the violent flash floods of two creeks joining in. The road has been impassable till a few days ago, we now have been back already three times. They are Mother Nature's walls, not the kind poured in with man made angles. They are walls which have taken centuries to mold and now present times are exposed to one's imagination. This area does not stop amazing me me. It is as the seed, the center, the hub of all roads forking out toward the different other destinations throughout this so vast Country always calling me back to step up throughout this Mystery of Life we live. Regardless of it's reason for being on such roads, yes, as many have expressed toward us, it is a ÔÇ£Wonderful LifeÔÇØ.
Such choice is always ours.
Since you could not be there yourself, enjoy the few photos and a video.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
 
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Flavors and Healings from this ÔÇ£SpaceÔÇØ. TX

Musical winds lately in Terlingua. Not even much time to ride. Amazingly this little town is buzzing non stop. What a change from 5 years ago when we first set foot [wheel?] in this space. From Classical to a Play to all gathered at The Porch or at The Farmer's Market and everything else in between including a huge off road bicycle gathering in Lajitas. I took it all in, we keep the riding for during the week now and even then such incredible talent is popping in from Austin, Dallas and further. Mild winter being, everyone is happy, smiling and feeling good. It is a ÔÇ£win winÔÇØ situation being here within these times. I caught some on videos, some in Photos, the videos will be around as long as we have such as now a good Internet connection. As we leave here mid April the rendering of them will be much harder and not as frequent. So I take advantage of it right now enjoying myself watching over and over some that have really moved me.
Till next time, enjoy.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos
 
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Unstoppable, TX

Amazing fact, nothing much going on, not taking roots yet not moving on. Scratching the door to get out with a resemblance of wanting so, yet, not quite ready. Busy days however with Spirit having had some leg surgery which by now has almost healed since he is again his old ÔÇ£clownÔÇØ portraying himself, some windy days transforming this stage into one as being from another planet including grinding sand in my teeth, some more Music as the Terlingua season is in full bloom, some riding on ÔÇ£Old MarathonÔÇØ road and all and all the week has flown by almost overlapping into another month coming up. I am wondering if it is true that with age time goes by faster than ever as it has these past weeks. I feel as belonging to a dear community surrounding us, at the same time enjoying the peacefulness, serenity and silence of ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ which has only a sundial throughout the days mixed in with some long walks with Spirit, some cooking, staying in touch with Friends. My gear review this time around is about my ÔÇ£One~PanÔÇØ recipes trying to explain what they are all about with the hope they will help others in their Home or while camping. I find them interesting ÔÇ£templatesÔÇØ. I think next time will be my kitchen gear.
Photos and videos [while they last] on the Journal, as always.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos
 
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Escaping Big Bend Park! TX

What is really in a Title? Not much when a week goes on with so many activities. So much so that an escape to Big Bend Park became a must only to feel invaded by the mega Tourists and escape within such little time spend. Spring Break is around the corner, I should know better, will have to be patient for another 10 days or so. Yet in Terlingua, surrounded by familiar faces, the Music goes on. This time around was a Classical Music Quartet with an unusual and very funny opening monologue and a contemporary piece ending the encore. It is that time however to as I call it ÔÇ£tighten upÔÇØ and organize some order so we can leave sooner than later. Little details while Internet is present in profusion, moving hundreds of Gigabytes of footage of videos and photos from one space to another, catching up on some e mails, maintenance, once a year the list goes on and on and seems to be greater than the year before as much as I try to keep all so simple. It is a bit like an invasion wondering where all this ÔÇ£stuffÔÇØ and ÔÇ£choresÔÇØ came from! There is no escape.
Enjoy the videos, there are a few.

Be well, always.



Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them



www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal


www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos
 
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ÔÇ£Live LifeÔÇØ or ÔÇ£Social MediaÔÇØ? TX

Some might find my writing being at times controversial, it is not it's purpose or object to be as such. Sometimes thoughts have a tendency to crawl in and agitate a present situation as it happened not so long ago. I only know about these two sides of a wall when loosing touch with Friends too busy trying to gain a spot so seeked by too many within this saturated arena of the ÔÇ£Social Media SaloonÔÇØ for a ÔÇ£throneÔÇØ of an unfounded importance so superficial it made me wonder why?
I still don't know about those ÔÇ£why'sÔÇØ! Why give up one's own Life, the riding it could be, the hiking or for that matter any other self indulged activity to instead ÔÇ£do itÔÇØ to only bring on the advertising as such of a ÔÇ£look at meÔÇØ syndrome.
The ÔÇ£screen warriorsÔÇØ are of so many, at one point they will and do loose touch with themselves only caring for that seat so seeked perched up there in the middle of nowhere having lost the true feel of a ground, of an Earth bouncing back so intimate it's own feelings.
Just some thoughts, nothing else.
The ÔÇ£balanceÔÇØ of it all I find as the daily key for a smooth path mapped with much self awareness. Sometimes it is hard as the turmoil of the fonts can too easily absorb one's mind versus just ÔÇ£being out thereÔÇØ for one's self with much growth and true feelings slowly imprinting the present mind.

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them
 
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The Faith of a wounded Warrior [Fiction]

How did some fiction made it's way into this Journal? How did writing in a previous chapter entailed my thoughts about cuddling?
Many aspects of this Luxurious Life make their ways into words I feel freely expressing. Maybe they have no convergence of parallel with riding or other aspects of what many might think, yet, they do. Time, ÔÇ£thatÔÇØ luxury, that one, makes the mind run into so many different directions while riding, camping, cooking, playing with Spirit, spending time with true Friends, attending some Music played so freely never too far, watching the skies painted by Mother Nature throughout Sunrises and Sunsets, calendar and clock having vanished long time ago, all conductive for such thoughts.
It is Life to the fullest. They are the inner thoughts taking place as maybe I do not have room for a dry ÔÇ£ride reportÔÇØ not being too concerned how many miles and hours we have ridden, what time we last ate.
Sometimes it is a question asked by a Friend such as ÔÇ£Don't you miss cuddling?ÔÇØ, or maybe it is the heat of this Desert which made me think about a short fictional story. Then again, is it truly all fiction?

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them
 
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