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

The Oasis of my Soul..

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Pony, Montana

Sometimes one cannot truly feel its surroundings by only looking. I might change my going around direction by reading a bit before hand about the places visited and ridden to. This was the case in Pony, MT, not far from here, Ennis. Was it the cold, 30 degrees that morning, was it the previous ride into Virginia City and Nevada City which left me a bit overwhelmed? Who knows but we will be going back to witness a bit more of past History I was not aware of, as I did not fully experienced the little unassuming old Mining Town.
Besides this little ride, a great visit from our Friends from Lander, WY, KC and Mia I kind of want to call them KC and the Sunshine Band!. A great dinner again by Teri as it seems my own cooking, well need a ride to Bozeman as the only local Grocery Stores prices are as we were joking about it this morning, about $3 an egg!!!
The weather the rains and the storms are just not slowing down. Every chance we have of sunshine we will be out with no doubt riding the so many roads around as time is passing by so fast.
Enjoy Pony, it is worth the visit.
Be well
Ara & Spirit
 
Great photo.

Wow! That last photograph is something! Beautiful, and menacing as well. Were I out on a motorcycle that weather would get my full and undivided attention!
 
The Oasis of my Soul...

Wow! That last photograph is something! Beautiful, and menacing as well. Were I out on a motorcycle that weather would get my full and undivided attention!

Trust me that it did!!!... Thanks.

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A Beautiful Earth, MT

Gravelly Range Road, a Treasure of a road. As many areas we encounter, at times I am told to keep it for myself. But this is all about sharing Just as a ribbon with no end the road goes on forever, the horizons are immense, this is after all Montana. Surprises are of many along the road, they are not motorcycles as we only came across one car all day, but a sheepherder from Chile that resides at 9400 feet with his herd of 1200 sheep and 8 dogs. Where else could this happen? Lunch and much conversation even though we do not speak the same language. No need for it, there is a Universal language that is so much more powerful when it comes from the Heart. Spirit however was not too fond of his new buddies trying to get into his car I think he is becoming a bit grouchy when it comes to sharing.
Another surprise was a family of three on a bicycle, father, mother (a teacher) and their 8 year old son. Now that kid has to be a happy one as they are planning to go around the World.
A foggy morning on the Madison River, weather warming up, every day is been just this great day being so fortunate to live it and appreciate this beautiful Earth of ours.
More on the BlogBe well always.
Ara & Spirit
 
The Oasis of my Soul..

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More wandering at the ÔÇ£Rusty CowboyÔÇØ and Gravelly Range Rd. MT

Time escapes us often, even with the days still lingering with great light in the late hours. Fun was photographing the space we are camping at, for the past I think couple weeks. ÔÇ£The Rusty CowboyÔÇØowned by Teri who has become a Dear Friend of ours, a Friend we will miss soon as we will be leaving in a few days. And then, again we went on wandering to no end on Gravelly Range Road, a road, an area and a space that does not stop calling us. I wonder how many have truly ever even heard of it, driven it or ridden it. I donÔÇÖt think anyone has from the lack of vehicles seen throughout the days passed. The road itself, very well maintained in most places, is not of a challenge per say, but the space is, as feeling passed a certain invisible marker being into another dimension so far away from civilization. It is as it was, the real stage as Mother Nature intended. Reminds me so much being at ÔÇ£The OasisÔÇØ in Texas, with even more remoteness.
Enjoy the couple Blogs posted including the photos, it is the essence of ÔÇ£MontanaÔÇØ.

Be well always.

Ara & Spirit
 
Hi Ara & Spirit :wave

I love seeing the weather in your pictures. Especially this last one!
Man, that's fire in the sky. And beautiful too!

Riley says hello to Spirit.

Ian
 
Hi Ara & Spirit :wave

I love seeing the weather in your pictures. Especially this last one!
Man, that's fire in the sky. And beautiful too!

Riley says hello to Spirit.

Ian
Plus one! As a long time westerner I miss the sorts of cloud and weather your photos feature. Great stuff.
 
The Oasis of my Soul...

Thank you... I think the weather is becoming my favorite, and yet, it is pure luck!!!
How is the pup Ian?...

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Bannack, MT

Finally a real Ghost Town visited just in time as we will be moving on in a couple of days. So many photos that it is going to take a couple Blogs to post most of them. Wandering slow, versus the usual many travelers ÔÇ£warp speedÔÇØ with mileage in mind more than anything else, we also met up this time with a family of six bicycling the country. ÔÇ£6ÔÇØ! I was thinking about all the meals, the camping gear, the showers, the logistics which must be by themselves just incredible. We also had a long stop over in Dillon admiring the Old Hotel and right across, the new ÔÇ£graffitiÔÇØ. A contrast in itself.
But the big prize is Bannack. Turned into a State Park where dogs are allowed everywhere, quiet and peaceful with even I was told, the sights of Ghosts at night.
The Badlands will be our next stop before heading south, hopefully to cool weather we sure dont want Mr. Spirit to be uncomfortable!
Enjoy the TownBe well
Ara & Spirit
 
Next Year.... I'm there!

Ara, your last week has been fantistic! Next year through MT.. I'm heading to
Bannick. Have been following you on "spot", I think I can find it!
You lucky dog... er.. and pilot of side-car rig:laugh
"Travel'in" John "Breathing is easy... living takes effort"
 
Heading to Bannick today

Ara, I have been "a stalker" on your ride report for sometime. I happen to be in Missoula today getting my bike fixed at Montana's only BMW shop. I should be on the road by 1:00 pm and then head South. My goal will be to hit Yellowstone for 2 days then hit Badlands.

I will look for you on the road. Good travels and perhaps we run across each other.

My blog can be found at:

http://web.me.com/david.dorwart/2wheelsround/The_Crisis/The_Crisis.html

All my pictures are within "the dark room" within the navigation page.

Dave
 
The Oasis of my Soul... Life Under the Stars

Ara, I have been "a stalker" on your ride report for sometime. I happen to be in Missoula today getting my bike fixed at Montana's only BMW shop. I should be on the road by 1:00 pm and then head South. My goal will be to hit Yellowstone for 2 days then hit Badlands.

I will look for you on the road. Good travels and perhaps we run across each other.

My blog can be found at:

http://web.me.com/david.dorwart/2wheelsround/The_Crisis/The_Crisis.html

All my pictures are within "the dark room" within the navigation page.

Dave

Have not looked at your site yet, real slow connection here but we are in Ennis base camping today, leaving in the am for Bozeman for a couple days and then also the Badlands... now, which Badlands!!! :scratch I hear there are a few, we are going to the ones in SD... maybe we will cross...

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Good Bye Montana, more of Bannack

This State grew on us, it helped me straighten up a bit, understand better what Life is all about under a different light. Odd thoughts one might think. Not to me truly, as the land within every space has itÔÇÖs own character and personality and gives back what one puts in. Exception being the Freeways! We bonded it seems only yesterday and already it is time for us to leave, only meaning we will come back. It is the beauty of this vast Country, knowing that a Lifetime will never be long enough to see it all, even less, feel it all. It is so fine, it is a thought that will never occur, meaning asking myself ÔÇ£now what?ÔÇØ. It just cannot happen.
I finally posted all the Photos of Bannack, the incredible well taken care of Ghost Town, the quiet one that allows a real walk through of it, and also another real food find The Taco Bus in Dillon. Cant miss it, you dont want to miss it. Of course now, none will be up to their standard and Dillon is not on our way for a last real invigorating meal. Well, if we left now we could be there in about one hour 71 miles. We have ridden much longer for a good meal!
Enjoy
Be well as always.
Ara & Spirit
 
The Oasis of my Soul..

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The Dream? MT

I am aware of being a book of complex nature, arenÔÇÖt we all? No soldered board that could ever match our own elaborate circuitry. Valleys and peaks are put down in words, sometimes ÔÇ£someoneÔÇØ would like me to change those ways. Some understand, some donÔÇÖt, the comments differ, either way my path has been created, subject to change, but not today.
We have left Ennis, already planning to come back next year, so many roads, such vistas still unseen. It has been quite an experience moving on to this State as slowly building the foundations of a strong relationship with itÔÇÖs rugged and yet inviting space.
We are headed East, for finally our descent South which makes me feel as the one of this airplane after a long flight. Ron Dakotah should be on our path tomorrow with the hopes that we can again camp together. He has only gone 300 miles or so since we parted, it has to be the ultimate Journey
Some photos of West Fork Road, another one to again try to experience with some day better weather. Life goes on!!!Be well always.
Ara & Spirit
 
Already gone

Ara,

I stayed in Deadwood and opted for a hotel room rather than what the hills had to offer. I would have been better off in the hills as the town closes up pretty quick and the hotel is just that, a hotel.

Sorry I missed you out there. It was really my intent and wish to run across you and Spirit.

Perhaps another time and place. If you are ever on the East Coast, West of Philadelphia, you are welcome at our place. Stay as long as you need. Plenty of acres and rooms and dogs so Spirit won't be the "only one"

Travel Safe

Dave
 
The Oasis of my Soul..

Ara,

I stayed in Deadwood and opted for a hotel room rather than what the hills had to offer. I would have been better off in the hills as the town closes up pretty quick and the hotel is just that, a hotel.

Sorry I missed you out there. It was really my intent and wish to run across you and Spirit.

Perhaps another time and place. If you are ever on the East Coast, West of Philadelphia, you are welcome at our place. Stay as long as you need. Plenty of acres and rooms and dogs so Spirit won't be the "only one"

Travel Safe

Dave

Thank you for your generous offer. It is very hard to hook up with other riders. It actually has never happened intentionaly... except for surprises!!!
Did you ride 212? Broadus? We will be riding back there... much unpaved roads inviting us... Thanks again.

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Highway 212 to South Dakota

This is the furthest point North we will be coming to this summer and also the furthest point East as we will start our descent back to Texas soon. South Dakota, a new State and we are right in the middle of it all, much attractions even if I feel as this weekend will be a Zoo due to the Holidays. We might track back a bit and stop along Highway 212 which we hurried by looking for Ron Dakotah, my ÔÇ£Sheepherder Wagon FriendÔÇØ. His own Journey is moving right along as he himself is on his way to Texas. The big difference is the hardship of his own logistics and the time it will take him to reach by then warmer weather, about 3 months. I feel here as ÔÇ£fallÔÇØ is making a bit of itÔÇÖs mark. Cooler temperatures, dry, almost as if on borrowed times the days I sense are as a warning for winter around the corner. All I can say now is ÔÇ£how big and beautiful this Country is!ÔÇØ as every little town, every bend and even seemingly every mile passed by is an inviting space to slow down within and feel itÔÇÖs own presence.
Familiar photos on the Blog the red wagon!

Be well, always.

Ara & Spirit
 
Road out of Deadwood

Ara,

I left out of Deadwood and headed South on 385 through the Blackhills National Forest. Then headed East on RT 18 through SD. Small towns, very very heavy winds followed me the whole way through the State.

I also felt summer days slipping away as I noticed a big difference in the temperature from the days of July and the end-of-August days. The sun just falls quicker against the horizon, your warning that the winter days will finally take over.

I have been home for 36 hours and just planned a tour of the East Coast ending in Key West with a friend.

Travel safe and I will continue to follow

Dave
 
The Oasis of my Soul..

Ara,

I left out of Deadwood and headed South on 385 through the Blackhills National Forest. Then headed East on RT 18 through SD. Small towns, very very heavy winds followed me the whole way through the State.

I also felt summer days slipping away as I noticed a big difference in the temperature from the days of July and the end-of-August days. The sun just falls quicker against the horizon, your warning that the winter days will finally take over.

I have been home for 36 hours and just planned a tour of the East Coast ending in Key West with a friend.

Travel safe and I will continue to follow

Dave

Do you ever rest??? :thumb

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Could Life just be a big ÔÇ£QuoteÔÇØ, SD

Every little town we pass by is a turn around. A structure here, an odd display of man made accoutrements designed to attract the attention, all works for us. The imagination of so many are indispensable, it is what makes ÔÇ£AmericanaÔÇØ, it is what creates the smiles while running down mainly the back roads from point to point when time is not much of an issue. The Artists of the road are of many, their original thoughts maybe have not been of creating Art, only to get the attention needed to swell their businesses, but I see it as a free form of Art. So was the case stopping at the ÔÇ£Stoneville SaloonÔÇØ in Alzada, how can one not. The same when in Deadwood to check out Kevin CostnerÔÇÖs memorabilia in his Casino called ÔÇ£The Midnight StarÔÇØ, a bit more crowded arena that I care for, but worth the detour through Spearfish Canyon, a beautiful riding road adorned with waterfalls worthy of their hike. None of this ever stops, one mile at the time we cover the spaces that presents themselves ahead of us enjoying their moments and vision offered incessantly.
Enjoy the BlogBe well, always.
Ara & Spirit
 
The Oasis of my Soul..

Road art. Like it. Great photos as always.

Thanks James, lots of it here...

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In Broadus. MT

If every little town was such as Broadus, it would take a few Lifetimes to travel through this Country, stopping and spending the hours contemplating all that is now laid out. I must have developed an inquisitive mind, I always seem to manage to meet the ÔÇ£mainÔÇØ local personality, not in the sense of his ÔÇ£powerÔÇØ in town, but in his/her accomplishment within the community.
In Broadus it has been Doug. An old theatre which at one time had only three rows of seats, now settled for a larger audience, with a gym on stage, a Pizza parlor and more
We will be leaving headed south in a day or two, it is that time before we get caught in this weather that is now beautiful but showing itÔÇÖs Fall imprint. And I was wondering how many such as Broadus are lining up our route between here and Texas?
It is beautiful Country here, up in the Black Hills, it reminds me a bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway, if only there were less Casinos and structures lining up the shoulders all along. I see it as quite an irony when a Century past adorns itÔÇÖs Sacred Grounds with another path no so Sacred.
More on the Blog

Be well, always.

Ara & Spirit
 
The Oasis of my Soul... Life Under the Stars

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Devils Tower Badlands WY./SD.

Anomaly could be Devils Tower! I could not keep my eyes off of it as many around us, including watching the climbers reach the top and going over the final ledge. A strange fact, climbers are allowed to the top but dogs are not around the 1.3 mile path that circles the Tower. Has anyone gone to the top lately and check on the waste left by the climbers? no offense but We all know what is happening with Mt Everest.
Another great ride included the Badlands, 240,000 acres of a fingerprint left by Mother Nature, maybe not unlike other geological ones as it even reminded me of some of the foothills in Big Bend, but vast enough to blend with and be transported as in another space.
Today there are clouds and rain, we are not leaving here till Monday morning, the forecast is of the same till then. The Custer Parks photos might have to wait till next year, we rode it, but again the weather was not conductive for the camera. I call it the spaghetti road! No downpour, just cold steady drops covered with steady gray clouds! That kind
Till next time
Be well
Ara & Spirit
 
The Oasis of my Soul...

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Scenic, that is the Town of SD

We should all practice wrong turns, getting lost without a watch, only the sun throughout the days and the stars at night guiding us throughout the back country so opulent here. Forget schedules, routes, you will find so much more richness around you and the unexpected. That is the way we stumbled on ÔÇ£ScenicÔÇØ, this little almost Ghost Town which took most of the afternoon to walk through and play with the camera. So much History here and even more than History in this part of the country, it is the way how everyone lived. The shootings, the much drinking, prevalent jails everywhere, long horse rides for passing on the news, ancient by then when they arrived to their destinations, so much seems to have changed, maybe however not all.
We are still headed south, the temps near by Denver are already on the warmer side, the days are shorter, fall is here almost, winter will not be long, I like the cold!!!
It wont be long at all I can taste my vision and hear Spirit again running free, his eyes always locked on me, must be Love I think as my own eyes and ears also are locked on him. Build a fire within minutes of our arrival those are all my thoughts for the day.
Be well always.
Ara & Spirit
 
The Oasis of my Soul... Life Under the Stars

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Garden of the Gods, Co.

It is not Valley of the Gods, barely over 400 acres, however it stands as a pleasant, free, and dog friendly Park near by Colorado City. Give me dog friendly anytime and you have a winner. We have left the crowded spaces of Denver, We are dropping fast through Amarillo and in my mind I can already smell the flavors of the BBQ at City Market in Lubbock. Not a detour, our true route, a grand entrance back to Texas. We had BBQ a couple night ago, a resemblance of it not a very bright idea to order BBQ in Colorado. Truly, how distasteful. If I remember well there was more than City Market around Lubbock, maybe someone here can remind me of the two other establishments worthy of stopping.
We enjoyed Garden of the Gods, one needs to get there early, the crowd even off season can be overwhelming and the roads are narrow and tight with not that many parking spaces. It is as being within a mini Valley of the Gods, some thoughts about Utah came back to mind, thoughts that will have to wait till next April, the last weekend of it when again the balloons will fly
In the meantime, be well always.
Ara & Spirit
 
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