"The Oasis of my Soul"... a Lifelong Journey on the road...

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

More of the Arches, UT

No April’s Fool here as we have fallen back into the slow lane of checking out the sights, looking for the opportunity for some good pictures after this dark weather that was hovering over us.
All is quiet now in Moab, Jeep Safari week is over and so is spring break and this feels like the last stretch for summer, right around the corner. Revived energy thinking about the long days with the cold replaced by higher temperatures allowing us to spend more time outdoor.
The immediate area of the Arches National Park is a constant discovery of shapes and colors taking on their unique personality with every phase of the weather. Patience is one of the common denominator for good pictures… and luck. Always luck to be there at the right time, at the right place and not 100 miles away or even being a mile away when the window of opportunity knocks.
I don’t think we will ever be tired of the Arches…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Back to the Park… Moab

I hope that things do not come in 3’s as the saying goes! Ignition sensor last week… this week is the starter! Transportation is the problem if we have it rebuilt, but with this kind of mileage will have to bite the bullet and have a new one installed. We will be in Durango on Tuesday night to exchange it on Wednesday, remain in southern Utah for a bit while there and then return. In such events the situation is a bit more complicated when one lives on the road!
I am drawn to this Park again and again. The colors and shapes and shadows are different every time we ride through, we are also trying to not adventure ourselves right now in desolate places just in case the starter decided to totally quit!… Just grinds a bit now… message received!
So again I took a bunch of pictures while doing some hiking. It is, they are on the Blog…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

How did it go on the starter....Ara....?

We kind of have something in common here.

My starter stopped working in front of the pizza shop in Monticello (at least I could eat well). After an hour of cooling down, it worked again. I made it to Cortez. Found a nice little shop next to my motel. I had them order in a new starter from Toyota in Durango......and they installed it. All for half the price it would have been in Scam Diego!

I decided to just put in a new one. I didn't want to have to be banging on my starter to make it work 50+ miles from nowhere!

Still loving your pics and stories! Awesome stuff!

 

[beemerchef]

I'll have to remember not to park there!!! Yes, with 182,000 miles I am getting a new one also!!!... don't you think?... in Durango the price is right...

The City of Moab, UT

The town is right now a weekend conversion destination for so many activities and quiet during the week seemingly the locals taking over. It is a nice town and I thought I would post some pictures of it. We are getting ready to leave here Tuesday morning for Durango, exchange this starter which has so far, grinding or not, has done well and have not let us stranded.
It will probably take us a couple weeks to return, Mexican Hat, Four Corners, Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley and Natural Bridges are all going to be destinations! Much to see and I am excited about the photography end of it. Hope the weather is conductive to it!
Check out the town on the Blog!
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

In Durango, Az

Short travel from Moab to Durango, AZ, nice scenery with the hills covered with snow and not much else. The new starter is here and we are camping out a few feet from “Basin Motorcycles Works” (BMW… how smart!), a small shop run by Harry. We should be out of here by noon tomorrow and back to Utah/Az.
The more I am reading about the area we are going, the more I am discovering sights not to miss. As “Antelope Slot Canyon”… “Coyote Butte” and “the Wave” where they only allow 20 people a day with unbelievable pictures! “Mule Point” at the end of “Moki Dugway”… much more. I overlooked the fact that this area is so rich, also a Navajo Pow Wow this coming weekend in Page that I would really like to attend and some awesome roads.
I have to curb my enthusiasm and take it one day at the time…
On the Blog… some interesting double takes!
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

You got the right idea there....Ara!

Keep Going!:wavey:


......dang sagebrush!



.

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

I was told it is Russian thistle!!!:Wow1:

Bluff, Utah…

Lots has been going on including some bad weather returning to Utah, Bluff where we are now, camping on BLM land… a real nice campground. It seems like Bluff is more my kind of town than Moab… A stone throw away to some great riding including a 17 mile stretch through Valley of the Gods! Free camping there also… I have never seen such vast land with such a feel and so few people. The bike is fine, Harry at Basin Motorcycle Works did a great job and we were rolling within a couple hours. It is really nice to get to know some independent good mechanics versus the big three piece suit and high rent meaning high valued dotted lines as in BMW Dealerships… I am even wondering why the parts, brand new, not rebuild, are half the price!!! It even comes with a handshake…
The Blog is about my last hike while in Moab, to the Double Arches, my favorites, up close and personal!!!
Be well… always… Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Bluff is cool!

Not far from there you can head up the Comb Ridge Wash. Then if you hang a left at the right spot.........you can head up the Mormon Immigrant Trail! The views are outstanding! I know there are several old indian ruins in the area. I need to head back out there to find them and take pics.

Ara..........Send me a PM for details if you are interested.

Have fun!

Dontcha love those half price sales!

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Actually I know where it is!... Have awesome map and also chatted with the local Sheriff we bumped into while in "Valley of the Gods"... That was his first outing after over a year behind the desk!!! He was HAPPY!!! Also John's Canyon by Gooseneck State Park... It is endless here... and not bad roads!!!
Thanks... keep the suggestions coming!:coffeedrink:

A ride through “Valley of the Gods“, Utah

This will not be our last ride on that 17 miles stretch of dirt road! We might even move near it next week, pull up a chair and wait for something to happen… maybe a revelation?… maybe one of those striking moments of Life? Who knows… it is after all called “Valley of the Gods” for a reason so does the legends goes.
It is free travel, free camping with no facilities what so ever and the views are also for the taking! We only met up with half a dozen cars all day, most people we talked to had never even heard of it as the near by Monument Valley is definitely more advertised… A good thing!
More and more I am finding out that “time” is in direct relationship with my surrounding as I have totally lost track of it being here. With such a contrast, the multitudes of Lifestyles does not cease to amaze me…
You be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Ara! I love John's Canyon!

Did you find any ruins?

Did you make it all the way back there? I have to go back one day!

Here is an old pic from my pre~digital days of the SWR at the "Cow Gate" .....this is kind of below Muely Point.

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Oh!... we are at Gooseneck right now!!! WOW... how did they built this one?

Sandstorm below!!!... you did not want to be here today...

The City of Bluff, Utah

I am actually writing this off line from the Gooseneck State Park. If you need a facial… come on over! Have not experienced such a sand storm in eternity, one reason we could not even get in the Valley of the Gods… not rain or snow… much sand!
The City of Bluff is now my central point for my mail for a while, Blanding unfortunately 50 miles from here is good for provisions! There is nothing in between and so if you want to eat anything besides Hostess Pies and drink soda you better load up on your needs when you get here. I forgot… you can always get a plain old average $30 steak in Mexican Hat!
Bluff has a great Historical past, I think any path taken by the Pioneers has some great stories and a few pictures on the Blog to prove it…
Maybe this wind will die down and I can put up my Dish up, real impossible right now… I even took Spirit for a walk with his Doggles on!
Be well… Ara & Spirit (Dish is up!)

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Sandstorms at the Gooseneck State Park, Utah

The winds have come back with a vengeance! The nights will drop to in between 18 and 12... So when is summer?… when is the calm? I have just checked 6 weather sites!… they don’t all agree either. Oh, yes, the mosquito count is low!!! Now that is a big help… Just sit tight… right?
We are truly camped at one of the most beautiful sight on Earth only 50 feet away from a 1000’ drop down the San Juan river… I try not to think about that fact, nightmares you know!
It takes 5 miles for this river to go 1 linear mile… what a work of Art it is right in between “The Valley of the Gods” and “Monument Valley”. We have not even started Old Faithful yet, just hiking around… maybe shedding some of the winter weight.
Ah! I guess I am ready to wear my summer mesh jacket and store my electric heated gear… Patience…
Till later… be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Living in Valley of the Gods, Utah

It’s kind of like my town now!… this 17 mile stretch of road, barely a few cars going by throughout the day and wherever you turn around a monument one cannot take their eyes off!
But yesterday the wind came back with a vengeance and the forecast is for more today, 29mph per hour might not sound like much but it is!!! Hate to move, I remember from last year, wind is everywhere at this time of the year.
Troubled by Life? Come and camp here for a while… I promise you all will change as the days go by and you will experience so serious humbling moments.
With some hope we will ride up to Muley Point today… through a stretch of twisty roads hand carved by the Natives many years ago.
Enjoy the Blog… and be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Ara...........


Very nice!

Still loving your pics and stories.

One of my favorite areas!

Have you been down to the Green River for a dip yet?


V.O.G. .............

View from my campsite Sept. '06

This spot is about half way in, at the back corner..........just before the hard left turn/down hill to head south toward Goosenecks.

.

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul..

Is that an... SUV?... (smile!!!). We did a bit of Johns Canyon yesterday... turned around at the narrow... narrower part by the cliff... wish I had some company in places like that! No... no dipping yet!!! Come and join us! I'll even cook!!!

:steak:

Muley Point, Utah

Another space not to miss! Muley point… Moki Dugway unlike what I was told is an easy ride up or down, gravel and black top on the curves. And then you get to the top, make a left on another mild dirt road, #241, a few miles later you will feel as you are on Top of the World. Gooseneck underneath, below also is the road to Johns Canyon. This is where you can camp for weeks at the time with no one ever taking sight at you. One form of therapy!
Every day the decision to move or not due to hellacious winds has crossed my mind. One more day I keep thinking, as my head feels like being beat up by a 2 x 4 by evening… and the forecast, well, totally wrong on all points. A little ride back to Bluff today to check the mail, we have been here a week now and we are self contained for at least another week including water and food! Even Spirit is beat, he does not even want to lay outside in the midst of the howling! Our daily Life on the Blog!