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

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Blu Mtn Fastivel, Monticello, Utah…

A good time is always what you make of it. When we arrived to the Festival after a change of plan as usual, the organizers where really disturbed at the amount of the “no shows” within the vendors… blaming it on fuel prices. $4.29 today by the way in Monticello. My friend Pete was also there and was leaving as we arrived… as, this was not worth even coming too… he said.
We had a great time, we got lost a couple times trying to find the field, we got permission to go back to this old property we had found with “no trespassing” signs… It was just a great day on that front. Missing Family on another front took an impact later on but Spirit and I together we are learning to deal with it… Riding helps… he does too… you do too… it is all good.
Till next time…
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Amazing Global exposure for the “Journey” and… Spirit!!!

No misquotes… written as it should be, a synopsis of 18 months on the road… the why and the hows…
On Welcome to World of BMW
Got a kick out of this one on Motor Cyclist right underneath an another article about my Hero “Rossi”!… and our full page…
And then it is on to BMW Motorrad South Africa
… and Automotive.com Just in case you wanted a shorter version on the ongoing of the last 18 months!
We arrived back in Moab yesterday, we will be busy running errands, regrouping a bit and then on back south… Different World always suddenly… from the silence to rubber rolling down the black top… But that is alright with me as long as I know there is so much more of the vast empty spaces waiting for us…
Thank you for all your support… and long live “Spirit”!, yes… one of those mean “Pits” you know!!! (all the links are on the Blog)

Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[Tress]

Great stuff, and very well written, i love the bite me pic of spirit, a beautiful thing indeed to open the spirit and fill the empty, emotions change so often and it sounds like your running the gamut. Enjoy the journey my friend and keep the writing rolling, and throw spirit a bone for me will ya, take care and enjoy the time.......

:campfire:

 

[beemerchef]

Great stuff, and very well written, i love the bite me pic of spirit, a beautiful thing indeed to open the spirit and fill the empty, emotions change so often and it sounds like your running the gamut. Enjoy the journey my friend and keep the writing rolling, and throw spirit a bone for me will ya, take care and enjoy the time.......

:campfire:

Very well said Tress... thank you... Hope to meet you down the road sometime.

A strong Potash connection! Utah

A frayed clutch cable changed with a smile thanks to some past strong tutorials from Master BMW mechanics who knew that the knowledge of being quite self sufficient would come in handy, as it did. A couple tires changed by a Harley mechanic right along some stories of celebrities he had shared moments with. Another ride on Potash Rd, which with time and traffic has changed to a rougher one exposing itself with its flowers blooming and hues of red constantly changing throughout the moments… The sudden attraction of the Potash and salt mine with its blue dyed waters establishing such a contrast with the landscape… Spirit making it’s home wherever we stop and doing his own exploring… meeting a man named Mike who himself has just rescued another abused dog, an image of Spirit 3 years ago… This is just another day in our Life on the road. Never a dull moment, there is no boredom when one slows down and allows the events to take shape throughout one’s senses. All in the Blog.
Always be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Some great Camping, Utah
Camping is always great in Utah… specially when my favorite spot is unoccupied… A bit short lived because of bad weather today, but we got a great taste of it. You can never go wrong camping in “The Valley of the Gods”.
Full sun, sunsets, sunrise and just about full moon, it was a perfect time. The heat around this area is the only factor that worries me, specially with Spirit, even with always a full bowl of water in front of him and some shade, panting non stop. We definitely spend much more time throughout the year in cold weather versus hot.
So we are back… things will clear up and we can take off again!!!
I have had quite a few readers ask me about our camping gear… so there it is today, on the Blog.
Enjoy and be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Hiya Ara and Spirit!

So.........

Where are you today?

I'm in Arizona.....and I've been tempted to head up your way for a visit. But darn it.......it just cost me $47 bucks to fill my tank. The most Ever......and that was Only $3.59 per gallon! That's going to look cheap in a little bit. Yikes!



.

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Tell me about it! Thank God it is warming up and the "white Elephant" is parked!!!... We will be in Park the Chilley tomorrow!!! near by you?

The Natural Bridges, Utah

We packed fairly early that day leaving my favorite spot where I am sure we will go back under better skies. Some glancing at the clouds, decided to go and checkout the Natural Bridges National Park. Nice ride up, the Park itself not crowded at all with a 9 miles loop and amazingly no red sandstone. I think the camera was confused now! A delight on the eyes, marvels carved in rocks, many trails to go on and much greenery. The winds picked up as time went on, a struggling ride back specially with it on the nose from Blanding back to Bluff just in time for some serious rain… which lasted till a few minutes ago. Just got a message from a rider that was suppose to meet us here tonight… he is in Monticello in a motel room… it is snowing just a few miles north from here!
Eventually we will complain, needlessly, that it is too hot… some day, does not seem to be soon.
All in the Blog as always. Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Canyon the Chelly, Utah

Pronounced “sha-e”, I stood corrected. A nice ride into Arizona exploring the cliffs of this Canyon I had never heard of till a few days ago. Beautiful and breathtaking, uncrowded on Navajo Land as they also live in the Valley with much farming utilizing the rich soil available.
For the first time we were not alone, joined by Art, a reader and rider from New York City, New York… curious of our Lifestyle. Quite a step for him to pack up and go as it seems that his own Journey has turned into Jell-O abandoning all the plans he had drawn on his map and just following his nose.
It is never the “destination” truly, but the Journey. A bit of cooking, many pictures and ourselves will go back again to ride some of the roads we did not have a chance to touch yet.
Enjoy the Canyon, I hope you get to visit it some day soon…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Another day by the Canyons, Utah

The riding was awesome stopping at all the overlooks, Spirit was in his glory as usual being outdoor and wind in his face… proudly sitting with his head up as a sidecar owner… (he is!!!). There were so many more roads we yet have not done due to lack of time as Art and I parted after some great company. Him going west… us going east. Now that we are familiar with the area of the Canyon de Chelly, we will plan again to ride beyond it some passes we were told are just magnificent and twisted!
We are back in Bluff for a couple of days, changing brake pads and trying to figure out why there is a couple of drops of oil sipping from under the front cover… I need to be in that “mood” to do mechanical work… I think today is it!
More pictures on the Blog… as always.
Be well.
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Camping at Monument Valley, Utah

Those longs days are tiresome sometimes when trying to catch sunsets and sunrises back to back! Even Spirit in still darkness, in the am his eyes half closed seems to be complaining!
It was just some place visited before but never camped in… Monument Valley.
We took our time getting there and also a small detour in Oljato to check out the Trading Post, an original built in 1921.
On to the park we had first row seats ahead of everyone with the same idea! What I thought would be a non sense turned into fun while chatting with the many foreigners present, taking advantage of their beneficial Euro exchange….
There will be a couple chapters of this outing… too many pictures and too much going on!
Be well… always…
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

So more camping at Monument Valley! Utah…

This was camping with photography in mind… the dirt road loop also I have to say is always kind of challenging trying to always figure out a better line and explore the possibilities of the rig’s handling! Nice also to meet many foreigners taking advantage of the Euro exchange and listen to their own perspective about traveling and visiting this Country. Only one complain… same as mine… the food situation! But look at where we are! Food Distributors don’t even want to deliver their ingredients this far… time… and fuel costs! So… keep on cooking!
The heat in the air is being really felt this morning and the “no-see-ums”, I think same as “gnats” (?) are out in full force… I thought we left them behind in Florida… but wrong! I even tried “dryer sheets” to keep them away… not much is working… Colorado Mountains are sounding more and more appealing!!!
Till next time… enjoy the pictures… maybe the writing too!
Be well Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Is it winter… again?

33 degrees a few miles up the road, dark clouds and much rain yesterday… but it looks like all will change tomorrow when we head out soon (I like to use that word!… no time frame…) to the “Antelope Slot Canyon” in Page, by Lake Powell. We are looking forward to it… Spirit will stay behind for a couple hours under the watchful eyes of the Lady that books the Tours as no one is allowed in without a guide, and Dogs cannot join us… again! Not my favorite way to go… but I think it will be worth it…
I am still lost within the images of Monument Valley! Hard to get tired of it when they project such a constant change of shadows throughout the day starting with sunrise, specially when no one is around but us…
The rest of the images are here…
Be well… always… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Page, AZ… the lower Canyon

All I could say while visiting both upper and lower Antelope Slot Canyon was “phenomenal”… as truly I was left speechless by the wonders that Mother Nature truly outdoing herself on this both occasions.
A bit of a rough ride due to some heavy winds going in, sailing with ease coming up… one makes up for the extra fuel used the other way! I guess!
Page is a busy town… a Super Center Walmart probably says it all!
The weather was perfect and still is, will stay as is all summer? The area might then be called Paradise.
Many pictures of the Canyons, so many that I will eventually create a SmuMug Galery for them soon!
Enjoy… and as always, be well.

Ara & Spirit

 

[Paul R]

Ara those photos are simply amazing! I can't wait to check out the rest when you post up the gallery. Antelope canyon has been on my must see list for a while and you just bumped it up a few spots on my list
Thank you for sharing you journey it is always inspiring to me.

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Thanks... it is a must see, the lower one anyhow... more today!!!

More of Page and the Lower Canyon, AZ

You will probably now, with more pictures decide to visit this Lower canyon while in the Page area! I will probably again some day, it has to be the most unique experience I have ever had… right up there with anything else seen these past couple years.
I will know most likely later on the day, as we are moving on tomorrow, which way we will be headed… The little town of Boulder, Utah or start Colorado from south to north… Either way trying to find cooler weather for our outdoor activities. Spirit just does not do very well with the heat.
If it is Colorado we will just have to come back again later on as there are so many more roads and sights to experience…
I posted about 20 more pictures of the Canyon… the last of them besides the Gallery I will build up soon.
Be well… always…
Ara & Spirit