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

[beemerchef]

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

Now I'm feeling a bit bad that I labeled my recent donation "dog food and gas". Just wanted to let you know it was a bit of humor!!! I expect you to eat if there's any left over...
Scott

You are too funny!!! And of course "Thank you...".

Life in and around Moab, Utah

Once again it is not flying through the States that is giving us the ability and the gift to meet many other souls, the ones lined up on each side of the road we are on. Time is lingering, raising it’s value and lengthening the joys of vagabonding we have with such passion embraced. Friends of Friends of a Friend! Is that how it happens when suddenly we find ourselves with “places” to go and people to meet. The experience these past days has overshadowed the riding, the focus has been the minds met, many Artists each on their own path within their own creation. It has been so interesting to be an “observer” listening to the how’s and why’s of other’s lives. To experience their own creations, sculptures, paintings… words. The same with off roaders and their 4x4’s, each so unique and yet designed for one thing only in mind as us, to explore the outdoors.
Moab is such an incredible hub with never a dull moment, it is not a city, it is a center for all people with that certain desire to be “outside” to gather up and do “their thing”.
You will find out more about it within the Blog… too many photos and yet, not enough of them.
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

Potash Rd and Schaeffer Trail revisited, Utah

The loop, the excitement, the challenge is so great that we rode it twice back to back two consecutive days. Uphill that is, making room for the other vehicles at times going the wrong way. There is actually no wrong way, going uphill for us gives me much better control of the ride.
Resting back today after finally a tooth extraction finding this really good Dentist here and a bit stuck from a frayed clutch cable. I always carry a spare of everything, all is well, I am happy that it did not happen on one of those rides, on the switchbacks. Not much energy right now to change it, it is going to be so strange not to be in pain anymore, not quite gone yet, but will soon.
Spirit continues amazing me, it is almost as I take it for granted that this Dog (is he?) can ride with such pleasure, specially over such disturbing roads bouncing around non stop. He loves it! So does “Old Faithful” behaving as a good companion herself never missing a beat.
It is quite a road, the switchbacks are amazing, a definite must if in the area!
More photos of it are on the Blog.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[weatherm]

dude I love the dog and bike!! sickness!

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

As “beauty” rises through the pain. Moab, Utah

A strange facet on this Journey happens as almost stricken with panic when faced with the inability to write my true honest realistic to myself thoughts. The cap solidly remains topping a Soul and a mind that needs their own quenching, all needs to pass on onto the pages of this insatiable Journal filled with moments that cannot be skipped, reflecting always my own reality through the nights and days of this taken path.
Criticized at times I fall and enter into an arena unwelcoming to my own well being, a territory so foreign that when reading my own words I realize they just are not truly mine. They are not faithful to my train of thoughts, they are as if Spirit suddenly was lacking his water and food, his love and affection, his running and clowning around. And why? Because maybe not wanting to write about pain, about sadness, about missing a Loved one when told such feeling would be a negative aspect of my pages. I have risen up into a new step realizing all those are only “human” facets of everyone’s Life and comprehend that through those feelings comes out the beauty surrounding us as the incredible contrasted World we live in.
There is much “beauty” that rises through pain… There really is.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Ara.....and Spot!

You know we Love you!


Keep Going!:sombrero:




.

 

[Overdrive]

Ara.....and Spot!

You know we Love you!

You mean Spirit (the dog)? Or Spot the tracking/emergency device?:sombrero:

 

[beemerchef]

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

You mean Spirit (the dog)? Or Spot the tracking/emergency device?:sombrero:

That is what I was thinking... SPOT & Spirit... maybe I should rename it all!!!

In and around Sego, Utah

I must be moving on with my own Calendar. For some reason I thought today was Father’s Day… can the Journey’s path be so mixed up or is it a good sign that we are hovering a bit above reality? Wish Spirit would also get it straight… He could have told me.
It was a tip from a local, Sego was, and what a surprise when not only discovering a Ghost Town, Petroglyphs from three different eras but also a well maintained non paved road climbing nearly to 9000 feet with green grass and the vegetation unlike in the Valley of Moab.
Obviously not a popular path as we did not encounter a single vehicle all day, cooler temperatures and much photography mixed with some great riding.
Such surprises are always the welcomed ones, off the beaten path, the ones so many overlook when traveling under a schedule. We will probably return to Sego as the road ridden is Sego Canyon and two more are awaiting for us.
Another week in Moab, it will then be decision time for our next destination, probably Wyoming. I think we are both ready for some unseen sceneries.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

Sego’s Ghost Town

The Ghost Town was a couple days ago, more photos are up, unlike me today not up too much after a root canal. Hopefully this will be the last round for a while, it is part of Life on the road.
The big surprise passed Sego was the path taken. Well maintained and endless as we even stopped a couple times, besides for photos, just to figure out if there was an end to it. It did at around 9000 feet with an incredible and spectacular view of the La Salle Mountains and surroundings. Definitely worth the ride more than once as also another Canyon is awaiting us “Thompson Canyon”.
Feeling a bit at a stand still right now with all these health care issues as I will know in a day or two if everything is going to calm down.
Of course there is no sense moving on till after the Holidays as the roads will be packed and finding campsites will only be almost impossible.
I am thinking as Wyoming might be too early, to make a loop through western Colorado first awaiting warmer weather.
The same weather also has changed here near by Moab, cooler but with a thunderstorm predicted every day for a while… Better get the rain gear out!

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[Vermejo]

I really enjoyed looking at your latest photos and entries on the blog. A true inspiration for many of us "weekend warriors". What extremes- having a root canal with such settings! I hope the pain is manageable.

 

[beemerchef]

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

That is a good thought!!! The pain is better, not the ear... it is annoying... It does hinder a bit of the Journey!!! But... we might see a real DR soon... has been going on too long.

Fisher Towers, near Moab. Utah

The Journey is adventures, riding and everything else that fills in the gap while on the road. So often others enter the scene and suddenly the mind cannot help thinking, what a shame it would be to cross those miles on “automatic pilot”! There is communication, meaning thoughts. There are gazillion ride reports already out there, travel logs, I always wonder about the traveler him/herself as to what truly goes through their own thoughts within those moments passed. I have always written about my own, everything complements each other including Spirit’s own Life and as much as I can tell… his own thinking.
We picked a hot day, not on purpose for sure, to go on to the Fisher Towers. I had planned another ride but since my root canal the day before, the energy and desire only dwindled away and this closer by destination suddenly seemed so much more appealing.
It was the first warm hike we had done in a while and how quickly I forgot how much heat canyons retain. Today and for the days to come it is suddenly the other side of the coin with thunderstorms and showers… Never a dull moment it seems like. Enjoy the Fisher Towers… they are a sight to see and the ride along the Colorado River also is so unique.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

Moab’s Art Festival, Utah

We are now this morning on our way to Grand Junction, Colorado. The scenery will not be peaks and valleys but St Mary’s Hospital parking lot for as long as needed. “Trigeminal Neuralgia” is a couple new words I learned a few days ago when finally having to visit the local emergency room.
Some facial nerve is finally being squeezed so hard that just about anything, including talking and eating will bring on this pain, this real pain as I have already been in touch with some others with the same condition.
We are going in for a second opinion.
In the meantime, in between some relief, we managed to spend some hours at the Moab Art Festival and I do have to say it was a few hours of fun admiring so many talented Artist’s Artifacts. From Photography to glass beads, paintings and all sorts of odd end results. Great Music, Taiko Drum Teams for the local Schools, good company… and then on to the ER.
Just another hurtle to deal with right now. The medication taken is a strong one, really does not start affecting the pain for a few more days they say… this is all part of Life on the road, Life period!
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

As I read some of the old posts... you guys are funny!!! We have been together here for a while!!! almost 3 years... we love you too...

A Music Festival and Blue Mesa Lake. Co.

I am feeling almost Human again…
Couple Blogs have been posted… I think time escaped me, or maybe the lack of it. Yet it has been some busy days attending the Desert Rock Festival, south of Moab, for a few hours in between some Advil intake for this ear that has finally calm down. Then a couple days at St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction and now on the shores of the Blue Mesa Lake near Gunnison, also Colorado. I keep thinking… did all this really happen these past few days? The photos are there, they must have.
The landscape here is Paradise as being the best time of the year. Greens and more greens, streams and creeks everywhere and the crowds are missing.
The weather with it’s daily shower is perfect, hovering in the mid forties mid mornings, great riding and hiking weather.
We are right on the shore of the Lake, a few feet away, Spirit is now so content having room to play and jump and clown around. His mood was somber for a while, feeling I am sure also my own pain as now suddenly I see a smile on his face.
Enjoy the photos… they are also linked to a Gallery on Smugmug.
Be well… always.
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

A loop through Crested Butte and a Recipe

No words to describe the landscape, we can try. Raw, amazing, breath taking and so much more. And yet, cold, very cold and the weather is just not cooperating at the moment with the dark clouds and rain on a daily basis.
Probably too early in the year to be here as the good camping is near by Crested Butte within elevations close to 10,000 feet.
Wide open meadows, streams for much needed water, however out of the question right now. The loop which I posted a map is an incredible one comprised with a variety of roads from twisties to well maintained dirt on 12 just about alright for even a regular car or street bike.
Crested Butte itself is a totally welcoming little town and my question to many was “how do you handle winter here!”. It is as a totally different world, even the structures of the dwellings showing signs of harsh winters. But the prize is there… isolated within the clouds and outdoor activities like nowhere else. It is a dog town as everyone has one…
Today actually we are going back to Grand Junction for personal matters, matters I will explain in the next Blog.
Enjoy… and be well.
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul..

Defeated by the weather. Co

I need to look at my own Journal to find out where we were last year at this time! We are just not able to escape the bad weather. In parallel problems with Internet connection… Mother’s banking… Life on the road at times is harsh and difficult as communication is often the key to “fix” things.
But we have a good taste of Colorado, having the knowledge for a future comeback is worth it all as new areas are to me the most difficult times to know where to go. It is only after a few days, talking to locals mainly, making new Friends, that I start feeling comfortable and planning more rides on those paved and unpaved roads sometimes seemingly to nowhere.
Crested Butte left such a great impression on me. Almost being a town I could probably spend some more time as a base camp. I wish so often that we could brave the snow and ice at 10,000 feet in the winter and experience what the locals of Crested Butte do. The landscape must be just magnificent.
Will have to settle for some summer pictures for now… but, I did find a bit of snow and the creek banks…
On to Flaming Gorge now, I hear it is also an incredible space, maybe with kinder weather!
It is all on the Blog…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[Abel Villesca]

I love Colorado and have contemplated living there. I think somewhere near Gunnison might be a nice place to settle down after retirement. Limited travel during winter would be a challenge for me, though.

Ara, what kind of weather is dogging you and Spirit (pun intended)? The monsoon season is almost upon us in New Mexico. Is it already raining daily where you are?