beemerchef Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 A couple weeks later at “The Oasis”, TX Writing a book. “The Book” which had been on my mind for the past couple years. A lonely affair I find out, with the help of a good Friend, a retired English Teacher, correcting not my language but my blatant grammar errors of many. The perfect space for such a venture where the isolation, silence, beauty of Mother Nature, all is conductive to retrace our past steps of these previous seven years. Sometimes amazing, sometimes funny, at others surprising myself reading my own words of the lessons learned, the ones learning on how to live on the road, how to cope with grief and emerging from past dark tunnels, how to live with Spirit 24/7, being off the grid , so much which culminates towards these present days for winter times. Just a personal challenge I always wanted to accomplish, and this time around, as already about a quarter into it and 25,000 words later, it will get done. Mixing it all up with chores around here, as usual watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, taking a weekly ride towards a chosen destination. This is Big Bend after all, these millions of acres will never lack of such destinations. This is our lives for now, a Journal for these times and the few months to come. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 7th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 A much needed change on our Journal, TX The unexpected is always around the corner in Life, and especially while on the road. As mentioned in our last entry “I am here but truly there”. I am realizing I am so totally in the past while writing this book spanning our seven years on the road. After a quick round trip to San Antonio and Del Rio for errands and eye doctor, we are back here at The Oasis for the duration to complete this book which I am one third into it. For my mental health sake, logistics, time, I have to refrain writing our Journal, yet, continue posting it even most likely more often with photos, videos and some quotes I stumble on. They say “a picture is worth a thousand words”. This will be the case as this space is the perfect one to write while going down memory lane. Being in San Antonio for just one day made me realize how good we have it here. I thought people had gone mad while driving as Kamikazes. The freeways were as spaghetti dropped in a bowl and if it was not for our GPS, I think we would still be there. The weather has finally turned to cold on us, gray days these past couple ones and while sheltered and pounding on the keyboard, will take it. Anything but hot. So, we hope you enjoy the photos, they are were we are! Stay well. Ara and Spirit 7th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
Selden Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Looking forward to the book, Ara. Seven years is a long time. Link to comment
beemerchef Posted November 29, 2013 Author Share Posted November 29, 2013 Looking forward to the book, Ara. Seven years is a long time. It has passed by fast! Will be a couple more months... then back on the roads. Half way through writing our book, [yes, Spirit writes also...], this winter has become one of discipline with a calendar and clock. Odd for us to not be moving around, not even into events in Terlingua. Pretty much holed up here and writing and more writing. While reading our own Journal, the amazement of having visited so many spaces does not stop. If nothing else, I have already decided on many we will return to, most likely seeing it all with a different feel. A few photos of what is happening here in the skies, a ride cut short to Presidio while instead rescuing a couple who could not find each other for a few hours! It was an amazing experience. Probably as much for them as for ourselves. In and around the Closed Canyon, no water, no hat, he was wearing cowboy boots with leather soles... I still to this day cannot understand how they could loose each other while even calling his name carried by such a strong echo through the canyon. It might be I have read too many mystery books in the past, the experience was the perfect plot for?... Anyone can take it from there. This would include a wife much younger than him, a 10lb dog which has to be carried because he is a house dog [???] and missing keys for their vehicles. A bit of snow as usual for one night, some cold front lingering, the usual winter scenario here at "The Oasis". So, we hope you enjoy the photos, they are were we are! Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal Link to comment
beemerchef Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share Posted December 18, 2013 Happy Holidays and a “2014 Sunsets Calendar”. TX It was a nice break from the so far 80,000 pages written, having two travelers stop by a couple days ago. Refreshing conversations all with similar interactions with the road, the many met, the experiences, human and physical. The kindness of people present. They have been rolling for two and a half years now. I had coincidentally cooked enough food that morning with our Solar Oven to feed an army. When I saw they were getting ready to open a of couple cans, they were put away quickly. Bad Karma I think it would have been to open those at The Oasis... It has been a breather to have company and now, through January, by the time you read these words, I will be back into the book. Summer of 2011. Couple more years to go. There is no doubt, especially reading my own entries, of how much I now miss the road. I can taste it, even if knowing well, it is right around the corner. I did take some time to make up a 2014 “Happy Sunsets Calendar” as I call it as many have asked me to do so. It is linked on our Journal with also my favorite quote of the year. Happy Holidays to you all and wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/beemerchef 2014 Happy Sunsets Calendar Link to comment
beemerchef Posted January 4, 2014 Author Share Posted January 4, 2014 It is another crossroad of times. TX Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. I hope it is never too late for such wishes. The weather has been generous here bringing back memories of past fairly mild winters. More memories are plentiful while going through a second edit of “Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash”. Written and expressed language has always amazed me as is the power of words. It was a fine New Year's Eve spent with friends and cooking all day. The present has been doable, yet, I cannot help thinking of the months ahead coming up back on the road. As I expressed in this new journal entry I have some concerns, such also shared by others criss crossing this beautiful country of ours. Times have changed these past seven years, and so has a certain segment of society spilling on those lands where the camping is free. The conclusions are certain after discussing the situation more often than once. I don't know how long we will stay here while we divide our time with the parks near by. The holiday season being over, such parks being the less visited ones in the country, the good sites will be again available to us. Have a great day! Enjoy the cooking... Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/beemerchef 2014 Happy Sunsets Calendar Link to comment
beemerchef Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Tentative book front cover and excerpts. TX We are literally coming up for air being in between the second and third edits of our book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash". I am realizing we [spirit also!] have so totally hibernated and as the second edit ended yesterday, I felt as my fuses had blown. I read today, written by "Anais Nin": "We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect" It has been three months of intense retrospect. Our editor loves the book, I posted some excerpts just yesterday on our journal and the feedback has been very positive. Myself? an opinion? I don't know... besides finding our past seven years having been interesting mental and physical path with positive choices made. We live in such a beautiful country, everyone of course has a taste of their own when it comes to the outdoors, we ourselves try to find the desolate beauty which surrounds us. I want to say "we will be off for about a week"! It does sound kind of strange as being off 24/7, yet in contrast with these past months it does make sense to me as I have no doubt Spirit also agrees. We are off towards Big Bend National Park. I already know some corner will be waiting for us and the cameras will be put to work again. As a good friend of ours said the other day "there is no deadline for this book, is there?". My answer was "not really". Maybe another month or so. We do miss the road and the unknown behind every boulder seen. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/beemerchef 2014 Happy Sunsets Calendar Link to comment
beemerchef Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Taking a breather between edits in Big Big Bend National Park. Tx The stages here at The Oasis and in the park are very similar. It is a gift when throughout these winter times one can within comfortable temperatures roam around 900,000 acres only a few miles away. Every fall I tell myself "we are not coming back", and yet, here we are, the space calling us like a magnet. Baja in Mexico would probably the only other region I would consider while still away from the crowds as the plus would be the beaches. Maybe next winter. It was a fine time at the park, a change of scenery while taking a breather between edit #2 and #3 of "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash". Some nice riding, meeting travelers going around the world in their Unimog and Landcruiser, cooking on the grill, just being while watching the sun go by followed by the moon right behind it. Would I ever consider writing at some point Book #2? I doubt it very much. Would I recommend anyone to write one Book? Yes! Absolutely. It is consuming, it demands discipline and for myself an environment of silence and peace unencumbered from any urban aspect. Everyone has a story to tell worthy of others to read. It is easy and hard all at the same time. It is demanding especially when the contents are non-fiction. Unable to live in the now the mind is constantly hovering over the past dates which fills the pages. Then comes the edits which is what we are going through right now. Can one really write a 90,000 word book without any errors? They say it is possible. I yet have to find out. Soon. There are times I ask myself "why am I doing this?", other times a sense of accomplishment takes places as all is more of a personal challenge than anything else. One more month! It will then go to the printers. Digitally and physically. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal Link to comment
beemerchef Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 "Dogs and Spiritual Materialism" This would be the first time in over seven years while keeping a journal, posting an entry a friend, "Damun Gracenin", wrote. Obviously about dogs... "Dogs" with a capital "D". It was just too good to not share as myself and Spirit while together 24/7 see and understand the reality of the meaning and words of it all. Besides, the nights and days here are filled with the past pages of the book which is now entering its fourth edit. I must say, while driving my editor "crazy", for lack of a better word. The experience is fulfilling. Some days are good, some not so good as the road does not cease calling our names. Yet, there is nowhere else we should be while here under good weather, silence and neighbors miles away. Another month? At the most I would say. Our previous journal entry has a couple videos. One where I changed the angle of the camera facing Spirit and the other, again of Spirit, this time in the evening wearing his "new" Halo Belt collars. The company has a great future no doubt.They are optic fiber LED belts which also can be worn over the shoulder when riding and the same LED's as collars. Besides hearing Spirit's Bear bell, I can now also see where he is. Pretty amazing. So till next time while I start on some chores here throughout this break. Maybe start packing!!! Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal Link to comment
beemerchef Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Captain of our Souls, TX Life can be an amazing feat sometimes in charge of our path and at times not. Often we fall right in between hoping the cracks are not too deep. The realization of an addiction came upon me last Sunday when after days on end, non stop pounding the keyboard throughout a fifth edit of the book [or is the sixth?] I shut it all down and on we went for a 400 mile ride. Life on the road is "addicting", so is riding. I can only very poorly express it, one has to experience it. Chatting always goes along on those road with the few we always bump into. Spirit is invariably most of the times the culprit. While here, could be in Terlingua, the Park, Marathon or Alpine as it happened that day, the choices of destinations are many. The truth is, no destination is needed. We just go. No clock in sight, just a glance as to where the sun is and the wandering takes place. I didn't think we would have to sit this long throughout winter, yet all is so close to a finish line. I had to give myself and others a deadline, we are are on the home stretch. March 10th is when the manuscript will be applied for Copyrights and on immediatly will start the many publishing steps in all the electronic formats and soft cover. That day ride was a fine one. The best we have had in weeks. We could not get enough of it and returned past sunset watching the nightly show from a different vantage point than here at The Oasis. And now, to my surprise, another week has almost gone by. I think tomorrow will be time again to let it all out and implement that addiction of ours. There are more thoughts on the Journal. Riding and thinking goes hand in hand. As I wrote, sometimes serious, often silly. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal Link to comment
beemerchef Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 Reconciliation with Life. TX Five months later, the last punctuation has been typed, the manuscript of "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" has moved on to the publishers. It is time to pack up and move on rolling on our familiar path of unfamiliar roads. The present has seen a bit of a void and much free time surfacing back into our days. An odd feeling mixed in with a sense of accomplishment. It will be a couple more months before publication, I must have patience. I am trying to decipher a route to Florida as far as Cedar Key, then back up to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, those familiar neighborhoods we left years ago. All this hoping to be back to Southern Utah early May to enjoy some coolness in their deserts before having to escape more north. Oil changes, new tires, clean up a starter, making a list, following that list, all will be part of the coming up ten days before we leave. It is all part of regrouping, a familiar scene always I must say exciting while knowing we belong to the road and nowhere else. Spring is right around the corner for us! New destinations, looking forward to much photography and many new videos. That is about the whole content of our lives, Spirit and I. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 The road calls... It is that time. Time to head East which will include Florida and Georgia [meaning "Two Wheels of Suches" on Friday April 11th for a few nights!] and back to Southern Utah before the summer heat takes over Valley of the Gods. I am so much looking forward seeing friends we have left behind years ago. Some nice campfires as I know the stories will fly. The contents of our book is being handled by a very knowledgeable trustworthy Publisher. The cover is taking shape, it is not the final version but close to it. It will be a few more weeks before being available in soft cover and all lectronic formats. There is excitement in the air while thinking a bit ahead of the new upcoming days, each morning being a curtain rise for a new experiences, adventures, people met, photos taken and videos made. How could I ever turn my back on such a Lifestyle. I think it is too late to do so. Three days left and suddenly on this Monday I cannot lose a single hour packing it all in. We have done this so many times, yet it always feels brand new. It is all pretty amazing I must say, we are on the road for a "permanent picnic!". Mother Nature is gifting us these last days spend at The Oasis with some incredible Sunsets,, a Sunrise while the Moon at the same time is setting, colors unimaginable while riding the many miles of dirt roads to nowhere and now again, much more time for cooking. All in the Journal... Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 A day at the Dragon Boat Festival in New Iberia, LA We are covering a lot of territory as today only 150 miles south of Atlanta. It feels odd, strange, at the same time as we just took a long ride and back to refuel before heading West one more time... for a few more years. Has been 89 months, roughly 2700 days, we have barely crossed the starting line. While spending a few days in New Iberia with a very Dear Friend of ours, we attended the Dragon Boats races. This is as close as we will get to a Mardi Gras. I think. The weather? We have been watched over. Open skies while getting to Vidor to visit more Friends, the same while en route for Louisiana and throughout our stay. As soon as we left bad storms took on New Iberia. Dark skies but calm while renewing my Driver's License in Pensacola and arriving in Georgia through Alabama right behind the creeks flooding yet receding for us. What can I say? Enjoy the photos. We sure had a good time and much food those days. Mainly shrimp and crawfish. Two items I have been dreaming about while sitting and writing our book those few months in the Big Bend Desert at The Oasis. It will be published in a few more weeks after more proofing. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal Link to comment
beemerchef Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Tasting Valley of the Gods, Utah. All I can say is "WOW! we made it...". East Coast and back, we are good for a few more years. Trying to stay ahead of summer and so far so good in and around Valley of the Gods, I must say, one of my all time favorite space to be in and dig our roots a bit deeper than usual. We have been all alone this time around with easy access, I have not seen anyone else camp out on this beautiful 17 mile loop. A couple visitors, some good friends, nothing planned, but they showed up! That is the way we like it as planning never works out. The weather suddenly is not very promising for the yearly outing of balloonist which get together every last weekend of April. They don't get along so well with rains, winds and storms. The surprise element is definitly present. The marathon from these past weeks is over, the calendar and clock are once again put away, the internet connections are weaker than ever, lucky [or unlucky!] if any, there is a sense of regained freedom and tackle our journey as we use to. The publication of our book is moving right along. More details in our journal with photos and a video shot in the Georgia Mountains on Highway 60 to "Two Wheels of Suches" I called "Sitting, Riding and... Leaning". Enjoy Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Around Moab... Utah Sometimes the weather will just not quit telling us to move on as it happened while in Valley of the Gods and nearby Mokey Dugway, Gooseneck, Monument Valley. We took refuge, seemingly as it had happened in years past, in Bluff. Then came time to move on again while needing a real Internet connection, you guessed it maybe, for one more proofing of our book! It seems it is never going to end even if the finish line is getting very close. This area of course is one of our favorite spaces with too many choices every day of roads and amazing sights. A bit crowded at times, but we get around it.The weather is our friend for now, nice and cool and even so snow projected at higher elevations. A bit of maintenance on Old Faithful including a new rear tire and we are again ready to explore what we have seen before, yet, always being as the first time. While sheltered I was reading an interesting French book and for some reason decided to translate its first few pages having to do with the mystery of the beginning of times along with some photos taken in Arches National Park. That is what our new entry is all about. Much mystery and unanswered questions. Enjoy Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal Link to comment
beemerchef Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 Validation of Life on the Road, Utah Every month, week and day of the year is a good one for us. Has to be as it is a choice. But these weeks are for lack of a better expression “the meat and potatoes” of the year when we chase northbound the cooler weather staying ahead of the upcoming summer heat. It is quite a game we play. Maps in hand, three different forecast software and sometimes even some thinking! Southern Utah including Valley of the Gods, Muley Point and Recaptured Pocket have been experienced. The digits on the thermometer went up and we moved on to the Moab area. We are spoiled avoided “hot”. The town itself is the center for all outdoor activities, so pleasant especially during the week, great food markets including my favorite butcher in the country “Old Geezer”. We did not last too long in the Arches as my patience with the “fast” tourists drove me to a certain animosity, but Kane Creek Road, La Sal Loop, Potash Road, Schaffer Trail and so much more saw us throughout this perfect time of the year. Staying ahead we are now in Colorado. A few isolated nights around Blue Mesa Lake bringing on mid 30's again throughout the nights and now for a few days in Gunnison needing a real good Internet connection. Our book has finally been uploaded to the printer. It is in what they call “pre-media” stage. As soon as approved which I am sure it will be as the formatters helping me have been the best, a real copy will be mailed to our Editor and myself for the last of the last proofing! We are more or less at the mercy of a good mailing address and a strong connection. What a long process this has been since early October 2013, but done right. Lake City? Lake San Cristobal? Crested Butte? Lost Lake? So much for us to wander to while we wait. It will not be long... The photos keep piling up! Enjoy Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 The right prescription! Colorado. We shall be in Colorado for a while and when that time comes to exit, there will still be spaces awaiting for our next go around. The roads are endless and so are the sights. The people here are of the nicest. Relaxing by the shores of the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison, back to Lake City and Lake San Cristobal where even in bad weather we felt energized, walking around in familiar Crested Butte topped with some of the greatest fish tacos, Highway 114 to Saguache, up 285 and back on 50 through Monarch Pass, stopping map in hand discovering the so many BLM lands offering free camping, so much more. We do not ride every day. We pick the nice ones, the ones with the big blue Colorado skies spotted with the cottonball clouds playing hide and seek with the sun. The temperatures are cool, mosquitoes are absent, this has been the definition of perfection. I can't even tell, or maybe want to know, if we are still in springtime or has summer started? These months are promising as we are getting into this path I must say we have missed all winter. There is nothing as good as being on the road complemented by many photos and a few videos posted on our journal even if we are here and they are dated from a recent past in Utah. It's all good. Enjoy. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
roadscholar Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 The right prescription! Colorado. We shall be in Colorado for a while and when that time comes to exit, there will still be spaces awaiting for our next go around. The roads are endless and so are the sights. The people here are of the nicest. Relaxing by the shores of the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison, back to Lake City and Lake San Cristobal where even in bad weather we felt energized, walking around in familiar Crested Butte topped with some of the greatest fish tacos, Highway 114 to Saguache, up 285 and back on 50 through Monarch Pass, stopping map in hand discovering the so many BLM lands offering free camping, so much more. Ara, camping is plentiful on the east side of the pass, some places to check out are 240 out of Maysville up toward N.Fork Reservoir (Angel of Shavano CG) plus some single sites, up 224, and the scenic powerline rd. that connects the two. Also Fooses Creek Tr. runs parallel up the south side of 50 and has numerous sites along the creek/ponds. Just left last week and usually stay at Monarch Spur CG, saw your previous post and mentioned you to the owner, Fred. He's laid back and often let's traveler's stay free in return for odd jobs around the place. I told him you were a great chef and he got a little excited. Link to comment
beemerchef Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 The right prescription! Colorado. We shall be in Colorado for a while and when that time comes to exit, there will still be spaces awaiting for our next go around. The roads are endless and so are the sights. The people here are of the nicest. Relaxing by the shores of the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison, back to Lake City and Lake San Cristobal where even in bad weather we felt energized, walking around in familiar Crested Butte topped with some of the greatest fish tacos, Highway 114 to Saguache, up 285 and back on 50 through Monarch Pass, stopping map in hand discovering the so many BLM lands offering free camping, so much more. Ara, camping is plentiful on the east side of the pass, some places to check out are 240 out of Maysville up toward N.Fork Reservoir (Angel of Shavano CG) plus some single sites, up 224, and the scenic powerline rd. that connects the two. Also Fooses Creek Tr. runs parallel up the south side of 50 and has numerous sites along the creek/ponds. Just left last week and usually stay at Monarch Spur CG, saw your previous post and mentioned you to the owner, Fred. He's laid back and often let's traveler's stay free in return for odd jobs around the place. I told him you were a great chef and he got a little excited. There is much BLM / Free camping spaces here! Thanks for the tip. Will follow up on it for sure. The Birth of our Book! CO I must say that the feeling holding your own book for the first time is unlike anything else. Almost. The ripened fruit of interminable hours spent writing, editing, proofing, on the phone with our editor and finally the logistics of formatting for soft cover and electronic devices. I forget, the cover design! Dealing with the printer, Amazon, the ISBN numbers, bar codes and... waiting. Waiting while the logistics being on the road do not make it easy for true communications, not just simple e-mail exchanges but the upload and download of documents. Yet, it is done... almost feeling as new chapters now need to start, the continuation of the past ones. They already have. I hope I do not get in trouble announcing on this page the availability of “Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash”. There are no funds for a marketing campaign! Our book, if wanting it autographed by the both of us, is available through the links on our Journal or simply through Amazon also as a soft cover and electronic format [Kindle]. I am sure there will be more formats besides Kindle real soon. In the meantime, we managed to explore a bit more of this area and its richness. There are even a couple new videos on our latest Journal entry. One going up Cottonwood Pass still all white capped with snow and another one on our way to Taylor Park Reservoir. More time also in Crested Butte. How can we not within that always welcoming little town. A few more photos of Spirit clowning around as usual and that about does it for our new entry besides writing about how truly Spirit was rescued. Yes, they are pretty exciting times and always so appreciative of your support. Enjoy. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book Link to comment
beemerchef Posted June 19, 2014 Author Share Posted June 19, 2014 Rolling this ball of Life... CO "It's a very gentle, flowing tale, a nice mix of autobiography and travelogue. Less introspective than I anticipated, I'm having a hard time putting it down actually. The fun you had writing it certainly jumps off the page. It's poignant but not sad." Yes, it is a comment on our Book. One of them. I cannot be the judge of it, I can only read what others think of it. We are still in Gunnison, a few more days and on we will go once again “in the middle of nowhere”. We have had the opportunity to scout the areas and considering that 80% of the land here is public, the choices are greater than ever. We have had Friends camp with us and their huge and beautiful 30,000lb custom built Unimog! I kind of felt like David and Goliath were on display. They fed us for two days, it was such a treat not having to cook! Always is. A ride up and down the Black Canyon of the Gunnison from which I made a video. A couple more visits into town and best of all the weather is cooperating while staying cool as we like it with low 30's in the mornings. Perfect. Enjoy the videos, the photos and if you read our Book let us know what you think. Spirit wants to know... Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book information Link to comment
beemerchef Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 Lake San Cristobal. Reconnecting with Nature. CO “Read your book over the weekend…absolutely touched my heart & spirit!!! It is one of those rare books that make you “feel” in all the right areas of your emotions and life…thank you for sharing your travels and life with all of us!!! I felt at every page that I was right there, seeing, hearing and smelling…" “Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash” Thank You Chris... I know, cheap marketing but that is all I can do, afford rightly so. We headed to Lake San Cristobal for a week on it's cliffs taking in the view and the lack of Internet! The camping was not free this time around but the sights are worth the $15 a night. Five nights actually. Lake City has been in a total black out with Internet and I must say it was funny to walk the streets a bit, or sit on one of the benches watching the world go around, while hearing the tourists out loud wondering what they were “now going to do?”. Comments were as “will have to walk around”, “will have to take in the sights” and on and on. The Editor of the local Newspaper even wrote on their Facebook page that the town's sidewalks were buzzing! A sign of the times... Life without Internet must be the worst punishment I think today's society could endure. I personally know a few that will have the shakes [true story] if their Internet goes down... SAD. The area of course was familiar to us. It is a bit of a retreat just being and finding again ourselves before heading North one more time. More photos and comments in our Journal. Enjoy. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 A Room with a View. Colorado. This room is actually millions of acres. Free BLM land South of Salida and hundreds of miles of unpaved roads, mostly not on any maps that I can find. Perched at 9200 feet, it is sweater and wool hat time in the evening till morning when finally the rays slowly emerge from behind the eastern horizon and warm us up. No sense getting up too early. I have finally learned the weather pattern here which starts with blue skies and by noon almost black at times the clouds play their odd particular shapes confronting each other with often a nice downpour to cool us of even more. How are we ever going to leave this space? On the Fourth of July we attended a wedding in Colorado Springs. Some dear Friends or ours tied the knot. We started then heading North. It did not last too long! We made a U-turn at Castle Rock and now again back here exactly where we started. Nothing unusual for us to change our direction in an instant. It is called the freedom of time. The photos on our Journal will prove our logic! How could we not? Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" Link to comment
beemerchef Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Snowy Range Pass, Wyoming It is thought that the most beautiful spaces in this country do not have Internet. It is true. We have plunged into this other world today in Laramie, Wyoming, the one where laundry can be done, provisions purchased and then on escape back up to Snowy Range Pass which has been our home for now a while. So here we are with a connection Right! Our SPOT and SAT phones are our only lifelines "up there". Who needs anything more when everything else is provided? Miles of unpaved roads, more little lakes I can count, shade and cool weather while staying above 9000 feet. The birds singing, the smells pungent, another Paradise we had never explored in this beautiful country of ours. "Get to know your Backyard" I always say. Here, at lower elevations, the heat is already making its mark. August coming up is always the worse month for us and that will include our friends the mosquitoes. But, September is right around the corner and WA/OR should by then be cooler. We are spending a few days traveling that month with our Editor. It should be interesting as we are both looking forward to it. I wonder if she will also correct my speech! Very nice comments have come in regarding our book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash". Some have even already read it twice! I might even do that myself. If you have not, all the information to order it is on our Journal. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" Link to comment
beemerchef Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Through Bear's Tooth Pass... WY/MT We went up through Chief Joseph Hwy and set up camp on Bear's Tooth Pass with much anticipation and our heads up high. A few days later, the mosquitoes won and near by Ennis, Montana, is where we are. The problem was not while riding but the frustration at camp. Off fan, Skin so Soft, wrist band, camp fire, we have it all... Cannot use Deet. On the banks of Madison river amazingly just a few of those non sense flying pesky intrusions. Spirit is happier, his freedom without a cry found again. More destinations surrounds us including Gravelly Range Rd, the one I call "the road to nowhere". We are about 12 miles from town. Easy refueling and purchase of provisions. Some day are good as these are considering we are only at 5500 feet and last night was around 45 degrees. Just the way we like it. Just in case you order our Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" we are not too far also from the Post Office! Hint... The reviews have been very favorable. The skies are now clearing after much welcomed rain. It is time for some rides and more photos. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" Link to comment
beemerchef Posted August 14, 2014 Author Share Posted August 14, 2014 Montana! Gravelly Range Road and more… Montana's roads and spaces are always exciting times especially when weather cooperating, none above 80. Gravelly Range Road has been on top my list of favorites for a long time now and these days has been no exception. Combined with a new camping spot by Varney Bridge, about 10 miles from Ennis, and that does it for us spending over a week with a great base camp. The sunsets have been exceptional. The photos are in the Journal. No doubt one can understand why it is here called the "Big Skies". They are indeed huge with a feel of being enveloped by them. This summer is continuing being good to us. In the meantime I am also trying to let our Friends [you!] know about the release of our book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash". There are no funds for marketing, so doing the best I can and spreading the word will always be a plus. I actually received an incredible comment the other day: "Could this book surpass the reality of "Ghost Rider"? Could it be the modern updated" Travels with Charley " and" Blue Highways"? Yes on all counts. A must read. Even more than once." Of course as everything else, it is a matter of taste! We will be pushing Northwest next week, we have to be in Portland by the 31st while we will be traveling a while with our Editor and showing her some of this beautiful country. Thank You always for your support throughout this Journey of ours. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" Link to comment
beemerchef Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 A bit of past and present Urbanism. Montana Today's News? Well, they are always all over the place, one in particular disturbed me greatly. You can read about it in our Journal. In the meantime we hovered for quite a few days within past History between Virginia City, Nevada City, Alder, Twin Bridges and as far as Dillon. Weekdays are great as the streets are deserted and the locals are eager to tell their stories. Just as it use to be in past times when Internet was not present. Those stories are the joys while being on the road throughout our very slow pace. The roads themselves are often lined up with antiquities from those past times. Some refurbished and some, maybe while running out of money, left as it for Mother time to take her toll. They will not be around for too much longer. There are already I noticed some which have disappeared and glad a few years back I had taken some photos of such dwelling. Today is a Hotel, a restaurant and too often nothing at all. Just a piece of dirt with no signature from what was standing sometimes not so tall. The good "holes in the walls" places to eat are luckily still around like the white Taco Bus in Dillon. Their flavors have not gone away. A good thing as even the faces looked familiar. Slowly it is on to the West Coast, the Pacific Ocean while we will soon land in the Olympic Peninsula including Neah Bay. Hopefully I will not notice too many changes. They would be a discrepancy with our Book! Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 The Olympic Peninsula. WA It was rough going through Portland and leaving behind Palouse Country. Cities and us do not get along very well. A great lunch with a Friend not seen in years did make it worthwhile as also picking up our Editor to show her a bit of the country for a couple weeks. All arranged and preplanned with motels and campgrounds near each other. Olympic Peninsula has been our first stop, in Liliwaup to be more precise. The space is magical with it's rain forests filled with trees covered with moss, streams here and there and the highlight being Neah Bay including the hike to Cape Flattery which is the most western point of the country. The sight of an Island off shore with its lighthouse made me want that job! The sea food is great including the fresh oysters which do not come my way too often. The days are filled with conversations, remembrances on all the "hick ups" we went through while editing and proofing "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" for six months daily without a single break. I don't know if we could do it again! But we will. A Photo Coffee Table Book this winter hopefully. 60 photos with descriptions, quotes and maps for each of them. Winters in Texas are good for such projects which in this case will not be as demanding. It will eventually be available "print on demand" only. Such books do not come by inexpensively. Just a "thing" I have been wanting to do for quite a while. Tomorrow we head out towards Halfway and Hell's Canyon, Oregon, for a few more days. There is no doubt this path is bringing back quite a few memories from years past. Good ones. Enjoy the hike and the photos in the Journal. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
Bud Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 " A Photo Coffee Table Book this winter hopefully. 60 photos with descriptions, quotes and maps for each of them." Can hardly wait to buy a copy. Please let us know when it is available. Link to comment
beemerchef Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 " A Photo Coffee Table Book this winter hopefully. 60 photos with descriptions, quotes and maps for each of them." Can hardly wait to buy a copy. Please let us know when it is available. I will. Thank You. It will be a few months! Winter project... Spirit finally got a job!!! Dropping South to Utah... Chaperoning our Book Editor for 12 days is done as we dropped her off at the Portland Airport. We saw Neah Bay, camped on the Hood Canal, backtracked through Portland to the little town of Halfway [Oregon], rode Hell's Canyon with Spirit as she herself shopped around. A good time I must say filled with Life's conversations. An unusual setting for us to have company, a nice one. Too hot to yet drop to "The Oasis" we stopped in Utah. We are now in and around Moab while we rode up and down, again [!], Potash Road and Shafer Trail. I just cannot get away from that road. We will be moving on to Muley Point and Valley of the Gods, a good time for fall if fall ever arrives as it was 92 in the shade yesterday. Lower 80's today, there is hope for cooler temperatures. The spaces are now empty as Labor Day has passed on and everyone is back home on their own regular schedules. We have it all to ourselves. Almost. As every year I am looking forward to arriving at "The Oasis". A shipping container, fire pits, water catchment and continue our conversations with my Mother and Lance. Many locals roads to ride again and from what I have seen from others the sunsets have been incredible. For those who have purchased our book "Freedom On Both Ends Of The Leash", either through us or Amazon or electronically, I hope you have enjoyed it. For those who have not, I can only hope you do... Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Thank You "Life". End of summer as I felt fall for the first time with cold hands and finding myself wearing a sweater. All so welcomed. Such freedom I have been thinking while laying on the ground one night, a couple nights ago in Valley of the Gods and watching the stars while seemingly the sky lowering itself and taking me in. A rare freedom, a luxury. Have we earned it? I found that out when after taking refuge in Bluff for a couple days due to threats of flash flood warnings, while headed back this time to the Gooseneck I suddenly made a U Turn and here we are only a 100 miles from The Oasis, Texas! How can a space where we have already spent five winters call me, pull me so strongly? No arguments on my end, only checking the weather as low eighties will be doable. The excitement is at its height, if not more than the first time! I know I will be breathing deeper than ever and I cannot help calling it "Home". Home Base is not even a word strong enough anymore. We are spending a couple nights in Marfa seeing a good Friend of mine. An Author of many books, yet we did not solve anything regarding this fabric of Life we deal with daily. I personally have come to the conclusion that so many questions only have no answers. It is that simple while being "Thankful" towards this path such has put us on, Spirit and I together as one. I feel as there will be much to do when we arrive and that is not true. There will be right then and there nothing to do, only for the mind to take it all in and conversate with Lance and my Mother who I am sure have been awaiting our return. How exciting!Can you tell he is still happy? Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 Lazy days at "The Oasis", Texas... What can I say? After taking refuge in Bluff, Utah, due to flash flood warnings [which I take very seriously], on our way West back to the Gooseneck and Valley of the Gods the little voice in me [sometimes not so little!] told me to get back here... as we did. The forecast was a bit on the warm side for afternoons but today is the last of the 90's we will see and feel for a while. Very doable as the mornings have been cool and even colder throughout the nights. I have been lazy since arriving here. Riding endlessly those roads we missed so much, star gazing after the few days of fuller Moon, playing with my Buddy who always regains his freedom here running in circle like a madman! The conclusion always, as appealing is being on the road, a Home Base is needed throughout the year. The outside world has its boundaries here. I am only interested in Mother Nature's politics, its beauty and offerings which are so many surrounding us. Glued eyes on a screen is not my preferred pass-time. I will not be running for Mayor anytime soon... Tomorrow I will force ourselves to get on a bit further. All is just too comfy here and we don't need to be on the lookout for a black truck passing by a few times an hour or a blown up and smoldering met lab which are events happened recently further North. Pretty incredible how even the spaces containing solitude are changing every year. Reading, [have you read our Book yet?], riding, cooking, playing... That about sums it up for now. More photos on our Journal. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 Timeless Zone in Big Bend, Texas. A big decision was facing me all summer. Where would we live some day when this body dwindled down as already the rough off roads are slowly being a thing of the past. Mainly for summer times as winter here at "The Oasis" is unequaled. Land up North above 9000 feet to keep us cool escaped me as an option. These 10 acres here, all paid for, has become the solution. We shall built something as a roof, we shall have a little home as a small camper, some more solar, water catchment, a larger generator for those hot summer days when those times arrive. That one day... I have it all written and photographed in a couple entries in our Journal. It is all there... Not finished yet of course but it is all getting there. You will have to go back one entry to see how it is all shaping up. In the meantime as every Sunday comes by I know exactly how long we have already been here and that fact alone amazes me. Is it time flying away as one gets up in age? Or is it this Big Bend area which has a total disregard towards a calendar? I must say it is pretty amazing. The "Day of the Dead" celebration has also come and gone where we attended for a couple hours. More photos on the last entry of ours. A bit of rain finally, cooler weather dropping from the 90's to the 60's and 70's. It is here the definition of perfection. Enjoy... we are. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 8th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Making a Home in Big Bend... Texas that is. Where do I begin? as "The Oasis", here, once again works its magic in the center of this Texas Desert. As the years have gone by on the road, the thought of the ones ahead of us has made its mark. Some day we will need a Home, it is inevitable, as a good Friend of mine wrote me. Where else could it be but here? Sure, summers are hot [but dry] and the decision to have a roof here has turned into a reality. A 25 x 40 shelter, a little camper right next to a 10 x 14 prefab cabin. Much solar, 4000 gallons of water catchment, a powerful generator, some sort of a basic outdoor kitchen, [meaning just a long table!], better Internet, it is all taking shape all in photos in a couple previous entries in our Journal. Now is however the time to walk away from it and once again balance out our time between Nature and those components that have been going up. I am realizing that it could be endless as the days here within this space which more than anything else feels as an Island for us. One that can provide all our needs present and future. Big Bend Park provided its magic the other day. A breather from shoveling dirt or nailing some boards and wiring this and that. I feel as this winter is going to fly by, lets see how much heat we can handle when Spring returns. Colorado is never too far! Enjoy the photos. It is Life "off the grid". Happy "Thanksgiving" day. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Coming to terms with the future. Big Bend. TX I feel as I have traded "Old Faithful" for a skill saw, drill, jigsaw, plywood, shovel, rake, you name it! And I have part time. Undertaking a permanent [a hard word to pronounce!] home for the future is a task I am discovering will take more time than I thought. Especially while doing most of it myself having never done such work before. I have the utmost respect for carpenters lately! That is an art I do not possess or have any experience with. Yet, we manage to get away within these three million acres which constantly stare at us, call our name while the weather is still perfect meaning a short sleeve T shirt is the norm. The stress of finishing it all is behind me, it will get done when it gets done. The discoveries on those roads traveled dozens of times are still present as even Terlingua offers new sights, new stores and people passing by or moving in. A donut shop open on the weekends! That is big for here... and good! Spirit continues to roam around freely. This space is also his paradise where there is no leash. We walk the land seeing the changes after the storms, new paths, vegetation dying from the past summer heat and the ones thriving from the recent rains. It is a constant change on this stage we discovered in years past. Who would have ever known this would change from a home base to some day where we will rest when this body gets too tired from roaming around this huge country we live in. I don't have to come to terms with that notion, not yet. I do think however I am doing the right thing. I am also still working on our Photo Coffee Table Book. Probably will be another couple months until that one is ready, that task also turns out not to be as easy as I thought. In the meantime "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" is still available on our Journal, on Amazon and in all electronic formats. Enjoy and stay well. Happy upcoming Holidays... just in case we do not make it back here before. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Intermission in Life. TX We both have been looking for a break, an intermission of some sort but not one in this fashion. A violent ice storm created the worse black out these three million acres have ever experienced when 30 electric poles went down. No fuel, no propane, no phone service, not even the SAT phone working for some odd reason, and of course no Internet. The lack of power does not phase us as we are on a solar system, the Internet? well, that can wait... right? Yesterday as some power did come back in Alpine and the perfect weather was back we took the 120 mile round trip, my curiosity towards these pages I guess got the best of me while sitting at the local Library. The world is still spinning, nothing too important has happened. It was a great ride though. We did manage to get into the Park before the storm hit, riding being a need more than anything else, and we found ourselves present at Panther Junction at the right time while the iced fog combined with winds was sculpting Nature. What a sight! With plenty of fuel as always carrying an extra five gallons reserve it was one of our best days in the Park. A cold one! Everyone here is slowly getting back on their feet. The Internet addicts are again normally breathing, blood pressure back to normal. Not so lucky here as we depend on a tower and that little red light is still not on. We will probably ride to our neighbors tomorrow to post this as more photos are in our Journal. And by the way "Happy New Year". Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Winter this time around seems to be lingering forever or is it this construction while "it" feeling so against the grain of our Journey. Was it the wrong time? Trying to come to terms with it. We already had "that one day of snow", the one day that transforms this desert into a surreal landscape yet does not last long, about half a day. A couple visitors as Big Bend is increasingly putting its name on the map arousing the curiosity of many while they themselves discover the beautiful roads which surrounds us mixed in with much hiking. There is even a donut shop now open on Sundays in Terlingua! How about that for progress... Between painting, trimming and mostly waiting for material to arrive we also continue ourselves enjoying the roads. River Rd was one of them the other day. Many photos and a new video on our Journal. This intermission is a long one. Are we getting close to explore further? I sure hope so as it seems such aspect is now ingrained within us. It is amazing how one can get so close to Mother Nature no wanting to let her go. It has been eleven years now since Lance is gone. That day was a rough one even if my tools are honed and sharpened to take on the emotions which never leave me, will never leave me. Life goes on... It is what it is... Enough rambling. Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted February 15, 2015 Author Share Posted February 15, 2015 Open up your lens a bit wider... TX Strange things happen in a Desert while away from it all. It is mainly called thinking! Not as bombs amidst an Urban Jungle, here silence prevails, one needs to be comfortable in their own skin... and mind. Life moves on here at its own pace as at times I look at the calendar and conclude it is unwinding a bit too fast with not much time to waste especially as age catches up with me. This intermission while securing a dwelling for future years seems to be a long one. I question myself often. How and why can someone so much likes (love!) living in a tent? The main aspect I figured out is simplicity and a close touch with Mother Nature. Nothing like it. The weather this winter has almost daily been a gift. Sometimes even a bit too warm to our liking. Good rains at times are providing our water, sunshine equals power. What more can I ask for combined with a solar oven, wood and multi fuel stove to cook with? Nothing... We are only in February. The Northern roads will have to wait a bit longer! Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 BBNP, how it all came about. TX March 2nd, 2015 Still in a holding pattern here in Big Bend, Texas, I always wanted to know how these beautiful geological patterns had come about. I felt as one needs to know as such when some day this will be Home. Some day! I coupled my reading with a beautiful day in the Park. Yesterday was what I call "perfection" including the clouds playing incessantly, very few cars, the perfect breeze and temperature. Even Spirit had a bigger than usual smile on his face. We could not be more fortunate than being here. How all this came about is a long story which I abbreviated in our Journal mixed in with black and white photos which I felt was appropriate for the occasion. I don't think they had color cameras 450 million years ago! I feel as once one knows a bit more about the past of a space they frequent occasionally, there is a better appreciation towards the present that faces us. It works for me. Enjoy... Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Good Days in Big Bend, Texas. Sometimes throughout the year moments reach a higher level of perfection all around. The weather, the landscape, the mental and physical intermission within a more than welcoming space. Those are it right now. It is at the same time the occasion to re-align a Journey, re-organize while depending on others and growing a much needed patience towards "things" which need to be taking care of, mastering such patience as unfortunately few follow through their spoken words. Such times has given me a chance to learn more about this area and write about it as its geology and some of Big Bend's History. It is rich in past culture as much as it is in its formation going back millions of years ago. We have had pleasant visitors, we have cooked a lot, as well as much chatting and even star gazing throughout the nights here so dark and unpolluted from urban lights. It is definitely Spring and I keep asking locals if they have ever seen the grounds so green and covered with yellow flowers blooming everywhere. They have never. All browns were fine, green and yellows are even better. It is a daily surprising change that has taken place. Spring break is over in this State, the crowds lingering for the past two weeks have left, it is again "ours". Big Bend is definitely on the map now, an area I myself had never heard of only a few years ago. Enjoy the few past entries and their many photos Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos Link to comment
beemerchef Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Is it only a matter of choice? TX We are still lingering in Big Bend! Having a hard time leaving this space as we have spread out and Nature has covered the grounds with greens and yellows. it is quite a sight I must say when daily we sit amongst such a marvel of Nature. But, we are packing... slowly as within me a spark of excitement is starting taking place. New adventures, landscapes and even when it happens meeting locals here and there. The road... that magical aspect we live for. I look at the forecast while wearing a sweater this morning and nothing over 80 for quite a few days. There is no rush, we are comfy here. We are living! The solar is giving us plenty of power, it has rained just about every afternoon throughout 20 minutes of what I always think the storm of all storms followed by blue skies. There is definitely a change in the weather pattern while the water is always welcome here being off the grid. The body is taking a break! The mind is working overtime, its thoughts fueled by this beautiful and serene Desert with no walls, no clock and no schedule. I eat when I am hungry, I sleep when sleepy, all is really that simple with no horns or traffic signal lights. What more can anyone ask for? "Old Faithful" is ready to go. Oils have been changed, throttle bodies adjusted and only the rear tire remains to be changed. That is it... Boring? Bored? Never... And yes, I am also cooking much more! Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted April 25, 2015 Author Share Posted April 25, 2015 "Hues of my Vision", 9 years of Photography. Finally after all these years, digging through one Terabyte of photos, I was able to put together a Photo Coffee Table Book. I have received the first sample and I must say it looks beautiful printed on premier luster paper. 61 photos, maps where taken with icons and arrows and 61 quotes all in a 10x13 hard cover format. The only aspect I did not like was the price! My price... $90 + Tax and Shipping! So I had this bright idea [will see!] to check into a volume discount which actually would be printed offset being even more luxurious than digital printing. The minimum bulk order? 1000 copies... The name of the book in case the link below does not work? "Hue of my Vision" which by the way was already picked as a favorite by Kickstarter's Staff. I had to start a Kickstarter for pre-orders. I think we have 25 days left and one step at the time the orders are growing. The truth is it has kept me busy as I am trying to get the word out. I only want to help others get the discount so the price does not revert to the original $100! I have it dropped all the way down to $40 including Tax and Shipping which I found reasonable considering the quality. So that is all what's happening right now... We are taking a break though and on to the park as the yellows and greens are starting to fade away but the cactuses are blooming like never seen before. I hope to see your names on our Kickstarter and please pass the word around, share as they also will make a very nice Gift. It is not a commercial venture, all is being sold so close to my cost... Nine Years of Photography! Here is the link for our Kickstarter which also includes a video! Stay well and hope I don't get kicked out of here for posting this... Ara and Spirit Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
Mike Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 "Hues of my Vision", 9 years of Photography. * * * * Stay well and hope I don't get kicked out of here for posting this... By the powers invested in me as a grizzled old moderator, I hereby bestow a dispensation. Thanks for all you've brought us. Link to comment
beemerchef Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 Thank You Mike.... When the body rebels... TX We packed, packed some more, stored a few things laying around here and as much as we live in the present [as Spirit does a much better job at it than me!] we left anticipating the spaces awaiting for us, the ones especially at higher altitudes and cooler temperatures. True to form while I always think we never know about tomorrow, we came back two days later, head down and with a sciatica pain tagged at 20 on a scale of ten! There is not much here in regard to Medical help. Yet, I am scheduled for an MRI this coming Friday in Ft Stockton. I lived almost two years now with a pain being a two and sometimes a three which only makes me realize how much we can get used to pain, yet now, it has become unbearable. Once for all this will have to be taken care of one way or another so we can rejoin the road and live as we have been these past years. Patience, acceptance, letting frustration go, all are aspects to play with while waiting and covering the large distances to see Dr's and a decent hospital for the tests. So far, nothing has helped. These are not the greatest times I must say, but, this too shall pass and I will keep these moments in the memory bank as to not take future days for granted! The weather is alright for being the end of the month of May. Shade is good and we have some of that for the afternoon 90's. As previously written I believe last week, "Life is [indeed] like a box of chocolate. You never know what you are going to get". And now to support our Dr's!!! What an irony... http://www.blurb.com/b/6185381-hues-of-my-vision http://www.blurb.com/b/6185381-hues-of-my-vision Till next time. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Time travel.... TX This is when on the path of this Journey ten years almost into the making the red flag is up, flag followed by the red light which will not even blink, which does not even yet have a green or orange light dimmed ready to light up. Such is Life... The culprit is not "Old Faithful" as she herself has had her moments of weakness, it is simply my body and some of its parts giving up. The lower back and the right hip! We are in Midland now, lucky for us having been offered shelter from some very kind Friends and dealing with four Dr's. The cartilage, the degeneration is not quite up there yet to necessitate back or hip surgery as even if I wanted to Medicare will not approve it. So Tuesday is a spinal shot and the hip, well, I am waiting for "that approval". If such approval is soon we will wait as Medicare only approves one function per day, if not soon, we will return to Big Bend and come back one more time... How long will all of this relieve me from pain and allow me to again ride? Could be a week, weeks, some say even years. Who knows. In the meantime unlike any other summers it is Big Bend full time right now. I must say, while I surprised myself, that I have so far enjoyed being there. The canvas has changed as the daily storms are magnificent, the winds pick up every day as to cool us off, much rain meaning longer showers as our water catchment tanks are full, isolation from the World without a watch or calendar except throughout these present times when the appointments are decided from a clock! Such is Life and another lesson of acceptance, a slap in the face I must say which will result in more physical activities to keep this body in shape toward this Journey, this endless Journey. We had a chance to be on "Adventure Rider Radio" [link of the interview on our Journal] a few days ago and I must say I truly enjoyed it. Nice people as the conversations were filled with honesty especially toward so many who take on their own Journey not for themselves but for sponsorships and are "owned" by many of them losing their freedom and sense of adventure, their days moving on with only the thoughts "I/we have to do this...."! The conversations encompassed also on the financial aspects of, no other way to put it, "begging" for money to allow for such travel. All and all, very interesting. I hope you have a chance to listen to it... Till next time when maybe, who knows, I will be able to keep up with Spirit's jumping! Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Coming out of lala land! TX Sometimes I feel as these past weeks have only been a bad dream and yet there is so much pleasure being here and finding the real core of this space undisturbed by the tourists and the snow birds who for some reason or another think they live here... but of course do not. They will surface soon enough and their names on giant banners will be self published on the local Social Medias, also soon enough! How about if it remained as such throughout the whole year? It was at one time when Big Bend and Terlingua were just blurs on the map now a destination for many. It is as this space is a coin with two distinct sides. I really like this side! I now understand what the true locals think while at time we bump into one or two and chat a bit. The off road rides had always such little traffic. Right now it is non existent! It is almost strange as being on another planet. Just like in this video taken just a few days ago Such rides right now have stopped as I have taken Old Faithful apart. A new battery is already here and seemingly miles of electrical wires causing a short have been discarded. I am waiting for some new switches, a new seat which will put me up a bit higher increasing my hip angle, new rotors and pads, fuel filter and I would have to look at the list for the rest. She will turn 20 in a few months. She has always sat outside and some aspects of it have become brittle needing some soldering and tender care so she once again takes us away on the awaiting roads. We are living happily right now within what I call our "bubble". Imagine not seeing a soul for days, listening to silence always undisturbed as I stare at the same mountains, the same skies daily and yet every day being a different painting witnessing storms as never before. They slowly build up during the day and by afternoon lightning, thunder, cool winds and inches of rain keep me entertained. The episodes are endless! There is no reason to change the channel... there are no other channels and none of it is ever rehearsed. So that "is", this "is", summer in Big Bend! Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Books www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 Coming to Life again! Easton, KS The past few weeks have not been very pretty, yugly inside out. It happens. A battle within me as I finally came out of it only these days victorious realizing once again, as always, it is my choice to keep my head down or up. The spine and hip steroid shots are providing "some" comfort as I expected too much. At least we can ride while having had a seat redone one and a half inch taller to increase the hip angle and a true to form well made kidney belt. I should have thought about a kidney belt long time ago with the kind of mileage we put on! Live and learn. While partially fixed up and now awaiting the end of October to have a couple of discs fused with also a couple arthritis growth shaved off [how much fun can that be?] I decided to head on to Kansas and spend some time with my dear Friends from Germany, the ones who bailed me out so kindly when my Mother passed away a bit over two years ago in Munich. Well... I did expect HOT weather but forgot what 1000% humidity was. In one word, to make a story short as you can read the whole one in our Journal, it has been, upper case, "MISERABLE". Lucky to ride a bit very early morning and very late at night... That is about it besides being in the house amongst four walls with the air on, lucky us while sitting under a ceiling fan. My choice, our choice. No despair, we will never make it here the whole month of August as planned [plans has never worked for us!] and leaving in a couple days for COOL Colorado where we will camp at 9700", a familiar space desolate of mosquitoes, chiggers, fleas, ticks... all those common visitors we have now encountered. The upside has been some new goggles for Spirit called Rex Specs K9, a big relief as I always called his old ones "fou fou goggles" and for the price never lasted too long. Minor detail in our lives but a pleasant one. On to Highway 70 now... A boring one but the shortest route to cooler temps! Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Books www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 Taking a break for a few days... We have not been here in a while. Colorado is now behind us and so is Kansas for sure. Bad Internet connections in isolated spaces, none most of the time, bad back while sitting long periods on the clock, New Mexico is also in the past with its daily storms and now enjoying The Oasis [Texas] for a few days before taking off for Midland next Tuesday, a week from now, to see my favorite spine Dr... This too shall pass as this is no way to live on the road for sure. Surgery even sounds appealing at this time and winter ahead will give me the opportunity and time to recoup. Might even get two new hips which then I will call myself the "bionic rider"! That is because riding cannot stop... It is still a bit warmer here than I would like it to be but for some reason 90 has become doable for us when in the past 80 was the limit. I guess, just like pain, one can get used to much of everything. Colorado was pleasant and cool as ever even if also with daily storms, a State we never get tired of visiting and exploring its back roads. As far as New Mexico I had forgotten the quiet campground called "Valley of Fire" where we spent a couple next and even bumped into the "Butler Maps" crew busy of course... mapping! As usual we dropped South a bit too early but with our riding limited to under 100 miles a day I thought it would be a good idea. I had not planned falling backwards but it allowed me to move my appointment sooner and as usual, besides the pain, all works out. We did stop at Three Rivers where at least 20,000 Petroglyph are still weathering and also as I try every year while visiting a little Chapel up the road dedicated to departed Children, "Santo Nino de Atocha", light a candle for Lance and reminisce about our times past times together. Where we were and where we are now, standing a bit taller on that ladder of Life. The Journey within the Adventures. Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 9th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
beemerchef Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 Trying to find Peace... TX Is it kind of an intermission while at The Oasis in Big Bend, Texas, in and out of Dr's listening to their opinions? It is! Initially not happy about it [who would be?] I have learned to accept the steps required which will some day give me, us, a better quality of Life hindered at the moment by hips and spine falling apart! The hoops one has to jump through has increased. Just these past months the laws have changed and a simple spinal steroid shot which only had a two to three day wait for an appointment is now three to five weeks. All of course are only band aids for the inevitable surgeries which stare at me throughout the near future. So we wait... and wait some more. The upside is cooler weather here. Perfection it is which brings up the moral as we can ride a few miles here and there especially when Big Bend National Park stares at us daily. "It's not that bad" I keep telling myself as this too shall pass when we regain our previous quality of such Life. One day at the time... Patience, perseverance and a few round trips to Midland! This space does give us Peace day after day. It is the true design of The Oasis. It is its purpose while away from it all and undisturbed from the mundane realities. These few acres do not have a pedestal topped with self gratification, they do not have the beaming light with the "look at me" neon sign too popular these days across pages and pages of a social media gone too often haywire. That's my opinion anyhow! The greatest pain relievers are Spirit and Old Faithful. The roads do not cure but lets me forget the internal damaged body. They always do as they did throughout these years past as we are entering our tenth year wandering. It does not require any pills, only fuel and a helmet! Regardless of it all, I have to feel fortunate towards what we have, what is present and never lose hope that some day soon our quality of Life will be once again present as it use to be. And it will... And by the way, if anyone could harbor us in Midland [TX] at times, could be for an overnight or eventually two to three weeks when surgeries happen, please let me know. We are low maintenance!!! Stay well. Ara and Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos 10th Year, the Stars, living under them… Link to comment
Marty Hill Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hi Ara. Best going fwd. Been way to long. Link to comment
Indy Dave Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Ara - if it's any consolation, when I had my right hip replaced, it made a WORLD of difference, in riding and everything else. If i'd not had it replaced, I would have had to give up riding for the most part - it was just to painful to ride anything other than down the street. Best of luck! Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now