Why do I do what I do? I ask myself this all the time. Unfortunately I don't have an answer. This summer I drove 6534 miles in three weeks for my vacation. Mostly I wanted to visit my daughter Kelly in Tacoma, Washington as she had moved there last August and I missed her tremendously! Of course I could have flown there and had a great visit and saved a lot of money to boot. But, I LOVE long road trips! I also wanted to visit my good, very good friend Joanna in Paonia, Colorado. So, on July 8th off I set on my cross country adventure....
I had my 4Runner packed with stuff. all kinds of stuff... a cooler with the food I needed to eat before it went bad so I couldn't leave it in the fridge at home, a suitcase full of clothes I would never wear on this trip, beer to give as host gifts for my couch surfing hosts, my bicycle on the back, bicycling gear, camping gear mostly in the Yakima rooftop carrier- also stuff I would never use on this trip. I kept the front seat open in case I came across a hitchhiker; sadly you don't see many hitchhikers these and even more sadly I didn't see any.
I had book ends for my trip: a wedding on July 7th and a wedding on July 28th; the three weeks in between were my travel dates. It really sucks to have a drop dead date to be back. I left Staunton on July 8th with the goal of getting past Chicago. This was an important goal and a long ass day behind the wheel. Important to get past Chicago because it was a Sunday. Not getting past Chicago on Sunday would mean dealing with the Monday morning traffic. So I was 14 hours in the car and that's way too many hours in a car. But worth it I guess because I made it to Rockford, Illinois for the night. A quick night in a hotel and then off again in the morning. I drove to Onalaska, Wisconsin where I found a bike trail. I think I rode almost 30 miles on the trail north until it ended and then I found my way to a road, put the visitor center in Google Maps and found my way back without using the bike trail. I brought the wrong bike; I should have brought my heavier, wider tired hybrid which is better for trails than my road bike with skinny tires. This proved to be true throughout my trip. After my bike ride I drove into Minnesota (some sweet memories from Minnesota I'll have to blog about someday, but this time just passing through). I didn't stop until I got to Mitchell South Dakota where I spent the night after another long day of travel. I'm home now, it's a month later and I've suddenly gotten a notion to write it all down. This is enough for now, maybe some more tomorrow. There's always tomorrow... xox
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Monday, May 15, 2017
Telluride to Ouray to Paonia
This is it.... I'm on my way home! It's been a whirlwind, a wonderful adventure, and a time of reflection and insight. I've stayed in a lot of hotels on this trip and that's where I am again, somewhere in Illinois just outside of St. Louis.
After my visit to Telluride I drove to Ouray in the rain. I found a place to camp (in my car again) just south of town in the national forest alongside a river again, another sweet spot. It rained lightly throughout the night so I was thrilled when I woke to blue skies. I looked at the weather forecast and could see I had until noon so I quickly drank my coffee then set out on a hike. I chose a hike I had done in 2008 when I was in Ouray, but I was a month earlier in the year this time. I got half a mile in and had to turn back because of iced over snow. I drove to another trailhead and set out, then soon realized I had done this hike as well nine years ago. It was beautiful and I was happy to do it again. I had in mind that I should turn around by 11:00 knowing that I would not make it to the mine at the end of the trail before the rain came. It's always hard to pick a spot to turn around, but as I was nearing 11:00 I saw two sticks leaning against a rock wall. I knew what they meant. As I made the turn around the rock wall I was then on the north side of the mountain and there was snow ahead. Not just snow, but something like a snow field and quite treacherous to try to hike on without proper footwear. I had my poles, but was not prepared to hike on icy snow. The sticks leaning against the rock wall were what someone had used to traverse the ice field and left for the next hiker to use. I turned back. I did take a little different route going back in order to make a loop and extend my hike a bit since the skies were still blue. When I got back to my 4Runner it started raining lightly; perfect timing!
When I was in Ouray in 2008 I fell in love. In love with the town, the houses, the mountains, the trails, the roads.... I really thought I was going to move to Colorado after David graduated from high school (2010). But, that didn't happen; I moved to Charlottesville and got caught up in my new life there and loved it, so the west became a place for me to keep going back for visits, but not to live. I write these posts so that friends and family can know where I am and what I'm up to as I travel. I wish I could tell you all what it feels like to be in those mountains, but words can't do it. The pictures can't do it either. It's a feeling. And, it overwhelming. Ouray is referred to as little Switzerland as it is tucked in the middle of 12,000 foot mountains. Cozy.
That afternoon I met my friend Joanna at Orvis Hot Springs just north of Ouray. I know Joanna from Charlottesville, she's my best dancing and beer drinking buddy. She listens to me whine and gives me shit for it. She spends part of her time in Cville and part in Colorado where she is from and most of her family lives. We had an amazing three days together with her showing me around Ouray and her home town of Paonia. We soaked at Orvis for two hours. It's a small little known hot springs and absolutely beautiful. We went out for burgers and beer and then for a hike on the perimeter trail around Ouray the next morning. We went out for dinner and wine the next night and then for a soak in the vapor cave at Weisbaden (still in Ouray). Two nights in Ouray, then we drove through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to get to Paonia. We stayed with Joanna's friend John in Paonia. John is an artist, a musician, a collector of rocks, eccentric, interesting and incredibly generous! Joanna did not tell me much about John before we arrived at his "ranch." We all have an idea in our heads of what a Colorado ranch is, right? I wish my photos could capture what I encountered when I arrived on John's ranch, but they don't even come close. I said to Joanna; "you didn't tell me... " She answered; "what could I have said?" Here's a link to a video that John wrote and produced on his ranch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk_Xg1og_m8 John, if you ever read this, a BIG Thank You, you are an amazing human being! We all went out dancing in downtown Paonia, which is like saying we went out dancing in downtown Madison. We ate pizza, drank beer and danced. Joanna knew everybody there. You could see from one end of Main Street to the other, and that's the only street!
The next morning I set off again, driving through those amazing mountains of Colorado into Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, over Loveland Pass and into Denver where I connected with another one of my favorite people; my aunt Gerda. Gerda is my mom's half sister, she's my age, and always welcomes me into her home when I am passing through. We just spent one evening together, but caught up on the necessary stuff over dinner and wine, then a mother's day breakfast. A wonderful connection, I'm hoping she and her sister will come to Virginia for a visit in the fall.
And, that brings me to where I am now. I drove 12 or so hours yesterday with the goal of getting to St. Louis. Here I am, after a restful night's sleep catching up on this blog. This will be the last until the next adventure. Only the gods know when that will be.... xo~
After my visit to Telluride I drove to Ouray in the rain. I found a place to camp (in my car again) just south of town in the national forest alongside a river again, another sweet spot. It rained lightly throughout the night so I was thrilled when I woke to blue skies. I looked at the weather forecast and could see I had until noon so I quickly drank my coffee then set out on a hike. I chose a hike I had done in 2008 when I was in Ouray, but I was a month earlier in the year this time. I got half a mile in and had to turn back because of iced over snow. I drove to another trailhead and set out, then soon realized I had done this hike as well nine years ago. It was beautiful and I was happy to do it again. I had in mind that I should turn around by 11:00 knowing that I would not make it to the mine at the end of the trail before the rain came. It's always hard to pick a spot to turn around, but as I was nearing 11:00 I saw two sticks leaning against a rock wall. I knew what they meant. As I made the turn around the rock wall I was then on the north side of the mountain and there was snow ahead. Not just snow, but something like a snow field and quite treacherous to try to hike on without proper footwear. I had my poles, but was not prepared to hike on icy snow. The sticks leaning against the rock wall were what someone had used to traverse the ice field and left for the next hiker to use. I turned back. I did take a little different route going back in order to make a loop and extend my hike a bit since the skies were still blue. When I got back to my 4Runner it started raining lightly; perfect timing!
When I was in Ouray in 2008 I fell in love. In love with the town, the houses, the mountains, the trails, the roads.... I really thought I was going to move to Colorado after David graduated from high school (2010). But, that didn't happen; I moved to Charlottesville and got caught up in my new life there and loved it, so the west became a place for me to keep going back for visits, but not to live. I write these posts so that friends and family can know where I am and what I'm up to as I travel. I wish I could tell you all what it feels like to be in those mountains, but words can't do it. The pictures can't do it either. It's a feeling. And, it overwhelming. Ouray is referred to as little Switzerland as it is tucked in the middle of 12,000 foot mountains. Cozy.
That afternoon I met my friend Joanna at Orvis Hot Springs just north of Ouray. I know Joanna from Charlottesville, she's my best dancing and beer drinking buddy. She listens to me whine and gives me shit for it. She spends part of her time in Cville and part in Colorado where she is from and most of her family lives. We had an amazing three days together with her showing me around Ouray and her home town of Paonia. We soaked at Orvis for two hours. It's a small little known hot springs and absolutely beautiful. We went out for burgers and beer and then for a hike on the perimeter trail around Ouray the next morning. We went out for dinner and wine the next night and then for a soak in the vapor cave at Weisbaden (still in Ouray). Two nights in Ouray, then we drove through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to get to Paonia. We stayed with Joanna's friend John in Paonia. John is an artist, a musician, a collector of rocks, eccentric, interesting and incredibly generous! Joanna did not tell me much about John before we arrived at his "ranch." We all have an idea in our heads of what a Colorado ranch is, right? I wish my photos could capture what I encountered when I arrived on John's ranch, but they don't even come close. I said to Joanna; "you didn't tell me... " She answered; "what could I have said?" Here's a link to a video that John wrote and produced on his ranch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk_Xg1og_m8 John, if you ever read this, a BIG Thank You, you are an amazing human being! We all went out dancing in downtown Paonia, which is like saying we went out dancing in downtown Madison. We ate pizza, drank beer and danced. Joanna knew everybody there. You could see from one end of Main Street to the other, and that's the only street!
The next morning I set off again, driving through those amazing mountains of Colorado into Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, over Loveland Pass and into Denver where I connected with another one of my favorite people; my aunt Gerda. Gerda is my mom's half sister, she's my age, and always welcomes me into her home when I am passing through. We just spent one evening together, but caught up on the necessary stuff over dinner and wine, then a mother's day breakfast. A wonderful connection, I'm hoping she and her sister will come to Virginia for a visit in the fall.
And, that brings me to where I am now. I drove 12 or so hours yesterday with the goal of getting to St. Louis. Here I am, after a restful night's sleep catching up on this blog. This will be the last until the next adventure. Only the gods know when that will be.... xo~
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Telluride Colorado
I am now holed up in a coffee shop in Telluride, Colorado. It's raining and sleeting complete with thunder and lightning, and I am just happy to be warm and dry. I hiked to the foot of Bridal Veil Falls this morning and got a little wet. The rain made me turn around rather than continuing on to the top, but it was a lovely hike none the less!
I did a couple short hikes at Mesa Verde yesterday morning, but I was not able to get close and explore the actual dwellings. A guided tour is required for that and I can't stand guided tours! I did enjoy driving around though and the little bit I got to see. Afterward I had a wonderful shower, then ventured into the town of Cortez. I got my oil changed and my toes done. I finally feel like my feet are clean!
I drove through the little town of Dolores where I bought a skirt at a consignment shop. I hope to get to wear it when I go out dancing with my friend Joanna in a few days. I found a hot spring outside of the town of Rico in the San Juan National Forest, but it didn't feel that hot and did not look very appealing. I want clear water!! So, I did not get in, but ventured farther north and found a wonderful place to camp for the night just north of Rico, right alongside the Dolores River. It was amazing, beautiful and quiet. I slept in my 4Runner and kept a window open a little so I could hear the river as I fell asleep. Thankfully I slept well and was not awakened and asked to move! It was a cold 28 degrees when I woke up. I made coffee and sipped it in my car. And, now I am in Telluride wondering what to do in the rain. The coffee shop closes at 2pm and I think my paid parking runs out before that. More later.... m~
I did a couple short hikes at Mesa Verde yesterday morning, but I was not able to get close and explore the actual dwellings. A guided tour is required for that and I can't stand guided tours! I did enjoy driving around though and the little bit I got to see. Afterward I had a wonderful shower, then ventured into the town of Cortez. I got my oil changed and my toes done. I finally feel like my feet are clean!
I drove through the little town of Dolores where I bought a skirt at a consignment shop. I hope to get to wear it when I go out dancing with my friend Joanna in a few days. I found a hot spring outside of the town of Rico in the San Juan National Forest, but it didn't feel that hot and did not look very appealing. I want clear water!! So, I did not get in, but ventured farther north and found a wonderful place to camp for the night just north of Rico, right alongside the Dolores River. It was amazing, beautiful and quiet. I slept in my 4Runner and kept a window open a little so I could hear the river as I fell asleep. Thankfully I slept well and was not awakened and asked to move! It was a cold 28 degrees when I woke up. I made coffee and sipped it in my car. And, now I am in Telluride wondering what to do in the rain. The coffee shop closes at 2pm and I think my paid parking runs out before that. More later.... m~
Monday, May 8, 2017
Mesa Verde, Colorado
I left off at my hotel in Williams, Arizona....
After resting, showering and making myself presentable, I went out for dinner in Williams. I sat at the bar of a place called Station 66 (The famous Route 66 that the Okies followed goes through here as well as Flagstaff). I had a local rye beer (I'd never had a rye beer before). It was really good. I don't know if it was truly really good or if it just seemed so because of my circumstances! Such is the way with camping; there are foods I eat when camping that I never eat at home. I sat beside a guy from New Zealand who was on a tour of the US with a group. He was just finishing his pizza dinner as I ordered a salad with shrimp for myself. I'm big on lots of protein while camping and hiking, but I don't get to eat much in the way of fresh veggies, so I was craving a salad. When my New Zealand neighbor got up to leave he declined a box for his pizza, so I said to the bartender: "I want a box for that pizza, it'll be my lunch tomorrow." And, so it was... delicious too! My dinner was nice as well and afterward I had an Arizona whiskey. It was mostly corn based, but had some rye too. It was good, firey like moonshine, not smooth and mellow like a Kentucky Bourbon. A treat : )
I worked out in my room the next morning then took another shower (had to get the most for my $140 room!). I headed to the Grand Canyon at 10 am. I bought an annual America the Beautiful pass at the entrance station, which I'm using again here at Mesa Verde Colorado. I'll also pass it along to my son for his westward trip in July. He's a bit free spirited like me!
It has been nearly 10 years since my last trip to the Grand Canyon and 17 since my first. I don't remember it being so overrun with people. Ugh! It was hard to enjoy it as it is now. Because of my blog post a friend reached out to me and told me of a sweet spot to go to. I found that and it was magical. I only saw seven other people there. Sweet, sweet, sweet! It was a mile walk to the view point, but easy going. And, there were no signs saying there was even a view there, that's why it's so private. When I asked a bus driver in the park about it, he had never heard of it. It was so nice I decided to sleep in my car there and hike out the next morning to see the sunrise. I hunkered down in the back of my 4Runner and went to sleep around 9 pm. At 10:30 pm I was awakened by a ranger and told I could not sleep there. Bummer! No signs indicating so, but I wasn't going to argue. He told me where I could go in National Forest outside the park. It's perfectly legal to park and sleep anywhere in national forest or on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. I drove outside the park and pulled off the road where I thought I was in national forest. I was not. I was awakened again by another ranger at 2 am. Ugh! He told me I wasn't quite where I needed to be. 500 feet down the road there was a turn off..... I drove down there and found lots of cars parked and even tents pitched, so I was finally in the right place. I hunkered down once again, but now had a 20 minute drive to get back to my special spot. I woke suddenly at 5am (Arizona time which is different than the rest of the country) and it was already light. I jumped into the driver seat, sped to my special spot, ran (I am NOT a runner) the mile to the viewpoint and missed the sunrise by about 10 minutes. It was beautiful none the less, and I took a few picks and walked back to my car to make coffee. It was too windy to linger there.
Then I drove again... through northern Arizona. I saw Vermillion Cliffs, drove down a little road to Lees Ferry and saw the Colorado River up close, drove over Navajo Bridge and saw the Colorado from an amazing height, drove to Page, AZ and saw the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. I'd never seen these before, but have read Edward Abbey's cynical writings about them. I thought I'd go to Moab, UT next, but as I drove through desert, and stopped to look at my road atlas, I was drawn to the mountains, done with the desert. So, I changed course and drove through the Four Corners (where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico come together), and landed in Cortex, CO deciding on Mesa Verde as my next stop. I visited Mesa Verde in 2008, but just briefly so I'm looking forward to exploring it more fully. I'm camped in the official campground, but slept in my car as it's just as comfortable as my tent and easier. I got my spot for free too. The girl that checked me in just let me have it! I don't know if it's because I look ragged and poor (maybe she heard about the pizza), or I remind her of her mother, or maybe it was just her random act of kindness for the day... Speaking of Random acts of kindness; I picked up a hitchhiker yesterday. I love picking up hitchhikers. He was 20 years old and had been hitching around the country for three years. His dad is supporting him and bugging him about getting a job. He picks up random jobs, but not enough to support himself. He seemed to be a lost soul, did not speak well, fell asleep while riding with me. I hope I imparted some good words of wisdom, I told him about catering work and about Coolworks.com, but I'm not sure he has what it takes to even present himself and ask for a job. I don't know how to help someone like that.
I'm heading off on my adventures for the day.... Oh, yes, this campground has internet service! I parked next to the bathroom because that's where the router is and makes it possible for me to post this entry and even upload new pics. I'm even going to get a free shower later! Jeez, I have an amazing life!!! m~ox
Grand Canyon, etc. photos
After resting, showering and making myself presentable, I went out for dinner in Williams. I sat at the bar of a place called Station 66 (The famous Route 66 that the Okies followed goes through here as well as Flagstaff). I had a local rye beer (I'd never had a rye beer before). It was really good. I don't know if it was truly really good or if it just seemed so because of my circumstances! Such is the way with camping; there are foods I eat when camping that I never eat at home. I sat beside a guy from New Zealand who was on a tour of the US with a group. He was just finishing his pizza dinner as I ordered a salad with shrimp for myself. I'm big on lots of protein while camping and hiking, but I don't get to eat much in the way of fresh veggies, so I was craving a salad. When my New Zealand neighbor got up to leave he declined a box for his pizza, so I said to the bartender: "I want a box for that pizza, it'll be my lunch tomorrow." And, so it was... delicious too! My dinner was nice as well and afterward I had an Arizona whiskey. It was mostly corn based, but had some rye too. It was good, firey like moonshine, not smooth and mellow like a Kentucky Bourbon. A treat : )
I worked out in my room the next morning then took another shower (had to get the most for my $140 room!). I headed to the Grand Canyon at 10 am. I bought an annual America the Beautiful pass at the entrance station, which I'm using again here at Mesa Verde Colorado. I'll also pass it along to my son for his westward trip in July. He's a bit free spirited like me!
It has been nearly 10 years since my last trip to the Grand Canyon and 17 since my first. I don't remember it being so overrun with people. Ugh! It was hard to enjoy it as it is now. Because of my blog post a friend reached out to me and told me of a sweet spot to go to. I found that and it was magical. I only saw seven other people there. Sweet, sweet, sweet! It was a mile walk to the view point, but easy going. And, there were no signs saying there was even a view there, that's why it's so private. When I asked a bus driver in the park about it, he had never heard of it. It was so nice I decided to sleep in my car there and hike out the next morning to see the sunrise. I hunkered down in the back of my 4Runner and went to sleep around 9 pm. At 10:30 pm I was awakened by a ranger and told I could not sleep there. Bummer! No signs indicating so, but I wasn't going to argue. He told me where I could go in National Forest outside the park. It's perfectly legal to park and sleep anywhere in national forest or on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. I drove outside the park and pulled off the road where I thought I was in national forest. I was not. I was awakened again by another ranger at 2 am. Ugh! He told me I wasn't quite where I needed to be. 500 feet down the road there was a turn off..... I drove down there and found lots of cars parked and even tents pitched, so I was finally in the right place. I hunkered down once again, but now had a 20 minute drive to get back to my special spot. I woke suddenly at 5am (Arizona time which is different than the rest of the country) and it was already light. I jumped into the driver seat, sped to my special spot, ran (I am NOT a runner) the mile to the viewpoint and missed the sunrise by about 10 minutes. It was beautiful none the less, and I took a few picks and walked back to my car to make coffee. It was too windy to linger there.
Then I drove again... through northern Arizona. I saw Vermillion Cliffs, drove down a little road to Lees Ferry and saw the Colorado River up close, drove over Navajo Bridge and saw the Colorado from an amazing height, drove to Page, AZ and saw the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. I'd never seen these before, but have read Edward Abbey's cynical writings about them. I thought I'd go to Moab, UT next, but as I drove through desert, and stopped to look at my road atlas, I was drawn to the mountains, done with the desert. So, I changed course and drove through the Four Corners (where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico come together), and landed in Cortex, CO deciding on Mesa Verde as my next stop. I visited Mesa Verde in 2008, but just briefly so I'm looking forward to exploring it more fully. I'm camped in the official campground, but slept in my car as it's just as comfortable as my tent and easier. I got my spot for free too. The girl that checked me in just let me have it! I don't know if it's because I look ragged and poor (maybe she heard about the pizza), or I remind her of her mother, or maybe it was just her random act of kindness for the day... Speaking of Random acts of kindness; I picked up a hitchhiker yesterday. I love picking up hitchhikers. He was 20 years old and had been hitching around the country for three years. His dad is supporting him and bugging him about getting a job. He picks up random jobs, but not enough to support himself. He seemed to be a lost soul, did not speak well, fell asleep while riding with me. I hope I imparted some good words of wisdom, I told him about catering work and about Coolworks.com, but I'm not sure he has what it takes to even present himself and ask for a job. I don't know how to help someone like that.
I'm heading off on my adventures for the day.... Oh, yes, this campground has internet service! I parked next to the bathroom because that's where the router is and makes it possible for me to post this entry and even upload new pics. I'm even going to get a free shower later! Jeez, I have an amazing life!!! m~ox
Grand Canyon, etc. photos
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Saturday, May 6th ~ Williams Arizona
I ended up here accidentally. After spending two days hiking and two nights camping in Oak Creek Canyon, I was ready to be in town again, in a real bed after a refreshing shower. So, I drove back to Flagstaff. I read about the town having a First Fridays event/ art walk that sounded similar to our First Fridays in Charlottesville. I got online and found a decent deal at a nice hotel that looks interesting and booked it through Hotwire. Once it was booked and a done deal because you can't undo a Hotwire booking, I clicked on the address to drive there and realized it wasn't even in Flagstaff! Williams is 30 minutes west of Flagstaff and the hub for the Grand Canyon. So, I guess I'll be hiking in the Grand Canyon next. It's good to be flexible! I hiked the Grand Canyon 10 years ago, seven miles down the Kaibab Trail and 10 miles up the Bright Angel Trail. 17 miles in a day is a lot, and I've aged a couple years since then so I'm not planning on doing that again.
Oak Creek Canyon is absolutely stunning! The photos I took don't even begin to capture it. They never do really in these special places. There's a feeling that comes from being there, and I can't explain it. It's like love, it's just magical.
I drove through Oak Creek Canyon 10 years ago on the way to the Grand Canyon, but didn't have time to stop and explore. I wanted to though, it was calling to me! I'm sorry it's taken me this long to get back here. I think the canyon is a different place now, it was crowded. The road is under construction to better handle the crowds. I enjoyed lots of swimming holes, but no skinny dipping. The hikes were spectacular. I saw several snakes. Two that I got pictures of; one was a non venomous water snake, the other a beautiful rattlesnake. I watched them both for several minutes. They didn't seem afraid of me, only curious. The rattlesnake didn't coil and rattle at me as they usually do if they feel threatened. Check out the pictures.
I met a guy at the campground in Oak Creek with a teardrop trailer (see pics). It is the coolest thing! I almost want one, but I think I'm over camping. It seems to have lost it's charm. There's something really sweet about real beds, showers, hot tubs, vegetables.... I'll be driving through Cortez in a few days, I'm going to stop and get a pedicure when I'm there : )
Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/1KLhB7FrTbPckVMt9
I ended up here accidentally. After spending two days hiking and two nights camping in Oak Creek Canyon, I was ready to be in town again, in a real bed after a refreshing shower. So, I drove back to Flagstaff. I read about the town having a First Fridays event/ art walk that sounded similar to our First Fridays in Charlottesville. I got online and found a decent deal at a nice hotel that looks interesting and booked it through Hotwire. Once it was booked and a done deal because you can't undo a Hotwire booking, I clicked on the address to drive there and realized it wasn't even in Flagstaff! Williams is 30 minutes west of Flagstaff and the hub for the Grand Canyon. So, I guess I'll be hiking in the Grand Canyon next. It's good to be flexible! I hiked the Grand Canyon 10 years ago, seven miles down the Kaibab Trail and 10 miles up the Bright Angel Trail. 17 miles in a day is a lot, and I've aged a couple years since then so I'm not planning on doing that again.
Oak Creek Canyon is absolutely stunning! The photos I took don't even begin to capture it. They never do really in these special places. There's a feeling that comes from being there, and I can't explain it. It's like love, it's just magical.
I drove through Oak Creek Canyon 10 years ago on the way to the Grand Canyon, but didn't have time to stop and explore. I wanted to though, it was calling to me! I'm sorry it's taken me this long to get back here. I think the canyon is a different place now, it was crowded. The road is under construction to better handle the crowds. I enjoyed lots of swimming holes, but no skinny dipping. The hikes were spectacular. I saw several snakes. Two that I got pictures of; one was a non venomous water snake, the other a beautiful rattlesnake. I watched them both for several minutes. They didn't seem afraid of me, only curious. The rattlesnake didn't coil and rattle at me as they usually do if they feel threatened. Check out the pictures.
I met a guy at the campground in Oak Creek with a teardrop trailer (see pics). It is the coolest thing! I almost want one, but I think I'm over camping. It seems to have lost it's charm. There's something really sweet about real beds, showers, hot tubs, vegetables.... I'll be driving through Cortez in a few days, I'm going to stop and get a pedicure when I'm there : )
Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/1KLhB7FrTbPckVMt9
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Greetings from Arizona! I arrived in Flagstaff last night around 5:00 after driving two 14 hour days from North Carolina. Exhausted. Feet swollen. It's not good for a body (especially this body!) to sit for long periods of time. I'm glad to be here and ready to start out on an adventure in a magical place called Oak Creek Canyon. It runs from Flagstaff to Sedona in the Coconino National Forest. I drove through it in November 2007 on my way to hike the Grand Canyon. I so wanted to stop back then, but had only one day to hike the Grand Canyon, so there was no time. I'm finally back now to explore all that I didn't get to explore then! More about all this next week once I'm out of the wilderness.... right now I am uploading the pictures I took while in North Carolina last week, and that's what this blog post is really about.
On Monday, April 24th I arrived in Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina late in the day. I drove up Mt. Mitchell to the visitor center to get a map and information on hiking the highest mountain east of the Mississippi (6,668 feet). Then I drove back down the mountain to sleep in my 4Runner. It's not worth pitching a tent for just one night when I have such a comfortable vehicle to sleep in. Especially when it's raining. And, it rained all night. Actually it had been raining for several days, but Tuesday looked hopeful weather wise. I woke early and brewed my coffee in a misting rain and drank it in the drivers seat of my 4Runner. Still misting rain when I finished my cup of joe, I set out on my 12 mile hike.
I have to say, there's something magical about hiking in a misting rain. I felt like I was in the clouds, and it was beautiful. And, it wasn't cold, so I was really quite comfortable. Even so, I was very happy when an hour and a half later I could see my shadow in front of me. As I got higher up the mountain some really awesome views opened up as you'll see if you take a look at the photos. Because of all the rainfall the past few days the trail was literally a stream. I walked in water all day. This made the footing difficult and I was exhausted by the end of the day. There wasn't much of a view at the summit due to the clouds, but the views along the way made up for that. I'm quite used to going on 12 mile hikes, so the idea of hiking this one did not intimidate me in spite of its being the tallest mountain in the east. But, in the end, I have to say that this hike kicked my ass! Definitely one of the top three most difficult hikes I've ever done, and the other two were 10 years ago when I was a bit younger! I thought it was going to take six hours, it took me seven hours and 10 minutes. I'm going to blame it on the condition of the trail with the water and sleeping in my 4Runner the night before, and leave age out of it!
I slept in my vehicle again that night at a lovely spot off the Blue Ridge Parkway at an old homestead (see pic of the lone standing chimney). Wednesday morning I did two short hikes: Crabtree Falls and Linville Falls, both off the Blue Ridge Parkway on my way to Wilkesboro, NC where I was going to volunteer at Merlefest for the weekend (more on that later). It was just what my tired legs needed : )
Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/YdJvme6MVRWD5iLg9
On Monday, April 24th I arrived in Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina late in the day. I drove up Mt. Mitchell to the visitor center to get a map and information on hiking the highest mountain east of the Mississippi (6,668 feet). Then I drove back down the mountain to sleep in my 4Runner. It's not worth pitching a tent for just one night when I have such a comfortable vehicle to sleep in. Especially when it's raining. And, it rained all night. Actually it had been raining for several days, but Tuesday looked hopeful weather wise. I woke early and brewed my coffee in a misting rain and drank it in the drivers seat of my 4Runner. Still misting rain when I finished my cup of joe, I set out on my 12 mile hike.
I have to say, there's something magical about hiking in a misting rain. I felt like I was in the clouds, and it was beautiful. And, it wasn't cold, so I was really quite comfortable. Even so, I was very happy when an hour and a half later I could see my shadow in front of me. As I got higher up the mountain some really awesome views opened up as you'll see if you take a look at the photos. Because of all the rainfall the past few days the trail was literally a stream. I walked in water all day. This made the footing difficult and I was exhausted by the end of the day. There wasn't much of a view at the summit due to the clouds, but the views along the way made up for that. I'm quite used to going on 12 mile hikes, so the idea of hiking this one did not intimidate me in spite of its being the tallest mountain in the east. But, in the end, I have to say that this hike kicked my ass! Definitely one of the top three most difficult hikes I've ever done, and the other two were 10 years ago when I was a bit younger! I thought it was going to take six hours, it took me seven hours and 10 minutes. I'm going to blame it on the condition of the trail with the water and sleeping in my 4Runner the night before, and leave age out of it!
I slept in my vehicle again that night at a lovely spot off the Blue Ridge Parkway at an old homestead (see pic of the lone standing chimney). Wednesday morning I did two short hikes: Crabtree Falls and Linville Falls, both off the Blue Ridge Parkway on my way to Wilkesboro, NC where I was going to volunteer at Merlefest for the weekend (more on that later). It was just what my tired legs needed : )
Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/YdJvme6MVRWD5iLg9
Friday, June 17, 2016
Ground Hog Day
Going back and reading parts of this blog are like reading past pages of a journal. Maybe not a good thing. I am living in a condo at McGuffy again wondering where I will be living in November. I am in a real life Ground Hog Day movie!
Below is a beautiful poem that I heard the author recite (rap really) a couple years ago at The Bridge in Belmont. I mentioned in an earlier blog but didn't have it to share. So, here it is now...
Class of 2004 I hope that you enjoyed your time in Charlottesville
We started and now we're departin from the top of Carr's Hill
Right down the street from where you eat at Starr Hill Bar and Grille
And you know I've never kicked a rhyme that's been far from ill
So I'm here to speak in a rhyme a last time before we graduate
But even as moms, dads and grads celebrate and congratulate
This rhyme is meant to comment on what I see as the saddest state
Some of us have no love for what we do like a man who's never had date
But even if the task is great, every aspect of what we do should elate and fascinate
But the problem is, people are not passion-nate
We should be pulled like we where magnet weights and gravitate
Like 9.8 m/s square
But some of us are defeated or we just don't care
So to the people who need it I'm gonna be a breath of fresh air
Because you enthusiasm is curbin, you're losin your passion, it's a burden to be workin
You used to be concerned if your work looked good, now you don't care if it does.
So when it comes to work, I'm like Black Eyed Peas askin "Where is the Love?"
And when I ask you, you just get embarrassed and shrug
"But aye, there's the rub"
Every time you feel your heart squeeze passion should pump through your arteries marrow and blood
You're supposed to love architecture
But your eyes are half way closed before they start the lecture
Even if you've got a sharp professor makin his smart conjectures
You're really not gonna care if it's not your heart's pleasure
You gotta have the same type of passion like you lookin for X marks the treasure
Mark my letters, mark my words, mark my phrase
Without passion architecture is just archaic, archives of arches and architraves
You gotta have the same type of fire like an arsonist who plays with sparks that blaze
So I've come to fan the flame and fuel the fire
So that dread and drudgery will never overrule desire
And guess what there'll be days when you'll be tired.
But with passion, at midnight you'll want to burn oil
And it won't be turmoil as soon as you learn toil is useless
Sayin I just gotta produce this, like bad produce is, that's just fruitless.
Remember the words of Confucius
If not I use my talent to, come up here and challenge you
To pick a job you love and you'll never want to take a vacation out in Malibu
Or Aspen, so the question that I'm askin is what's happened to your Passion
Why's it not lastin, why's it like a fad trend, that ends
It's yesterday's news and it's just a has been
We're all just trapped in a system where it's just about the checks gettin cashed in
And I'm not at all anti capitalist
The sole reason that I'm rappin this
Is because I want to ignite your catalyst
So I'm breakin it down like enzymes
Usin quotes within rhymes to cleanse your mind of drudgery and dingy grime
That's the sole reason that these lyrics were wrote
And as I peer into the future years of the periscope, I see that there is hope
Work doesn't have to be an uphill battle like a terraced slope
You can die with out any merits and croak, be extremely poor and perish broke
Take pay at a loss, and still not want a day off like Ferris, nope
With Pasisson I dare you to elope
Cuz you're gonna enter the work force and they're gonna force you to work
And if you had your first choice you'd probably get a divorce from your work
So now I'm here to provide marriage counsel
Before you kiss the bride and I pronounce you
My advice is to pour out passion and every ounce of you.
Because I'm down to my last lifetime, but maybe the rest of you all are only down to two
Maybe you found a few extra lifetimes just lyin around
And so you just picked them up and decided to start tryin them out
And you have eight or nine more times before you actually ly in the ground
Or maybe you're like that of a cat and you've got nine lives
So you don't mind workin mindlessly from nine to five
But you gotta start thinkin with your heart
Cuz like Linkin Park I "designed this rhyme", and I put rhymes in my designs
Because when I work I don't just want it to be about workin from nine to five
That said in mind, I don't want deadlines, I want lines that are alive
So that purpose and passion are the push and the drive that's behind my hard work
Matter of fact it shouldn't be hard work, it should be heartwork
But some of us need implants, man ask Rembrandt did he create works of art or was it just artwork.
So when you job search listen to John Ruskin, put your fee second and start first
With enjoyment in employment
You gotta have a fire a flame fuel,
Without that it's just aimless gruel, frustration like tryin to tame a mule
And if you can't get the school to change, then you've got to change your school-Of thought
And already if there aren't any bought
I'll pay a penny for your thoughts
Plus I'll put in my own two scents
It'll be nothing but prudence that won't be too dense, just some new sense
Because to a lot of us work is just a nuisance
Just a way to pay the due rent
I'll give a dime if you ask and don't want my two scents
How people just work for time and half for a few pence
But you can't just mindlessly draft, you gotta finely craft those blueprints
I'm talkin to you in this tent
Be in pursuit of pleasure purpose to be passionate
You gotta get after it "the pursuit of happiness"
Man I didn't say it Thomas Jefferson's the one who drafted it
And while you draft and sit, you gotta have a fire like the movie Backdraft was lit
So I come to make sure that a match is lit, and I'mma pour some more gas in it
So that your heart burns like you forgot to take your Tagament HB
So take it from me, HB, or should I say BH
When you go to work with your briefcase
You'll be early and you won't wanna be late
You'll work hard for a free rate with no rebates
Even if your boss is a straight up cheapskate
I'm not here to give you a few tips or quote cute quips
But I'm only up here to speak the truth from my lips
To teach you how to have Passion, you know, like the movie flick
About the one who went to the crucifix, betrayed by Judas' kiss
The reason you eat the Eucharist and drink the juice you sip
Because if you let it,love for what you do can play elusive tricks like a fugitive
So for real you're zeal's got to be effusive kid
So I took the words of a Buddhist Confucius, and the life of a man who's Jewish
The same one from the Bible
So that your heart beats with passion like a drum recital
Passion like a man has for his bride yet it's got to be unbridled.
So now I'm rhyme bustin the words of John Ruskin
About how love and work should be kin like a mom and husband
"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece"
So now I leave you with these words that are neither last or least
Don't work because you have to, just do it because,
Love what you do, and do what you love
-Bernard Hankins
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