407 replies to this topic

[beemerchef]

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Truly an incredible experience. One to redo over a few times as every step of the way is as a new creation only Mother Nature could put on display. Tonight we have made it as far as Gallup, New Mexico and tomorrow our entrance into The Valley of the Gods should take place. I am so drawn to that space as I know an entity of Life is waiting. The questions within me never stop, but the replies are not often so easy to discover. The space we are in always is a barrier or a conductive path... we will be on the open path by tomorrow.
Old Historical Towns have lined the road these past couple of days. Lincoln, Capitan. They seemed so unique and different from most we have seen and gone through. We are moving on, not too fast, actually kind of slow as evening approaches always wondering why we have not gone far enough, and yet, I just cannot seem to find any schedule!
Enjoy the photos of the Caverns of Carlsbad, they have truly become some of my favorites.
Till next time, be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our Journey under the Stars…

[beemerchef]

Arriving to the Valley of the Gods, Utah.

Being under the weather while living on the road sometimes is not fun. It might be why unconsciously arriving here has been a bit hurried. This morning was a ride to Monument Valley, nothing to do with Mother Nature’s more incredible works of Art, but to visit the local Clinic. Top notch service, attention and medicine as I am already feeling half human! I am sure the other half will show up tomorrow. The annual ear infection and sore throat decided to pay me a visit!
They were aspects of Life rolling around in this mind of mine while moving on, thoughts on how everyone has a different path within sometimes many stages present. While totally energetic toward riding I wrote a bit about them, there is never right or wrong, only what the present Life today shows me throughout my own moments.
Photos of a few attractions between Lincoln and Capitan, New Mexico, and that is about all for this time on the Blog…
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

[beemerchef]

Valley of the Gods, the beginning. Utah

I was checking the weather today and typed in ‘Terlingua”! Sometimes I forget where we are. Happens a lot in the middle of the night. Either it is senility or maybe getting too comfy on this Journey wherever we are!
Winds up to 40mph and gusting, it is today truly the “Valley of the Gods” breathing down real heavy on us. Yet, we took a ride to Blanding to see Jack the welder as a crack in one of the sidecar mounts made it’s appearance. Jack had also helped me last year and this time his work was his contribution to our Journey, a real strong weld with even a bit of black paint touch up. The trade off actually was a picture with… Spirit. Yes, again and again it happens as no one ever asks me to be in the pictures. I am used to it by now, no hurt feelings, my own therapy works.
Yesterday was a different story, with beautiful clouds and weather we rode around and around as the 17 mile road here is so perfect for “Old Faithful”.
Another coincidence, as last year the balloons are here! One flew this morning, just in time before the winds started strong. I think they will now wait till Sunday for calmer skies.
More photos are on the Blog…Be well… Ara & Spirit

[beemerchef]

Our present neighborhood, Utah

Misty morning, the sun is still hidden, the red rocks have yet to be painted and take on their red hues, the winds are calm and silence prevails. The birds are still asleep, I am barely awake myself and as in tempo with it’s forward movement I can hear the gushing of the balloon’s propane lighting up in bursts. What a sight it was, what a sight it must be from “up there” when free as a bird one could fly over those Monuments, those “Gods” guarding this Valley for the past centuries.
The surprises never fail to appear at every corner while living on the road, never knowing the next set we will be experiencing while on this single and greatest stage Mother Nature has provided never sparing any expenses from within her own Soul.
More photos of our rides, old one pan recipes I am trying to bring back and incorporated within the Blog, a reply to a comment made, more Balloon photos are still in the camera for now waiting for the next time.
Be well…
Always

Ara & Spirit

[beemerchef]

The Balloonists and their Balloons… Utah

Sunday was a great day! Mother Nature’s pleasant stage was truly enjoyed by us and all the Balloonists present for their once a year flights throughout this Valley of the Gods. Suddenly the skies presented themselves with a totally different backdrop creating many smiles. Balloons create smiles… to me anyhow. Being invited for Breakfast with the groups was a real treat… I cannot help still tasting the great food and looking forward next year!
Tomorrow we are moving to Moab, outskirts of Moab anyhow as there is free camping a bit north of it. Regroup a bit and on to the “Swells”… an area we have never been to…
Time is lingering and a crucial decision also I need to take is coming up… The dentist's prognosis was not too good yesterday… Gum bone infection that I am hoping more antibiotics will take care off, but that will only cure the symptoms, not the problem… Gum surgery on all four quadrants? What does that have to do with riding!!! I wonder…
More on the Blog… one day at the time…
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

[beemerchef]

A tear and a smile, Utah

Valley of the God is behind us, hail and heavy thunderstorms is what we went for, in Moab. This too shall pass in this Capital of 4x4’s and toys as one has never seen.
We left some trails not ridden yet, seems as it is always par for the course to leave some for the next time, giving us a reason to come back toward certain destinations.
I say “us” because of Spirit, “stoic” as ever, being the perfect and ultimate “Adventurer” with never a complain or a sigh and a constant smile on his face. Lucky me, lucky him, we are truly fortunate in these times to have each other.
We had a visitor for a couple days, Andre, his first time out with his great trailer set up, tent and kitchen included. Drove around to Gooseneck, Mokey Dugway, Muley Point which I call “the top of the world” as he also was taken back of it’s grandiose and majestic presentation.
Some thoughts on “commercialism”, some past images which were awaiting to be posted, all in the Blog with more of the area’s history we went to for the next one.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

[kcowyo]

Valley of the Gods and the balloons... oh the memories...

So glad to see you back in Utah. The winds are the one drawback but a fee that must be paid. I wish we had been further east in Utah to drop by last week, however we were cruising around Boulder & Escalante (we made a point of not stopping at the 'Duchess' or was it the 'Governess' eating establishment, out of respect for you).

Glad you met Andre. He's a buddy of mine too. We had breakfast with him in Park City in March, and got a tour of his shop. He's one smart cookie. But a slight correction Ara, he's a Landcruiser guy, not Land Rover guy. Like you're a BMW guy, not a KTM guy.

He is probably one of the best resources for swapping diesel engines into Toyotas in the US. He mentioned to me recently that he was going to be seeing you in VOG. I'm glad to see the meeting went so well between two people I genuinely admire.

And thanks for bringing the balloons back into my life. Seeing them was one of those experiences I struggled to put into words. I should have just let the pictures speak for themselves.... Your photos show an intimate relationship with the area. A relationship one can't form through a car window at 40mph, while merely passing through. Thanks you so much for once again sharing your perspective and your appreciation for Utah.


your compadre -

- KC

.

[beemerchef]

Valley of the Gods and the balloons... oh the memories...

So glad to see you back in Utah. The winds are the one drawback but a fee that must be paid. I wish we had been further east in Utah to drop by last week, however we were cruising around Boulder & Escalante (we made a point of not stopping at the 'Duchess' or was it the 'Governess' eating establishment, out of respect for you).

Glad you met Andre. He's a buddy of mine too. We had breakfast with him in Park City in March, and got a tour of his shop. He's one smart cookie. But a slight correction Ara, he's a Landcruiser guy, not Land Rover guy. Like you're a BMW guy, not a KTM guy.

He is probably one of the best resources for swapping diesel engines into Toyotas in the US. He mentioned to me recently that he was going to be seeing you in VOG. I'm glad to see the meeting went so well between two people I genuinely admire.

And thanks for bringing the balloons back into my life. Seeing them was one of those experiences I struggled to put into words. I should have just let the pictures speak for themselves.... Your photos show an intimate relationship with the area. A relationship one can't form through a car window at 40mph, while merely passing through. Thanks you so much for once again sharing your perspective and your appreciation for Utah.


your compadre -

- KC

.

This is too good!!! I mentionned... on another Forum to get in touch with us... and here you are an hour later!!!
Yes, Andre is awesome, he is also here as we are in Moab... Never a dull moment in this town as I truly enjoy it a lot.
Actually I just cjecked and I have your e mail, same? yahoo...
We are headed north soon and I wanted to pick your brains about Wyoming... where can we get lost and admire and feel... maybe visit you guys? Andre is turning me on to The Swells, something we also are going to do soon after a few days here regrouping...
I will see him this pm... will say HI from you!
Be well... and always thank you for your kind words...
Ara & Spirit

[marc]

Ara & Spirit ...

Seldom do you find in this maze of life, one that breaks from the catalyst of society to pursue their own destiny at ones own will. Too many times we throw are lives to the cog of the wheel of routine and before we know it our lives are gone.

Your travel log and photography have been truely inspirational to me. I find myself, and am sure many of my fellow wonderers living at least for the moment vicariously through your journies. Don't Stop !

marc

Edited by Marc, 04 May 2009 - 03:02 AM.

[beemerchef]

Ara & Spirit ...

Seldom do you find in this maze of life, one that breaks from the catalyst of society to pursue their own destiny at ones own will. Too many times we throw are lives to the cog of the wheel of routine and before we know it our lives are gone.

Your travel log and photography have been truely inspirational to me. I find myself, and am sure many of my fellow wonderers living at least for the moment vicariously through your journies. Don't Stop !

marc

What words! Thank you... If i ever print a coffee table books your (with your permission) will be in it!




The Gooseneck, Mokey Dugway and Muley Point, Utah…

In Moab right now, a few miles north of it, we actually have managed to never pay for camping so far since we have left “The Oasis”. That is the plan this time around. The “photo” of this Dish within it’s surrounding beauty I would call it an “oxymoron”! Not to my liking, millions of years spread ahead of us harboring this new technology yet at it’s infancy stands allowing me to communicate. Is there a choice? There is only two… well, maybe three, as I only see it as a “yes” for the Blog, a “no” for it or countless hours sitting in a coffee shop… for me not a doable solution when the chapters here are reaching the present numbers way over 400.
Valley of the Gods and it’s surroundings will again have to wait another year for our visit, many trails untouched yet, it seems as an endless space we can never finish savoring. My Friend “Andre” spend a couple nights camping by us. Much cooking, much chatting and much solving our own dilemmas that are a daily barrage of questions.
Will be here for a few more days, regrouping I thought… we have however met many nice people we have spend some quality time with. Will write about that also next time…
Be well… thank you for your support…
Ara & Spirit