beemerchef Posted March 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Only a Phone Call away. TX We all know, should, the proposition of riding a motorcycle. It is of a dangerous one, no doubt. On two wheels the patches front and rear of two tires is infinitely of a small surface, area, than a car or other vehicles. Quite too often it happens, more or less severely, one of us loosing that grip and the results are often not of or anyone's liking. My Friend Tyler went down that path over last summer, severely, very severely, and yet a couple nights ago as the phone rang her voice was the sweetest sound I could have ever heard. A “miracle” of Life no doubt, but also the tenacity of a Human Being just not ready to get off the path we are all on. The scars acquired throughout our existence come in many forms and shapes as hers and mine. We are not unique, the scars are a side of a coin so many experience, unfortunately. The support toward Tyler has been incredible and yet, as for all of us, the reality is truly that at the end of the day we are just one and it is throughout those moments acquired we have to build up the strength to go on, a strength that needs to come from within us. That is what separates the true survivors from others as we cannot give up the gift that has been loaned to us, the “one more chance” to go on. It was truly an “Honor” to speak with my “Kindred Spirit” and even if we did not say it all, we saved some for the next time and the next time. Human relationships... all part of this Journey. Be well, and always enjoy and “live” the moment. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Ara, A truly terrific statement!!! In the end it is up to us, and we are blessed if we are up to it. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 How are you Dave... will be coming your way this summer! Watch out... A full plate. TX One would think we are suddenly at a Resort here. Friends dropping by with two huge RV's and the main ingredients for a couple well deserved dinners, breakfast also for that matter. Fresh Tuna, yes, freshly caught, it was a big hit, Dutch Oven Chocolate Cherry Cobbler, same with homemade bread, grilled vegetables, you name it, we had it. Mother Nature must have known of it as for those two days it was short sleeve T shirts and comfortable presence sitting around the campfire till the eyes were heavily shutting down needing some rest. Suddenly all is so different with the longer days and much less sleep, so different that I am tired needing to re-balance it all up again. It includes some preparations to leave soon for Amado, “The Overland Expo”, which will be our first destination. We hope to meet some faces we have never seen, only have known their names. I feel a certain trepidation within me, the call of the road is making it's mark. A pull so strong, an attraction for the times to come. In the meantime also was another Dentist visit in Valentine, one more on the 30th and that will be it... I want to use the word “free”... Free to go and savor the new Adventures awaiting for us, the new Friends not yet met and that includes new buddies for Mr Spirit! Enjoy my Friend's visit... Be well, always. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted March 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 The Dugout Wells, our Desert. TX Ready to roll on a bit North of here to visit a few “roadside attractions” as they call it. Mostly on paved roads. The weather however is not going to cooperate for a few days, including snow 400 miles north of here! So... we are staying put for another few days till this front also passes by. With Spring Break in full sequence the Park is full, not a single campsite is available, I imagine so are the Motels everywhere, even in nearby towns. The one space I can count on however to be and stay secluded, calm and serene, is the Dugout Wells. It is after all an “Oasis” where the water presently trickling in from a well forced by a wind mill has designed a lush green sanctuary, not only for us but also for much wildlife as again the red tail fox did take a glance at us, curious more than anything else. No photos! I was not fast enough... It is an odd stage, only atypical because of it's location surrounded by thousands of acres of Desert, what I call “our Desert”. A couple cars came by, did not stay, I don't think they appreciated the environment present as much as we did, including some very cool temperatures under the trees, in the shade. Not much else is new, trying to put away the couple projects from my “to do list” away before we head out toward Arizona, Utah and most likely California probably by June. Enjoy the photos... Be well, Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 How are you Dave... will be coming your way this summer! Watch out... Ara and Spirit, Hope we connect, one way or another. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted March 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 Will manage... When Spirit goes MIA. TX As they say, we are “laying low” right now. Bad circumstances resulted in Spirit taking off a few miles from here till late in the night filled with an incredible amount of feelings encompassing anxiety and more I cannot put into words. They were not “pretty hours”. Coming back with torn front paws and this look in his eyes I think telling out loud “I did not like it out there all alone with no water and no … “. It will be a while till he starts running and jumping again as every step of his way limping in quiet pain has me hurting even more. Myself catching a bad cold or it is a flux? Who knows. How can one get sick in the Desert? We are only waiting for this to also pass by us. My inattention was the cause of it all, amazing how sometimes not thinking through certain situations can have devastating results such as this. Hopefully one lesson will be enough and there will be no need to sign up again for this unpleasant chapter. Roaming the Desert at night in proximity of wildlife present could have had worse results. It all started with a visit to the Porch and then on to the Cowhead Ranch, it was all a pleasant day till all went very wrong. I even posted a short video, a bit rough, I much prefer photography, it is there however, maybe they will get better. Be well... Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted March 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Far away destination, short trip! TX Sometimes it just does not work out and it all happens for the best. As Spirit is healing, even still finding new bruises and skid marks on him, I probably, likely, surely thought wrong planning to go near and around Amarillo for some roadside attractions. We spend the night in Alpine, we left in the morning and turned around within a few miles as the road was just feeling to wobbly. Long story short it is now antibiotics for ten days due to bronchitis. It happens to the best of us, it was in the cards to just stay here and now we can both heal together. Things have changed quite a bit since Spirit's incident. He has changed. He did not run off purposely, he did it from fear as who knows what had happened to him his first year while being abused, but the fact remains that he was out there for hours and he did not like it. He is not a changed Dog, he just is so much closer to me with a look that says a lot only me can understand it's silent words. A good Friend of mine wrote in his own words how it is and what it is to travel with such a Buddy, it hit home so much that I took the liberty to post it in ourJournal. Till next time, you be well... we are trying! Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Rowland Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Don't rush the healing process for either of you. Take the time that is needed and you will grow stronger. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Don't rush the healing process for either of you. Take the time that is needed and you will grow stronger. Chris Well said and seconded. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 On the road to healing. TX Amazing how one can get sick in one day, bronchitis in this case of mine, and yet takes forever to even start feeling half human. Spirit however is back up and running, incredible healing power. We are a week away from departure to first Northern Arizona, where we will be joining an off road Expedition called “The Carbon Neutral Expedition”, it will be then on to Overland Expo in Amado. It will be time to turn on the SPOT soon which I have intentionally lately turned off due to, I would not say unpleasant surprises but... how would you like to be 100% public about your whereabouts 24/7/365? That share web page brought in some unforeseen phenomenons to say the least. In the meantime it is a couple leisurelyy rides to Terlingua, bumping into the owners of “MotoQuest”, a Motorcycle Tour Company, some search for healthy food and here a visit from some of the riders from San Antonio. The energy just has not been there, but down or not, there is never a dull moment, dull is not something I care for these days as I am internally really excited about new horizons, roads and scenery laid out ahead of us. We are only a tire and oil change away from it all, another final visit to the the Dentist, and that will be it when we can say our good byes to our Dear Friendssurrounding us.Till next time... Be well, Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 From my “hideaway” on River Rd, Big Bend. TX I keep watching this video we made (yes... we!) riding some back roads around here and I cannot help thinking how crazy this Dog named Spirit is! I sure would never sit in that car as it goes. He loves it and actually it is interesting to see what he really is doing while I am chauffeuring him around. So it hit 100 today and now I am wondering what to do! I forgot what heat was. If it goes up to 104 it will be a “100 degree” difference from just a few weeks ago. Shade and water are again our main ingredients throughout these times. Such was the case yesterday as taking our last ride to River Road while still here. Many ride it, I personally like to find my little hideaways, hike to the bank and with a bit of shade, some water with us, just be listening to the Rio Grande travel by on his own Journey. It is and has been quiet, one could at times hear a car go by, but mainly all is undisturbed, the flowers are up, I thought I was going to miss them, just a beautiful setting when one takes that time to be within. Besides it all just getting ready to take off, taking care of the little “fixings”, better to do it here than there! Some thoughts about my Friend Bill, some Photos and a video ofSpirit riding... Be well, always. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Ara and Spirit, Looked like a fun ride! And amazingly smooth! Spirit always reminds me of Bud, Horatio Nelson Jackson's pit bull partner on the first ever transcontnental auto trip in 1903. BTW, he also wore goggles, and like Spirit, learned to anticipate the bumps by scanning the road ahead. Sorry to hear about Bill. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) Ara and Spirit, Looked like a fun ride! And amazingly smooth! Spirit always reminds me of Bud, Horatio Nelson Jackson's pit bull partner on the first ever transcontnental auto trip in 1903. BTW, he also wore goggles, and like Spirit, learned to anticipate the bumps by scanning the road ahead. Sorry to hear about Bill. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Thank you Dave. I'll have to chek that, will do some search! you know so much... Be well, Ara & Spirit PS: found much info and photos! That is hysterical... in a good way! And we think we have it tough!!! Thanks again Dave, will read more when I wake up... Edited April 1, 2010 by beemerchef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Departure. Reminiscing on photos and words. Tx I think we are leaving at the proper time with the temperature up scaling all the way up to 107 a couple days ago and turning into a normal 100 every afternoon. The time has come, I don't know if Spirit is excited or not, I know I am, even if still in the midst of packing up, making sure we will not be stranded from any inattention only a few miles from here. Strange winter? Short... long... Who knows at this point, what I know is that we made it here another season and the road calls as strong as ever as if we had not gone anywhere lately. Big Bend sure has become a destination, we have met more Friends here than ever on the road, we think it is at the “end of the world” but it is not stopping many from incoming and having a good time within this space. There are still more to come that have e mailed me, we will not be here, I hope they can find some good shade. Strange enough I know where we are going! Bisbee first through El Paso. Then on to the north shore of Lake Powell to meet the “Carbon Neutral Expedition” and drop back down to Amado for a few days of “Overland Expo”. As usual the last days of April in Valley of the Gods where the balloons fly the last weekend, Muley Point, push on north for more destinations. New ones, old one, seen and unseen. Till next time, you be well... Maybe we will see you on the road.Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2010 Up to El Paso. TX We left a bit early from the heat getting to us. I think spring is bypassing Big Bend and decided to get right into the summer 100's on a daily basis. We have by now also gone through El Paso and sitting for a couple days at the “Silverado Ranch” in between Douglas and Bisbee. Spend one more night in Alpine, last minute errands and on for the ride that should last months. Besides a fearful head wind which seemed to turn around with us every which way we went, the road was magnificent, specially once off highway 10, taking 80 southbound toward Douglas. Old stumping grounds... For some reason the traffic and the noise and the races on going where not a shock this time to my system. I had no vision for anything else but that. The masses are traveling east and west on this southerly a bit warmer route, Freeways are never my choice, but I think we are off of them for a long time now. Trying to find a good route to Lake Powell as I know that will also be difficult specially if we want to avoid the paved roads. Will try. One last look at Alpine... it already seems a distant memory. Be well... Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 On to Bisbee on a “yellow” Highway. AZ I cannot recommend enough to get on Highway 80 from Lordsburg to Douglas via Rodeo off of 10 in New Mexico, even with a detour to Portal. I know the “other side” of the Mountain with names such as Benson and Tombstone is a decision clincher, but... there will never be a regret on 80. Parking was a bit rough as the shoulders are very narrow and the adjacent dirt road is used by the Border Patrol, and yet we managed as we always do to stop here and there. I would have preferred to walk it honestly. A new space to hang our helmets for a couple of days, “Silverado Ranch” with enough animals running around for me to qualify it as a Zoo! Because of the Overland Expo commitment, for the first time I feel a bit under a schedule, also meeting the “Carbon Neutral Expedition” in a couple of days on the North Shores of Lake Powell, we can then go on to Valley of the Gods and resume our snail speed like travels. All I can add is that it feels good, busy or not, it is a different pace then what winter was as I am just realizing that fact, the huge difference between camping at “The Oasis” and on “The Road”.Enjoy 80... we did. Be well, always. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 Overland Expo days. AZ There has been no shortage of excitement for the past week, there has been a shortage of time. I was even stumbling when opening up my laptop last night for the first time in days, it seemed foreign to me, a concept left behind but quickly re-emerging throughout our time resting in Phoenix in, I feel, a well deserved Motel room. It was first joining the Carbon Neutral Expedition toward an incredible off road destination: the South Rim of the Grand Canyon through Navajo Reservation. The next day on to some BLM land that felt and looked as we were in the heart of the African Serengeti, and finally arriving at Overland Expo in Amado, Arizona. There, it was busy busy! Classes, off road vehicles and trailers, camping gear, gadgets and the main ingredient: people. Surprised as to many have known about our own Journey most of the time was spend chatting and Spirit posing for photos... (not me!). Sunday night ended with the icing on the cake in a form of an incredible buffet dinner where my diet totally and well worth it went out of the window. Overall, I am looking forward to the next year's event and quickly realized that the compromise of changing our traveling ways for a few days was so much worth meeting the so many incredible others present. A few photos made their way onour Journal... Be well, always. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 More of Overland Expo. From Page. AZ An overload of good memories is an understatement and yet even "good" has taken us a few days to balance out again our nights and days on the road. Sifting through the cards received, the photos taken, putting faces again behind names, one more look at all the vehicles, the vendors booths and thinking deeply about the ones met themselves never slowing down from a forward motion supporting more than worthwhile causes. Overland Expo is indeed not to be missed. It is all about the people, their knowledge shared through the many classes, it is about the vehicles, but the emphasis remains on the souls present, the ones for us that extended their hands and conversations as them being old Friends of our Journal meeting us for the first time, as ourselves for the first time going through such an experience. Some mild hiking around Lake Powell with Spirit off his leash brought us back to our partnership throughout this Journey, his tail was wagging all day loosing this look he has had these past days in consternation of a crowd surrounding him. It's all good and more. Getting ready to head out tomorrow morning for a short ride and sit for a while at Valley of the Gods. More photos on the Journal I hope you will enjoy. Be well... always. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 From Lake Powell to Valley of the Gods. Utah The real Utah is our stage again. I told myself that we will skip this State on our upcoming adventures for a couple years, it is now for that reason holding a special space in my heart. From a rough winter we have fallen into such complete perfect weather. The winds howling often are keeping the 80's nearing 90's tolerable, the red so familiar dust is again in our faces and being dragged around with each step taken. We spend a couple days around Lake Powell upon returning from Overland Expo. The forecast gave way for some nice shots of the Lake under different cloud formations, always more attractive than a clear blue sky. Just living out here in the Desert. Riding, cooking and also realizing that I never took care of my phone situation. Tomorrow we will ride to Farmington, and visit a Verizon store to get back on track as I should have never joined AT&T who has kicked me out from total roaming, meaning no cell service for the past few days. Some photos, my thoughts on our sense of freedom and a link ofan interview videofrom Overland Expo. You be well... always. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted May 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 “Hovenweep”. Utah Amazing how much the “weather” can uplift the moral or send someone spiraling down after days of inactivity due to freezing cold and winds unable to confront. Reading some painful words written by my Friend Bill accentuated the spirits into a not so cheerful frame of mind these past couple days. Maybe this was the last page of it for a while as we are now back to more than perfect conditions, so doable to go riding again and explore the so many back roads I keep discovering in Utah even if we have been previously here numerous times. Such was the case onto “Hovenweep” where actually as a pleasant surprise for a National Park, Dogs are allowed on the 2 mile trail on a leash. The skies were so perfect with bursts of cotton like clouds, a nice cool breeze and the sight of the ancient ruins build right on the cliffs of the canyon, well, that was pretty unbelievable. Spirit is happy again to find his way around the bushes and be my shadow while hiking, stopping patiently for every picture taken when the camera rises, he is just so perfect of a companion, a nice person always. The locals are giving me some tips of more roads than we will probably have time to ride before heading up to Moab, they keep telling me they are “secrets”, probably tomorrow will get onto some of them to discover more what I call “inland” spaces. Enjoy “Hovenweep”... Be well... Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted May 4, 2010 Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 Ara and Spirit, Your photo made me chuckle. You will need a sidecar for the other side soon! Or a trailer! I have watched the load grow on "Old Faithful" over the past couple of years. It is beginning to look like my garage! I don't know what to say about your thoughts about Bill that you haven't said. Be safe, be well, and as you know, never do less than your best for those you love. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted May 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2010 Ara and Spirit, Your photo made me chuckle. You will need a sidecar for the other side soon! Or a trailer! I have watched the load grow on "Old Faithful" over the past couple of years. It is beginning to look like my garage! I don't know what to say about your thoughts about Bill that you haven't said. Be safe, be well, and as you know, never do less than your best for those you love. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! You are funny Dave!!! We will stop growing NOW! Thanks for your kind words. Life can be so tough at times, again and again. See you soon... (warning!) Muley Point, Moky Dugway... Utah The escapes, mental and physical, are here, right in this region where one does not even need to think or choose right or left, they only need to go where their Spirits take them. We do it just about every day discovering new roads, paved ones, unpaved ones of all shapes, sizes and conditions. It is a smorgasbord of avenues, an endless one as only needing to let Mother Time behind and acquire a pace to allow the senses to take it all in. I know again since we are moving on to Moab on Monday that we will leave behind some unridden roads. As usual, nothing new with that concept as it really does not matter. What matters are the moments spend on the ones we have experienced as some day, one day, I know we will come back and all again will be brand new as a never ending circle on this Journey we are on. Muley Point, Moky Dugway and all surrounding areas are like magic to me. The green and lush Mesa as suddenly as with a giant scoop all drops down into a real Desert. That is when looking at the big picture, an incredible one. Hoping you can relate and visitthese spacesif you have not yet. Be well, always. Ara & Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com Our Journey under the Stars… www.theoasisofmysoul.com/zenphoto/ Our new Photo Gallery… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted May 8, 2010 Report Share Posted May 8, 2010 Ara and Spirit, Which way are you planning to go to get up this way? Incidentally, several of your photos are on the path of the Motor Men of 1917. Andrus worked in Bluff and the 1917 route was the one you took between Bluff and Mexican Hat. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted May 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2010 Ara and Spirit, Which way are you planning to go to get up this way? Incidentally, several of your photos are on the path of the Motor Men of 1917. Andrus worked in Bluff and the 1917 route was the one you took between Bluff and Mexican Hat. Dave Keep the Show on the Road! I have you worried now... right? Probably June~July... that is about as precise as I can be now! Mid July we are actually going to Redmond for the BMW Mationals, I have not been to a Rally in over ten years. Then I do have to stop in Enemclaw to have something ixed by the fabricator on the hack, then Portland to have my Ohlin shocks re-serviced... I have more photos of that road... probably will post some tomorrow am... Be well Dave. Ara & Spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemerchef Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 The “Goodness” of People. Utah Sorry, no photos of cheeseburgers or beer flowing or gas stations today. :-). In reality my thoughts did not have any photos. Only this unseen but oh! so much felt feeling emanating from others we have met I call “goodness”. The Journey, the Adventure, they have never only provided a physical enjoyment as truly believing in “mind over matter”, as the moments, without a rest have been, by choice I must say, a never ending uphill climb as I seem to see and discern a bit more with each step of it's summit standing clear and free ahead of me. The spaces we have landed on, they all have had their rewards in more ways than one and so often I am always reminded of the positive exchanges I have with others when only being true with respect and understanding as maybe they themselves do not have as myself this freedom of thought and time I have chosen. It has been day after day while a bit at a stand still having to take care of some logistics, some good moments with others, strangers truly we will probably never see again but remember because of their kindness. This all have reminded me of sometimes hearing stories from others returning from their own Journey with enormous amounts of “complains”, specially when coming back from a Foreign Country. I listen, or read, often with a smile as I know invariably the problem “is” the traveler's lack of respect or the belief that they are still in their own Hometown and all should go according to the daily life they are so used to. It just does not work that way.A couple stories...Be well... Always. Ara & Spirit www.theoasisofmysoul.com Our Journey under the Stars… www.theoasisofmysoul.com/zenphoto/ Our new Photo Gallery… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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