8th Year full time under the Stars

[beemerchef]

3 years and 900 or so days later on the road...

Spirit and I, a motorcycle and a sidecar, we have been living on the road for a while now. We write, photograph, cook, chat... you name. This is the 401st chapter written, it is only part of it, toolong to post on any Forum... too many photos... Hope it might interest a few, the locations, the Life on the road... It is just another story with Mother Nature also as a close companion...

More company at the swimming hole… Texas

When someone “new” comes along visiting the area, my first thought is always the “swimming hole”. Camera in hand for the zillionth time I manage to find a few square inches of Art Mother Nature has managed to carve for us and leave behind, for only the time being. It will change I know by next year or maybe a few more ahead of us. We had never witnessed a sunset at the swimming hole as we did this last time a couple days ago. The light is lost very early because of the hills westward, but yet, the plays of the shadows made it for an interesting outing.
We rode around with a Friend from Germany hiking the area and for the first time Spirit had to share his car. He was the perfect gentleman as we both are, I do have to say however that he is happy to get it back for himself! My buddy Spirit… he will never cease to amaze me.
The photos are on the Blog… enjoy and be well.
Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[simimike]

Welcome Are,

I've seen your posts around and am looking forward hearing more of your adventures. Hope to see you on the road.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[beemerchef]

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

Welcome Are,

I've seen your posts around and am looking forward hearing more of your adventures. Hope to see you on the road.

Cheers,

Mike

Come to Big Bend!... this what you will get... maybe a free meal too!!! Thanks...

I am still trying to find it… Texas

Reading some of “Dewitt Jones” articles has really opened up some comprehension toward the parallelism of traveling, photography and Life itself.
“Creativity is the ability to see the extraordinary”
It brings along also the notion to the fact there is never only the one answer to our path, as there is not just one great photo or just one greatest route one should travel on.
Intersections are of so many on all those given aspects that surrounds us. Intersections are fun because one can come back and yet have more ways to go. Taking a photo only inches away from the previous one makes it a totally different often image.
We spend a couple days riding by the “landmarks” as I call them, we have been by so many times but never taken the time to stop. We did this time, and yet there will be more.
It is a side of this area that maybe even if you have come and visited you probably never noticed… It took me a long time to do so myself.

Be well, always. Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[John D]

I'm pretty sure I saw this guy and his dog in Alaska back in 07. If it was him, he passed us going the other direction on an open two lane with no one else in sight. Can't remember the road right now. It is easy to remember a dog in a sidecar with goggles.

There are several motorcycle writer/photographers/videographers. Another one is firehorserider. She has her blog too, different from this guy. In addition to the blog, she writes for vegitarian magazines, of all things. Some of the things she writes are probably intended for women, but she obviously likes men, which is rather refreshing in modern independant women writers.

 

[Southern Gent]

Ara & Spirit Stop by Birmingham

Fellows, Visit Ara's Website. I'm a foodie and a bit of a cook. This Fellow is a Master.

I was feeling good about my Pear, Strawberry and Artichoke heart Salad I made for dinner tonight. But Now I don't know.

Ara, Come to Birmingham and be my guest for a couple days.

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

Who is this guy?... (funny!!!)
Well.... might be the camera... Is that Birmingham, Alabama??? We did Barber a couple days and entertained the kids for one!!! Is that an adventure or what??? He is the link... and the one for the school...
It was a great time... we might be riding through there sometime this summer... stay in touch... Would love to see you...

Big Bend Valley… Texas

Just depicting a bit of the Life here when one decides to get rooted for the winter time avoiding bad weather further north. The comfort of it’s space is in the soul. Spirit himself feels free around here, this is his turf, his territory, his “place” where he will point his ears toward “anything” that moves within a distance I cannot even see it’s end. It is not for everyone. As today having to get water 28 miles away, propane, food, laundry… all surrounded now with familiar faces inducing much chatting as always, including finding out the latest and the newest articles of Life surrounding us. The physical aspect of it all is such a small price to pay for the reward laid out and free for the taking. Compromises are originally of many, and yet, as time passes by they do not even feel as such, only becoming what I would call normal and enjoyable exercises good for the body anyhow. Old dwellings are still here, they are a remainder of a not so distant past only guessing their stories of others having maybe moved or moved in even further… Unlike other geographical areas where they might be a sight for sore eyes, I find them provocative from times ago.
Big Bend Valley… unlike any other…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

The guy is here... (still smiling!)

The Day I said “no”… Texas
Third day in, bad weather and yet so beautifully laid out. Of course we could get all geared up and confront the sprinkles, fog, icy cold streams blowing right and left, but we have been staying in, trying to catch up with various forgotten aspects of this Journey. And then of course the mind, a bit stagnant, starts it’s wandering throughout the images of the past, memories of not too long ago, specially when Friends bring up a situation I in similarity also lived through.
It is always “if I only knew”… I know it becomes an impasse, a place to not even dare visit, but I do, sometimes. They bring up the colors and even the smells of the past, they teach me to maybe have a bit more awareness for the future, at least I think they do.
I can only try over and over.
The images today are of a young racer, Brandon, and his wonderful Father, Brian, both as one supporting each other throughout this passion we call “motorcycle riding”.
The images of the past are what they could have been of today‘… but are not. The deck of cards was full, I just pulled the wrong one!
Be well… always. Ara & Spirit


www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

Another day through Big Bend… Texas

With one million acres laid out ahead of us, only a few miles away from “The Oasis”, a Lifetime is not going to be enough to explore it all. And so we keep going back, often without truly a destination in mind, maybe often following Spirit’s own nose pointing. Why not! My favorite however has always been Sotol Look Out and the Rio Grande River, an area where the banks have moved around since the last floods not long ago.
With it’s tall cliffs, a road that has now been cleared, flowers blooming finally announcing Spring around the corner, we had a fine day, a fine long day with the sunshine hanging out for the extra hours this landscape deserves.
This morning, today, it will be a different scenery as we are taking off for Odessa for one more medical check up. The news have been good as I have managed to bring down my cholesterol and triglyceride levels under 200. It gives me hope that this coming summer will not be a struggle in the Health department of this Journey.
More on the Blog…Be well, always…
Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

This first day of Spring…
A new page, a new feel, roads yet not taken I feel are awaiting on this first warmer day welcoming us with open arms.
Too much riding lately, as if there is such a thing!
A couple Blogs have been posted with not much time in between… just writing and photos, day after day they are as being transferred from my soul into the pages that keep accumulating to no end.
Road conditions as I found out have changed to the better giving us a chance to ride them with more comfort. Such is Old Maverick Rd, a pleasant surprise. Happy within our own space, however the external dealings sometimes do not create the same results such as with Kiowa Gallery in Alpine taking down my photos without letting me know, for now a month. They do not go hand in hand with “Cowboy Poetry Nights” that took place a while back… That is what I was told finally when discovering such a fact… Life will be Life always dealing with people’s games they play when the word “business” shows up, I still believe in a hand shake… Right or wrong, that is how I now feel… a bit burned about it all.
Be well… Ara & Spirit

*RSS feed as we move on will always let you know about new postings…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

An eternal circle, Texas

Deeply engaged in a phone conversation, two strangers pull up and start unloading some wood into my existing pile… I am sure this does not happen every day! The rest of the afternoon was a wide open door of a classroom with so much learned from Mike and Louise, 2 free spirited souls on the road now for 14 months. Yes, there are a few of us, vagabonds, travelers, with no roots deeply embedded into only one space. We drag those roots instead and Mother Nature is our textbook, daily, no bells and no whistles, no clock but only tests moments after moments while we learn to survive within this huge mansion which offers us so much wealth and a self recognition unlike any other space.
We have a new addition now to the fire ring that will enable us to cook and have a fire all at the same time. I learned about Wildlife Refuge areas, I even have a new book on how to cook with a Dutch Oven the day we purchase one. New routes from others are like finding gold on this Journey, we have now become even richer!
Amazing how priorities can change, it feels as it’s pyramid has been reversed 180 degrees!!!
Be well… enjoy the Blog… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

Black Gap WMA… Texas
The old saying “It is the Journey and not the destination” applies so well here, and yet, the destination is also one we will return to, as getting caught a bit too short throughout the day. Too much chatting… People met are becoming an important facet of our perpetual unmarked and unplanned route. Peaceful and Friendly souls appear as we suddenly realize what makes our World go around. It is “people” value as I know and always think we cannot buy, lease it or rent it!
That was the case when we stopped in “Stillwell” before getting into the Wilderness area of Black Gap, 100,000 plus acres of desolate and raw space, that day without a soul around.
The SAT phone has become my assurance throughout these isolated parts we adventure ourselves on. As much as I love my buddy Spirit, well… he has never lifted a paw yet toward any kind of bailing out situations… mentally yes, physically? No…
We have also been approved to be sponsored by SPOT, which is great news and a window should be up in a few weeks for “in real live time” tracking from the site… that is only when I have it on!!!
This adventure begins on the Blog…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

The end of the Black Gap WMA saga… Texas
It has been Texas for a while now, I think we are due for another State very soon. The afternoon heat is making it’s way in this Desert and I can hear the Red Rocks of Utah calling us. I feel summer written all over the place, in the sky and on the ground, it won’t be long.
In the meantime discovering the Black Gap WMA area was well worth the ride and more, including a little “get off the road” riding a bit too fast, practicing as I like to call it. Without a moon out when a curve is hidden beyond a hilly road, sometimes it is a bit too late. We shall return as there is also a paved road leading to the Rio Grande we have not taken yet.
It is time to sort everything out. What goes and what stays, a couple Dr’s appointments, the final ones. I will be free again to not look back… only missing this space and the center of my own Universe, this Fire Ring so dear to me, this space where I can meditate, cook and entertain the few that have stopped by to meet us.
The rest of the story and… fish heads hanging in a shack (???) is on the Blog.
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

My own reality check… Texas

Maybe too sheltered? Maybe not enough outside “news”? I even forget to check on the weather at times. We live on the road, we travel, we seek for adventures, new Friends are always on the horizon. “Mother Nature” and “Spirit” are my faithful companions. For that matter “Old Faithful” also which just turned 200 this morning! And yet, new survival aspects make their ways into our lives. Comments are written, some are bad news, some are OK news and some I cannot even think about. They should make me pack up and change planet.
I see all as a pleasant challenge, a “good one” I think as our prize is beyond any fortune one could really afford. It is here and there, it is really “free” and it is not going away. We will find ways to keep company always as it really does not take much, just one to strike away the fear of the fear.
I write about Spirit on my Blog today… I say that he is in all reality the true Leader if there was ever one amongst him and I.
Closer and closer we will be on these grounds that are always welcoming us, no matter what…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

Ardys… 77, riding and having “fun”, Texas

I always thought that as the years flew by us, inconveniently often enough for my taste, that one slows down, specially when it involves a physical activity such as motorcycle riding where the senses need that demanding sharpness.
I had heard of Ardys for a while now, some riders are legends it seems like, and it has been a pleasure to finally make her acquaintance yesterday. (maybe it was the day before! We have both in common some forgetfulness!!!).
It reminded me that there is such a word as “fun”, real fun… often maybe I forget while being in deep thoughts within this beautiful environment we are provided with. Ardys has fun. I watch Spirit play, he has much fun no doubt, so I think it is due time that I have also some more “fun” in a bit more conscience ways.
We had a nice dinner last night around my Center of the Universe, much grilling and much smoke. Sometimes the “adventures” and good times come to us! We don’t have to go anywhere…
Be well… always. Ara & Spirit… with a nice new bone!

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

The Oasis of my Soul...

The greatest loop… Texas

That is what I call this route when leaving from near by Terlingua headed north to Alpine, west to Marfa, drop down through Pinto Canyon, back eastbound to Presidio, finally arriving where we started from.
The weather was incredible, not so today, as the ultimate would have been to spend a night or two at the Chinati Hot Springs with much more leisurely time to explore the area.
It is a very isolated space, the road can be a bit tricky and always advise to ride it from north to south. I actually don’t think we would have made it the other way.
Company is always good, specially in the case of an unpleasant scenario, help could take for ever to get there if communication is not available. It has been a real peace of mind having SPOT track us and also the SAT phone available just in case.
Of course with Spirit around why should I need help? Wrong… Great co-pilot but his help stays limited to the mental attitude, sometimes really the most important one.
More on the blog…
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

“Pausing” in Texas
After reading a quote by “Salman Rushdie”, I understood better why we are on the road, why I have in the past lived on a sailboat for many years, why I just cannot bring myself to a “normal” way of Life.
We are on the less frequented side of the coin, it is a coin with two green sides, there is no wrong and there is no right, there just “is”.
It is interesting however to know that so many from the other side, “the belongers”, would like to jump over and even if it is for a short time join us, “the non-belongers”. We are a few, circling at times, on a straight road at other times, curvy ones, but all with just about the same goal of finding ourselves within a space we can feel more comfortable.
Simplicity is part of the logistics and at the same time brings on a harder path to deal with when uprooted day after day.
I thought about writing the few intricaties on the Blog while ourselves are “pausing” these last few days on “The Oasis”, trying to make our future path logistically an easier one. The usual sorting “things” out, tires, oil changes… you name it.
Be well… always. Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

Yes, this too is a ride report… Texas

I cannot help remenisce while trying to leave winter behind and get on destination North, toward my usual freedom, roaming the land that has now become our Home. The retrospect is immense, moments have flashed by, one behind another, but my companions, Spirit and Mother Nature have stood by me. They have both gratified me with greatness, they have truly been the two common denominators that have never deviated from the truth, in dark times and in bright times they have only known one path. The true path.
It is so strange how I can feel being here, wanting to leave and yet, wanting to stay. Everywhere will always be there but we have to go, we will be back here when again the Northern winds push us South. In the meantime, a few more days and the wheels will be rolling longer than the recent past, the camera will get a good work out and my Soul with a smile can only lead me forward.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

The last ride here?… Texas

We are ready to head out, finally all the logistics have come together and it is that time to keep an eye on the weather of the planned route! “Planned route” I keep thinking as we have never really… gone that route! That is the exciting facet of the Journey as a sticker on the sidecar says “no rules”.
Yes, there is a bit of melancholy as we took our walk this morning, my walk anyhow while Spirit is running, chasing sticks and clowning as the morning Dog he is. Morning and late afternoon energy, the twice a day show he puts on for me everyday. There is comfort here, no doubt about it since the very first day we have stepped on this ground. There will be comfort also everywhere else with an added “newness” of the landscape and the feels of what is ahead. It is a bit as being torn from the inside… but the road ahead wins always never holding us back.
We rode North County rd the other evening, to my surprise it has just been graded and should go all the way now to Terlingua with ease unlike in the past. Beautiful surroundings…Be well, always… Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

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

The last ride here?… Texas

We are ready to head out, finally all the logistics have come together and it is that time to keep an eye on the weather of the planned route! “Planned route” I keep thinking as we have never really… gone that route! That is the exciting facet of the Journey as a sticker on the sidecar says “no rules”.
Yes, there is a bit of melancholy as we took our walk this morning, my walk anyhow while Spirit is running, chasing sticks and clowning as the morning Dog he is. Morning and late afternoon energy, the twice a day show he puts on for me everyday. There is comfort here, no doubt about it since the very first day we have stepped on this ground. There will be comfort also everywhere else with an added “newness” of the landscape and the feels of what is ahead. It is a bit as being torn from the inside… but the road ahead wins always never holding us back.
We rode North County rd the other evening, to my surprise it has just been graded and should go all the way now to Terlingua with ease unlike in the past. Beautiful surroundings…
Be well, always… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

 

[beemerchef]

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

Through Carlsbad, New Mexico

The horizon this morning said in bright red letters “Always low prices”… Back at The Oasis the bright red circle was free! The birds are not singing, I only hear loud exhausts and tires scretching in the background. The coyote did not pass by today, it was only a shopping cart blown away by the winds and the silence of my past space has been replaced by vehicle alarms honking and warning for everyone to stay away, sometimes a deep what it sounds like a foreign music to my ears with a beat stuck on it’s highest volume. We crossed that fine edge of the coin, this is “social central”… this is “Walmart Parking lot”. We will be running away in a couple hours…
The Carlsbad Caverns however where only 20 miles or so away and that in itself has been worth this experience. Incredible natural wonders Mother Nature is displaying carved by her finest taste so delicately displayed. It will take some doing going through all the photos taken throughout the 2 mile walk on the self guided tour including the “Big Room”. A must to see, a must for me to come back.
We are on our way… Be well, always. Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog