8th Year full time under the Stars

[beemerchef]

The Passion of the Road. TX

It is starting to be indescribable to day in and day out have the freedom to roam. Seemingly one would think it would diminish, only the opposite is happening. Could it be the New Year and the thoughts that all these days of 2013 lay ahead of us? and then again, what is time? Dates?
We were gifted with some snow a couple days ago. I know the Northerners would not call it a “gift” but here in this vast Big Bend area it is what we call it as being a rarety, maybe a couple times per winter giving us also much water. We of course had to ride it as “Crusty” with her two wheel drive plowed through as being on pavement with much ease and fun.
It happened as on cue right after the New Year's Day “Black Eye Pea” Coo~Off by the Porch in Terlingua. A full day mixed in with “everyone” gathering around crock pots, Dutch Ovens, you name it. Big smiles, much chatting and much Music also and games and raffles. This is truly a special area of this beautiful Country we live in and feel so fortunate to have discovered it. The word is out!
Enjoy the Videos, Photos...

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

Language of January Winds. Texas

This time around a physical and mental wintery time is setting in. Yet, lucky for us the weather is not near anything as abrupt and severe as the Northern spaces. With heated gear and an electric blanket for Spirit we can still move around. We also have Terlingua which I would almost say is “a town that never sleeps” as there is always something going on. “Farmers Market” on Saturdays, much Music on the Porch on Sundays, we stop by, we chat, we feel it all and then on back here to “The Oasis” trying to sort what I call some “stuff” and “things” out before Spring shows up. The snow is also long gone, the mud is still here more than ever this time around from also much rain, I feel a bit as I am vegetating and spinning my wheels. The shadows of a January of 9 Years ago is dropping by weighing over the present moments as I do not try to escape it but putting in much efforts to have smoother times. They are a bit of “flat times” pushing myself to stay busy, busier keeping my mind off the past, thinking about the good times trying to leave the dark ones tucked away as yet words of wisdom confront me, sometimes they are just a bit harder to comprehend and put to good use.
Enjoy the Terlingua Music and one more Snow ride.

Be well, always.



Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them…



www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

Open Mind and “Closed Canyon”. TX

Weather in Big Bend! Our path is always about the weather. It dictates our coming and going. Staying put or roll down the roads with an acquired over these past years freedom. Right now after the rains and a bit of snow it has been as Paradise, as in sunny, warm and I might even go as far as saying “hot”. A hike throughout “Closed Canyon” had been on my mind for a while and the perfect day for it arrived. Even more perfect with the company of a good Friend we had not seen in years. The kind “we picked up where we had left off”. Another surprise was in store for us, pools of water adding to the beautiful vision of this Canyon carved from years of waters and debris passing through to finally end up in the Rio Grande. A larger pool however was awaiting about a mile into it. That was the end for us, we were not going to swim in the icy temperatures. Not that day. The destinations are endless within this area, where will we go next?

Enjoy the Canyon and another video.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

 

[beemerchef]

Same Day, another Year gone by. TX

Winter in Southern Texas can be these almost warm balmy days and nights following each other, they can be the most exhilarating rides on the many roads present, paved and unpaved, yet the calendar does not spare certain dates coming around year after year. Sometimes it is Nature that wins it all pulling the senses into it's womb exposing herself with all her beauty and appeal, sometimes it is a date throwing a shadow of memories as on the 26ht from 9 years past.
That is just how the Journey is and it's acceptance and endurance of such days is making it possible to go on feeling it all as that is what matters “feeling it all”. There is no escape, only awaiting for time throughout it's course to smooth it out when it desires to do so.
“Indian Trail” is a path which reminds me of many other spaces we have been to. It is a stretch of road that digs deep into the imagination of how all has been laid out. It takes my mind away from a certain present. The forms and shapes of the rocks are endless regardless how many times one has been there. There is always new discoveries.
Enjoy it's Photos and a short Video.

Be well, always.



Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them…



www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[Bosque Bill]

Another enjoyable journal entry, Ara. The video is especially fun and interesting.

I also appreciate your gear report. That Sea and Summit shower looks like a much better design and quality than those cheap plastic solar showers, plus one can add hot water to it if the sun is not enough. Thanks for the info.

 

[beemerchef]

Another enjoyable journal entry, Ara. The video is especially fun and interesting.

I also appreciate your gear report. That Sea and Summit shower looks like a much better design and quality than those cheap plastic solar showers, plus one can add hot water to it if the sun is not enough. Thanks for the info.


Thank You. I thought it would be a nice aspect to share what we use and specially what really honestly works for us. Stay well.

What this is all about, “Riding”. Texas

The prescription for sanity, for the balance in one's Life as ours: “Riding”. Might be other avenues for others, such as driving, sailing, diving, climbing, soaring in the skies and more. So fortunate to be here for these winter times faced with only the decision of which roads to take on. One of my favorite loops came to mind through Alpine, Marfa, Pinto Canyon, Presidio, Terlingua and back up here. Turned out to be a cloudy day, one preferred for fewer stops while the video camera was rolling but not the hand held. It is as the miles can fill void created when not riding. Some paved roads, a bit of unpaved, a stop here and there as it is regardless a must for the both of us, all around a great day only to return when really not wanting to. Those days are near also as Spring seemingly has indeed arrived here, we are just awaiting for it to also make it's mark a bit north of us. “Old Faithful” was purring all day, it was as she has been reborn with an engine only having 30,000 miles on her, not even broken in. A strange concept when actually it's frame has over 300,000 miles.
Enjoy the Photos, the Video.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

A wonderful Life at the “Swimming Hole”. Texas

Another day gone by, timeless zone prevalent at a stand still, the Big Bend spaces call me, one always has in particular which we here is called “The Swimming Hole”. It is on private property, yet shared by the Locals as the owner has basically deputized everyone to be responsible when enjoying the magnificent array of carved rocks from the violent flash floods of two creeks joining in. The road has been impassable till a few days ago, we now have been back already three times. They are Mother Nature's walls, not the kind poured in with man made angles. They are walls which have taken centuries to mold and now present times are exposed to one's imagination. This area does not stop amazing me me. It is as the seed, the center, the hub of all roads forking out toward the different other destinations throughout this so vast Country always calling me back to step up throughout this Mystery of Life we live. Regardless of it's reason for being on such roads, yes, as many have expressed toward us, it is a “Wonderful Life”.
Such choice is always ours.
Since you could not be there yourself, enjoy the few photos and a video.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

 

[rotti]

Ara,
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoy your posts and pictures.
A question, Royal the real rotti wondered if that handsome stud Spirit dates?
Safe travels.....

 

[beemerchef]

Ara,
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoy your posts and pictures.
A question, Royal the real rotti wondered if that handsome stud Spirit dates?
Safe travels.....


Get near by and Royal will find out! Spirit loves to play... Thanks for the smile.

Flavors and Healings from this “Space”. TX

Musical winds lately in Terlingua. Not even much time to ride. Amazingly this little town is buzzing non stop. What a change from 5 years ago when we first set foot [wheel?] in this space. From Classical to a Play to all gathered at The Porch or at The Farmer's Market and everything else in between including a huge off road bicycle gathering in Lajitas. I took it all in, we keep the riding for during the week now and even then such incredible talent is popping in from Austin, Dallas and further. Mild winter being, everyone is happy, smiling and feeling good. It is a “win win” situation being here within these times. I caught some on videos, some in Photos, the videos will be around as long as we have such as now a good Internet connection. As we leave here mid April the rendering of them will be much harder and not as frequent. So I take advantage of it right now enjoying myself watching over and over some that have really moved me.
Till next time, enjoy.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

Escaping Big Bend Park! TX

What is really in a Title? Not much when a week goes on with so many activities. So much so that an escape to Big Bend Park became a must only to feel invaded by the mega Tourists and escape within such little time spend. Spring Break is around the corner, I should know better, will have to be patient for another 10 days or so. Yet in Terlingua, surrounded by familiar faces, the Music goes on. This time around was a Classical Music Quartet with an unusual and very funny opening monologue and a contemporary piece ending the encore. It is that time however to as I call it “tighten up” and organize some order so we can leave sooner than later. Little details while Internet is present in profusion, moving hundreds of Gigabytes of footage of videos and photos from one space to another, catching up on some e mails, maintenance, once a year the list goes on and on and seems to be greater than the year before as much as I try to keep all so simple. It is a bit like an invasion wondering where all this “stuff” and “chores” came from! There is no escape.
Enjoy the videos, there are a few.


Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

 

[beemerchef]

“Live Life” or “Social Media”? TX

Some might find my writing being at times controversial, it is not it's purpose or object to be as such. Sometimes thoughts have a tendency to crawl in and agitate a present situation as it happened not so long ago. I only know about these two sides of a wall when loosing touch with Friends too busy trying to gain a spot so seeked by too many within this saturated arena of the “Social Media Saloon” for a “throne” of an unfounded importance so superficial it made me wonder why?
I still don't know about those “why's”! Why give up one's own Life, the riding it could be, the hiking or for that matter any other self indulged activity to instead “do it” to only bring on the advertising as such of a “look at me” syndrome.
The “screen warriors” are of so many, at one point they will and do loose touch with themselves only caring for that seat so seeked perched up there in the middle of nowhere having lost the true feel of a ground, of an Earth bouncing back so intimate it's own feelings.
Just some thoughts, nothing else.
The “balance” of it all I find as the daily key for a smooth path mapped with much self awareness. Sometimes it is hard as the turmoil of the fonts can too easily absorb one's mind versus just “being out there” for one's self with much growth and true feelings slowly imprinting the present mind.

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit
7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

The Faith of a wounded Warrior [Fiction]

How did some fiction made it's way into this Journal? How did writing in a previous chapter entailed my thoughts about cuddling?
Many aspects of this Luxurious Life make their ways into words I feel freely expressing. Maybe they have no convergence of parallel with riding or other aspects of what many might think, yet, they do. Time, “that” luxury, that one, makes the mind run into so many different directions while riding, camping, cooking, playing with Spirit, spending time with true Friends, attending some Music played so freely never too far, watching the skies painted by Mother Nature throughout Sunrises and Sunsets, calendar and clock having vanished long time ago, all conductive for such thoughts.
It is Life to the fullest. They are the inner thoughts taking place as maybe I do not have room for a dry “ride report” not being too concerned how many miles and hours we have ridden, what time we last ate.
Sometimes it is a question asked by a Friend such as “Don't you miss cuddling?”, or maybe it is the heat of this Desert which made me think about a short fictional story. Then again, is it truly all fiction?

Be well, always.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

 

[Bosque Bill]

Interesting solar oven, Ara. Thanks for describing that in your blog.

 

[beemerchef]

One more “Star” is shining. Munich. Germany

I will be here in Munich for another couple weeks. Life is indeed a ride, sometimes as now absent of words I can barely pronounce. It only takes one phone call when part of a Family as ours scattered around the World. Last Monday was of a somber one my Mother having had a stroke and a heart attack. Yesterday, on the 12th of April, in Peace, in Dignity, with no pain and long good byes I can now watch for another Star in the skies.
Not much else to share within these times besides some thoughts which I always continue writing for myself and now to share with my Friends.

You stay well, an extra hug for your Family today, don't ever let the present escape you.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[highz]

Sincere condolences, Ara.

 

[ski3pin]

Ara, our condolences. Another star is shining.

 

[beemerchef]

Thank You for your kind and much needed words.

What to say?

The inevitable happens as we all so well know.I heard this short story the other day. They were the thoughts of a departed one. "I was happy before I was born within that space none of us remember. My Mother then on gave me Birth and I lived daily going through the Chapters of this Life and it's endless lessons, it's peaks and valleys and all in between. I am gone now, again, having done my time, happy to have rejoined my previous space and my loved ones awaiting for me in the meantime". It is a good sensible story, no harm believing it. It helps me thinking and feeling that now my Mother has passed on back to where she came from. Most likely with Lance, my Grand Parents and a myriad of ancestors brightening up the stars at night watching down as I myself still turning the pages of these interminable lessons.
I am still in Munich for a couple more days dealing with a bureaucracy that has the script of a deepest nightmare one can imagine filled with frustration trying to obtain some legal and official documents. Will they ever let her rest in Peace?
Spirit is well taken care of in Texas. I will be moving him soon to Colorado Springs where more Friends will take care of him while I need to fly back and put an end to this chapter.
The weekdays are filled with appointments meaning a calendar and a watch. The weekends Museums to keep my mind occupied. BMW and Rolls Royce Museum, The Deutsches Museum. I did post many photos throughout these past couple Journal entries.
Thank You all for your kind thoughts and well articulated words I have been receiving.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

“Happy Mother's Day”. Tucson. AZ



The Journey runs it's course. The path is often a smooth trail, the colors bright, Mother Nature our guide from shore to shore, from the valleys to the peaks with the barren Deserts in between, anything and everything one could wish when filled with a luxury acquired over time called “freedom”. Yet, as the fabric of Life dictates, such “freedom” is sometimes only a pigment of our imagination when facing another path filled with obstacles we must surmount, the path of “grieving”. A not so foreign one for many, one we must adapt for the times to come if we ourselves want to survive it's consequences. It is “Mother's Day” today and ironically on the same date a month ago I was saying my good byes to my own Mother at this very time when her own path decided to end, that is physically as I know and believe strongly her “Spirit” will always continue on tucked in with us on this Journey for as long as myself will be allowed to do so. With Friends in Tucson today, on our way to Colorado Springs to fly back to Munich one more time for two weeks, this is where we are in the midst of a beautiful backyard filled with the colorful in bloom flowers one needs today. Moments are still mixed up, words are not lining up as they use to, my strength comes and goes, questions with no replies arise helplessly, the logic of it all has been set aside. It will not be till early June for the shade of the boulders I seek. In the meantime, one moment at the time with small and short tentative steps we move forward as we must.

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal
www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

 

[beemerchef]

Turning Gears in and out of Munich. Again.

I suddenly feel as an International Traveler being back in Munich, I also feel as half of me has stayed behind as one more time Spirit and I are separated for what was going to be 2 weeks, now turning into 3 weeks.
It is a halt in the Journey, and yet maybe not as a Journey is the Teacher and I am learning much here from lessons thrown at me without any compassion for the departed through this ongoing Bureaucratic nightmare.
I feel more as I am buying a used car or a house or anything else for that matter. “Human Being”, “Mother”, none of those words appear throughout the daily demands.
Karma has however also placed some incredible new Friends on my path [Friends with many other Friends in common] who invited me to their Home over the last weekend, the right prescription to lighten up the mind and Soul. Today is the last day in this apartment which I will be giving up tomorrow and on invited again at my new Friends Home for the last week here till I return on the 8ht.
I have given up on the wait, on the daily hope, on the notion of bringing my Mother back with me. All hinged on “one” piece of paper. If it happens next week, it will be well, if not, I will need to come back one more time yet only when “ready”.
Such is Life, such is also After Life. Strange World sometimes I feel we live in.
Till next time...

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

 

[beemerchef]

“Wasatch~Cache National Forest” [Utah]

The open roads once again welcome us lining the path toward those steps, the ones of grieving I will one by one climb surely as I have before. Two months has gone by which only feels as it has been as a blink of an eye. The fog of these past weeks is slowly rising to make way of a canvas “Mother Nature” and deserted roads are generous with for the tired mind and soul. Spirit is back by my side with now his bell on, a sound so sweet as he is himself. We are headed North, from Colorado to Utah and now in Idaho towards Portland where “Crusty” will be fitted with some new shocks much needed for off road riding in a bit of a smoother fashion. The Mountains at elevations above Bear Lake are a new find for us criss crossed by miles and miles of unpaved roads and welcoming camp spaces free for the taking. Peaceful, silent, everything we missed these past weeks is now again here adapting toward such an unexpected turn of events. “Adapting” being the key word as everything else in Life seemingly is. Much sleep, riding, cooking, seems all is on the menu for these present days.
More on the Journal.


Till next time...

Ara and Spirit

7ht Year, the Stars, living under them…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal