"The Oasis of my Soul"... A Lifelong Journey on the road...

BBNP, how it all came about. TX
March 2nd, 2015

Still in a holding pattern here in Big Bend, Texas, I always wanted to know how these beautiful geological patterns had come about. I felt as one needs to know as such when some day this will be Home. Some day!

I coupled my reading with a beautiful day in the Park. Yesterday was what I call "perfection" including the clouds playing incessantly, very few cars, the perfect breeze and temperature. Even Spirit had a bigger than usual smile on his face. We could not be more fortunate than being here.

How all this came about is a long story which I abbreviated in our Journal mixed in with black and white photos which I felt was appropriate for the occasion. I don't think they had color cameras 450 million years ago!

I feel as once one knows a bit more about the past of a space they frequent occasionally, there is a better appreciation towards the present that faces us. It works for me.

Enjoy...



Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash"

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

Good Days in Big Bend, Texas.

Sometimes throughout the year moments reach a higher level of perfection all around. The weather, the landscape, the mental and physical intermission within a more than welcoming space. Those are it right now.

It is at the same time the occasion to re-align a Journey, re-organize while depending on others and growing a much needed patience towards "things" which need to be taking care of, mastering such patience as unfortunately few follow through their spoken words.

Such times has given me a chance to learn more about this area and write about it as its geology and some of Big Bend's History. It is rich in past culture as much as it is in its formation going back millions of years ago.

We have had pleasant visitors, we have cooked a lot, as well as much chatting and even star gazing throughout the nights here so dark and unpolluted from urban lights.

It is definitely Spring and I keep asking locals if they have ever seen the grounds so green and covered with yellow flowers blooming everywhere. They have never. All browns were fine, green and yellows are even better. It is a daily surprising change that has taken place.

Spring break is over in this State, the crowds lingering for the past two weeks have left, it is again "ours". Big Bend is definitely on the map now, an area I myself had never heard of only a few years ago.

Enjoy the few past entries and their many photos

Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash"

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

Always like your updates. Thanks for carrying on.

Perhaps some day I will do as well as you "doing nothing". Thank you for sharing.

Thanks! Doing nothing is hard...



Is it only a matter of choice? TX

We are still lingering in Big Bend! Having a hard time leaving this space as we have spread out and Nature has covered the grounds with greens and yellows. it is quite a sight I must say when daily we sit amongst such a marvel of Nature.

But, we are packing... slowly as within me a spark of excitement is starting taking place. New adventures, landscapes and even when it happens meeting locals here and there. The road... that magical aspect we live for.

I look at the forecast while wearing a sweater this morning and nothing over 80 for quite a few days. There is no rush, we are comfy here. We are living!

The solar is giving us plenty of power, it has rained just about every afternoon throughout 20 minutes of what I always think the storm of all storms followed by blue skies. There is definitely a change in the weather pattern while the water is always welcome here being off the grid.

The body is taking a break! The mind is working overtime, its thoughts fueled by this beautiful and serene Desert with no walls, no clock and no schedule. I eat when I am hungry, I sleep when sleepy, all is really that simple with no horns or traffic signal lights. What more can anyone ask for?

"Old Faithful" is ready to go. Oils have been changed, throttle bodies adjusted and only the rear tire remains to be changed. That is it...

Boring? Bored? Never...

And yes, I am also cooking much more!


Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash"

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

"Hues of my Vision", 9 years of Photography.

Finally after all these years, digging through one Terabyte of photos, I was able to put together a Photo Coffee Table Book. I have received the first sample and I must say it looks beautiful printed on premier luster paper. 61 photos, maps where taken with icons and arrows and 61 quotes all in a 10x13 hard cover format. The only aspect I did not like was the price! My price... $90 + Tax and Shipping! So I had this bright idea [will see!] to check into a volume discount which actually would be printed offset being even more luxurious than digital printing. The minimum bulk order? 1000 copies...

The name of the book in case the link below does not work?

"Hue of my Vision" which by the way was already picked as a favorite by Kickstarter's Staff.

I had to start a Kickstarter for pre-orders. I think we have 25 days left and one step at the time the orders are growing. The truth is it has kept me busy as I am trying to get the word out. I only want to help others get the discount so the price does not revert to the original $100! I have it dropped all the way down to $40 including Tax and Shipping which I found reasonable considering the quality.

So that is all what's happening right now...

We are taking a break though and on to the park as the yellows and greens are starting to fade away but the cactuses are blooming like never seen before.

I hope to see your names on our Kickstarter and please pass the word around, share as they also will make a very nice Gift. It is not a commercial venture, all is being sold so close to my cost... Nine Years of Photography!

Here is the link for our Kickstarter which also includes a video!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/97792389/hues-of-my-vision

Stay well and hope I don't get kicked out of here for posting this...



Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash"

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

i just UNSUBSCRIBED ADVrider

the joy you spread with your travel logs, pics & forum posts have helped me keep on keepin on, for a couple years and if ADV decides to limit your posts i don't need to be on that site

the only riding i get to do any more is vicariously riding along w/ you & Spirit

i love the pics & the tales

many thanks

sw

swoody126 said:

i just UNSUBSCRIBED ADVrider

the joy you spread with your travel logs, pics & forum posts have helped me keep on keepin on, for a couple years and if ADV decides to limit your posts i don't need to be on that site

the only riding i get to do any more is vicariously riding along w/ you & Spirit

i love the pics & the tales

many thanks

sw

Click to expand...

What can I say. I was outnumbered by the complains that i should not have any links to any books. I don't argue!... or battle. Those days are over.
Thank You for your kind words.

Stay well.
Ara and Spirit

beemerchef said:

What can I say. I was outnumbered by the complains that i should not have any links to any books. I don't argue!... or battle. Those days are over.
Thank You for your kind words.

Stay well.
Ara and Spirit

Click to expand...

ADVRider is a lot more "spicy" than TWT. I love their forums but you have to pick & choose carefully as there's a lot of trolling going on.

Did you post in the Vendor's section though? Because for every internet blowhard on ADV there's still a 100 good folks.

philipbarrett said:

ADVRider is a lot more "spicy" than TWT. I love their forums but you have to pick & choose carefully as there's a lot of trolling going on.

Did you post in the Vendor's section though? Because for every internet blowhard on ADV there's still a 100 good folks.

Click to expand...

Yes I did... Getting the word out is not that easy I am realizing. It is not the Book itself but the time frame... Maybe 60 days would have been better for us! I am going to check if I can change that but I doubt it...

Thank You.
Stay well.
Ara and Spirit

Ara, I want to also get one for my son, how do I order two? Pledge on two different days, or........?

wanabeguru said:

Ara, I want to also get one for my son, how do I order two? Pledge on two different days, or........?

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Thanks! No, you can just pledge $80 and you will get two copies at the same address. I hope we reach the goal as I am selling it at no profit for us, just to share those photos many have asked for. They are so expensive as a print on demand...

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

When the body rebels... TX

We packed, packed some more, stored a few things laying around here and as much as we live in the present [as Spirit does a much better job at it than me!] we left anticipating the spaces awaiting for us, the ones especially at higher altitudes and cooler temperatures.

True to form while I always think we never know about tomorrow, we came back two days later, head down and with a sciatica pain tagged at 20 on a scale of ten! There is not much here in regard to Medical help. Yet, I am scheduled for an MRI this coming Friday in Ft Stockton. I lived almost two years now with a pain being a two and sometimes a three which only makes me realize how much we can get used to pain, yet now, it has become unbearable.

Once for all this will have to be taken care of one way or another so we can rejoin the road and live as we have been these past years. Patience, acceptance, letting frustration go, all are aspects to play with while waiting and covering the large distances to see Dr's and a decent hospital for the tests. So far, nothing has helped.

These are not the greatest times I must say, but, this too shall pass and I will keep these moments in the memory bank as to not take future days for granted!

The weather is alright for being the end of the month of May. Shade is good and we have some of that for the afternoon 90's. As previously written I believe last week, "Life is [indeed] like a box of chocolate. You never know what you are going to get".

And now to support our Dr's!!! What an irony...

http://www.blurb.com/b/6185381-hues-of-my-vision




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash"

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

Time travel.... TX

This is when on the path of this Journey ten years almost into the making the red flag is up, flag followed by the red light which will not even blink, which does not even yet have a green or orange light dimmed ready to light up. Such is Life... The culprit is not "Old Faithful" as she herself has had her moments of weakness, it is simply my body and some of its parts giving up.

The lower back and the right hip! We are in Midland now, lucky for us having been offered shelter from some very kind Friends and dealing with four Dr's. The cartilage, the degeneration is not quite up there yet to necessitate back or hip surgery as even if I wanted to Medicare will not approve it. So Tuesday is a spinal shot and the hip, well, I am waiting for "that approval". If such approval is soon we will wait as Medicare only approves one function per day, if not soon, we will return to Big Bend and come back one more time...

How long will all of this relieve me from pain and allow me to again ride? Could be a week, weeks, some say even years. Who knows.

In the meantime unlike any other summers it is Big Bend full time right now. I must say, while I surprised myself, that I have so far enjoyed being there. The canvas has changed as the daily storms are magnificent, the winds pick up every day as to cool us off, much rain meaning longer showers as our water catchment tanks are full, isolation from the World without a watch or calendar except throughout these present times when the appointments are decided from a clock!

Such is Life and another lesson of acceptance, a slap in the face I must say which will result in more physical activities to keep this body in shape toward this Journey, this endless Journey.

We had a chance to be on "Adventure Rider Radio" [link of the interview on our Journal] a few days ago and I must say I truly enjoyed it. Nice people as the conversations were filled with honesty especially toward so many who take on their own Journey not for themselves but for sponsorships and are "owned" by many of them losing their freedom and sense of adventure, their days moving on with only the thoughts "I/we have to do this...."! The conversations encompassed also on the financial aspects of, no other way to put it, "begging" for money to allow for such travel. All and all, very interesting. I hope you have a chance to listen to it...

Till next time when maybe, who knows, I will be able to keep up with Spirit's jumping!


Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash"

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

Ara
Good job on Adventure Rider Radio! Very good interview!

kojack06 said:

Ara
Good job on Adventure Rider Radio! Very good interview!

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Very cool people as I appreciated their honesty and realism of today's industry.

Stay well.

Thank You.

Ara and Spirit

Ara,

as one who has recently been sidelined by the docs, i can feel your anxieties

as i have found, there is a light at the end of most tunnels and all we need to do is keep a positive attitude & forge on

Chili & i wish you both the best

sw

swoody126 said:

Ara,

as one who has recently been sidelined by the docs, i can feel your anxieties

as i have found, there is a light at the end of most tunnels and all we need to do is keep a positive attitude & forge on

Chili & i wish you both the best

sw

Click to expand...

Thank You! Doing much better so far without surgery...




Coming out of lala land! TX

Sometimes I feel as these past weeks have only been a bad dream and yet there is so much pleasure being here and finding the real core of this space undisturbed by the tourists and the snow birds who for some reason or another think they live here... but of course do not. They will surface soon enough and their names on giant banners will be self published on the local Social Medias, also soon enough! How about if it remained as such throughout the whole year? It was at one time when Big Bend and Terlingua were just blurs on the map now a destination for many. It is as this space is a coin with two distinct sides. I really like this side! I now understand what the true locals think while at time we bump into one or two and chat a bit.

The off road rides had always such little traffic. Right now it is non existent! It is almost strange as being on another planet. Just like in this video taken just a few days ago

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6wWTo5MkLo"]Back in the Saddle - YouTube[/ame]

Such rides right now have stopped as I have taken Old Faithful apart. A new battery is already here and seemingly miles of electrical wires causing a short have been discarded. I am waiting for some new switches, a new seat which will put me up a bit higher increasing my hip angle, new rotors and pads, fuel filter and I would have to look at the list for the rest. She will turn 20 in a few months. She has always sat outside and some aspects of it have become brittle needing some soldering and tender care so she once again takes us away on the awaiting roads.

We are living happily right now within what I call our "bubble". Imagine not seeing a soul for days, listening to silence always undisturbed as I stare at the same mountains, the same skies daily and yet every day being a different painting witnessing storms as never before. They slowly build up during the day and by afternoon lightning, thunder, cool winds and inches of rain keep me entertained. The episodes are endless! There is no reason to change the channel... there are no other channels and none of it is ever rehearsed.

So that "is", this "is", summer in Big Bend!



Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Books

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

Coming to Life again! Easton, KS

The past few weeks have not been very pretty, yugly inside out. It happens. A battle within me as I finally came out of it only these days victorious realizing once again, as always, it is my choice to keep my head down or up.

The spine and hip steroid shots are providing "some" comfort as I expected too much. At least we can ride while having had a seat redone one and a half inch taller to increase the hip angle and a true to form well made kidney belt. I should have thought about a kidney belt long time ago with the kind of mileage we put on! Live and learn.

While partially fixed up and now awaiting the end of October to have a couple of discs fused with also a couple arthritis growth shaved off [how much fun can that be?] I decided to head on to Kansas and spend some time with my dear Friends from Germany, the ones who bailed me out so kindly when my Mother passed away a bit over two years ago in Munich. Well... I did expect HOT weather but forgot what 1000% humidity was. In one word, to make a story short as you can read the whole one in our Journal, it has been, upper case, "MISERABLE".

Lucky to ride a bit very early morning and very late at night... That is about it besides being in the house amongst four walls with the air on, lucky us while sitting under a ceiling fan. My choice, our choice. No despair, we will never make it here the whole month of August as planned [plans has never worked for us!] and leaving in a couple days for COOL Colorado where we will camp at 9700", a familiar space desolate of mosquitoes, chiggers, fleas, ticks... all those common visitors we have now encountered.

The upside has been some new goggles for Spirit called Rex Specs K9, a big relief as I always called his old ones "fou fou goggles" and for the price never lasted too long. Minor detail in our lives but a pleasant one.

On to Highway 70 now... A boring one but the shortest route to cooler temps!




Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal and Books

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

Hi Ara - We saw your rig and Spirit in Gunnison, Co just the other day. We went looking to find you to say hi but without success and by time we got back to your rig you were gone



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BeemerlessBob said:

Hi Ara - We saw your rig and Spirit in Gunnison, Co just the other day. We went looking to find you to say hi but without success and by time we got back to your rig you were gone



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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And now we are in Big Bend!!! Sorry we missed you. Must have been at the Photo Gallery across the street...

Many bikes were in town!




Taking a break for a few days...

We have not been here in a while. Colorado is now behind us and so is Kansas for sure. Bad Internet connections in isolated spaces, none most of the time, bad back while sitting long periods on the clock, New Mexico is also in the past with its daily storms and now enjoying The Oasis [Texas] for a few days before taking off for Midland next Tuesday, a week from now, to see my favorite spine Dr... This too shall pass as this is no way to live on the road for sure. Surgery even sounds appealing at this time and winter ahead will give me the opportunity and time to recoup. Might even get two new hips which then I will call myself the "bionic rider"! That is because riding cannot stop...

It is still a bit warmer here than I would like it to be but for some reason 90 has become doable for us when in the past 80 was the limit. I guess, just like pain, one can get used to much of everything.

Colorado was pleasant and cool as ever even if also with daily storms, a State we never get tired of visiting and exploring its back roads. As far as New Mexico I had forgotten the quiet campground called "Valley of Fire" where we spent a couple next and even bumped into the "Butler Maps" crew busy of course... mapping! As usual we dropped South a bit too early but with our riding limited to under 100 miles a day I thought it would be a good idea. I had not planned falling backwards but it allowed me to move my appointment sooner and as usual, besides the pain, all works out.

We did stop at Three Rivers where at least 20,000 Petroglyph are still weathering and also as I try every year while visiting a little Chapel up the road dedicated to departed Children, "Santo Nino de Atocha", light a candle for Lance and reminisce about our times past times together. Where we were and where we are now, standing a bit taller on that ladder of Life. The Journey within the Adventures.


Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com The Journal

www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

Ara, sorry to hear that the ole' back is in need of an "overhaul". I hope that all goes very smoothly for you. Prayers for fast healing and no more pain!

Thanks for the update. Always good to see your posts!

De Trommelslager said:

Ara, sorry to hear that the ole' back is in need of an "overhaul". I hope that all goes very smoothly for you. Prayers for fast healing and no more pain!

Thanks for the update. Always good to see your posts!

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Thank You... It is gong to be one of those winters! Price to pay for much riding, Will be brand new by spring!!!

Stay well. Ara and Spirit

Bionics?? ALRIGHT!! Heal well and fast.

wanabeguru said:

Bionics?? ALRIGHT!! Heal well and fast.

Click to expand...

Maybe you knowledge in electronic will go along the bionic aspect?...

Stay well and always nice to hear from you. Has been a while. Almost came to CA [HU event] but... this back is just not letting me!

Ara and Spirit