So, this guy who drives all over the place by motorcycle with his dog in the sidecar

[Beemerchef]

I'm poor but happy a man of the Way
all my needs are satisfied by chance
last night the west wind downed an old tree
at daybreak firewood covered the ground
gauze silk clouds adorned red scarps
dew drop pearls bejeweled green cliffs
what's present has always decided my living
why should I burden myself with plans

- Stonehouse

Nice...

Timeless Zone in Big Bend, Texas.

A big decision was facing me all summer. Where would we live some day when this body dwindled down as already the rough off roads are slowly being a thing of the past. Mainly for summer times as winter here at "The Oasis" is unequaled. Land up North above 9000 feet to keep us cool escaped me as an option. These 10 acres here, all paid for, has become the solution. We shall built something as a roof, we shall have a little home as a small camper, some more solar, water catchment, a larger generator for those hot summer days when those times arrive. That one day... I have it all written and photographed in a couple entries in our Journal. It is all there... Not finished yet of course but it is all getting there. You will have to go back one entry to see how it is all shaping up.

In the meantime as every Sunday comes by I know exactly how long we have already been here and that fact alone amazes me. Is it time flying away as one gets up in age? Or is it this Big Bend area which has a total disregard towards a calendar? I must say it is pretty amazing.

The "Day of the Dead" celebration has also come and gone where we attended for a couple hours. More photos on the last entry of ours.

A bit of rain finally, cooler weather dropping from the 90's to the 60's and 70's. It is here the definition of perfection.

Enjoy... we are.

Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

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

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

[stfu&gbtw]

^ Hey, did you pass through Summit County, CO recently? Maybe on 10/26? I was driving east on I-70 up toward the tunnel and a guy passed me on a rig that looks a lot like yours with a dog in the sidecar. Thought of this thread and wondered..

[SkiCougar]

keep hearing big bend is great, but you gotta go thru so much of texas desert to get there.

not sure if you've made it there, but the mountains of western north Carolina I designated as my winding down years. I figure to get a small place in Asheville and work part time in some shop and spend the rest of the time on those mountain roads. was there two weeks ago and stopped to stand in a cloud as it worked its way up one side of the mountain and waterfalled down the other side. I highly recommend Asheville, highlands and mt Mitchell if you head that way.

[Beemerchef]

^ Hey, did you pass through Summit County, CO recently? Maybe on 10/26? I was driving east on I-70 up toward the tunnel and a guy passed me on a rig that looks a lot like yours with a dog in the sidecar. Thought of this thread and wondered..

Not lately as we have been here four weeks already! Hard to believe.... Thanks for asking.

keep hearing big bend is great, but you gotta go thru so much of texas desert to get there.

not sure if you've made it there, but the mountains of western north Carolina I designated as my winding down years. I figure to get a small place in Asheville and work part time in some shop and spend the rest of the time on those mountain roads. was there two weeks ago and stopped to stand in a cloud as it worked its way up one side of the mountain and waterfalled down the other side. I highly recommend Asheville, highlands and mt Mitchell if you head that way.

I love Asheville and all the surrounding areas. It use to be my backyard! GA Mountains and more... and yes, "here" is very far, reason I call it "The end of the world"!!! At $100 an acre, it has its reasons.

does akr even know he was quoted in your book, ara?

That is a good question... I don't think he does. I should let him know.

Stay well.
Ara and Spirit

[Beemerchef]

no, you should let him buy the book and find out himself.
if he is as smart as he thinks he is, he will get the drift through this dialogue
let it ride, ara.

That is a good idea... Hello akr...

Thanks. Ara and Spirit

[sar13]

Read your book during a recent vacation in Mexico. Great, moving, inspirational story. Thank you for sharing it with the "world".

[Beemerchef]

Read your book during a recent vacation in Mexico. Great, moving, inspirational story. Thank you for sharing it with the "world".

Thank You. Very kind words.

[Beemerchef]

Making a Home in Big Bend... Texas that is.

Where do I begin? as "The Oasis", here, once again works its magic in the center of this Texas Desert.

As the years have gone by on the road, the thought of the ones ahead of us has made its mark. Some day we will need a Home, it is inevitable, as a good Friend of mine wrote me. Where else could it be but here?

Sure, summers are hot [but dry] and the decision to have a roof here has turned into a reality. A 25 x 40 shelter, a little camper right next to a 10 x 14 prefab cabin. Much solar, 4000 gallons of water catchment, a powerful generator, some sort of a basic outdoor kitchen, [meaning just a long table!], better Internet, it is all taking shape all in photos in a couple previous entries in our Journal.

Now is however the time to walk away from it and once again balance out our time between Nature and those components that have been going up. I am realizing that it could be endless as the days here within this space which more than anything else feels as an Island for us. One that can provide all our needs present and future.

Big Bend Park provided its magic the other day. A breather from shoveling dirt or nailing some boards and wiring this and that.

I feel as this winter is going to fly by, lets see how much heat we can handle when Spring returns. Colorado is never too far!

Enjoy the photos. It is Life "off the grid".

Happy "Thanksgiving" day.


Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

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

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…



www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

[Beemerchef]

happy thanksgiving ara! how was the cold spell last week? you get indoors i hope.

Upper 20's? I like cold and so does Spirit... Indoors yes... You can see what we are doing here on our Journal. A home for the future!!!

Stay well. Ara and Spirit

[Beemerchef]

Sorry I just cannot figure out how to post a photo. They are on our Journal!

Coming to terms with the future. Big Bend. TX

I feel as I have traded "Old Faithful" for a skill saw, drill, jigsaw, plywood, shovel, rake, you name it! And I have part time. Undertaking a permanent [a hard word to pronounce!] home for the future is a task I am discovering will take more time than I thought. Especially while doing most of it myself having never done such work before. I have the utmost respect for carpenters lately! That is an art I do not possess or have any experience with.

Yet, we manage to get away within these three million acres which constantly stare at us, call our name while the weather is still perfect meaning a short sleeve T shirt is the norm. The stress of finishing it all is behind me, it will get done when it gets done. The discoveries on those roads traveled dozens of times are still present as even Terlingua offers new sights, new stores and people passing by or moving in. A donut shop open on the weekends! That is big for here... and good!

Spirit continues to roam around freely. This space is also his paradise where there is no leash. We walk the land seeing the changes after the storms, new paths, vegetation dying from the past summer heat and the ones thriving from the recent rains. It is a constant change on this stage we discovered in years past. Who would have ever known this would change from a home base to some day where we will rest when this body gets too tired from roaming around this huge country we live in. I don't have to come to terms with that notion, not yet. I do think however I am doing the right thing.

I am also still working on our Photo Coffee Table Book. Probably will be another couple months until that one is ready, that task also turns out not to be as easy as I thought. In the meantime "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" is still available on our Journal, on Amazon and in all electronic formats.

Enjoy and stay well. Happy upcoming Holidays... just in case we do not make it back here before.



Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

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

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…



www.beemerchef.smugmug.com The Photos

[Vt-Freeheel]

Do you have another calendar my friend, the one I have is waning.

[Beemerchef]

Do you have another calendar my friend, the one I have is waning.

Unfortunately no calendars this year. You must have been the exception buying one...

We have our Book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" and in a month or so a Photo Coffee Table book with 120 pages coming out...

Thanks for asking.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

[Beemerchef]

Intermission in Life. TX

We both have been looking for a break, an intermission of some sort but not one in this fashion. A violent ice storm created the worse black out these three million acres have ever experienced when 30 electric poles went down. No fuel, no propane, no phone service, not even the SAT phone working for some odd reason, and of course no Internet. The lack of power does not phase us as we are on a solar system, the Internet? well, that can wait... right?

Yesterday as some power did come back in Alpine and the perfect weather was back we took the 120 mile round trip, my curiosity towards these pages I guess got the best of me while sitting at the local Library. The world is still spinning, nothing too important has happened. It was a great ride though.

We did manage to get into the Park before the storm hit, riding being a need more than anything else, and we found ourselves present at Panther Junction at the right time while the iced fog combined with winds was sculpting Nature. What a sight! With plenty of fuel as always carrying an extra five gallons reserve it was one of our best days in the Park. A cold one!

Everyone here is slowly getting back on their feet. The Internet addicts are again normally breathing, blood pressure back to normal. Not so lucky here as we depend on a tower and that little red light is still not on. We will probably ride to our neighbors tomorrow to post this as more photos are in our Journal.

And by the way "Happy New Year".



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…

[Beemerchef]

Winter this time around seems to be lingering forever or is it this construction while "it" feeling so against the grain of our Journey. Was it the wrong time? Trying to come to terms with it.

We already had "that one day of snow", the one day that transforms this desert into a surreal landscape yet does not last long, about half a day.

A couple visitors as Big Bend is increasingly putting its name on the map arousing the curiosity of many while they themselves discover the beautiful roads which surrounds us mixed in with much hiking. There is even a donut shop now open on Sundays in Terlingua! How about that for progress...

Between painting, trimming and mostly waiting for material to arrive we also continue ourselves enjoying the roads. River Rd was one of them the other day. Many photos and a new video on our Journal.

This intermission is a long one. Are we getting close to explore further? I sure hope so as it seems such aspect is now ingrained within us. It is amazing how one can get so close to Mother Nature no wanting to let her go.

It has been eleven years now since Lance is gone. That day was a rough one even if my tools are honed and sharpened to take on the emotions which never leave me, will never leave me.

Life goes on... It is what it is... Enough rambling.

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…

[Alaskan Rover]

Nothing I nor anyone else can say can bring back Lance for you, but remember this, Ari:

You cannot have life and love without loss, but more importantly, so much more importantly, you cannot have loss without having LIVED and LOVED.

To put it another way:
To know loss and to know sorrow is testament to the fact that you have LIVED. To have grief is proof that you LOVE. You cannot really have one without the other and have it mean anything. They are yin and yang.

It sounds cliché but cliché be damned: I think we are all given a blank page of a book that we all share...and it is up to each of us to fill those individual pages with what beauty we can. Try to sketch what we can of this world and our place in it, and color to that page.

Ari, I can tell from your writings and the time you put into your photos, that you have LIVED...and I think, perhaps, that there can be no better purpose of life than to enjoy it for the beauty and ecstacy that it is, and to express that beauty and joy in ways that we can...to fill that page.

Thank you for doing such a wonderful job in filling your own page for us to see.

Say hi to Spirit for me. He seems a well-named dog!

P.S. - No...I did not know that you quoted me in your book. I feel that I can do no justice to your beautiful photos and your thoughts within, but I am flattered nonetheless. I'll have to get your book and I shall.

[Beemerchef]

Nothing I nor anyone else can say can bring back Lance for you, but remember this, Ari:

You cannot have life and love without loss, but more importantly, so much more importantly, you cannot have loss without having LIVED and LOVED.

To put it another way:
To know loss and to know sorrow is testament to the fact that you have LIVED. To have grief is proof that you LOVE. You cannot really have one without the other and have it mean anything. They are yin and yang.

It sounds cliché but cliché be damned: I think we are all given a blank page of a book that we all share...and it is up to each of us to fill those individual pages with what beauty we can. Try to sketch what we can of this world and our place in it, and color to that page.

Ari, I can tell from your writings and the time you put into your photos, that you have LIVED...and I think, perhaps, that there can be no better purpose of life than to enjoy it for the beauty and ecstacy that it is, and to express that beauty and joy in ways that we can...to fill that page.

Thank you for doing such a wonderful job in filling your own page for us to see.

Say hi to Spirit for me. He seems a well-named dog!

P.S. - No...I did not know that you quoted me in your book. I feel that I can do no justice to your beautiful photos and your thoughts within, but I am flattered nonetheless. I'll have to get your book and I shall.

Thank You for your words. Sometimes the moments are hard throughout the year but we make it... Thanks for the reminder.

And yes, I quotes you in our Book! I forget which page but it is in there... Hope you enjoy reading it some day.

Stay well, stay in touch.

Ara and Spirit

[Beemerchef]

I gave up trying to post a photo here...

Open up your lens a bit wider... TX

Strange things happen in a Desert while away from it all. It is mainly called thinking! Not as bombs amidst an Urban Jungle, here silence prevails, one needs to be comfortable in their own skin... and mind.

Life moves on here at its own pace as at times I look at the calendar and conclude it is unwinding a bit too fast with not much time to waste especially as age catches up with me.

This intermission while securing a dwelling for future years seems to be a long one. I question myself often. How and why can someone so much likes (love!) living in a tent? The main aspect I figured out is simplicity and a close touch with Mother Nature. Nothing like it.

The weather this winter has almost daily been a gift. Sometimes even a bit too warm to our liking. Good rains at times are providing our water, sunshine equals power. What more can I ask for combined with a solar oven, wood and multi fuel stove to cook with? Nothing...

We are only in February. The Northern roads will have to wait a bit longer!


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…

[Beemerchef]

hey dunfee, fix the photo inbed app so Ara can keep posting awesome pics!
hey Ara, we have had no winter in the pnw since you left, took it east, huh.

Thanks! That would help. I cannot figure it out!!!

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos.../i-dwHSGcj.jpg

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…

[SkiCougar]

looks like great weather in big bend for the next week, sunny and cold enough that motorcycle jackets and fur coats are welcome.

not sure if you head Kerrville way in the spring, but you two should head for the twisted sisters roads if you haven't already; great for cycles and sportscars.

[Beemerchef]

looks like great weather in big bend for the next week, sunny and cold enough that motorcycle jackets and fur coats are welcome.

not sure if you head Kerrville way in the spring, but you two should head for the twisted sisters roads if you haven't already; great for cycles and sportscars.

We have SkiCougar. Beautiful roads and side attractions indeed. We are still finishing some projects here but soon will have to decide [or not!] going West or East or???

Stay well. Ara and Spirit

[Beemerchef]

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos.../i-5hM6RXq.jpg

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

[Beemerchef]

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos.../i-VwJXdBf.jpg

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

9th Year, the Stars, living under them…

[Beemerchef]

Nice to hear about your quality time in Bend, enjoy spring.

It still is very nice!

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos.../i-zz2JJ7X.jpg


"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...s-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…

[Beemerchef]

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos...-pgrnQfS-L.jpg

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…

[Beemerchef]

http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/photos...-khPF2Q4-L.jpg

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…