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

[beemerchef]

The road to Presidio...

The wind had its fun yesterday, it blew with full force, took my “dining room” down... we rock and rolled most of the time! Just like in a good Western the tumbleweed was trying to make a touch down on the goal line, as the night went on, the other team won however as the wind changed direction by 180 degrees!
It was an anticipated ride on river road to Presidio and I returned just on time before its full strength, still my arms sore... what a work out it was!
Today is a down day... a catch up day... again the good stuff... laundry, reorganize this place and brace ourselves for some cold weather... it is all in the Blog...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[z_clark]

Hey there Ara & Spirit,

I think I may have passed you at about 10 AM Friday NOV 15th leaving Big Bend Park west bound! I gave a big wave to a side car rig....who else could it have been?!?

I wish I had seen your trip report before leaving. It would have been nice to stop for a chat.

I have just spent the last half hour poking around your blog. Sounds like a GREAT TRIP. Your pics and writing are fantastic!

I'll be spending more time on your blog to keep tabs on your adventures! I hope you have the time to catch a "Star Party" at the McDonald observatory". I didn't regret it If you are staying in the basin camp ground, tell the camp host "Ed" I said "Hello", and got home safe.

Thanks again for the read!!! Safe travels to you and Spirit!

 

[beemerchef]

You know what?... I do remember now, specially the big wave!... I forget many things lately but have great memory for cycles I see!
Yes, that would have been very cool to chat... I am staying at the Big Bend Motor Inn... this time around... power and WI FI are nice...
Will be south till it warms up... how about Anza Borrego soon!... I hear Nevada's Big Basin also is awesome... so strange for years 6 months of traveling but never south!... such ignorance!... there is so much here...

You be well... you got the bug now... don't stop!... life is too short... this is a one way Journey...

Ara and Spirit....

 

[beemerchef]

Riding with Pots and Pans...

I have been trying since my departure to switch places with Spirit some days! But no deal... he is a stubborn dog!... and last Sunday was one of those days, courtesy of the San Antonio Riders visiting Big Bend, that I tried really hard to convince him... hey, riding ain’t that bad buddy... the bike runs good, you can build up a bit of your upper body muscles, get a bit of adrenaline rush here and there... you will still get to eat, drink and mingle... but no go...
So I guess I am stuck in this position, witnessing sometimes on a daily basis all the attention he gets, and the petting, and the scratching... where did I go wrong?
And there is more on the Blog... I hope this situation lingering ahead does not alter my mind...
I am after all, only a human being!

Enjoy... Be well...

Ara and Spirit... I had to sign for him, he is too busy...

 

[beemerchef]

A tour of Terlingua, Texas...

So this is where I lived...

This is where I live now...

How ironic that public “progress” is the reverse of my present life’s progression...
Thought I would give you a tour of Terlingua, a little town unlike others... with a lot of local flavors and inviting little spots... all in the middle of some of the beautiful landscape I have ever seen... I will be leaving in about 10 days... and I know that I will miss it... but the road is already calling... more Texas? New Mexico? Arizona? Southern California? Maybe Spirit can decide...

Be well... enjoy the Blog.

Ara and Spirit

 

[TexasShadow]

Glad to read you are feeling better!

Remember to email me a photo of you and Spirit when you can for posting on my blog site. I've alerted a few friends, fellow dog and culinary folks, who are following your adventures. You aren't alone out there; we are all riding with you in spirit. ("Right, Spirit?" "Roof!"

 

[Cagiva 549]

You have already seen the best of Texas , the only thing better is Pinto Canyon and 118 from Alpine up to Kent on I 10 . The road from Serria Blanca up to Carlsbad isn't bad in a desolate sort of way . SEYA

 

[beemerchef]

The day before Xmas eve...

David... I am fine on everything here... thanks for the thought!
I am not going to lie and say “it feels like Xmas...”, because it does not...
The campground is fuller, a couple Adv riders have arrived, more tomorrow...
Old Faithful got a new front shoe today and some Xmas lights!
And a dinner at the Starlight Theater finally...
More pictures and a full report on the Blog...

Enjoy...

Ara and Spirit...

 

[beemerchef]

Xmas in Big Bend...

There has been only one “no good” weather day... and that was yesterday, I cannot even call it bad...
Last night the wind must have been blowing at around 50mph... Mike and John, that was John by the way... not James!... took refuge in their truck... the tough girls, Anna and Becca endured somehow the night in their tent. Real troopers... From Chicago and Texas... would you expect any less?
And the day cleared up and the ride was awesome... as usual... full report in the Blog...

Hope you are all having a great day, Many Thanks to all the great wishes I received... it sure is nice to know that friends think of me...

From Ara and Spirit... have a great one... and stay well...

 

[Squeaky]

Re: Xmas in Big Bend...

... the tough girls, Anna and Becca endured somehow the night in their tent. Real troopers... From Chicago and Texas... would you expect any less?

That would be our very own RocketBunny and Vivid1, a STN friend of hers that came down so they could spend a long weekend in BB.

 

[beemerchef]

Yes... they would be the ones...

Good weather... good roads... good company... good times!...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[Tourmeister]

Oh the many times I longed for a winch like that on my GS...

I love the light setup. Should be good for burning the hair off critters at a good distance!!

 

[scratch]

...I love the light setup. Should be good for burning the hair off critters at a good distance!!

- and searing them a little to seal in the juices. He is a chef after all.

 

[beemerchef]

Going to be hard to leave...

Just scrape them off every hundred miles... mix... ready to go... great protein...

Some thoughts went through my mind this morning as I was reading VIVID1's ride report...
I have been out of their shoes these days... but I remember how they fitted not so long ago. I live on the road, like Martha and Bob which I met today... we all ride... but there is more for us... we live on the road... there is no timetable... riding is primordial but it is not all, and, even from my past trips this is what I enjoy I have to say... riding has become the vehicle to able me living this life now with an array and multitude of other interests daily
There is just something about Big Bend... I still remember reading a couple E mails send to me even before my decision to come here... they said “you will fit right in”... and I thought... what do they mean by that? Do I need to look at myself in the mirror? One cannot help wondering what is awaiting at the other end when such a comment is delivered.
And I am starting to understand... my friends do know me well... like a puzzle I do feel like I was a missing piece. It feels like home... even some locals that I have met thought that I lived here!
And it is almost like... I should! The riding?... well, it is endless my friends... “Croton Springs”... “Paint Gap”... those were two news roads yesterday!... and there is more... much more.
There is a change today... There will be no link to SmugMug... In my search to improve this Blogging situation I found a better way to import pictures... and at the same time... I am still working on a website...
Hope you like the Blog today...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[Cagiva 549]

Trying to talk my rideing pard into sneaking out early , I have been ready to go for a week , I wanna go play . If you are in a popup space with power save us a space nearby , I called a couple of the motels , there booked so I guess I will drag the trailer and sleep in it . Trying to leave thursday but may have to wait till Friday . When reading your first post's I had the samy thoughts , You would fit in nicly there . South of the highway in Terlinqua on top of the hill is a road leading to several houses , Uncle Roger is the first one on the right a couple of hundred yards south with the coyote at his driveway , he rides a PD , if you haven't met him yet you should . SEYA in a couple of days

 

[beemerchef]

And the wheels keep coming...

Yes... I see Uncle Roger everyday... I live here... remember!... I have to move!!! Kathy... Ralph... and others have a hay ride New Year's Eve... pulled by an SUV... yes... I will be the designated driver!... I guess that is what happens when you don't drink... why me??? You have a spot saved up... hurry... getting crowded... heavy... heavy... did I say heavy winds today...
my arms are trashed!... will see...

I found my original Big Bend National Park entrance map last night... it is dated the 12th of December... Have I been here that long?... I am taking roots... and still discovering the town, so unique... still discovering new riding... river beds are my new “thing” as 98% of Texas land is privately owned... found myself sitting in Kathy’s office... some chairs around the fire ring in front of her Kosmic Xafe... for a couple hours... by the road... the local source of gossips... waiving at most cars passing by and meeting more strangers... everyone has a story... a couple professional photographers wanting to take some shots of the rig and Spirit... no, not of me!... and more riding... not a problem...
More riding... and more riders are showing up... they want to see the “girl” that planted this destination in their mind... I am and have not be alone for a while now... and the company is awesome... including sharing some Pizzas for dinner... as it is written in the Blog...
Busy... busy... busy... I keep saying... “I need a vacation...!”
Today will be my first ride through the State Park, back through the river road to get there... versus the National Park which I still have to finish exploring and probably will not, leaving some for the next visit.
Till later... you be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Not biting... but eating the dust!

This is one of those days when you have to think by it’s end... any riding is better than none...
When you have to think, well we made it, we build up character, fought the wind, the sand blowing... never reached our destination... but we rode! This was not all however... we met some riders that knew me... and I knew them too... from the Forums... go figure that one in the middle of nowhere.
I might be wrong... geographically it is far down south... but I have stopped to think as Big Bend being in the middle of nowhere for many minds... there are been a sudden growth in the population!... and more to come... as you can read in the Blog...
The rain has finally, for the first time since being here, arrived... I can now lay back and write!
Be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

More good friends...

It suddenly hit me this morning, there is a whole winter ahead of me... cold weather for Spirit, myself also I am not denying, short days... where to go? No, it is not a problem by far, there is a need for a wise decision to be taken for both of us, as the 3rd is approaching, departure day from Big Bend that is closer than ever to my heart and my well being. For years, I have waited for a spark from my senses to ignite a desire to stay in one place... and as much as Big Bend has... I know myself well enough, bohemian blood running in me, I cannot stay still for too long.
Fort Davis has been my planned next destination, I know only a few miles up, but providing a totally different surrounding and vision. New Mexico, Arizona... all on the way West... but again, winter is making its mark and being in a no-riding situation is not an option!
My logic is leaning me toward a straight flight to the southern west coast... Anza Borrego and its surroundings... will it be warmer? Get situated, explore a bit of that beautiful land... and... head south to Baja, Mexico... Rig and Spirit only, leaving the camper and trailer safely behind with maybe someone offering some space.
I have time to think about it...
In the meantime, David and Mike showed up... truck, trailer and bikes... kitchen, outdoor heater... well seasoned campers!... Was a blast to cook for them... you can read it and see it on the Blog!
Be well...
Till later... Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Riding into the New Year...

As the year is closing on us, I feel like there are life’s aspects I need to think about, maybe resolutions to take, try to better our life somehow... but I cannot find anything. I already live to the fullest every day, I can only on this occasion step back a bit and look around me, sometimes amazed at my own path. I am on the path of my desires, hoping some happiness for Spirit and missing my loved ones, the ones too far away to see and the departed ones...
Actually, I look forward to next year, a whole year on the road as I have only done 6 months at the time. There has been some incredible growth in just these past two months, incredible people I have met, the start seems so far away, even geographically as I have been so absorbed by my immediate surroundings... and the finish... I hope that there is none!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year, a healthy one, both physically and mentally... the rest will come.
It has been short rides the past day, still sore from fighting the strong winds on our way to Presidio, a bit of snow and fog has made the scenery and the ride even more enjoyable... after a couple cloudy days, the sun stands up high in the sky as a daily gift again, I think also sending great wishes for the coming New Year... and there is more on the Blog...
I think the pages have been saturated with the rig’s pictures... not that you will not see more of it, but today... my buddy Spirit... comfy and warm... is on the front page!

See you next year...

Ara and Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

A great start with a great ride...

I could not help feel a bit of emptiness last night after saying my goodbyes to David and Mike!
The campground again was empty, every one had come and gone, no one left on the hill... these pasts days were filled with engines starting, late night talks, much riding... much eating, and now again... left... just Spirit and I... back to our scheduled programming I thought!!!
What schedule?
The year started with a great ride yesterday... South County Road to North County Road, then north toward Alpine, east toward Terlingua Ranch, Marathon road toward 385... great weather, great company and roads... much fun as you can read about it on the Blog...
John, Mike, Becca, Felipe, Wayne, Byron, David, Mike, Anna, Big Don and Lobby from on the road... even you, the odd Texas Pete... and I have the feeling that I am forgetting some names here... thanks for your presence and making these Holidays some memorable ones... Maybe again next year?
You be well...
Ara & Spirit

 

[Cagiva 549]

Great reads , we really enjoyed spending time and riding with you , and you can cook for us any time , now I have to go back to restarunts or what I scratch up . Ride safe , and your never alone we are all sitting here wishing we were there . SEYA on the road

 

[mhutch]

I haven't had that much fun in a long time and now I am looking forward to the next one. Safe travels.

Pics are posted in my photobucket account

 

[beemerchef]

mhutch... cagiva 549... great having neighboors like you two!...
You two remind me of the Odd Couple!... Mike... you are hilarious... David... too cool... and hope that life never takes those assets away from you two...
It was grand, great fun... you guys did it right... 660 miles of riding... probably 80% or more dirt!... it never stopped!... right?
Glad that you made it back safely...
I am all packed here... rig on the trailer... the wind is blowing real hard again... we are out of here in the am, after I post todays news!!!
Hope to see you soon... you will always know where I am!... with longer days... more riding and more cooking!... Hummmm... you both need a long vacation... read the Blog tomorrow and you will agree!

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

About packing and how we live...

My last sunset on the hill... an untouched photo as the camera took it!... just in case you were wondering... A waive, a smile, a going away present before our departure? You be the judge of it as I have been taking sunrise and sunset pictures throughout my stay... and none compare to this none.
Day to pack... re-arrange things in a better fashion, which worked out much better. It is the first time since I have left, but I am sure it will not be the last time.
Some more good byes and while trying to put some order in this minuscule camper of ours... I just thought about showing you how and where we live! It is kind of a mess... two extra books and it is overcrowded!...
You can see it all in the Blog... tomorrow we will be in Fort Davis, exploring also Marfa and Balmorhea, Mc Donald Observatory...
You be well...

Good Bye Big Bend... you have been kind to us...

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

a little taste of Fort Davis, Texas...

We rolled in Fort Davis in the afternoon... the weather was not cooperating... very thoughtful that I packed yesterday in dry conditions... and so here we are a few miles north.
And I was thinking that maybe I should have skipped Big Bend, leave it for last, and then again, there is no planned end to this Journey. You guessed it, I just understood what my friends, which had left days earlier, wrote... I already miss it!
There will be other regions, comparable on many levels of its beauty and serenity, but I just realized that Big Bend had been to me like a calm Ocean with its full sun, day after day...
I think today the weather has a lot to do also about how I feel... dark grey all day... there is excitement however in being here... It is a real little town... with many Restaurants... shops... friends to be made and awesome roads to ride... as I understand, it is going to be beautiful these coming days...
Spirit and I took a walk... check it out in the Blog...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit