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The ride to Mariscal Mines, Big Bend. TX

Time here has a way to slip by so fast. I can understand why “out of towners” while jovial here might suddenly upon their return to the big City loose whatever “smile” they had gained while here. Time... just not enough of it to do, see and feel it all. Stopping in Terlingua on our way to the Mines set us back a bit late arriving there. The ride was of a fine one with Spring in the air, so much so that I declared Winter being over. We arrived too late to explore the buildings and even to take some good photos of them as they face east and their shadows arising were too quick for us. We will definitely go back again soon and spend the night to be there for sunrise as it is a space in the Park so unlike any other. Hard to believe that anyone actually worked there, specially in the summers with temperatures over 100 degrees daily and the nights not that much cooler. East River Rd is a good road only requiring high clearance but no four wheel drive needed. Stretches actually where easy 3rd gear and higher speeds, some others of course very rocky with many dry bed creek crossings, some steep enough for “Old Faithful” to have some fun. Instead of staying there till dark, I decided to head back and catch the good light on our return. The golden hour is just so incredible, orange and pink and mauve and all in between, a bit of coolness descended on the ride, it was still just a long sleeve T shirt and jacket day all the way back to the paved road.
The days and nights right now continue to be as remembered from past seasons here. It was over 80 today. Just right.
Enjoy the road and the Farmers Market...
Be well, always.
Ara & Spirit

80 and sunny sounds nice. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the storm door has just opened and we will be getting rain for the next 5 days - it is really about time, we need the rain. The Sierra are getting dumped on big time too, lots of snow for the ski hounds and snow bunnys will be thrilled.
Nice shotos Ara. I love the ones of Spirit...keep sending em. Take care.

mazer wrote:80 and sunny sounds nice. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the storm door has just opened and we will be getting rain for the next 5 days - it is really about time, we need the rain. The Sierra are getting dumped on big time too, lots of snow for the ski hounds and snow bunnys will be thrilled.
Nice shotos Ara. I love the ones of Spirit...keep sending em. Take care.

One day I will only put photos of me... just me! Do you know how much I spend on mental therapy because of people like you??? Every week... My self esteem is just shot now... You did it!
My Friend~Webmaster Brian who lives in Placerville told me about those storms... still today, short sleeve t shirt!!! So there Mazer...





More of the Mariscal Mines. TX

Today we are sitting at the Hospital in Midland awaiting surgery tomorrow morning. One more! Only gums and yet, well, this one will be deeper (for lack of better words) and mure hurtful. I hope we can get out of here by Saturday as Spirit is also the one taking a beating within his days and nights as all he can do is wait for me. Poor guy!
At least I can sit here reliving my memories of our last ride, specially the moment when for the first time we saw the Mariscal Mines dwellings. It was a bit as a mirage, but they were there, themselves having left behind their own memories of a few years past from 1900 to 1943.
Arriving too late as the buildings facing east had already been in the shadows for a while, it was only a short hike, grab a bite to eat and head back enjoying the sunset on River Road. Definitly planning to go back and spend a few nights, the space is just too inviting not to.
Managed to put together a photo~video of the ride with all the photos and, to me, great background music. I do realize them needing a fast connection as even myself except on my hard drive I watch them being cut off. You can click pause while playing and let it run to again click on play with then no interruption.
Be well... enjoy and maybe when here plan on the same ride, drive... you will never regret it.
Ara & Spirit

Ara, Hunny the camera can only do so much with beauty like yours, it can not capture what true beauty you have, Spirit on the other hand...
We got over 8 inches in the last 24 hours, 43 degrees at 3pm. Big downpours and lots of hail and wind. Came too close to a lightning bolt the other day....left a little DNA in my pants. GAWD I hate lightning. Pretty when it is far away. Im okay with it then.

Hope your surgery goes well and your recovery is short and you heal up quickly, you will be in my thoughts.
PS - Just tell the powers that be that Spirit is a service dog. That way he can be right by your side.

mazer wrote:Ara, Hunny the camera can only do so much with beauty like yours, it can not capture what true beauty you have, Spirit on the other hand...
We got over 8 inches in the last 24 hours, 43 degrees at 3pm. Big downpours and lots of hail and wind. Came too close to a lightning bolt the other day....left a little DNA in my pants. GAWD I hate lightning. Pretty when it is far away. Im okay with it then.

Hope your surgery goes well and your recovery is short and you heal up quickly, you will be in my thoughts.
PS - Just tell the powers that be that Spirit is a service dog. That way he can be right by your side.

Those kind words are not going to get you out of the gutter!!!
You are just too funny...
Spirit knows... he takes good care of me.
Stay safe... Ara & Spirit

Glad to know you are outta surgery....hope all goes well and those germs dont take hold...hope you are feeling okay.
If I could figure it out (and Im working on it) I will post some pics of my bull mastiff mix (then you will know why I am partial to pups on film)

The Roads less traveled. TX

The going to Midland was definitely more exciting than the return yesterday. Never thought I would want to get off the road so often bugged down by pain and medication, as the side effects of anti swelling and anitbiotics are just as bad as anything else including the traces of some anesthesia that will probably linger for a while. All is behind now as I am thinking a bit more of those nostalgic roads we took, adorned quite often with what was once in the past a richer one, today dwindling with old cars and trucks and caved in dwellings left behind. I keep wondering if “all that” will also change some day or will the next traveler 100 years down the road will still witness the same memories.
I think these coming days we will just recupperate and try to gain some strenght back. Spirit on the other hand needs to spend some of that strenght, he has been so patient awaiting and waiting some more, supporting me with his kind temperement, if only those eyes could talk louder.
The weather, besides some very strong winds, is cooperating, a bit of warmth is always good and sunshine has also a way to recharge those batteries depleted these past days. Could have been time on my hands or just feeling the few photos on the Journal would fit the days in black and white better, that is the format they are in.
Enjoy and be well. Ara & Spirit

Six Years ago, today. TX

The ride through our days can so much differ from time to time, from day to day. Quiet it has been lately, trying to get over the surgery which has hit me a bit harder than thought, quiet also has been reliving the day when Lance departed six years ago. He went on his own ride and yet he has never left me. He is daily part of my driving force on this Journey of ours, it is never only the motorcycle, the sidecar with Spirit's presence, a camera, Mother Nature, Friends and new experiences, it is “him” always by my side with a promise made I will not break. “I will go on”, that is the one. I use to be very angry just a few years ago, always felt as being targeted as the one having lost their only child, but today, on this Day, my Heart also goes for the many others that have lost their Loved ones and are also on the ride of their Lives. I spoke with a Friend near by yesterday, a very fanous photographer that has lost his own Son only a year ago, we so much understood each other as we called ourselves members of the “Tough Club”, not the “Elite Club” as I use to think. As yes, it is tough and as much support as I receive from others I try on this Day to also give back to the ones needing such support themselves.
I should have run out of words throughout these times, but I do not as the steps climbed always present an expression of feelings unknown before.
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

Ara, Im bummed you are having a hard time healing from your surgery. I hope you are getting better as time goes on, if you find you dragging your @SS too much - GO BACK to the hospital or stop at a clinic and get checked out. When I was dispatching a gentleman called to say he wasnt feeling too well, he had just had surgery a couple of days prior. I sent the possee - even tho he begged me not too. Good thing, he had an infection.
Dont push yourself buddy.

A Canvas of so many Spaces. TX

I often wonder throughout these present times if my words to myself makes any sense. Lets face it, the weather has yet to be conductive for farther destinations as “The Oasis” always provide us with the needed shelter, as even today, planning a few days toward “Chinati Hot Springs”, will be curtailed by a rainy forecast and heavy winds. So there is more thoughts that linger versus more miles taken. There are more local rides and more seeing familiar faces in the surrounding also familiar neighborhoods. As this past Saturday when stumbling on a free BBQ at the Ghost Town Park in Terlingua. Of course “free food” is always welcome, even better when it is good as this might have been the best brisket I have ever had, and the icing on the cake being the familiar faces which I already know we will not see as soon we will be moving on, the northern spaces awaits us. A bit of Music as there is always a Musician or two, or three that day for that matter, ready to entertain us and play their chords together, interesting conversations and some pondering while looking around at the many faces present. Listening to a happy traveler, also hearing another unhappy one, it was all part of the day while Spirit with his nose up into the wind could only wish some of that brisket would find it's way toward him! The years I notice are going by as I looked at the cast present. Some are a bit slower then past times, some are a bit more thoughtful then past years, it is always the present reality that makes up this Space we are in ourselves and makes it so interesting.
More black and whites... I found them being more suited for the occasion.
Be well... always, Ara & Spirit