A Lifelong Journey on the road...

[cruiseroutfit]

Keep it coming Ara (and you too Spirit)

 

[Beemerchef]

Keep it coming Ara (and you too Spirit)

Hi Kurt... KC and I were just talking about you last night! (nothing good... ). Maybe will get to see you more than 5 minutes some day!!!

How to live off a hack... WY
We are back in Lander, WY, and as usual it seems as time has flown by as so soon it will be on to Denver to catch a flight to Munich, Germany, for a couple well deserved weeks with my Mother. I am so much looking forward to it, even if Spirit will stay behind. He will be in good hands, very good hands, I have no worries, only know we will miss each other tremendously. I have posted an entry on one more ride floating the Gravelly Range Rd, one of my favorite of all time, the road to "no man's land" as I call it. I have also had many requests on how we pack, what do we pack and this was the opportunity to document all 16 storages spaces I have. All is highly organized, everything always in the same place and it often turns out to be a fun game trying to come up with a better system. It is such a simple Life with some spice always being added being at the mercy of Mother Nature. One reason for everything to be of the best quality, not necessarily the most expensive. I know this entry could also be adapted for campers, RV's, and then again, all might not fit into a vehicle!
Hope this brings some insight into everyone loving to spend some time outdoor and please feel free with questions if more details are needed for some of the products.
Be well...
Always.
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

South Pass City, Wyoming.
The diversity of wealth throughout this country is an amazing feast. I am asked at times "what will you do when you are done...". Done? I will not have the luxury I think to live a few lifetimes, being done exploring, adventuring, discovering and feeling those millions of square miles we live on will never be an option. We never earlier had much of a chance to explore around Lander, WY, due mainly to weather, being here too early or too late. Here now for a few days preparing to fly away to Germany, the opportunity has presented itself to scout the area. What a Treasure it is, so much so it is giving me the thought of coming back next year and spending a few months to discover all those unpaved roads going as I like to call them "to nowhere". South City however was not "nowhere". It contains a rich History of a Mining Town, today a small community of hardcore residents with neighboring "Atlantic City". A space from the past into the present, one day, one afternoon was not enough to feel it all, and yet enough to give me a taste it. The day was perfect with clouds enhancing the background, dogs are allowed on a leash, what else could I ask for! Enjoy and hope you also experience it all soon.
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

From Atlantic City to... WY
The new found treasures I call "empty spaces" do not stop coming our way, specially when given tips by Friends living locally. We have been based in Lander, WY, these past days, I witness riders zooming through the area never realizing such local diversity is present if they only looked. But, lured by Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, the nice and slow and at times dangerous traffic and crazy drivers, on they go. "Miles of nothing" is a little 30 seconds video I did and posted, it is my best likable reality these days, a dosage I can never get enough considering the spaces I am going in shortly, riding not "Old Faithful", but planes to Munich, Germany, for a couple weeks to see my Mother. I know most's attention span on these pages or for that matter the Journal's pages, is short. I have had dozens of inquiries as to what is wrong with Spirit! NOTHING... he is not sick, he is not missing any limbs, he is alive, NOTHING WRONG... he is just not flying with me... I appreciate the concerns, this is just one of those things I have to do. I am still working on a video from the Gravellies, a couple more, for some reason You Tube keeps cutting off the Music about 2/3rd's of the way, a bit frustrating considering I not often have a fast connection. They will be up as soon as they correct the problem... In the meantime, enjoy Atlantic City, Hudson-Atlantic City Rd and a modern Ghost Town called "Jeffrey"...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

Displaced in Munich?
I am often left speechless being here. Overwhelming. For one, "Europe" has changed a lot since the last time here. My "Mother" has also as at 83 how can one not. It is daily anxiety attacks without my Buddy Spirit, it is... it is... My visit here is not of the role of being a "tourist", some day maybe we will come back again for that purpose. This stay here is to catch up with my Mother and all that "stuff" that goes along when one gets "old". Putting things in order as she calls it. I say "we" if we come back, because it will be with Spirit and "Old Faithful". I will find a way, everything is doable, that is if the price of fuel does not break us quickly and painfully. The weather has now turned into a gray cast which will remain for a few days. I had some hope for some lakes sightseeing and yet my Mother only able to go out for 3 to 5 hours a day makes it all very difficult. Besides it all, so many realizations as how nice we have it made in the USA... trust me on that one!
Thanks for the e mails, the comments, the kind words send, you are all contributing to my sanity! Almost forgot... no one will ever go hungry here!!!
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

 

[rholbrook]

Speaking from the experience of not having any parents alive, enjoy your mother while you have her. Parents seem to ooze with life learned wisdom. How I wish I could go visit my mother and my father. How I wish my youngest child could go to a Utah football or Basketball game with my parents, or my parents could come watch my son play football this fall season. Don't hurry home, listen to her Life Long Journey. Wow, she must have some stories to tell if she grew up in Munich or Europe for that matter.

 

[Beemerchef]

Speaking from the experience of not having any parents alive, enjoy your mother while you have her. Parents seem to ooze with life learned wisdom. How I wish I could go visit my mother and my father. How I wish my youngest child could go to a Utah football or Basketball game with my parents, or my parents could come watch my son play football this fall season. Don't hurry home, listen to her Life Long Journey. Wow, she must have some stories to tell if she grew up in Munich or Europe for that matter.

Thank you for your words of wisdom. Having myself lost my only child, superficial bad times are set aside for the true Love that is always there. Thanks.

Walk, eat, sleep, eat, talk, eat, repeat... Munich.
From Denver today, however the Journal is from Munich, in it the last photos of the "other world", another one as so many exists, the one I was present into it for a couple of weeks. One that will give me many thoughts for weeks to come. I always want to say "we", but Spirit is still 375 miles away. One day before leaving I came down with what I now call "The German Flu", one as never experienced before, sledge hammer on the head would be minimal compared, so much so the Dr prescribed 3000mg Amoxecillin per day. I don't think I was ever prescribed such dosage. The return flight (s) were totally the opposite of going over, unpleasant, the main flight being a 777, some massive airbus that left me speechless. My thoughts are a bit scrambled today, not surprised being ill from riding and breathing this same recirculated
air hundreds other were also breathing. This was just not a healthy way to travel. All is behind, I can only look forward to seeing my Buddy soon I hope, hopefully tomorrow.
Back to sleep now!!! Fortunate to have such good Friends throughout the country to shelter us/me when in such a need.
Be well....
Ara, to be back very soon with Spirit.

 

[Beemerchef]

We are "ONE" again... Wyoming
I can only wish for everyone to have a set of such brown eyes resting on them with such mutual content. I am not going to hide the fact that this separation was difficult. They talk about Dogs having separation anxiety? Humans do too, big time in my case. We have been together 24/7, a right shoe with a left shoe at all time. It is the eternal compromise situations arising when solutions have a price to pay. The good and the bad, as sometimes it carries on. Besides it all, now a flu caught who knows where, a bit tired, Spirit looking at me wondering why this voice has changed, and headed southbound, all is well. We got the food poisoning and the flu out of the way. We even set aside a whole day of photography without a card in the camera. What more can I do? I truly think it was a plot from Spirit to have some of his past photos in the Journal instead. It worked. He deserves to have them present. We are slowly headed south, dodging the Wyoming winds that could rip my head off if I let it, trying to stay ahead of the colder weather which is making it's appearance lately. I feel as summer is going into hiding, but truly these few days "The Oasis" has been calling, I can smell that pecan wood burning already and those magnificent sunsets and sunrises, much camping this winter in the vicinities including remote areas of Big Bend National and State Park, writing a Book.
Well, enjoy Spirit's few photos from the past, they have great memories.
Be well, always. Glad to be back and "thank you" for the welcome backs.
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

Behind Closed Doors... Las Vegas ~ New Mexico [Jasmine Rice with Feta and Vegetables]
I always wanted to visit "the other" Las Vegas as we did a day or two ago. I loose track already. Maybe we should have stayed for the Celebration, their 175th Year, but I don't do well with crowds in general. We arrived in a downpour as I have rarely seen and experienced. A KOA was kind enough to take us in and overlook the fact that Spirit is a Pit. He is now a Poodle... it is official. No problem with their Insurance. Tonight we are in Carlsbad where the temperature reached 90 and the humidity 1000%. I think this was the first time we have been hot, will see how all is as we arrive at "The Oasis" early next week. There seem to be time and yet I am scrambling a bit to order the ten prints which will be on display at the Pan Terra Gallery in Bisbee on October 23rd. If all goes well it will be a permanent exposition. I could then look into maybe other Galleries having had a precedent also such as in Alpine with "Kiowa Gallery" where the prints sold well even if unfortunately the owner's ethics were not up to par. So tomorrow are the Caverns as I think I photographed a couple years ago. I am really looking forward to it, I am even going to use a tripod for a change even if I feel they are a royal pain to use...
Enjoy "Las Vegas" and some thoughts I have had these past days... again.
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

Carlsbad Caverns revisited... NM
Two years had gone by, the opportunity was there, could not miss taking the hike one more time. Funny how things are however, the body did not take it as well this time! Maybe because I was carrying a tripod with a heavier camera? Or was it two years had really gone by and "all" is only getting a bit... older. I rarely use a tripod, this time was the must of opportunities to do so. Very faint lights, long exposures are all the reasons for it. The Caverns are truly unbelievable as one could actually spend days, the "wows" never stop even more so when finding out how it all came about. It has been a combination that took over 250 millions of years, with first the formation of a reef hundreds of feet thick, behind it all at the same rate limestone and sandstone were deposited, eventually all tumbled down, mountains rising, and through more millions of years the caves slowly formed. I have linked a very interesting synopsis of it's formation on the Journal. So that was a couple days ago as we are now back to "The Oasis", has been 24 hrs of doing nothing in fear of breaking the present sound of silence surrounding us. It is a bit warm, 94 this afternoon, it seems we are always a bit too early for cooler weather. Enjoy the Caverns...
Be well... always.
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

The return to the Oasis. Texas
Maybe it is a good thing I am devoting much time writing my Book as I have totally lost the sense of days and time. Sleeping when needed, eating when hungry, only slowly putting things away here such as camping gear being reorganized, only soon I know repacking to go on into the Parks. The weather finally these past couple of days has been bearable during the afternoons as even hitting 100, the dry heat in the shade has made it pleasant. Long sleeve already a must as soon as the Sun goes into hiding, maybe after all we did not get here too early. All is the same here, and yet so different from everywhere we have been. The vegetation has overgrown, I like it that way, it will keep the "normal" vehicles away. A couple rides into Alpine and one already into Marfa only because of my mixing of days, always a good lunch at "The Food Shark" as it was my compensation for being out on the wrong day for a Dog Show in Alpine put up by the local SPCA. My discipline is paying off as I watch the Sun dicate the time spend writing. It has been an interesting concept to do so, specially when going back in time as I am not today who I was then, no one truly is. Much cooking, of the healthy kind, posted a Mango Salsa recipe on the Journal which is one of my favorite toppings.
"Onward" as a friend of mine always says...
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

A bit wealthier today... TX
Again we missed an early morning ride. Our days are a bit upside down. Staying up too late while writing, waking up also past nine just is not doing it. By the time breakfast is over, a walk with Spirit, feeding him, should skip my e mails but I don't, it becomes noon. Fortunately the weather is I have to call it "perfection" and being out riding in the afternoon now has become enjoyable these past few days. Everything on my mental and physical checklist is doing well, no crisis, I would almost go as far as saying "nothing exciting", but the fact alone to be alive and be here is "exciting". I think. And yet today I am going to do something I have not done in four years. I am sending in an old dear watch to be repaired as for these couple to three coming months I feel the need to wear one if I want to have this book written "now" and not much later. That is just how Life in the "Desert" is, should be as it lingers ignoring time and calendars. I am already feeling this pull to move into the Park for a few days at the time, might be able to squeeze in those couple days as we are leaving in exactly 10 days for Bisbee, the oncoming Photo Show which Poster has already been published, also posted in our Journal. One of the better news however is this Book I started reading which I feel every traveler, everyone for that matter, should read. I wrote about it also in the Journal and there will be more...
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

A sad bridge, "La Linda". Texas
"La Linda" bridge is everything I do not care to feel and see. It is a symbol, a man made one that jumps up and stands up for everything I do not believe in. Metal gates up high and locked, cement barriers and a ghost town. Empty dwellings, actually an eerie space as we sat there for a while reliving in my mind what was once before. The ride however, first to Terlingua, then on through the Park, a quick stop in Stillwell, was of a great one even if a bit still on the warm side. A wet bandanna, actually I use a "Buff", does the trick. I think everyone should have a "Buff". Multipurpose to cover one's face when cold, a cap when needed, this circular bandana has been a Life saver too often. Not much else is new, sitting a lot, writing this Book away with about 12,000 words into it and the fear that it will be too long! Editing will come later, hopefully will be able to cut some chapters off or have more than one Book! Why not. All is calm as ever here on "The Oasis" and besides some rides I have a real hard time leaving this space. Spirit I think shares my thoughts throughout our daily walks on our trail or on one of the main roads around. I yet have to see a car since we have been here except for our neighbors visiting. Nice! Hope it stays that way.
Enjoy the ride...
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

Terlingua and "mind" Bash... TX
Time is moving on and so are the words on the pages of this future book of mine, maybe "books". What a big time consuming affair and yet a project I am enjoying more and more reliving myself past moments one entry at the time as I am writing it backwards, however will be printed in a normal chronological order.
In the meantime a couple entries have gone on our Journal. Lance's Birthday has come and passed and their own moments weighing me down with such a force it at times makes me loose my breath. "Terlingua Bash" happened last weekend. Music Jams all over town as we witnessed (Spirit likes Music also... and the attention!) such incredible talents back to back with no rest, free for the listener within a Family type environment, as the expression says "egos are left at the door...". A gathering of "Pirates" at "Passing Winds" and the grand finale, the Sunset overlooking the Chisos, an exceptional one, one I would have not missed for anything. Mother Nature was generous that evening, when will Photographers understand that the only Photoshop needed is patience, admiration and more patience? A couple entries later, here we are on a Monday, preparing to leave for Bisbee, Arizona, on Wednesday for the opening of our Show at Panterra Gallery Saturday evening. Maybe we can see some of you's there...
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

Busy in Bisbee, AZ
We are already on our way back to Big Bend and only now have had a bit of time to breathe and regain composure. The "real world" is have to say "busy". There must be a better word for it but I cannot think of it. The ride over and this present ride back are just perfection, weather, tail wind both ways, all except for my rear shock which has lost all it's oil and for myself an eye infection too slowly getting better. A spare shock is awaiting for me to use while I send this one back to be repaired, the support on Motorcycle Forums is just so incredible. Invited for dinners, prepared one myself, the Show with a great turn out, all happening so fast, all however a great experience. They now have, the photos, a nice Home were they will permanently hang, maybe some will find another good Home, there were no buyers on this first night out, it does not surprise me, I don't think "Art" is selling very well these days. Maybe eventually it will turn around, Bisbee is a busy town, the attendance were mostly Locals always inundaded with such occasion. Many Friends however also showed up, it was the icing on the cake, from as far as Denver, Breckenridge, Colorado City, Tucson, Benson and more. Great times. The start of it all is on the Journal including a fantastic Flam Chen!
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

The "Black and White" Boogie Man. Texas
These past chapters are as ending up being much thoughts while riding. The roads are not as demanding on the attention span and the mind allows itself to go on thinking... always with permission! The ride, the space we end up into was the "swimming hole", always magical when experiencing the forms and shapes carved over these past few gazillion years, it is utmost silence as the road itself leading to it seems to belong to another planet. I say "black and white" within the title of this entry for the reason to have finally these past years opened up to gray areas when encountering others, when being on this stage which passes by now at an alarming speed. There is such an increasing comfort zone when thinking as such. The "Day of the Dead" has now come and gone, today we are packing to go on to Tucson for the "All Souls procession" which will be followed by a "Flam Chen". Suddenly it is an experience I do not want to miss, be at least a witness of it all once. It will all happen for us on Sunday evening and we should be back here a couple days after, I need to jump back into the disciplined stage of writing this Book and also a Cookbook I decided on. Accordingly, the photos of this entry are also in "black and white".
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[YOUKNOW]

Thank you for all of your posts. I just read all of them and now am late for bed. Well worth it.

Fellow Armenian,

Charles

 

[Beemerchef]

Thank you for all of your posts. I just read all of them and now am late for bed. Well worth it.

Fellow Armenian,

Charles

Thanks! Yes, a few of us are left... Get some sleep now!

I wonder who left the door open? Tucson. AZ
As always, since cooperating weather, a great ride back again to Tucson. This weekend has come and gone by too quickly, we will already be back at "The Oasis" tonight to start filling up the pages of the Books in progress. The City Life for a few days... I so much realize all is a constant compromise being on this path of our Journey. Spending a few hours on a Sunday morning walking tthrough an incredible Farmer's Market was as a kid in a toy store... so much we have been missing. Yet, I did not find what Mother Nature's landscapes and mood offers us day in and day out. We cannot have it all... can we? Another event we attended was the "All Souls Procession" followed by a "Flam Chen" throughout a well behaved crowd they say of over 20,000. It sure did not feel as so many were surrounding us. All with some home cooked meals in the company of my Friend Robin, a couple years after very briefly meeting in Ely, here we were spending time under the same roof discussing our thoughts and the School of Life seemingly the same one we have both and still do attend. Two more... "Audrey", sweet Dog, "Lovey", the coolest cat I have ever met, all five of us, and one more "Spirit" of course, it was a refreshing weekend filled with smiles and sentiments I had not felt, none of us actually had felt in a very long time. A few photos on the Journal...
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

The Call of the Desert. TX
We all have calls. Some professionals, some hobbies, some of many. On the road for four years, the path does not allow for many to materialize and yet some have made their ways into our lives. My buddy Spirit, writing my own thoughts as just another Life story for my own personal reasons, photography, traveling into my favorite spaces and discovering new ones, new Friends, riding and more riding, camping and cooking as I see them hand in hand, growth of the mind and soul, I realize there are more than I ever imagined would materialize. The strongest one always so appealing to me, providing this comfort zone I think most seek for has been the Deserts. Much has been written about Deserts, their attributes fills up many books and so often adjectives, words, they just cannot convey the feeling they provide to the senses sharpened by such presence. It use to be, and still is only less, the preference where the Mountains. The balance has now swayed, has for a while as maybe besides it all, it is the vision unencumbered watching the horizon while riding as on a vast ocean moved incessantly by Mother Nature. The ride a couple days ago proved it again.
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit

 

[Beemerchef]

5th Floor: Happiness Department. TX
Four Years later, 600+ entries later, I cannot help seeing this time as a milestone of this path taken then, lived "now". "Journeys" of so many kinds are all so present within everyone's maybe "taste"? needs? desires? The stage blossoms, bares fruit as it has with me, the ride is not anymore only of a dirt road or paved road taken but becomes one shared with another Soul met. It is the same book and yet the chapters take on different colors, different meanings, a richer aspect as new days go by with baby steps within this new unknown present. Unknown and yet even if not familiar one that brings on such a new diversity of feelings, a culmination of a self taught well being not anymore quite alone but bigger than Life itself. The physical ride is always present, those wheels that keep on turning opens up the mind to experiences such as a couple days ago being stuck in sand and being rescued within a deserted space by another rider as if send for us. I do believe he was as I do not believe in coincidences. There is so much we know, so much we do not and only an open mind and heart will receive the surprises awaiting for us day after day.
Be Safe and well
Peace, Love, Courage
Ara & Spirit