“My  Personal Daily Therapy, published Weekly or so…”

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt ~

A great Guitar Sound by “Persson” called “Lonely Nights”

[audio:http://www.theoasisofmysoul.com/wp-content/audio/lonely_night_persson.mp3]

We are now back in Albuquerque and it hits me. Hits me hard. This is when I can use the term, expression, "Culture Shock". Literally. There were, we left behind, the ruins staged by thousands of Ancients, one rock, one stone at the time with no metal tools, all laid out in this beautiful Chaco Canyon, and here we are amongst this Urban Jungle as I call it, fast and faster, noisy, polluted, so much so I started wondering what I was doing here. Nothing else besides picking up "Old Faithful" tomorrow. I am in deprivation, I don’t have any other words for this state of present mind.

I feel as going backwards. There is a door back there between the stones I felt trying to as a vacuum pass me through. But turmoil it is as I resist. How can I explain even to myself of this stage that is behind this opening, shaded with a path going the other way and yet, so inviting. Going back to my own ancient times of years past, much past. The path is one that brings one with themselves, close, closer than ever. I have one foot through, the other is the hardest. I don’t know if I can yet dive into. Maybe some future date. “Chaco Canyon” has left an imprint which will be invaluable.

"Old Faithful" is back with us. These coming days will tell how she truly runs. It was a big undertaking and so was the bill which for measure was much higher than anticipated. How bitter~sweet I sit here wondering now how the Journey is going to continue as the hole keeps getting larger and larger. I have an idea. An offering throughout the Country of my Culinary Talents (not one pan cooking) followed by a Presentation of Photos, Videos and Narration of this Journey. The only two aspects I know how to do. The back door is widening, the distances traveled have to be shorten as I think if any. The rope has suddenly tightened as never before. The decision of a new engine now weighs as yet, the only other choice would have been "none" and I am with no doubt very thankful and more toward this present time. It is another way for us to share the Journey. “Living on the Road offering Delights for the Palate and the Senses”. Groups of Friends? Clubs? E-mail is above. 

A shocking surprise this morning as too tired last night we checked into an inexpensive Motel 6. My gut feelings was to remove all my bags off "Old Faithful". I was tired, did not want to get a cart and go through the motions. It did not pay off. Half of our camping gear has been stolen. This is a first and I feel violated, I feel like pounding the ground in exasperation. I am. I look up and ask for a break. Please. The lessons never stop.

Yet today we ride as we are back in Mountainair. We ride madly for 300 miles. The thoughts are flying through my mind. I am thinking about all the incoming e mails. All the messages when though "non intentionally" on my part, so many are finding their own reprieves through these pages as I find my own through others and as it must probably be "on and on". Time on the road besides this Journal makes it so difficult to stay in touch, to reply, to even speak on the phone. I feel as everyone is only trying to survive their own present, stumbling here and a step there as we also are. More sharing.

Old Faithful ran good. An engine with 30,000 miles. Two years younger. A stranger with her breathing still foreign to me. It is a new Heart from an RT model. A bit more power. Different RPM’s. Trust is not yet established as almost at a stand off as to how far she herself will go. Trust, of most importance. We will get there, a few thousands of miles needed only and I will know of her heartbeat.

A little further today, west toward Flagstaff. Highway 60. Pie Town is the destination, but we stopped in Datil after VLM and it s array of giant Dishes listening to the skies today filled with clouds playing within the strong New Mexico winds. Datil Wells Campground. $2.50 a night for us. We might just stay here and backtrack afterwards to Pie Town.

This morning was a bit sad leaving Charlie and his Mother Lucy. My days at their Home reminded me of the Hospitality experienced in the 70’s when I was on the road for 2 years. A true Hospitality. "Stay here as long as you want, as you need", as in the meantime Lucy is feeding us two square meals a day. I did cook a couple times. Poor Charlie, my first meal was vegetarian. He is a meat and potato kind of guy. His face could not lie throughout the suddenly silent meal. Hugs, a kiss on the cheeks from Lucy, quick good byes. An e mail within minutes "will keep a parking spot open for you always". We have found a true Home away from “Life on the Road”. This is what matters. Not the stolen gears, or the cost of a repair, but the infinite Heart to Heart wide open path suddenly found. Thank You, and more.

In my effort to stay on the road “we” now have a T Shirt and Merchandise store. I think you will like it. “SpiritedOasis”
“Smugmug” for Photos and Digital downloads.
The recipes are on the “One~Pan Recipe” section.
Needing a great Webmaster? Follow the link. Justin is truly the one that allows you to enjoy this Journal and it’s peripheral pages.
We both appreciate your support and hoping we are giving something back.

Be well… Always.

Ara and Spirit