My Little Big World… OR

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

“Alone in the silence, I understand for a moment the dread which many feel in the presence of primeval desert, the unconscious fear which compels them to tame, alter or destroy what they cannot understand, to reduce the wild and prehuman to human dimensions. Anything rather than confront directly the antehuman, the other world which frightens not through danger or hostility but in something far worse – it’s implacable indifference. “ ~ Edward Abbey [Desert Solitaire]

Campsite at Lost Lake  

We have just arrived. I don’t yet know where we are, somewhere off highway 20 passed Sisters. I need eventually to look up the name of this campground. I however know we have arrived. I see we are at 4000′, 100′ from a lake carpeted with the greenest most luscious grass. There is no one around. We have stumbled on a piece of my Little Big World. We will stay here till the Rally starts, when we plunge into the "other" World. This is when I question myself, my Life, my likings, the gears which incessantly move me forward. The “why’s” and the “how’s”. I try to make sense of it all as this present slice of space is not the one we can always live in. Unless turning into a total hermit. I love people too much to be so. It is always a matter of balance. Always.

Lost Lake  
Spirit  

It is for me a matter of thoughts as in thinking, a matter of in such times as now finding myself, when "my" and "self" reunite and together create this stage upon where Peace is found in a loneliness I cherish as my emotions can play this music, and no curtain will drop till I am ready to exit. Or have to exit as freedom is never totally one hundred percent present, even realistic. It is mental, it is physical, it is breathing deep as thoughts can flow with no interruptions, they have nothing to hang on to.

Lost Lake  
Lost Lake  

The sights are so present. The lake is glistening, the birds are having a field day, the squirrels are teasing as Spirit has given up even the remote thought of a chase. The wind is playing it’s notes through the trees as the leaves are fanning in approval. The smells come and go from every direction possible, some familiar of the sap and the pine and some so foreign they stop me in my tracks as I start pointing as so often Spirit does. It is quite a slice of Life at the present.

Willamette National Forest  
Willamette National Forest  
Willamette National Forest Willamette National Forest

We have settled. There will be no need to cook tonight. We spend the most part of the morning in Sisters before stumbling on this hidden Paradise. I like Sisters. I strayed and went into a real Bakery as my eyes crossed and my hunger and "wants" screamed all in unison. A couple dark baked cheddar and Bacon bread sticks, a large piece of blueberry coffee cake, well, two, (one for later), a day old also cheddar this time loaf of bread and I was out minus one coffee cake and a real cup of coffee. Sisters Bakery, it is called. The perfect prescription for well being and major guilt. I stopped at Poppies also, a new Market, Deli type establishment. So glad I was not hungry and yet I managed to put away the little almost sample size of an excellent potato salad. Fabulous ingredients. Lucky we don’t have the room.

Poppies  
Flowers  
Flowers Flowers
Flowers Flowers
Glass Flower  

Yes, we have settled some more. So quickly our makeshift home comes up, like a routine it is, everything is always in the same place and as I look at them, including the panniers, 12 bags. Hard and soft. A bit amazing even to me. So we sit in the sun by the water, it is hot, we move into the shade, it is cold, we move back. I cannot read. The lake is a playground for the birds. There are two ospreys fishing. Brown with a white upper belly they have been entertaining me. Acrobatic and stalling to suddenly drop like a rock splashing the water and flying away with a fish hanging by their claws. They rest in a tree for a bit and shortly come back for more dinner. But suddenly they are gone chased away by two bold eagles. I could not even swallow the realization of those two giants and supreme masters of the air showing up as they did. One much larger than the other. They again came back this morning for a repeat performance. I cannot leave this place which by the way is called "Lost Lake".

Lost Lake  
Lost Lake  

The Lake is now falling into a shadow. The last rays of the day have now welcomed a dozen ducks leisurely paddling in front of us. Suddenly as with a war cry they take off skimming the water in perfect formation and slowly take off up high into the skies dimming away. Soon the shine of it all will be gone and only the skies will remain lit till true darkness descent on us. And now the deer, the doe, the buck, they are all gathered across this bank, staring and drinking.

Cooking  
Cooking  

The mosquitoes are now out in full force but we are prepared with no deet spray and a roaring fire. They still managed to get me through my clothes a couple times, small price to pay. They are just about as big as the birds on the lake. The warmth of the dancing flames feels good."Caveman TV" I use to call it. One channel, in color and smells. Across, the shadows are slowly reaching the peak of the next hill, golden glow, a familiar and comforting color. Soon I will snuggle up into the sleeping bag, zero degree bag, Spirit adding a few degrees. Not a bad day today. I hope the doors of my Little Big world stay open for a while longer. I hope everyone’s does.

Poppies  

Be well… there is always someone worse off than you are.

Ara & Spirit

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campfire  
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5 Responses to “My Little Big World… OR”

  1. john Says:

    I see you are still reading Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire… must be a little obtuse to be reading it where you are now…

  2. Randy Says:

    Wonderful post. I love Spirit’s nose. I woke up to his twin, our Natasha’s, nose in my face this morning. And that skillet has me drooling. The nomad compelling force is strong in this one. Thanks.

  3. Garry Says:

    Wow! Beautiful..

  4. mq01 Says:

    Ara & Spirit,
    as usual, ive enjoyed your little big world. lost lake is beautiful. i suspect it is more lush and peaceful than photographs could ever convey. enjoy the spot of paradise that you have found, and have fun at the upcoming Rally.
    be well.

  5. Zelda Says:

    Hi, Ara & Spirit, Just to let you know Randy & I are still checking your posts regularly, your silent travelling partners. They are the refreshing drink at the oasis. Each one is different, yet the same thread of love for people and nature holding them and us together. We’ll be heading northwest in a couple of weeks, will check your post and Spot check, would love to meet up with you.
    Travel in safety and favorable winds, you & Spirit,
    Zelda (“Pam)

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