gardening - sprouts
salad days
conversations - changed circumstances open doors to info not revealed a month ago.
slow down - accelerated process
relationships anew - observations from a different perspective
look at something new - adornments where earth meets sea.
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
Monday, May 6, 2013
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Keeping it real
I traveled to a new destination recently. I was armed with knowledge gleaned from internet posts and searches. The route was laid out, estimated driving times planned for, road conditions anticipated. The last 20 miles would be on an "interesting" single lane mountain road. I fed my 197hp vehicle with oil, gas, water, air. I packed and repacked, paring my load to what was required by deleting what was "nice to have".
This is what we saw 10 miles before the end of the road.
This was at the end of the road.
And these were seen while on foot. In the city, my leisurely pace is 3-4 miles per hour. Out here, I planned on 2 miles per hour, depending on ruggedness of terrain, knowledge of the trail, ability to read the land, physical fitness, and mental attitude.
It was not a city saunter. The terrain was moderately rough and unfamiliar, my body was not conditioned for the altitude and weight of the pack, and I expected to reach my destination sooner, not believing that I could be walking at such a slow pace. I had a map, food, and water. I started reading the landmarks better. I saw the movement of time in the rock whorls of Ward Mountain. And I began to observe the sights near me, registering them as visual "bread crumbs" for the return journey.
When there are markers on a path that is otherwise difficult to read, we proceed with more confidence and lose less time being lost. Although there's value in wandering, it's nice to be able to choose when and where to explore.
This is what we saw 10 miles before the end of the road.
This was at the end of the road.
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| Trees in a wash. |
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| Benchmark. |
And these were seen while on foot. In the city, my leisurely pace is 3-4 miles per hour. Out here, I planned on 2 miles per hour, depending on ruggedness of terrain, knowledge of the trail, ability to read the land, physical fitness, and mental attitude.
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| Ward Mountain |
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| Meadow and Ward Mountain |
It was not a city saunter. The terrain was moderately rough and unfamiliar, my body was not conditioned for the altitude and weight of the pack, and I expected to reach my destination sooner, not believing that I could be walking at such a slow pace. I had a map, food, and water. I started reading the landmarks better. I saw the movement of time in the rock whorls of Ward Mountain. And I began to observe the sights near me, registering them as visual "bread crumbs" for the return journey.
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| Shattered. |
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| A system. |
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| A stream along the path. |
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| Draped. |
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| A trail. |
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| Entwined, evermore. |
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| Looking back at the beginning of the trail. |
Friday, August 19, 2011
Cats and camels
They seem to be related. Similarities include the need to wander, the ability to go long distances and periods of time between refueling, and the habit of returning to where they are coddled. The tom may roam but will always return to the feathered lair. The camel may protest but will remain compliant in the end. Their expressions are steady and do not register what lies within. Maybe there is no change within to be expressed outwardly.
The cat's demeanor does not change during each new hunt, pounce, and the merciless period of toying with the target. Don't know about the camel's, I'll find out.
The cat's demeanor does not change during each new hunt, pounce, and the merciless period of toying with the target. Don't know about the camel's, I'll find out.