Sight is a sense that guides most people throughout the world in and out of there daily lives. They eyes can speak emotion and tell a story. They can guide the mind and bring it to glory. But how many people have a true vision. Are they actually able to see what is around them? Or, are we as a people the blinder then mole. Every day is one more day that our souls get on this planet and what is here to be seen is more then we can ever imagine. To have real vision requires so much more then just the use of our eyes, our heads and are hearts are the tools that are meant to be used to create a real vision for this world. People are asleep not dreaming, not thinking, not willing to open there hearts. They world we live in is in danger and man kind needs a vision. Without a vision we can’t see where we want to go.

People are a very special group of animals. Sentiment beings we seem to be. However as a whole we are lost in our own minds. Right and wrong have very little meaning these days. People tell us one thing and go do another. Where are the morals, where are the people sticking to there gut, their hearts. They are there, and slowly growing in numbers. As more and more oppression is occurring people are getting restless and are wanting something more of life! People are needing a vision of a new way of life. We all want something more but don’t know what it is. We seem to have it all in the world, knowledge education health and strength. but yet we have none of that. There are those out there claiming to have more and be better then others. Well truthfully no one deserves any more rights then any one else. The poor will give up every thing to help others and yet the rich are greedy. Logic suggest it should be the other way. What has been lost to create this. Love, compassion, kindness? It is up to us as a race to include these principals in our daily living. We all want to do something bigger. yet we might not all have the money to feel like we can accomplish anything. But here and now lies a war. A war with our selves. The past Vs. the out come of the future and the battles are every day. Our weapons are the choices we make, every choice. From decided to use a paper coffee cup to buying a gas guzzler car. To throwing a homeless a apple or looking at him is disgust. There are all battles that are won or lost. The judge of the win or loss comes from the thoughts of what good judgement is. To make a mistake is human, to willing make a choice over and over again expecting a different outcome is considered by some to be insane. SO we have to ask our selves what do we want as a people, what is our vision of the future.

For the people of earth we need something that will appeal to all. Something that when spoken about, it will be said with desire and spread like wild fire. ideals and thoughts that have this power to affect and spread so fast are amazingly simple. they flow and and when ready it cannot be stopped. Life is simple, life is fun, with laugher love and listening life is simple. We laugh, we smile, we giggle and we get along. To not laugh, is locking up your thoughts that mind-full in not mindful. We are stuck in our own thoughts then rather fixing what is around us. No matter what goes on in your head nothing happens unless we unfold our hands stand on our feet and move. Move with love, for love is a bond that pulls us so tight that even in the departure of a sprit we are still brought together. We come together to speak are thoughts listen to what we have to say. Cause with the end being apparent, we all have something worth saying. Laughing loving and listening can never go wrong for you. If in the end you still have no idea what the hell is going on… well just smile because no one else does. We are all hear with impossible odds of even existing so we might as well stand tall, get along and avoid the fall. Because we have only one earth.

This earth that we have been handed down is in great need. There is a virus that has spread its influence across the whole planet, raiding and pillaging ever thing it sees fit. This virus seems to have no limit what evil it will do to this land. Everyday one can look around around and see the impacts on this great land and sea that this virus has cause. This virus is the human race. With a seeming limitless mode for destruction. However with every yin there is a yang. the yang of the human race is the ability to love and care for one another and the earth. These days its just takes a bit more digging. But we as a species can have a clean, creative and cooperative environment. We just will have to do a  little work with our selves. The electronics need to be put down… Facebook needs to be defaced. Woken up and smelling the roses is required by us for our minds and souls to succeed.

So lets stand up hold our heads up get our hands dirty and start to fix the wrongs. It is going to be a war and warriors are needed… So the question is are you going to be a warrior for all the unborn generations or a warrior for the past generations. Only you can make the choice… Rage on, find your vision.

Summer, the time when the sun is warm, birds are chirping, bees are buzzing and the clank of tools into the earth. When winter fads people are crazy eager to get out and about and sink there hands into the soil. I mean why not… there are very few things that are better then getting out and getting dirty. We are animals and animals are meant to be out side. So why not live like that all the time? As kids, we run through mud, jump in puddles and avoid showers as long as possible. Being 25, I find that I still am doing all of these things. I do not know if this makes me immature or just human. I feel as though it keeps my mind pure and heart strong.
This summer like all others I find my self headed to sleep in a tent and have longs days playing in the dirt! On the horizon, vermont, what lie before me? Who knows? When I engage my self with the trail of life, I only look at the ground in and around my feet. I may take notice to the greater picture, if that is what my senses tell is right. But the attention lies were I stand here and now. When working on a trail one looks improvement as the traveling happens. Sometimes you choose to stay in one place for a bit longer and sort out a whole slue of problems, sometimes you just have one tree that needs to be chopped out. The point Is I guess if there is one, here is summer. I am hiking on a trail. There will be walls and water crossings that lie before me, fear may crop up, but we are people and people are strong. So I give a cheers to summer, time and life. Cause we are all moving forward, hiking up a trail to an unknown view. Expecting nothing but hoping for everything!

Note: This story is a story that reflects life journey and oh it can take us places we cannot even see but truly love. This story is dedicated to all parties that were involved with the creation of the story. Under Sirius we all shine bright, leave nothing to tomorrow and live today. Live, Laugh, Love. Enjoy!

—————-

 Photo: Goose

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst… a spark that creates extraordinary results.” -unknown

————–

GOOSE

 

The green truck drove south with nothing more than a purr from the engine. While pulling into his parent’s driveway, Goose wondered what journeys lay before his lively eyes. As Goose opened the front door he heard the familiar sounds of his family that had welcomed him home over the years. With a flurry of smiles and hellos, all members were welcomed in the nest. He knew his cousin Tim needed a ride the next day, Tuesday, so he offered to take his mother’s car at 3 am and drop him off at the airport. Tim was going god-knows-where, doing who-knows-what…well movies. He would be missed.

 

Goose headed back to the house that he had grown up in after dropping Tim off. He needed to catch a few hours of extra sleep. Awakened at the sound of the passing train, Goose looked at his watch – 11:30 AM. He knew that he needed to catch his train in 30 minutes. The last of his belongings packed into the bag, the lightest one he had packed yet. Sandals, water bladder, wool sweater, cotton sweatshirt, rain jacket. camera, one work shirt, one black T-shirt, (all clean), work boots, pants, skate helmet,, a toothbrush and paste, Aloe, iPod, phone, some snacks, work gloves, money, and his ID. All checked and Goose was ready to roll.

 

He skated down the sidewalk, ducking, dodging, and weaving around the sticks and stones laid out to trip a rider. One small hill down to the train station then a nice small flat railway platform. Turning, twisting, dancing on the board, playing around spinning, almost eating pavement a couple of times…while of course attracting the attention of one of the townies. After a relatively short amount of time had passed, the train rolled in, making the tracks hiss louder and louder as the train drew closer, Goose and the townie shared stories about the different mountains they had climbed as they rode the train into town. The time on the train passed quickly, and before Goose knew it they were parting ways. Getting off at Porter Square, Goose looked around with his skateboard in hand, he ran down the stairs through the train gates and down the almost 100 yard long staircase, flying past everyone on the escalator, a race of time and strength. He caught the subway at the last moment…Safe!

 

With each stop on the subway, the people of Boston came and went. Before Goose knew it, he was standing in South Station in line for the bus, a mega style, built with the big orange dot and  seats that were not so comfortable. He slept, tossing and turning, across two seats in which the shapes and sizes his body conformed to for sleeping had amazed him. Four hours passed and poof! He was standing in the middle of New York City with an address. His friend Celeste told him she was working, but there was music to listen to, and an old roommate of hers was the star! Traveling though the streets on his skateboard, Goose arrived in just the nick of time as she boarded the stage, walked into the amped up bar, Simultaneously Celeste saw Goose, ran and jumped into his visions. Happily embracing, the two friends shared smiles, they hid Goose’s gear, and started to enjoy the sound of her old housemate, Nisch. Standing, filling the stage with her energy to the music, looking tall, sexy and strong in her red dress. Sensitively swaying her hips back and forth in a motion that showed her true curves; a motion that when a woman in her light can put the world into a state of awe. “The bar was more full than it has been before for her on past shows”, Celeste said, “Here is to her, tonight, may it be a delight”, Goose thought.

 

With the conclusion of the night, Goose, Celeste and Nate, Celeste’s boyfriend, walked the night sharing popcorn of a high fancy brand. So good it was, just because the flavors were strong for oh so long.  Slowly walking the night, the plan made for the next day was nothing really, but just two friends sharing amends. They walked the city talking about the times when they were kids, bringing great joy to both. A sharing of time that does not happen enough for these two childhood friends. But to them, that is not what mattered. What mattered was to just get up and dance through life with friends when the opportunity is there, Goose thought.

Thursday rolled around and the plane Goose had beckoned to him was scheduled to depart JFK at 8am. Figuring city travel takes a little time, a 2-hour window was left to shine the mind, leaving out all mistakes that could and might leave one stranded in an airport. Getting on and off different trains, Goose, thought it all felt like one big game. How to pass each gate, each clue, problem, find all the keys to let one through the system, rolling the skateboard down all the halls, until finally one stands at the portal gate to look down a hall to another place. In a matter of hours the world would be different, almost like a another planet. From hub to hub, the next time Goose’s feet would step into true freedom would be on a tiny little island. Rockets a go, wings lift, airborne, the big year, sleep drifting to the eyes, head happened to drift into the aisle, awakened by the food cart, whack! power down, screech! Landed, repeat once more, and poof! Goose found himself with his backpack on his shoulders and his skateboard in hand standing in the Virgin Islands!

Goose raced alongside the runway as planes are actively bringing people to and from this place. A year earlier he found a beach right along side the airport. As expected, the beach and platform were still there, and paradise was staring this traveler in the bill. A quick rearrangement of clothes and snap, ready for action! A choice was made to walk along the water for a little while, due to the wonderful fact that it was there and looked inviting.

The beach was about a half mile long and ended at some resort where college kids and old folks were getting their relaxations on. A quick cut made through the lobby of the hotel and the skateboard was under his feet again. The rush of the roll of the board under his sneaker brought great comfort and enjoyable flashbacks. Goose had traveled the busy Saint Thomas roads before; so busy with cars they make ones balls drop. He knew what to expect for food in the area; the docks where a bar that he ate so many meals prior came into view. The Parrot, he made his beeline. No windows, the fresh air swooping around anyone who cared to enjoy a meal or a drink there. A seat at the bar was open. Propping the skateboard to his right and his bag to the left, Goose was ready to enjoy a nice beer and meal. A few hours past and after a couple phone obligations later the meal was over. His stomach was full and his feet were mounted to the skateboard as Goose slid down the boardwalk, heading past yachts bigger than any house he had ever lived in. Darkness had fallen over the island. He rode in and out of the alleyways of countless “designer” shops that are priced way too high. He moved fast, silently, and smoothly. As the exit appeared a guard called him over and claimed that this was not an approved means for travel in the area. When the claim was made that passing through was the only objective, the guard kindly directed towards the fastest way out. Back on the road, the glide was over, and now there was a mountain that all sane people would reject putting a road up, but alas, there lay the path. Stride by stride, elevation was gained. When cars approached, a quick jump into the bushes was the only means of survival in this highway world. The day had been very long and sleepiness was creeping in on him. To his right there was a house that had clearly been torn apart by a hurricane, but there was a nice deck. Ah! Bed. With a  wool blanket and a hooded sweatshirt, sleep fell to eyes of Goose, and under the light of the almost full moon and town lights of Charlotte Amole, the dreams came.

Photo: Goose

—————–

RAVEN

 

Raven was looking over the bay, sharing war stories with his co-leader about the conclusion of the week’s events. It was just under a year ago when Raven stood almost in the same place as Goose slept, looking over this little island town, thinking that he was on his way to all his answers. Dress was in hand and the heart had direction. The women of his dreams was just a short hop, skip, and jump away to being in his future. Up until this point, life had been tremulous for this fowl, with friends scattering, friends hurting, and the family pot spiced up. But in his mind was just this woman. And after so long, he realized that it was time to really focus in on the relationship that he wanted to keep with her. Some of his best friends were hurting from drugs, others joyously exposing the universe of the world, and here Raven sat, looking out at America’s Caribbean and felt blatantly slapped in the face with all the things that are seamlessly wrong with this world. He just wanted Atari.

It was almost a year ago that Papa Raven came out and flipped the horizon of the little bird with the words, “I am transgendered”. A world of subtle simplicity and confusion at the same time. To a young bird, it is unclear what to do and how to process that information. What had been a lie? A mistake? An action not true to form? Anything? Nothing? It had been particularly hard to re-learn how to express the great feelings of life with that bomb, but over the past year, he had found him self in a place that showed him and others that he had something to give.He knew the dealings with his family had an effect on the relationship with Atari. But Raven was on the mend be it love happiness, kindness or pleasure, he wanted to give it to her.

Photo: Goose

—————–

It was the dreams that came first for Goose. Mystical voices talking smooth and soft, guiding, leading, the imagery of what the mind was showing him was a soothing shower. Awaking abruptly, Goose lay there staring at the stars. Why were they falling on him? Why was he wet? Oh wait, it was raining.

All supplies of the trip were gathered and Goose wandered to the bottom floor to find himself a sheltered spot from the storm. The rain came down so hard that it was pouring though all the cracks that had been created by a hurricane or whatever demon had struck the house, soaking the whole inside except one spot in a door frame. A piece of plywood made the perfect clean surface to sleep on and after a quick readjustment of the wool blanket, it was time to ride out the storm. It probably only rained for a total of about 30 minutes, but it thoroughly soaked everything that was exposed outside. How did he wake up he wondered?

Giving the outside an hour or so to dry, Goose grew to the point that movement had to happen, and before a conscious brain could make a choice, legs were pumping his 180 pound frame silent and soft though the streets of the island. At 2:30am, It was only a street light every 30 yards that provided the light to travel. The hills of the roads on the islands were amazingly terrifying for a driver let alone a skateboarder with a backpack. With things a little damp, the rubber wheels might as well have been rolling on ice. Goose rolled up and down the hills, wind flying though his feathers going down and his legs bounding up, barely making any noise as he moved through the night. It all felt like a dream to this bird.

It was about 4 30 in the morning when the ferry dock appeared into view. A couple people were around doing god knows what, but a nice rocky outcrop behind a restaurant would be sufficient bedding for the remainder of the night. The night sky was as clear as it could be and rain did not appear to be an issue for the rest of the dawn. Pulling the wool blanket over his head, the dream began to creep back into the bird’s brain.

—————–

It was a blind shot when it came. All life sucked out of the Raven, left to fight and screech at nothing, instilling fear in all that was within ear shot. What was there to do? Fly powering though the storms of the mind, Raven pushed, harder and faster. No pain could clear the cloud around his cosmic beast. His murder appeared to have been ripped out of his wings. Left stranded, there was nothing to do but stew and think. Thinking was what Raven’s mind did best. So good, that sometimes, he could not shut it down. Atari was running.

Raven thought his nest was doomed to the end and the feeling of loss and sorrow came over his little beak faster than a hurricane. While trying to fly to the side of the gitana* he could no longer keep up. As if he had been struck by a car, his mind was defeated. Work was the only thing that could bring the bird’s mind back to reality. Fortunately, there was a lot to do. His nest was in dire need of repair and the flock leader had commissioned Raven and a couple of others to go forward with some repairs and improvements. The garden was calling for the seeds of life, ready to produce energy for all. The earth was beaconing to be used for the enhancement of life, big to small, keeping Raven’s brain occupied.

—————–

Goose snapped awake with the sound of the ferry horn while ripping the blanket off of his head. Full daylight struck him in the face. He thought, “What time was it? Why the hell am I sleeping on a box? Oh wait…”. The memory started to work and Goose gathered his things, abandoned the box, and walked to the ferry dock where he bought his ticket and watched as the boat pulled into the harbor. Maneuvering with the utmost care, the captain piloted the boat without even so much as a bump along the side of the wharf. Boarding the ferry, a topside seat was on the docket. Time to get some of that Vitamin D that the pale skin of a New Englander craved. Without much haste, the ferry chugged across the bay, making the outline of Saint John grow. It was a short 20 minutes as the ferry pulled into Cruz Bay. It Looked like it had just one year earlier, Goose thought, with taxi drivers sucking you into their grasps to take visitors to experiences all over the island. Boarding a taxi to Cinnamon Bay, Goose had the whole thing to himself and he thought he was in paradise. Blasting over the crazy roads the smell, the heat, and sand all appeared to be as he had left it. Wiggling with excitement Goose found the campsite and ruffled his way onto the biggest cot in the camp. Beach time! With his one bag unpacked and shoes off his feet, it was time to go look at the crystal blue water of the Caribbean. Compared to last year, the campground seemed to be much more empty than it should have been for their high season.

As the day progressed, Goose met the trail master for the area. Tonka was his name, and trail working was his game. They talked about needs for the up and coming groups and what to expect with people coming and going from camp. Tonka  departed after this short little chat and Goose was left to his own brain once again. He knew his partner, Maverick, was expected sometime a bit later in the day, but other than that he was left to sit and snooze on the beach. Eyelids fell heavy and the dreams snuck back into his head.

—————–

Raven saw Atari, and he was frozen in flight, not sure of his next move or hers. Was this to be a dance of war, happiness or pleasure? The past was shattered, the present was now, could it be fixed? They began swaying with a dance that spirals into a pattern so naturally, making it difficult know any other way. They started to move in beat together again. Dancing, as time moved, both were graceful and clumsy. Neither being ready to give up all eggs in the basket and commit to the moves. Though slowly, the nest seemed to be re-weaving back together.

—————–

Goose awoke with waves of the ocean lapping at his toes. His hunger spoke to him now and it was definitely time to settle the pain. There was little restaurant shaded by one of the most grand trees to be seen in the area. There he found Maverick, what luck! They ate together and talked battle for the next couple of days to organize the teams for action on the trail. A couple of the crew members had shown up early and had joined them for their meals. While eating food and having drinks, the night fell old and with all the travels, sleep came fast and hard. There was much to do the following day, so the partners had their minds drift into dreams. .

—————–

“Hey Enrique!”, a high squeaky voice called out. Looking behind him with astonishment, Enrique saw himself staring face-to-face with a 6 foot tall Mickey Mouse. “Uh, hi, Mickey?” he questioned. Mickey just stared at him. Eyes went black, and then his hand popped off, and then the other. Joint by joint Mickey’s body was falling off and walking out a door powered by their own little legs. When his head fell to the ground, a 1 foot tall Mickey was there starring at him, with eyes that seemed to be sucking the life and soul out of Enrique. Mickey laughed with one “ha” and walked out the door. It all fell black.

—————–

There is never a need for alarm clocks when one sleeps among the birds. At 6 am sharp almost every day, Maverick and Goose could be awakened by a symphony of bird calls. It was a good thing too, there was much to do every morning to get the battle group up and ready for the morning. Today was all about food! The two partners had to journey by boat to go to the discount store and stock up for the squad for the next two weeks. $1000 dollars and four shopping carts later, they had most of what they would be needing for staples of the group. Members would be expected to be arriving in the next couple of hours, and Maverick and Goose still had some things to go over in camp. All food got unpacked and stored, just in time for members of the squad to be rolling into camp. As people entered, they would give them their mission briefing: Teamwork! Have fun! Work hard!

Photo: Goose

The crew delivered, nothing but smiles from the leaders. Grand success. Everyone worked hard and had a blast doing the trail work and exploring the beaches. They were able to make a river crossing, a couple of steps, and retaining walls in and around the Reef bay trail.  The week was wetter than normal for the time of year, causing the little vermin bugs to be out and sucking, both literally and figuratively. Sleep though for Goose, with the whine of the vermin in his ears, would never amount to much. As the week grew to a close, it felt like it was over in a blink of an eye. Week two would not turn out to be the same.

The switch time between the two crews was no more than the time it took for Goose and Maverick to restock the food supply. With the hope of a couple hours of peace, the leaders walked into camp to find it filled with more crew. Peace lost, week two was upon the squad. At the end of the first week the crew had staged gear, a 300 ft cable, two grip hoists and various anchoring material, down at the next trail project for this crew to get down and do some serious work. These tools would allow this upcoming crew to get down and move rocks. Day one with the crew was spent setting rocks loose and flying them to a staging area that would allow a trail worker to come in and place the rocks right where they wanted them. Many rocks were lifted and staged, weighing all at least a couple hundred pounds at the minimum. When the day had ended, dinner was made and darkness had fallen, sleep found the eyes of Goose fast and furiously dreaming all the way.

—————–

Raven was infatuated with Atari. She had always had the most beautiful dark feathers that always seemed to catch his eyes, to the point where he was just fixated on their glassy shine. As their nest was being rewoven, Raven took a step back and started looking at it more closely, realizing that what seemed to be strong, was in actuality weak. He had been invited to a dance with Atari, but his bird eyes had gone rogue, and turmoil fell into the bird’s secrets. Perhaps it was not a nest that was needed, but rather a journey. Atari and Raven shared thoughts and ideas about where they could go, where they thought the possible shattered pieces could be amended. Groundwork was being put into place that seemed to lead the two forward. It was only a couple more weeks before Raven could relieve himself of all the duties that the command had given him. Things seemed to be moving smoothly, a trip was in order, times had been tremulous but were now over, all was well the bird thought. And then one night Raven woke up crying.

—————–

It was the sounds of birds that stirred Goose. On this morning he was feeling particularly great, breakfast was going to be delightful, it was a cooler night, so he actually got to sleep. Bright eyed and bushy tailed he was! As the group gathered its things for the days, the camp was bustling like a little beehive, with all the soldier bees arming themselves with water and food for the days events. The morning started as it should have, setting up gear and readying the group to move rather large rocks into place for a retaining wall. Work was moving forward… Goose was happy. It was not uncommon for the crew to see people on the trail as groups would walk by all the time. One such group was approaching and someone said,“Do you guys have a med kit? One of our group members got attacked by a deer!”, “What?” Goose said. The response confirmed what he thought he had heard, “One of our group members got kicked by a deer!”

 

Goose could not believe what he was hearing. “Did you feed it?” he asked. “No” someone in the group said. “So bizarre”. Goose thought to himself. He grabbed the med kit and bounded up the hill side. They had the lovely lady sitting already on the side of the trail, giving her food and water. “Awesome.”  Goose thought, the status of the patient was that she was in good health and good energy. The group had managed to control the bleeding with a dinky bandaid and tube sock. Slipping on the rubber gloves over his hands, Goose inquired, “Hello my name is Goose, what is yours?”. “Sirius” she responded. “Nice to meet you Sirius.”

 

A little anti-infection cream and lots of bandages later, Sirius was ready to go! During the bandaging process it was exchanged that this was the college group that was going to come out and help later in the week on the project. Sirius’s friends and group mates helped her to her feet. As they walked away Goose realized that he had no idea what Sirius actually looked like. He had been so focused on the knee and speech going on around him, that her physical identity was hidden from his mind. All he could see as she disappeared around the corner was she had blonde hair. As he was treating her Goose had picked up on an interesting tidbit. As the group was talking around him it came into light, who ever this lady was, she was adventurous. One of the people had said “Of course this would happen to you Sirius, you are the adventurous one”. Goose stood there still, just watching up the trail, fixated.

 

The rest of the day seemed to roll through like a flash in his brain. All of the squad debated how you actually get kicked by a deer, what happens there? No one in their many years of hiking and traveling experience had ever heard of such a event. Plenty of moose charging stories, but a rabid deer? No way… she must have been a deer slayer . That night sleep was slow to fall to the eyes of Goose. His mind was spinning with the events of that day, but as his eyes fell heavy there she was…

—————–

Raven flew furiously to go find Atari. When he got to the place where she ought to be,all that was found was the open door and a wave. Raven’s heart felt incinerated, as if an atom bomb was blown in his little chest cavity. Raven had to limp his way back to a new nest, an empty nest, with an empty heart. He was song-less. Fortunately he was headed to work and would live with a murder that he really is great friends with. With a joyful reunion between combirds, they headed out to travel some trails, trading stories, and having adventures all along the way. Raven’s murders have always looked after him, just as much as he has looked after them. The stories they shared were some of joy, but, they also brought back the most painful story of all. The story of the final betrayal between Atari and Raven and why when he went to find her that last time, all that was left was an empty hole. Raven, now feeling like he had been kicked in the nuts repeatedly, was getting rather sick of the roller coaster of a ride, but he figured it really only happens when there is true love somewhere in the mix.

Raven worked as hard as he had ever had before, seeming directionless and journey destroyed, but his mind was strong and pushing harder and faster than he had before. One day the head of Raven’s murder, Tate, informed him of his next and upcoming assignment. Low and behold he was going to be sent right back in the shattered nest that he was trying so hard to get out and away from.

—————–

Goose awoke, well rested with coffee and pancakes, a breakfast of champions! This day was an off day for the group. They all got to sleep in a bit, not that the birds allowed, but they all tried. On the days off members of the group took off all over the island to explore. Goose had and still was using those off days to do nothing. That was what vacation was suppose to involve; healthy nothing time. With the events of the day prior, he was still perplexed and wondering if the deer slayer group was staying in this camp as well. That morning he could not be sure, but it certainly felt like there were many more eyes that would hold more than just a passing glance. “No way” he thought to himself.

 

As the day moved forward, books were read, beaches walked, and secrets of the island found. As the aimless wonderings took place, Goose was finding confusion in his brain and a pull at his heart. He needed to find Sirius, he didn’t know why, it just told him too. It was almost a year to the day when the past love of his life was filling his mind on this same island and he wondered. Finding love was the last thing on his mind. “If you make your desires known, and stand by them it all reacts like magnets, ready to attract or repel” He was thinking.  A mind spinning with life energy, ready to do nothing but explode. Goose always looked at himself in a way that was ready and willing to jump into the world, to live for the adventure of the day, and let tomorrow just come. Time was moving and the life dice was being rolled. He was thinking of Sirius.

That night over dinner, stories of the squad’s adventures on the island, brought cheer and delight to the bird’s eyes. Peoples joy always pulls every other person around them. As is often quoted, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” Sleep came easy, dreams of bright bounding blond.

—————–

Clank, ratter, swish, click vroom, before Raven knew what had happened he was staring Atari in the face.Time and time again he let his emotions get the best of him, putting on a soap opera for those around on a few occurrences. Raven needed to just bust his balls and get though the week. Work was painfully slow however, and he wondered if he should have just gone his own way for a little while and passed on being present for the further tearing of his soul. Atari was lost to him, she was glowing in her own light, caught up in a world that was in no way particularly inviting to him. Feeling as though he was sitting on the sideline he was helpless, watching her drift further and further away. Raven had to fly south, his time was out and he felt broken, he had to do something about that, and a migration was what he came up with.

—————–

The work of the next day was just as hard and now the project began on scramble mode. A dump truck was needed to load rocks and all that they had were hand tools and a high line. The group worked hard, fast, and furious, leaving nothing behind. They all new what dire circumstances it was to get all the big rocks in place. Making the big push left every one too tired to do the hike that was planned for the afternoon. In many ways this was great, because it meant that people were really connecting with the work and leaving their hearts on the trail. It was a slow walk up to the van for every one that day. That night there was going to be a good reggae band playing at the campground and Goose wondered if he was going to have enough energy to stay up and see them. Come dinner prep time he was still wicked groggy. He would make up his mind after food filled him.

Dinner was great, he was stuffed to the brim, and the grogginess that he thought would take over his body, lifted unexpectedly. He could hear the music coming from the restaurant. “Time to go” Goose thought to himself and he walked over to the music and took a seat just inside the shadows. Inner visons was the name of the group and they were laying down some wicked reggae beats. One by one his group walked in to join in the music party. A group of about eight of them formed to sit and enjoy the sound. Then serendipity.

 

One by one the deer slayer group was back. They all strolled in and took seats front and center. Goose’s eyes were drifting to the knees of the group, which one was Sirius? Who was she? Then his eyes became fixed, gracefully strolling in with a walk that was bounding with energy yet still smooth, sleek and sexy, wearing a red sundress, hiking boots and blonde hair. Breathtakingly Beautiful. Goose almost fell backward out of his chair. His eyes drifted to her knees and saw nothing. No it couldn’t be, he thought that was her, but where were her bandages? Legs don’t heal in two days, he knew that. For about 10 minutes he watched her, debating in his mind whether that girl with her playful energy was indeed Sirius or not. He watched as she got her friends to get up and start dancing with her. Letting all freedoms speak though her movements as she danced with nothing but pure joy and happiness radiating out of her soul. He was hypnotized. Goose was getting fed up that he could not make up his mind if that was her, So he turned to a member of his squad, a person of pure joy, and asked her if that was indeed Sirius. “Yes it is” she replied. Goose asked,  “Are you sure?” She smiled and said yes. Goose got up and walked right up to her, and said, “Hey Sirius, how’s your knee?”.

For the next time slot, they shared stories about who each other was, and danced and frolicked into the night. They traded stories of hiking in places around the world and adventures in everyday life. It turned out that they had many similar experiences of destinations. They had both traveled to Ecuador and Belize and had their minds expanded into new ways while they were there. Both were skateboarders and free spirited. Dreams for there lives shared.  It was as if both were flying in their minds to these exotic places as they spoke, but this time, energy intertwined. It was true what he had heard, she was an adventurous one. The signals were clear, she was playing with her hair, bushing against his shoulder, and their eyes were locked … ”Should I ask her to walk the beach?” Goose thought.

Women were not a speciality of the bird, but he could see the signs of desire, lust, infatuation and connection. However, when it came time to act, his migrations were constantly shivering frozen. He knew he could stand looking down on a steep hill with his skateboard, a gnarly slope with his snowboard, or run 50 miles in a single push, but to journey into the tender heart and soul of a beautiful women, he was left crippled.

“I’m beat from trails work” Goose said and wished Sirius a good night, making some tentative plans for the following day. The pain and/or disappointment that flashed across her face caught him by surprise, and he wished he could take back his words. “Was she so to speak ‘digging’ him?” he wondered. But before he knew what had happened he was on his cot drifting to a deep slumber with questions racing around his brain.

—————–

Raven headed back to the place where he had found himself, the place where his friends were plentiful and filled with ideas about the up and coming years. This Murder had love, kindness, food and parties. Raven was glowing. The wind had blow him hard and he came in with a crash landing, but with Pirate ship mountain casting its shadow, Raven had found the perfect place to build himself that nest that he was looking long and hard to find. Time at the mountain exposed Raven to a special flower that was native to that area. It was young, spunky, filled with bright color and with the power to bloom in all seasons. Flower had made it clear that she had a man in her life though, Bruno, “The man of her life” as she once stated. But she was always telling Raven of stories of being bucked around by Bruno. Were these the scraps that Raven was meant to pick up? Raven’s past seemed to be fading with the present being so strong. Raven’s look at this Flower was cemented in place, fixated on her four season bloom. Raven wondered with Bruno around, “What will bloom for this dark scavenger?”

—————–

Goose had the whole next day off while Sirius was busy with her group on the trail. He was left to the beach, a book, and his mind. The two of them had talked about trying to meet later that afternoon and hang out together while helping out the archeologist, but no real meeting time or place was set. Would the terms of fate, attraction, and magnetic similarities be enough to bring them together? He tried hard to not think about it. He had learned from years past that thinking can be the utter downfall of a persons true character in times of stress, desire or anger. Before he knew what happened he saw her. Upon his arrival in his vision he could see her face seem to light up. They proceeded to gayly play around the beach, digging in the sand like kids with toy trucks, searching for artifacts that could date as far back at 2000 years ago. They were able to share more tidbits about one another, with each bit shared, deeper they thrusted though their eyes and into their mind and heart. To him it felt like he had known her for years, lives shared in a separate but parallel universe.

Their time on the beach was fun and awesome, but both had obligations to attend to. He desperately wanted to just talk and share more time, her desires were still benign to him, but she did seem to take pleasure in his company. She had confided in him some personal information about the death of close family members in her life. That told him something, he speech was crippled at the moment, but he knew how she was feeling, it was only a few years ago, that a god mother figure in this birds life had drifted into the wind, the similarities continued. They parted for the time being and tentatively agreed to meet later and smash coconuts! Goose had learned from a laughing lady named Lorraine how to do it without looking like a total monkey. As darkness fell Goose wondered if Sirius was really going to show up. Time passed on and the hours were growing later. Goose’s squad was giving him shit, or rather teasing him left and right. He guessed it all was like a soap opera to them or something. They kept on referring to his personal connections as a gaggle. The word did make him giggle a little bit when he thought about it.

It was getting rather late, and the group that had gone to town for a night’s party had returned and just when he thought it was hopeless that he was going to see Sirius for the night, off in the distance he heard a giggle. “The gaggle!” Sure enough it was Sirius with a couple other members of the group carrying nothing but coconuts. They all headed to the beach to crack them up so their respective camps could sleep. While Goose played with the coconuts they all shared stories about life and how their trips were going. It was mentioned that the group was feeling rather malnourished and the idea of fresh coconut was a sensationally pleasing thought. Though there were five people, it was obvious to Goose that most of the conversing was going on between him and Sirius. Each time their gazes locked she would smile and energy surged into Goose. He smiled on the inside. As the time clicked forward, all members got tired and it was time for rest. Tomorrow was going to be Friday and they were all working on the trail together. Goose was psyched. But rest was needed much work was needed to be completed. He and Sirius parted ways, but he saw a twinkle in her eyes that was more astronomical than the brightest star of the night. “She takes after her name”, Goose thought. With his mind spinning, sleep was restless with Sirius twinkling above.

—————–

Photo: Goose

Dancing wildly around the mountain, Raven was called by a member of his Murder and before he knew what was what, he was in the desert, scavenging for a friend’s missing pa duke. Raven and his wingman M2 were scouring for a fragment funk of the deserts disturbance for the departed. Unfortunately, the only thing to be found was a empty desert and a full mind. Raven’s mind walking in the desert was filled with confusion of the past, infatuation with the present, and here he was looking for the departed to settle hops in the future. This left his mind to be in a rather interesting place. Then he found himself in a brothel.

Photo: Goose

—————–

The Next day for Goose was looking as though it was going to be a frantic scene of rocks flying, people moving and magnetic gazes. He was stressed. He just did not want to see anyone get hurt. He saw Sirius at the bathhouse and was stunned by her energy. All he could muster from his bill was an amping attitude anxious to work! “Hey Sirius, ready to get down and dirty!” He thought he sounded dumb, but he had managed to catch a smile from her complexion. She had playfully agreed. His squad was going down the trail first to get a head start and to be met by Sirius and crew later in the morning. Work began smoothly until they realized they had left the handles for their grip hoist in the van, 2 miles and 800 feet vertical up! AAA. Goose jumped at the opportunity and flew with the winds up the trail, bounding with every step, all in the back of his head wondering when he would run into the so called “Gaggle”, well more importantly to him, when he would run into her, the star.

—————–

Raven and his wingman had just got off the flats, completing acrobats of high velocity, explosive in nature. He and his buddy M2 walked into the bar, covered in dust, taken with a mean thirst, and all eyes turned to them with a quick silence taking place. They both walked and grabbed a seat in the bar. With a quick survey of the mind, Raven saw there were only four other so called customers in the building, with the hens, (seven of them), dolled up to the fullest extent that one might try. His bill fixed for a moment here a moment there…drink! M2 ordered a round of whiskeys for the two of them and they toasted for Pete’s sake! The bar tender and lady pimp or Madame’s interest, was high to their situation. Raven and M2 both had loud mouths, and soon they were telling their story about searching for Pete. Another gentleman that was sitting on the other side of the bar changed his seating and moved closer. Bringing his lady friend with him. As the story of who they were and why they were there unfolded, even some of the thong strung women gathered around to put an ear to the story.

—————–

Goose came upon the group and with a fierce feeling of fire in his body from running faster than the winds, he stumbled to Sirius, smiled, asked who had the car keys, and departed, saying nothing more. But her image was imprinted in his brain.  Up, up, and up… thank god, the summit steps came into view. With a quick refill of water and grabbing the gear he needed, he was off. Down, down, down, he flew, gliding with gravity, effortlessly down, letting his legs move underneath him as smooth as his skateboard glides on the pavement.

—————–

Their new bar neighbor was named Blaze, and he had driven there from a far place on a frantic release of male fortitude. He slid over to M2 and took him out side, and asked ever so slyly, “Want some pot?”. M2 astonished said yes. It was only M2 who had walked back in to the bar, but a  moment later, Blaze stood next to M2 and before long a stupid grin appeared on his face. Raven wondered. M2 disappeared to the car for a moment and then upon his return he looked as though he just got worked the best way possible by one of the whores. Raven still wondered. Did blaze just buy them a sport fuck? He wasn’t going to pay for sex, Raven, if he so desired, could migrate to a bar and find it for free! Or so he confidently and cockily thought to himself. Time passed and M2 and Raven grew weary from their time in the desert and it grew obvious that Blaze did not purchase them sport sex times, mainly because there were no hens walking up and grabbing the two of them in the balls and leading them away. M2 and Raven walked outside, and Raven asked “What’s with the stupid grin?” M2 smiled and showed Raven green gold that filled a single solo cup. They had walked into a brothel and walked out with the best possible purchases, whiskey, stories and free green gold, everything they needed. A spiritual quest was in order to finish there wonderings for Pete, they were in debt to Blaze.

—————–

When Goose reached the bottom of the valley, all the parties gathered at the worksite. With all the gear they needed in hands, work started to move flawlessly. The squad and gaggle worked very well intertwined around one another. As the day progressed Goose’s stress dropped. He was able to talk and feel normal around the two groups. They were able to complete the project perfectly for the next group to come in to ice the cake. Time was short for Goose and Sirius, they both knew it. They were able to work almost side by side, he would use anytime that he could to catch a glimpse of her efforts, which were both plentiful and powerful. Goose had left both his emotions and thoughts down on a note that he wrote, in rhyme so she would know he had a good time. He had a hunch that he could give it to her at lunch, in a little private conversation, so the thoughts had wicked good sanitation.

—————–

Raven loved himself and he loved all the people that were in his life, but what was he doing? No so much in the desert, but in the game of life. He realized that he was feeling like he was being pulled so fast that actions felt spontaneous and not controlled. He missed his Flower. When Raven departed from his trip for the departed, nothing was more exciting to the bird than getting to see and smell the life of his Flower. In a  welcomed reuniting of the dark bird to his colorful Flower, it was still just as beautiful as he could remember. Still strong, colorful and a bit goofy in the best kind of ways, but it was a short reunion because the flower could move and dance into the light, and she had her own pursuit of might. Raven was left again on the edge of his seat feeling beat, sad for now but hopeful for a day that he would use his might and get to see her delight…

—————–

Photo: Goose

After the work day Goose and Sirius were separated by the needs of one another’s group plans, but they had made the commitment to hang out later that night for one last toast to the experiences they had learned and shared with one another. Snorkeling, food, shopping, sunning were on the docket for them. It was not until well after darkness had fallen that Goose and Sirius were reunited. With some other comrades they walked to the beach, and perched themselves on a small beached boat and gave toast out of a coconut to the night and the shared delight!

 

This was a time

For both to shine

She gave a test

For all the rest

To prove their love

He rubbed her hand soft as a dove

Emotions drained

Barriers waned

All they wanted was lust

But it would betray past trusts

Cause unwanted pain

So they acted tame

And just enjoyed the Sky

Which made them feel just as high

This was a connection made strong

They had been waiting for so long

Felt like an old friendship

Brushing each on their on the hip

So pure

That they were both sure

It happened so very fast

Would something like this even last?

They wont know for now

For its time to whip out the plow

The future is so unknown

But true emotions were shown.

With a short flight

They can reunite

Happen this might

Time must be right

They left with a kiss on the cheek

Not knowing what to seek

Raven has to move pass, all that broken glass,

and the Goose, is most defiantly loose

Time to wait and see

And just let life be

Going to the nest is best

To share with family all that was on that test

Of that thing called life

And how he has found a possible…

These birds have flown,

For its time to go home

The bird was on his skateboard, waiting in the airport. Gliding on the smooth pavement in the building of the Airport at 2:00 am was oh-so-sexy under his feet. He saw a guard and skated to him. The guard said to him, “Hey man, you can’t do this, else I’ll be hearing from my chief. Ride in the parking lot!”.“I can do that!” Goose replied.

With a total of 14 hours to kill in the airport Raven found him self standing in front of the mirror talking to him self. Everyday people see our faces, expressions and moods, rarely do we stand and look at our selves and give the same look to our selves. But when we do, not only do we see our selfs we see past the skin and know the feelings that go with the expressions. Some days we can feel like total shit on the inside but on the out side we are happy as a clam. While Raven is standing in front of this mirror this time around he is telling him self to be, look and feel strong. Over the past experiences he has gone thought the telling lesson that he has on lock down is to always tell your self to be awesome and feel awesome… other wise one will never even get close to that feeling. Through all Raven journeys he has seen people who on the outside are so very happy, but on the inside are crumbling. Be it ether personal issues, or crummy days or crummy people that is effecting this person. He had herd this saying that we all should suffer silently… Raven thought this was bogus. He had hurt and it felt good to know that he was not the only one with pain in his head and heart sometimes. He thought too that when he did end up talking to others about there bull shit that it too did make them feel together… he thought is was experiences of shared feelings that reminds us all that we are human.

No other altercations took place. 7:00 am rolled around and the bird’s wings spread in transit to the hub of the world, New York City. The planes passengers were nothing great except on the second bird, when he got to sit near this lady and they ended up trading stories of traveling the world and being awesome on this planet! She had lived all over the country, several places in Europe and interest in the further personal adventure was high. An awesome single serving friend indeed. As goose was getting ready to run to his bus he inquired, “Hey whats your name?”. “Luna” she said, “yours?”. “Goose!” their eyes locked and both smiled, each pleasantly taken by surprise with the others label. Poof! Raven was off and running.

It was 10:00 pm before the bird made it outside of the terminal and there were only 90 minutes until he needed to be on a bus headed to Boston. Quick catch a bus out of the airport, check! Goose thought, “Come on bus why can’t you drive faster! Take me to the heart and insert me into the veins of the city”. The bus driver pointed out the skyline of the city and said it to be both grand and beautiful. Raven thought otherwise. Tick tock, tick tock, it was 20 minutes until the bus departure and he, 20 blocks away. Take the slow bus? Raven thought not. He whipped on the skateboard and block after block would wiz by as the bird flew through the streets, only stopping at the avenues where it was a river of taxies that prevented him from crossing. It was time to play Frogger. He made it across, great! Then back on the board, dodging people as if he were a X-wing pilot dogging lasers. He kicked furiously, and came to a screeching halt, surrounded by Times Square. Never had this bird seen so many lights in the same place that elevated so high! His eyes were frozen in place for what seemed like a lifetime… oh wait a bus! AAAAAHHHH!  A race across the street, and kick, kick, kick, he was there. And the bus was late. Thank the gods! He looked back down 41st street and thought to himself “That was a Celestial skate!”.

 

Home was but a bus ride and car trek for this bird, and his brother would be picking him up at the bus station. The migration was over, thank god! This bird’s meat was so wicked beat. As he left NYC he looked out the window and thought about how the nature of life is awesome. He gave thanks to the stars for the deer, Atari, the battle group, the squad, Maverick, the command, his Murders, Luna, Celeste, the Flower and Sirius. Then he thought to himself, life is what you make of it, always has been and always will be. He loved every one of those people, and realized that as he made his life more about love, there was more to be seen and shared.  They had all shared, taught, and further moved this bird forward. These people live everyday inside this bird and it is this life that gives him his energy and strength.  You can take actions for any sign of life you want it to be. Raven was unsure about his future, but so was everyone else. He realized that he was never alone, and the more that became clear, the more every one wanted to share beer. Time to live well, laugh often and love much. The buddha says everything happens for a reason. That reason is our choice, and that is what gives us our voice.

Food and parties

Just smiling.

Photo: Goose

On the Hunt

This is a mission that i am doing for friend of life….we all stand together, let’s never forget that.

Goose

A brother,

from another mother

is just starting a new blog

about his nutty slog.

I am interested to see what he has to say,

cause he gets crazy every other day!
Tous Migrations

Good luck, buddy, may the journey be endless! Even though you ripped my name off! LOVE IT. As far as i can tell we are all migrating mind anyway.

-Goose

 

 

http://www.outdoors.org/publications/outdoors/2011/fieldnotes/eating-local-food.cfm

I sit here looking out the window

Watching the rain come down

Thinking soon it will be time to sow

But still I have a frown

The nights dance

Drawing ever closer

I wonder if there is a chance

It won’t be a togo sir

My mind is off in a distant place

Thinking of you and your way

Filled with that great style and grace

I end up speechless not knowing what to say

But the words utter from my finger tips

Cause with here there are no lips

To get in the way of these strong feelings

That I have been hiding with my dealings

My focus is lost

Cause I feel alone

Cold as jack frost

My heart can only grown

My heart still cries

For all those hellos

And even those goodbyes

When in this pit

There is nothing to do but get out

For I must have true grit

Cause I may lull about

I want to move and sway

With with you by my side

I hope you don’t drift away

For then I might hide

When I get out of here

scream and dance

Cause i have no fear

Willing to take a chance

I will dance for you

It will keep me strong through and true

Life moves to a beat

No time to take a seat

I have no idea if you will show

But I am reggie to go

And i wonder if this week I will glow…….

A dedication to the woman who has filled me with mystery and chance

in the hopes that she might show up for a dance.

 

The first part of my trip

Glacier National Park

_________________________

This is now the 3rd time that I have driven back and forth the country. This time was more of a journey of exploration then any thing else. All the other trips where shooting across to get some where by a certain time. It is a nice change of pace to travel across this great country with little to no rush of time. The only thing that would hold us up was the flow of cash to the car.

photo: matt

We ended up leaving Big sky montana with the intention of heading to South Dakota, where my unsuspecting girl friend was flying back to. She grew up in the great metropolis of Pierre. Course I had never made it out there and since we were in the general area it was going to be my christmas gift to her, to show up on here door step. Matt and I headed out with the first intension of going from Bozeman to Pierre all in one shot. So we drove and drove, after about 10 hours of driving we made it as far as Rapid City and matt spoke out about going to check out Mount Rushmore. Having blasted out here from the east I was all for slowing down the pace and trying to see some land marks. So we darted off the highway and headed into the black hills in search of the carved faces.

By this time it was well under the cover of darkness and we found the site of the faces and pulled into the gate. It soon became clear that they were going to charge us to park. But as we pulled up to gate we realized that everybody had gone home and the gate was left open to whom every wanted to enter. We pulled up and around the gate parked at the top of the ramp and got out. Now I do not know what I was expecting to see when we got there, but we were greeted with what appeared to be an entrance to a plaice. The flags of all the states and provinces were hung high all illuminated. Walking through this gate way felt a little awkward and bizarre. We walked up to the deck were one was to see the faces and expecting them to be lit up as well as the flag were, disappointedly we looked at a dark wall. We headed back to the car, and drove down the road looking for a camp site. We stumbled upon a forest service camp site a couple of miles down the road from the faces. There was some cool pillars in the camp site that I climbed up and down. We ran around like fools for a little organized the truck and then laid out all our sleeping stuff. Cause we are super lazy sometimes we just slapped our sleeping rolls under some trees, with no tent and called it good. We could see stars so there was little to no worries about weather hitting us. Peace and quiet create peaceful dreams.

We awoke to the rise of the sun, cooked some good old cream of wheat,yum yum, and headed back to the faces. This time when we pulled up to the gate there was a nice gentlemen there asking us for 10 dollars. We asked him if there was an way we could see it for free. He directed us to a parking area that was a 1/4 mile down the road. We parked there and walked up the road through the security entrance and found our selves at the deck to look at the carvings. They were pretty cool, defiantly glad that I did not have to pay the stupid parking fee.

Photo:goose

We headed out of the black hills, 10 dollars still in our pocket. From there we drove east on highway 90. Looking for signs for Pierre. As we drove we saw what seemed like five thousand signs for this place called Wall Drug. They had advertisements from 5 cent coffee to fresh ice cream and a bunch of other random stuff. A couple were even themed. stop at wall drug its awesome. Not that direct but more or less the same point. We stopped here and found an little interesting town that was very much still in the western era. We continued on and made our way to Pierre. We met up with Ana’s parents and plotted how we were going to surprise here at the airport.  The surprise was super fun. Bold face lying for the enjoyment to all parties is a whole lot of excitement!

The following day Ana showed us the Missouri River dam, witch till recently was the largest in the world of its kind. This dam was just a bunch of fill that was placed in the river bed in order to make the power for all the state of South Dakota and then some. After that little venture we met up with Ana’s mom for lunch. For the afternoon, we played with her dads tractors. Drove them around her yard like little kids playing in a sand box, only better! We made a fire in the snow filled pit and used the fire to cook a bunch of antelope sausage and other kinds of meat. It was yum yum in the tum. I always find it interesting that i can see to the horizon, in new england, we got them trees.

The following day matt and I headed out and started the trek to Colorado. Our destination was the town of Silverthorn, my Aunt and uncle have a condo in that area. We left around 10 am in and started due south. We drove through the barren lands of a Nebraska and the eastern side of colorado, witch is all rancher country. Very barren land to say the least.  Along this road there is a very unfortunate site. There is a factory farm along this road that you can smell for many miles before you even come close to it. When you finally do see it, is just a site for soar eyes, cows packed into tiny little pens, thousands of them. In the space that should be given for just one cow. Its a nasty site and all morals are broken for those who eat and support this type of treatment to animals.

Anyways, we continued to drive to and through denver area, as we approached the  front range of the rockies we started to see the flakes fly. We had been in contact with my family and they had relayed to us that the main tunnel that gets you through the mountains and to the town of Sliverthorn was closed due to a hazardous waste spill. We found out later that it was some sort of explosive chemical truck that a car had rear ended into on the highway. In order to bypass this mess we had to go over rout 6, loveland pass. Its a nice and windy road that takes us up to about eleven thousand feet. With this snow and all the traffic it was going to be an awesomely annoying ride. The traffic was bumper to bumper most of the way. It was even at a stand still for a good while. As we crept our way forward we realized that a truck had not payed attention to the chain law that was in effect and had tried to get over the road with no chains, he was stuck. Another trucker had stopped because he was stuck behind this dimwit. He was angrily helping this guy put on his chains when we had passed. After we got passed this mess we finally were able to make up some time. We ended up getting to families house about an hour and a half later then we had expected. Welcomed with warm arms and warm food we unpacked and prepared for the snow play days to fallow.

The next day we as a family headed to Arapaho Basin ski area. My family and I all skied the lift access runs that were there for our use, while Matt hiked. He was hiking to see if he could get up high enough and see some sweet views. The sun was shinning and the people were smiling. This was the first day where I had a whole hard core day of tele skiing. After all of us had grown tired and week we grabbed a beer at the base and then started to make the trek back to the cars. Tim jumped on the back of my skis in hope of getting a ride all the way down to the truck. But when we hit the parking lot, who knows what happened, we skidded around and crashed hard into the ice. It was a site worth seeing I am sure. We all piled into the car and headed back to the house, ate a great meal of elk and salad and coos coos. All fat and happy we slowed trickled into our food coma for the evening. The next day we spent the day at Breckenridge, skiing again until we could not stand, at least I was barely on the verge of standing that is. Thighs again burning with the journey into the land of thousand lunges.

Photo:goose

The next day my family was headed back to Tennessee and matt and I were going to head somewhere in the colorado backcountry to camp. We decided to head to a spot where I had been with my outward bound program many years ago. Mayflower Gulch is the name of the place. It is a location of some old mining operations. There are a couple sweet cabins and a bunch of old mining shafts. We set up our camp off in the distance on the other side of the bowel from the trail. This was a sweet campsite, were we could over look anything that was happening in the bowel area.  The sun was shinning giving us nice warmth upon the skin on our face. Over the next couple of days we explored this area as much as we could.

Photo:matt

On one of these days matt was walking access a slop where earlier he had made a trail below. All of a sudden I head matt “Foo”ing a whole bunch I skied over to where he is. White faced and paled matt explained to me that as he had been walking all of a sudden the snow under neither he feet had started to move and crack. At the beginning of this trip, I was very hesitant to go out into the avalanche terrain. The risk was rated at considerable for all sides and altitudes, I kept on trying to relay the severity in that scale. Matt was sorta listening to me but sometimes I was not really sure. But after this little incident  matt gained little more respect for the snow pack. We had done a bunch of snowpack test and learned about how the snow was playing with it self. We identified a higher weak layer and a deep instability that existed within the snow pack. And now all parties of the trip understood the danger that actually existed with in the snow. The next day we ended up headed out out the woods, spooked and running away with our tails between our legs. But we are still breathing so still smiling.

photo:matt

We continued on highway 70 all the way to utah, headed to the Mohab area. Our destination is Arches National Park. We drove some sweet old back roads and found some really cool land features that were carved with the hand of rain. We made into big bend area and camped in a national forest somewhere out side of Mohab.

Ok time to write honestly, cause I feel as though my writing gets boring less I am actually writing about something that I want to be writing about, makes sense. I cant go one with this play by play of my trip, to drawn out for all those who read these things and boring as sin for me to write. Onward.  Let me pass the torch to and let my good friend matt, tell you about some desert times to remember.

Photo:matt

“By the time we where crossing the Colorado Utah border I am dancing in my seat with excitement and anticipation. The landscape has made some dramatic and sudden changes as if just turning a bend on the interstate was all it took to hold back winter. Up until now the norm was snow ice and cold but recently the snow vanished and the soil went from a dark black and pebbly brown to a red and light brown sandy and soft. The desert is throwing its charm my way as we drive threw are first canyon only building on my enthusiasm for arches national park. The walls of this canyon are steep barley even room for the road way that we are on in fact the road workers had to make several tunnels to even pass there this canyon carved by the great Colorado river. Soon after the road plains off and the cliffs and platos are off in the distance allowing us to gain a broader understanding of how this magical land was formed.

The book case shelf was the next major fixture in are journey, vivid layers of colors dissected the cliff into unique time zones twisted and bent showing us the forces of the tectonic plates in a way that one cant help but enjoy learning. But we must keep going for the park is calling are names. We went by so dose many different land features including hollowed out bowls and small spires and drainages or washes. Fisher canyons suddenly appeared in front of us and like a magnet we where drown t there mystique and beauty. I never thought something as grand and fragile as fisher canyons could exist they tower 300-600 feet over us but cant be more than 30-60 thick at the base and they are everywhere we get as close as the road will let us and start on foot. The trail is sandy and smooth sand stone weaving twisting and switch backing in out up and down the canyon but ultimately around the fishers themselves. We are exploring all around the canyon admiring the trail work and laughing about the experience we are gaining, soon, almost to soon we come to a point where we must turn back, we only brought day gear and it is rapidly becoming dark.

Photo:matt

We decided to push on in the truck for a more financially understanding camp site then the one next to fisher canyons. Next thing I know we are parked down a wash and i am asleep in the bed of the pick up. The next morning we drive into Moab to get water and other provisions and we take the short drive to the park entrance after the park ranger / gate keeper hit us for the fee we went to the visitor station to enquire about a back country permit. Are dear friend Mr. ranger tells us all about how we don’t want to camp in the back country and that there is nothing back there and its so limited and ultimately that he had never been there before at that we where really antsy to get out into the desert or at least I was I think gooses mind was on climbing somewhere els but I just had to feel these rock formations for myself. So we obtained the much-needed permit and parked once again at the end of the road and set off. At first it was a very popular trail in the park passing many tourists with DSLRs and almost as many natural rock arches we came to the dark angle the spot where we must leave the trail and venture at least mile into the desert per order of the park regulations before we can camp. We end up going 2 or more and find a fantastic fin to set up my bag and the cooking area and goose goses about 300 feet off to the side where he feels he is a bit more protected (he was right).

Photo:goose

That night we decide that the raw chicken must be eaten so we boil it up add it to pasta and choke it down unfortunately for me I dropped a large portion of mine into the sand so I was forced to pack it out. Luckily we also had some ground venison so we cooked and ate that with out adding a thing to it I really liked that. In no time we started to play and talk and explore until the sun dropped down low and we retreated to are respected sleeping arrangements. Gooses had thought to bring a biv sack and I chose to not bring a thing seeing as though we where in the desert. Well that was my mistake because before I even got in the bag the evening dew was soaking the outside of the bag and before long right to my skin so I yelled out the goose that it was raining and he responded with, in a laugh, “I can see the stars”. So I boiled up several bottles of water and put them with me in the bag to warn and dry me off o man that did the trick except for the humidity I was sleeping soundly until early the next morning when the bottles lost some of there potency and I began to freeze. So I just put on some cloths and toughed it for the next couple houers until the sun made a much-appreciated appearance. I can still remember as soon as the rays from the sun made it over the horizon, spontaneously is was 30 degrees warmer and in 2 hours it was 65-70 in the sun. I was happy. So after some tasty breakfast I hinted at going into the heart of the fins that where just east of us.

Now the best way I can describe the fins are by saying imagine your finger print is 1 by 2 miles large and the ridges of the print are 100-300 feet tall but still just as close to one another that’s the maze that goose with out telling me wanted to play hide and seek in. so I looked and looked and searched for him with no luck just after I gave up and started taking pictures I was heading the way I had come I saw goose looking around perplexed playing with some rocks like a small child would. I fooed he looked and we started exploring together he showed me the places he had gone and then I showed him some caves I found together we came upon a series of pictogliffs from native American Indians and stone carvings (in the rock) dating back as far as 1844, way cool right.

photo:goose

As we went back to are camp we traveled threw more fins and canyons and some unstable soil till we came over the backside of where are cooking area was luckily to because I was starving. After we ate it didn’t take long for us to realize that we explored this particular area and even though are permit was for two nights we decided to head back. This decision was also encouraged by the encroaching storm that was forecasted. so we packed up and started heading for the truck. When we reached the point where we had left the trail we traveled a short ways, to the first junction on that trail and decided that we would take the difficult primitive trail back, oh joy, I was happy. I would say that the trail was easy except for three small exposed and slick spots do to the sand on the rock.

photo:matt

At one of these places goose and I had to get around this infamous puddle (we herd the ranger describing it to another guest who was complaining about it). So I took the low and apparently more challenging route and goose went high but still dangerous route. Now that we where across I started encouraging a group of three visitors on how they could accomplish the feature and goose helped them up the fist hard part of it. The people where thankful and we went are separate ways the rest of the hike out was uneventful except for the picture of me at the truck holding my poop bag close to my face with a huge smile to go with it priceless. A short time in the park told me I must go back so I know some day ill return until then ill just dream about it.”

photo:matt

Thanks matt, times to remember for sure. After Mohab we started our sprint around the southwest, were we ended up running away from blizzards, pricey entrance fees and crappy food. Did you know to just go and see the grand canyon, gods creation, its $25, crazy! Anyway we made our way through arizona. We saw on the map, Petrified forest national park, drove to it, $10, lame. We headed into new mexico and started fallowing highway 40, back east. We camped in new mexico at some trail head with the snow dancing its way onto the truck. By the time we woke up the truck was covered in at least 8 inches of fresh stuff. Matt was making claims that he was seeing red, witch means we boxed our selves in so well and with the snow, he was rather oxygen deprived. We packed our stuff and started to run again from the snow. Sprinting on the highway, after about 4 hours we managed to get ahead of the storm.

Photo:goose

Darting into Texas, we finally found some sun shine and warmth. We kept on heading toward memphis, driving through texas and oklahoma and into Arkansas. In Oklahoma city we found a super large display of christmas lights, many different displays for the public to enjoy. Right before we got to Arkansas there was a very intense thunder storm that we had to drive though, heavy rain and tons of lightning. We drove out of the rain and headed to a national forest property that was in the boston mountains. Sweet name, not much to the mountains, barley even a hill or two. With the flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder we drifted off into a peaceful sleep. The next morning we jetted to my aunts and uncles house in memphis.

When we got there, they asked us about are trip and told us that 30 miles away from were we had been camping 3 people died in a tornado. Crazy weather everywhere! We spent the day with them playing with nice cars and doing some real red neck things. Well sorta, tried to build a fort in the woods before the rain came. We were here when it was time to ring in the new years. Thought about going to beal street, party capital of memphis, but being in the woods makes it hard to just get up and run and get silly drunk. We ended up just hanging out at the house chilled and rang in the new year.

The next day matt and I headed to north carolina to attack Mt Mitchell. Camped around the base of the mountain that night. The next day we went looking for a trail head to go the summit of the mountain. What we ended up finding was just a road that took you to with in stones throw of the summit. This place was built up more then the whites, ewe! Thats right think about that lama. We stood on the summit and got sick with the bullshit of humanities mat over the land. We peaced out of there and then headed north into Virginia and got ready to make our way into Washington D.C.

The fallowing day we headed into the capital. This is the weirdest city that I have ever seen, filled with federal buildings and no houses, at least by the fed. First stop on this city tour was the capital building. We had to walk around the whole building to just find the entrance were we could get the free tour. We signed up for the tour and preceded to walk around the building and see a bunch of random rooms. I was actually very disappointed in the tour.  They talked about god almost just as much as the building it self. We did not even get to the meeting rooms of the Senate and the house. It was probable the lamest tour of an epic building I have ever been on. After the tour we went to the library of congress and got our readers card, because we could. This library had exhibits all about gods and different bibles and religions. What ever happened to separation of church and state?

After this we headed to the air and space smithsonian. I guess I had been here as a kid before, but I do not really remember much. But walking through this building I felt like a kid again. We ran around looking at all sorts of wicked sweet plane things, from engines to wings and really old plans. We also participated in a flight simulator witch allowed us to flip up and around wile pretending to shoot down bad guys. We spent about 4 hours in this building acting like little kids. I think the exhibit that caught my eye the most was an exhibit about how the air traffic controller system works.   There was a TV that had a little dot move around the country to represent a plan and showed all the plan fights through-out the day. Thousand and thousands of flights every day, pumping their fumes out in the megatons. A rather tough exhibit to look at in the eyes of this goose.  They also had an exhibit that is near one of the airports, it is a hanger filled to brim with tons and tons of airplanes, WICKED COOL! We saw the Blackhalk and a space shuttle, planes packed in like sardines.

photo:goose

From here we headed out, back to the northeast, matt dropped me off in New York City so I could visit my friend Celeste. Her and I romped around the city, went to a climbing gym, some bars and such. It had been snowing there a ton before hand, and there was crazy piles of trash every where to be found, cause all the trash trucks where delayed. While I was there I walked from middle of manhattan to the Museum of Nature Science, pretty cool exhibits, all the way past the empire state, down 5th Ave. To world trade center I walked, by the plaques of those who had passed in 9/11, the feeling that was in the air around this part of the city was rather ere compared the spots that had a more booming effect to them. I tried to see if I could see ground Zero. That plan was foiled but I was standing less the 40 yards away from where the towers were once. But a fence now surrounds the whole place as they build the memorial.

It was not until I arrived in the city that I came to a huge realization. I had never been to new york before and seeing it, in all its dirty glory really showed me something. Over the course of the trip I had been reading the book “Unsettling America” by Wendell Berry, this book is about how we have set our selves up for some major failure if we do act soon in the fields of agriculture and Business. What started as a trip into the wild turned into a slow transformation. From the wildest of wilds to the city of all cities, while reading about the pain we are putting our selves and planet thorough. Incredibly eye opening.

When I go back and look on this trip it will sting in my brain as the trip that really set my mind apart from the normal ideas of society. It really make me understand that if there was ever a time to act, it is now! I mean I literally saw the world get run over by man. From a place of peace and tranquility, to a monolithic cesspool. We have greatly under estimated our capacity to fill and over run this planet. We think that we world is so big, but really its not. We are all the same we have friends everywhere, and there are a shit load of us. We are blind to the fact that we are destroying the planet, due largely I believe, to the fact that even though we feel connected to the world,with internet, we cannot see far beyond our own yard. No person can really grasp what is happening in any other place then where we choose to put our selves.

It was great to be able to talk with people from all around the country, everyone seems to want to end in the same goal. Not much government intervention with the locals, curb the giants, do not remove rights, stop fucking the planet. We all just need to come together and revolutionize how we go about our lives. Work together not against. Great trip, I recommend to anyone, drive around the country, cause there is an adventure around every corner. Peace, be good all!

photo:matt

The time that glacier blew my mind

So when I find my self with no job and have worked for 7 months strait, what does one do with their self. I find that I get board really quickly when I am not working, wicked stir crazy in fact. So what did I do, I got a buddy of mine and we headed west. First stop montana, Bozeman in fact, where matt and I’s friend, Beau, lives. We hiked with him for a day and he was kind enough to let us use his house a base launching site.  We packed gear food and anything else one might ever want in the backcountry in the winter and headed to within spitting distance of the canadian boarder.

This part of the trip was Matt’s choice so all our destinations were picked by him. The start of the trip was on the western side of the park. We arrived at the park at like eight o’clock at night, we ended emptying the back of the truck and sleeping in the bed of it. Once morning came around, we headed off for the ranger station. One would think with more then half the roads closed in the park and there only being four roads to begin with it would be easy to find the ranger station. However, being groggy and not familiar with the area, we ended up having to drive around for like a half an hour before we found our way. This of course gave us high hopes for being able to fid our way in the woods. Our original plan was to ski tour the “Going to the Sun Road” but with recent freezing rain and snow the avalanche danger was extremely high. The road it self apparently crosses 70 plus avalanche slopes. We were talked out of that plan. We decided to change our plan to camping at the base of mount brown and trying to climb that instead. It is a relatively sheltered mountain with lots of potential for good views and very low avalanche danger.

By the time we got all our various things together, permit, gear and wits it was late morning. Matt had never been out past ohio, so when hitting the trail he was anticipating  a steep trail that takes you right where one would want to go. However, trails out west were all built with thought and design,  unlike anything out east. Switch backs where the trail is steep and trails that fallow the easiest path possible appose to the hardest. We were packing most of our gear on sleds the trail design made the pack in really easy except for when we had a blow down in our way, then it was a pain. There were not to many of the blow downs so it was easy enough to manage.

Our first camp site was almost 3 miles in from the trail head, matt was on snow shoes and I was on some tele skis. It took us about 2 hours to reach our site. We got there just after lunch and started to set up camp. We had to dig a flat spot in the 14 inches of snow for our tent and kitchen area. We also had to hang a rope for our food, animals would otherwise try to take it from us. By the time we managed to do all these things dark had almost come upon us. Time for DINNER!@$@

Our food supply for this mostly was provided by the AMC. At the end of the year they have foodthat they cannot sell back to the public, so they give it to their employes.  Matt and I managed to score a ton of food for this trip, from pasta to beans to rice to all other kinds of staples.

We cooked some good old pasta an veggies, and ran around in the dark. It was much warmer they we had originally anticipated so when we actually headed for the tent at full darkness witch was at like 6 I think, we were hotter then hell.

The next day we planed to attacked mount brown. All 8200 feet or something around there, about 6000 feet of vertical gain and this is one of the small mountains in the park. We set out for the summit around 9:30. Being from the east when we climb mountains in the winter there is most often a nice hard pack to walk on, not so much floundering through deep deep snow. However that is not the case out here. As we started our hike up, the snow pack got deeper and deeper. I was on Tele Skis witch made it easier for me push through some of the deep stuff, but matt with his snow shoes had some times he was just step and sink, step and sink. We hiked for over three hours and got what we thought was a far distance but soon realized that we were making very bad time and needed to turn back if we wanted to make it down before darkness struck. We realized in about the time that it would take usto hike Mt Washington in the summer we got almost half way up Brown. But with more snow made my ski down ever that much more epic!

With all the time it took us to get up it took all of 35 minuets to get down. What silly business. When we got back down made a bunch a food, explored around the camp site and fallowed some cool animal tracks.

The next day we hiked out/ skied out since it was all down hill. I was skiing with my sled of gear fallowing me and Matt was riding his sled like a sled. Let me tell you once you get going pretty quick a heavy sled is rather hard to stop. There were a couple of instances were I would be flying down the trial, try to stop, and the sled would come up behind be and take me down! Ouch! We got the car eventually and headed back to the ranger station in search of anther permit.

At the ranger station we met a man by the name of Ranger Dug who was in his 70s and had been working at the park for the last 50 year! Epic long time. We ended up chatting with him for a while and got a permit for the Eastern side. Dug kept on telling us that that was the arctic side of the park and we need to be extra prepared for super super cold conditions! We listened, but both matt and I were well aware of what the cold can do and we had lots of confidence that we could battle any weather that the park would throw at us. We left there with the snow dumping on our heads and made our way east. We had to drive in-between the park and a large chunk of national forest, so it was quite the scenic route. A little dicey at time with all the snow, but my truck did just great with it!

We ended up getting to the other side around the time that dark began to fall, night seems to fall really really quickly around these parts. Neither of us wanted to deal with packing our stuff in the morning so we used the nice toilet house as our pack house. One in the mens side one in the women’s side and packed all our sleds and ate a bunch of food, slept in the back of the truck again and waited for morning to arrive.

When morning came we packed all out stuff, chatted with a ranger who stopped by and headed out into the great east glacier. We headed down the Red Eagle trail, our goal was the Red Eagle lake self. At the lake there was a privy and a tent site. But yet again we over estimated how far we can really travel in the winter. When we talked to the ranger he informed us that we were going to have to do a little cross country or bushwhack if we wanted to avoid two river crossings. We managed to make it just past the bushwhack section before we had to stop and make camp. We set up our tent, made our kitchen area and set up the bear bag and of course it was dark. Ranger Dug had told us that this was the arctic, and it was raining….great.

We woke the fallowing day with a plan of going to lakes that we originally set out for, but it was still raining and hiking in the snow while its raining is really not all that fun. Matt and I ended up hanging out in the tent for a good while before we were too sire crazy to stay put. So we gathered our gear and set out for a short day hike to the lake. Still raining and cool we ventured around for about an hour or so. Got cold and headed back to the site. This day kinda ended up being dedicated to hiding from the weather.

The next day since we were well rested we got up early and ate a bunch a food and started in the direction of Curly bear mountain. We could see it way off in the distance, all it looked like was a giant mass or rock towering a couple thousand feet above our heads. We knew that we would in no way or form be able to get up to the summit of the mountain, but we had some points that we were going to head for so we could at least go up and kiss the mountain. Bushwhacking out here is so much less of a hassle then in the whites. When you are in the whites you have to fallow a compass bearing and keep looking for it time and time agin. Out here you can see where you want to go for miles, so you just walk it. We ended up hiking up and up for about 4 hours I think, and got to the point where there was more snow fields then tress. We kept on climbing, our goal was to get on top of this little bump that was next to the mountain. We climbed and climbed, up and up, till we got to this slop that would have required ice axes and crampons, witch we conveniently had left in the truck. We ended up having to turn back but we ended up being at the base of the mountain, and looking up at this awesome mass of rock made ones stomach churn.

We ended up heading back down the mountain fallowing our tracks for a while till the snow fields were the wind had blown all the tracks away. We could see the general area where are site was and just started to head that way, every now and again we would adjust our direction. And after a while being the experts that we are, we found our tracks agin and fallowed them all the way back to our site. Epic wind, Epic Snow, Epic times.

We came back to the site ate some more food and fell asleep for a good long while. After we woke up it was close to dark and we decided to do the smartest thing we have done all trip, decided to walk back to the truck in the middle of the night.

Are plan was to pack up camp and do a short bushwhack and fallow the trail all the way back to the truck. As we packed up the camp we noticed a new fresh set of tracks that were no more then a couple minutes old. We soon realized that it was a mountain lion that had been checking out out cooking area and gave a look down at us in the tent. We started to shine the light into the woods and Matt saw the glow of his eyes right before he darted into the woods. That spooked us nice and good. So we hastily packed up the rest of camp and started on our midnight trek back the the truck. We did the short bushwhack to the trail and started in on the 5 mile trek back. We fallowed the trail till we hit a field. At this point we lost the trail and in stead of looking at the map to figure out where the trail could be, we ended up bushwhacking the rest of the way to the truck, about 4 miles or so. With the last mile plus being this awesome lake side shore walk where we could see all the mountains lit up with the light of the moon. We got back the the truck at 2 30 in the morning wicked tired and very hungry. Ate little and crashed very hard.

We both had a blast and now its time to move on to colorado.

The one downer of the trip, I had over 45 minutes of video of the trip and when we got back to Beau’s, me being the tech-no geek that I am, managed to delete all the footage before I could successfully copy them to my computer……..oh well. Honk!

More pictures to come, once i get back to cape code and get some of matt’s photos.