Snow Travels And Turkey Day Events

Is This The Real Life ?       Is This Just Fantasy ?      Caught In A Landslide       No Escape From Reality   Open Your Eyes        Look Up To The Sky And See      I'm Just A Poor Boy      No Need No Sympathy     Because I am Easy Come       Easy Go     Little High    Little Low     Any Way The Wind Blows Doesn't Really Matter To Me          To Me 

Queen

A Night At The Opera 1975

There is something rejuvenating about the sounds aloft while standing in the middle of nowhere. The snow covered surface was frozen and crispy under the 11F / -11C conditions. The freezing pattern will be here to stay awhile at 10,000Ft / 3,000M

Each crunch from the metal frame breaks a perfect snowshoe print achieved until the next storm blows through. Or hopefully a wild animal will break a new trail with scents of its own pheromones. 

But where ever I turned and gazed my sight into focus, evidence of man was quickly discovered. The forest is always alive. It's quietly soothing my third eye once again and reminds me that I am alive. Grounding 

TURKEY DAY:

All I can express about Thanksgiving , where in the hell did this calendar year vanish off to?? The past two months have been full speed from the time my eyes open until the time my head slaps down on the cool side of my pillow. Long Live Stewart Scott   

After an ant hill of activity, we all ate well with those delightful poppysmic moments from across the table. The Bird was properly smoked and carved, Football games entertained the background visuals with randomly played LP's as a soundtrack, and inside jokes were all the rage as a trove of information was delivered periodically. Or Pondered 

The Dude and I began recycling these TP cardboard rolls into Xmas hanging decorations. Yes, we painted them later on before showcasing them on the tree. Its & Crafts 101 

Thankfully, I steadied myself with the alcohol intake. I really could have cut loose but I maintained my suave demeanor throughout the evening. And what do you know?? By about 9:30pm, it was just me and The Dude at the dinning table. Everyone else retired like the rookies they are. Oh Well 

LEFTOVERS:

The turkey sandwiches the next day at 9,000ft / 2700m were ideal. So dang good and pretty darn messy when you are standing in a winter wonderland setting. 

This was more of a walk than an actual snowshoe trek. But still, I was outside breathing in the fresh crisp mountain air. Notice the ice chest there and a cold brew never found my hand during the particular day time hours. Oh Baby 

CYCLING:

Talk about a weak month for miles. My rides were so lame that Strava politely sent me this slap on the wrist update.

Now I still ride the commuter bike almost everyday and I reframed from driving to the office. In fact, have NEVER driven the car to the new office!! The evenings are pleasant while I ride through the haze of wood burning stoves, catching a meteor streaking across the night sky, and rustling of leaves blowing along the street as I pedal towards the darkness. And 42 is still the number.

BLURRY:

Seven days after Turkey Day, I was back on a plane. 

The photo below is zeroing in on my place here in OM. Starring out the window is my favorite aspect of traveling by aircraft. DUH 

The photo above captures the disappearing Gunnison River as it makes its way north towards the not so mighty Colorado River. Below is a terrific photo of the Gateway pocket through Unaweep Canyon. Flippin Stunningly Gorgeous 

SAN DIEGO:

My mothers husband turns the ripe old age of 80 and a party for him took place on the first Saturday of the month. The photo below is a shot of ( LEFT 2 RIGHT ) my mom's cousin Louann, me, cousin Joe, and The Dude. Everyone else in attendance represented Patrick's family tree. Sadly, this would be the one and ONLY family style photo. Totally bums me out that we missed the opportunity for family portraits, me and The Dude with Patrick's grown kids, or even a photo with the birthday boy. 

The Dude & I floated the idea back in August of some sort of a plaque or bench or something that wouldn't feel like a memorial but would carry a memory. We all agreed to pitch in and have an American flag embroidered with all the kids, grands, and great grand kid's names. 

Patrick's eldest daughter ran with the idea and even purchased a telescoping flag pole for their backyard. Her and her husband installed a pole bracket and cemented that sucker down a few weeks prior to this gathering of tribes. They covered it with a brick paver that has been in their backyard for decades. Me and her husband then quickly lined up the pole during the presentation. Now the new flag pole and American flag will wave freedom for the oldies. 

MONKS:

Spent a day along the coast and immersed my self in the Monk's Meditation Gardens in Encinitas CA. Talk About Peaceful 

I was desperate for a break from all the Trump loving Lauren Boebert Republican sickness that I was subjected to. These beautiful grounds was the perfect recipe.  

You would never guess that these photos were taken in December. Think about that, blooming flowers in December here on the Northern Hemisphere. 

Observing and simply being was the byproduct of washing away my turbulent thoughts and concerns. The gardens were so quiet that the calmness reverberated in my bones. I nestled my little boney butt down on a semi seclude boulder and sent out the vibes. You can label it whoo whoo if you would care to do so but a light breezy picked up off the coastline and gently carried those messages across Mother Earth. 

Let me ask you something? Do you have the comprehension for this? Got any idea how hard it is for me to   be emotionally & spiritually present? Smelling the salty sea air, noticing the verity of bird calls, and the natural environment as a whole. Remaining mindful and focused on the here and now?? Its so hard!! Such an unwelcome challenge. Even right here in these gardens my mind raced else where, overheard a phone buzz in, old ingram repeats, or the bloody sound of air traffic. I Tried. I So Tried 

A number of my contacts received short videos and/or photos from these perfectly manicured grounds. At one point, a very well received video, I recorded that water feature there for exactly 30 seconds. The plants were a hit but the highest response was from the babbling sounds of trickling water during their Friday work day.  

As I casually meandered the gardens, I made the conscious decisions to elevate every single insignificant moment to the sublime. To fully appreciate the surroundings and those future opportunities that are lying in wake. Breathe 

DISC:

The Dude & I scheduled a round of Disc Golf with our good buddy Johnny. Another one of the San Diego highlights. 

Johnny is one of those cool cats that is always a gas to be around. We brought along enough brews in a can to supply a couple of foursome groups. Never A Shortage Of Oats, Wheat And Barley 

I threw exceptionally well all day and dropped back to back birdies for the first time in many moons. Johnny, as always, out threw me by miles. That boy can rip a disc. Sipping on quality tasty brews during play is venturous but relaxing. The park isn't all that hip about drinking on the park grounds. So it has become common knowledge amongst the locals to act unpremeditated and discrete. Then, I quickly realized, everyone playing was puffing on prerolled and vape pens. Funny, we were the only ones breaking prohibition. Can Of Beer = 10 years in the slammer " Smoke A Joint = Thumbs Up Emoji " The Times Are ALWAYS Changing 

The true bonus was experiencing the lymphatic system in motion for a few more hours. Walking the coastal towns was cool and all but twisting, throwing, and bending over was the game changer. Catching up with Johnny's family dynamics, concert going outings, and current work projects were special conversational pieces for sure. You Know, Friendship!! And thanx to the gardens, I was beyond sensitive, compassionately present, and centered in my body.  

Then, completely out of the blue, while we were standing on the next tee pad, so lucky, a Red-tailed Hawk swoops in and parks itself right there on the fence. Totally commanding our attention and we remained frozen is our tracks. The air was still and quiet as can be. Such a privileged encounter and we all knew it. I snapped off this shot with that Hawk starring right at me. So Dig It 

Anyway, overall, what an enjoyable Friday. The only thing I could have asked for would have been a veggie burrito food truck after our round. But what a solid day in Sunny San Diego. Thanx SD

NIGHT SKY:

December's sky has loads to offer up. The Grand Valley was receiving much needed rain but those pesky clouds block our viewing of Mr Moon eclipsing Mars. That would have been sweet. But the 15th is the peck of the Giminid Meteor Shower. Obviously visible a few days book ending the 15th. Then the Ursid Meteor Shower peaks during the New Moon Phase on the 22nd of December. Pretty Stoked 

GOALS:

1. Politely Speak During These Holidaze 
2. Lay Out A Schedule 
3. Assist When Needed
4. Yonder My Happy A$$ On Down The Road 

Will Do My Best To Post A Little More Regularly, Be Kind To One Another, And Say Nice Things No Matter What The Situation 

Cheers