Adventure loading….

My internal clock was getting pretty good at telling time without looking at a watch. What started as a joke on the trail, had carried over into my day to day life when I was in between adventures. I became quiet good at telling time by measuring my hand underneath the sun as it would disappear and cast its golden glow upon the landscape for what would be the last time of the day. It was and remains my favorite time of day. I call it the magical hour, the hour that is strong enough to transforms all sharp, harsh edges into a smooth, peaceful and loving fairytale while descending into darkness. A “watch”, such as a time measuring device to interrupt such beauty was the last thing I wanted. It was somewhat of a taboo item, plus it would leave a farmers tan and unsightly tan lines, not that I ever tan. I joke about working on my base tan and besides my arms and shoulders, the rest of me usually just sports the painful red looking hue that dissipates a few days later as if nothing happened at all. A few times however I did not get so lucky, after falling asleep at a beautiful and later on peeling my skin in layers. Not what I’m going for at all as I’m well aware of the dangers. And back to the time device, we always had the phone for emergencies or when we absolutely had to tell time. 

I learned that each hand was about two hours and sometimes the light itself could be a tell tell sign of what time it was. Simple, easily entertained minds, it became a game of who got closest to telling time without looking at the phone. The phone was only there to inspect our guesses, as we got so close, so many times that it was not at all unusual that the thought of physic abilities was born right then. If anything it brought much laughter and reconfirm our carefree, childlike abandon state of mind. Something we had been called out on before in the form of “You guys are just a bunch of kids” laughing at anything and everything. I guess that’s right and I think laughter is healing for the soul. Try to do it as much as possible and laugh yourself to health.

I loved my time to be at free will, belonging to me, to do whatever made my heart happy. It continues to restore the balance of today’s demands. Deadlines and time restrictions were non existent (well almost), while my soul was allowed to flourish. Have you ever ate something so nutritional, you could feel it literally doing good to your body? For me, spending time on the trail could be compared to that feeling, the moment a deep sigh escapes my lungs and allows me to breath deeply for what seems the first time since the last adventure. The moment when I “Inhale the good and exhale the bullshit”, lol, I swear I will have to get one of those shirts. Or the other shirt that says “Transcend the bullshit” 

I know that I described before how the trail makes me feel, how Mother Nature restores and recharges my soul so I can be strong and face whatever comes my way. Only art and music has a similar effect as I love the creation process that allows me to escape into my make believe dream that knows no evil. 

Waking up this morning, my world was grey as another winter storm is moving through the Sierra bringing more rain and snow to add to January’s record breaking precipitation that packed an entire winter into just one month. I came within one minute of telling time before looking at the clock. My day started with a smile, remembering this silly, simple game played when in the wild, the most carefree, soul nurturing of all places. My adventure is loading and is in the planning stages right now. With time off requested, the call of the mountains resides strong within me, but a trip to the ocean is not out of the question and weather depending. No doubt am I already experiencing “Short timers disease” lol and I can’t wait. 
But in the meantime and until then, I leave with one final thought as I prepare for the “Real world” that is no world of mine.
Imagination and Mother Nature are the only weapons in the war against reality. 

Well, and if you are me, than you know that some days you have be a warrior, wear your war bonnet and stand between your enemies and all that you love and hold sacred. 

Xoxoxoxo ❤️