Adventure and me time at the Erlebnispfad Petersberg in my home town. Let’s see what I can find. 😉
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Category: Adventure
Bryce Canyon
Just a little distraction from what has become my every day, with a little picture from a previous adventure to Bruce Canyon. A must see to explore and a truly amazing place. We took a 3 hour Mule ride into the canyon, passed natural archways, and these formations called “The Hoodoos”. From the colors to the never ending rock spires, narrow, winding paths, and a few fearful moments of slipping over the edge, it was an adventure and scenic spectacle I will never forget.
Rockin my world
It’s no secret I love rocks. From gemstones, to painted and collected rocks along hikes, to my beautiful mountains, I feel happiest surrounded by peaks and arches. This picture was taken last year in the Alabama Hills at Lone Pine, California. I also love to be surrounded by all the wonderful and kind people I have met here on WordPress. You rock my world every day.
“The coolest people I have ever met have the most colorful pasts. They lived life’s of risks, made bad choices, learned lessons, explored and they are not afraid of being real. Tattered tapestries woven of similar threads, they’re my kind of people – My favorite shades of crazy”. ~Stephen L. Lizotte
Thank you for being YOU – My favorite shades of crazy 😉
“Fern” Follow-up
The time is nearing for “Fern” and me to take the journey to Germany. It warms my heart to see that “Fern” was so well received by you, and that you enjoyed the idea of doing a variety of posts called “The bus stops right here” to document the journey and to introduce you to my home.
Next week is my last full week before Germany and I only work six more days until then. I thought of doing a little trial run and take “Fern” with me on a hike here before he hits german soil. What do you think?
The bus stops right here – Introduction
Hey guys, guess what? I bought a bus yesterday. Some of you may know that I dream of a tiny home on wheels, in the form of a renovated school-bus. To ditch most of the responsibilities, work here and there, mostly write and paint, travel and park it whenever a beautiful spots begs me to stay a little longer and live the minimalist lifestyle.
With Germany coming up, these plans are on hold for now, but that didn’t stop me from buying a bus yesterday. Ok, so maybe it’s a miniature version of a bus, but I instantly fell in love with it and had to have it. The grand scheme has already evolved since the purchase of such “Flower power” VW bus and it will travel to Germany with me. From there I hope to do blog segments (WiFi dependent) that I will call “The bus stops right here” to document the journey. Or is “The buck stops right here”? I’m sure it will be a little of both if Mom misbehaves, but anyways. It could be places the bus travelled to, and stopped, or other things that are yet to be finalized and planned. Sorry that I’m already getting ahead of myself by sharing this without having all the details. What can I say, I got excited and thought it will help me have some fun while introducing you to Germany and my new surroundings in an adventurous way.
I’m not a 100% set yet, but as I saw the bus I was thinking of the name Fern. I can’t tell you why I want to call it that, but it keeps sticking with me and I keep referring to the bus as Fern. Fern in German means far away….and perhaps Fern and I have a purpose to fulfill while I am far away. What you think?
Wheel of fortune
A rusty wheel of fortune remains from the gold rush days at Sardine lake. Cemented to stand upright as a reminder, I’m sure it has seen much action and has the memories to tell. Listen close and you might hear a story of times long gone….
A walk on the wild side
If you are off this weekend, don’t forget to take a little walk on the wild side. Pssst: memories are made this way. 🦋❤️
Boat return – Bodensee
We made it back to St. Bartholomä in time to look around and scout out the souvenir shop. It was stuffed full to the brim with little trinkets, maps, patches, miniature cowbells and other memorabilia. The eye couldn’t figure where to wander first or on what to settle. Of course it was the maps that seemed most practical as we explored a few cool hiking trails of the surrounding area. Today was not the day to purchase this map, but already it was the pre homework for a future trip. This trip was short and we knew it, nor would it allow enough time to do such a hiking exploration. It was stolen time, as I left Mom behind in the hospital. It was time to give myself a short break from everything, but it was also the beginning of the groundwork, the birth of an idea which would inspire a future trip. The day of return would come, with more time at hand and perhaps different circumstances, I just knew it right then.The boat tour at Bodensee offers two different routes. One that docks at St. Bartholomä, and the other that continues on further to the end of the lake. The later one offers a hike to a waterfall and to a hut above the lake. You could spend weeks just hiking from hut to hut, find modest accommodations, a roof over your head, with the atmosphere and feel of a simple existence, a life less complicated while food was all included. We were undecided of which one to take and in the end we choose the one to St. Bartholomä. Leaving the boat, after getting there, I immediately felt as if we made a mistake and I wished we could continue on. In hindsight I think it was the right choice and it leaves a yearning in my heart to return and to explore the second option when time is not such a big issue. I imagine myself up on the mountain, hiking the green pasture, smelling the wildflowers amongst the wild peaks, watching chamois and other wildlife in the distance while hearing the rhythmic sound of cowbells, enjoying the bliss, while taking a nap and feeling the sunshine on my face. It has to happen in the summer when the days are long, so this wonder can be enjoyed as long as possible. The future was already unfolding in my mind and I understood as to why our initial choice felt like a mistake. But for time sake and for making the most out of what we had, I know that our decision was perfect. Our hiking excursion to Eis Kapelle, the ice cave with the chamois was nothing to complain about and I’m glad we saw it.
We boarded one of the last boats that would leave St. Bartholomä this evening. A growling noise from my stomach came as a reminder that we really didn’t eat all that much. We noticed a few places that offered food along the way, and they were typical of the touristy feel of the area, as well as the price point that came with them. We decided to push on and it was getting late, we still had no place to stay for the night and this became a priority. It was no big deal and in the worst case scenario we would sleep in the rental car. The mid-size, compact car I had reserved for this trip, turned out to be a touring van that provided enough seating for seven people. You should have seen my eyes as I first saw it. If that was what “compact” looked like, I’d be curious to see what “big” looked like. I never experienced a van with so much power, driving this fast and gliding over the road with such ease. Not that I have experience with such a thing, but I was impressed and it quickly grew on me. Now, on top of it, it might just become the perfect solution in case we got stranded and found no place to stay that late. It was getting dark already as we arrived at a place near Ramsau, and the only thing that was still available was a whole apartment flat. It was perfect and we took it. The night was saved with a hot shower and a hot meal in the accompanying restaurant. The balcony would be awesome in the morning to enjoy the surrounding views, and we knew right then, that we wouldn’t leave a minute earlier as we were required to. We would soak up one moment at a time and it is something that I have come to enjoy and value these days. The awareness that I have gained over the years, to make the most out of these moments, to be still, without rushing through them, the ability to realize that every one moment, every one experience only comes ones in a lifetime, allows me to slow down and pause for awhile. It is very satisfying and I find a lot of gratification in those adventures.
In the end, the apartment was wonderful, but either way it would have been fine. I would tell you that if you find yourself on an adventure, and if you can stay flexible and limit your expectations, every outcome will be perfect. You might find yourself surprised about the simple things, and the moments that will hold the highest meaning. Your time will be free of disappointments, with more moments to enjoy what truly matters.
Still, the comfort and the beauty of this spot, the views and the feel of being surrounded by Germany’s mountains was hard to beat. Everything was exactly how it was meant to be.
MAYBE California
I’ve driven by here a thousand times and today we finally stopped. I’ve been wanting to stop and what can I say, my mind is easily amused and it doesn’t take much. It could come in the simplest of forms such as this sign that always makes me smile in a big way.
If you pass through here, you maybe find yourself in Maybe, and maybe Maybe is located in California. Maybe not, and maybe it could be that maybe the sign of Maybe California is just located on a quiet stretch along the road. It is definitely real, and if you blink, then without a doubt and without a maybe, you will miss the sign of Maybe California.
What just happened here, I should get some rest….I’m delirious.
Quality of Life
How would you define the quality of your life?
Q: They say money talks, but is it really true that having enough money increases our quality of life?
A: Personally I would have to disagree. Sure it can make things easier, buy you stuff and status if that is what you are after. For me it is simply that I used to run my own store, made great money, never had to turn a penny twice, but also paid the prize of having zero quality of life. There was no life other than work left to enjoy the hard earned pennies. I had no time to live.
Q: Does it depend on finding your soulmate and therefore happiness?
A: A significant other can definitely improve your quality of life, but it can’t be dependent on that. You are the creator of your own life and the quality of it depends on you and no one else. Many are afraid to be alone and settle. You might be surprised about enjoying your own company.
Q: Is it dependent on all things going smoothly in your life, free from hardship, tough breaks, unfortunate events, heartbreak and disappointments. Do you have to be the center of attention, be well liked to the point of being spoiled and stubborn? Perhaps owning a sense of entitlement?
A: I would tell you that some of my most profound lessons were learned during times of extreme hardship and adversity. Standing on my own and being dependent on nobody but myself. It is those times that mold us into who we are meant to be and it is then that we grow the most. I wouldn’t change a thing, regardless of how painful the lesson was.
Q: Do you have to win all the time and be in control? Used to having things go your way?
A: The most beautiful things are experienced in moments of vulnerability and being humble. Surrendering to what is and accepting the things you can’t control. Finding the silver lining even in the things we can’t understand and letting it unfold without bitterness and hostile feelings.
And while the list could go on and on, from person to person, I gave you enough to ponder. Only you can decide what contributes to our own quality of life. It might change over time and requires you to stay flexible, to make adjustments as needed and bend with the twists and turns on the path of life. I have come to enjoy the journey and I’m more in tune with myself than ever. I know who I am, what I want and what I won’t compromise on. One thing hasn’t changed and I have always been a dreamer. Today I dream bigger than ever and it brings me great joy to envision a higher quality of life, such as living in a school-bus. To ditch the mortgage and responsibilities, have less obligations but more freedom and create and pursue a life of higher quality. There is no doubt in my mind that I will do it and the time is near.
What needs to change in your life and are you happy with the quality of your life?
