Good news! Always... on the road with Spirit...

Whichever way the wind blows... Utah

Amazing aspects of Life.


As soon as we reach the Valley of the Gods area the downpours won't let us in. On to Moab area then, cooler higher altitudes in beautiful Canyonland with sights of the White Rim Trail and so much more.


Settled, yet my “back” is not. Riding cured it all a bit only to make things worse as the days went on. I figured the Moab “Emergency Room” will be familiar with such, I am sure they get their share of injuries from the many outdoor activities.
Lower discs degenerating, sciatica, X rays did not lie. Riding is curtailed, not much anyone can do besides exercises and anti inflammatory meds.

This was not really how I wished the direction of the winds would blow us. What an irony.

And now almost back into Texas where I will see my own Dr, try to heal, we at least have a space to stay.


I enjoyed the couple past entries with many photos, one being an emotional roller coaster as the aspects of these past months catches up with me, the next one being the beauty and serenity of Canyonland and it's surroundings.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

Trying to settle at “The Oasis”, Texas.

The aspect of being here is a bit different this time around and will be as such for a few months ahead.

Life has deviated much since the passing away of my Mother now 6 months ago. Something, for lack of a better word, has changed. An incredible emptiness, a void, a situation unable to yet adapt as the days go on and on without much of a purpose as it was.

Writing a Book, one containing our path throughout these past 7 years has always been on the back burner. Every year it has been... next winter, next summer. That time has come for more reasons than one, it has become the purpose of my “now”. Learning the logistics of formatting in itself has been an education as it will be published as an eBook at first.

I feel as I was born a bit too early to even remotely understand the jargon of the “how to”. Yet, it is now finally understood, under control as they say. I will keep writing my Journal as always, my sounding board for the months ahead while here, writing, cooking, playing with my Buddy Spirit, some rides here and there as the back and sciatica are getting better with the help of daily exercises. Have to keep this body, this vehicle in shape.


My Love for this space keeps increasing always. Silence, isolation, a World detached from it all where we feel having the ability to come through with such project.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

A couple weeks later at “The Oasis”, TX

Writing a book.

“The Book” which had been on my mind for the past couple years.

A lonely affair I find out, with the help of a good Friend, a retired English Teacher, correcting not my language but my blatant grammar errors of many.

The perfect space for such a venture where the isolation, silence, beauty of Mother Nature, all is conductive to retrace our past steps of these previous seven years.

Sometimes amazing, sometimes funny, at others surprising myself reading my own words of the lessons learned, the ones learning on how to live on the road, how to cope with grief and emerging from past dark tunnels, how to live with Spirit 24/7, being off the grid , so much which culminates towards these present days for winter times.

Just a personal challenge I always wanted to accomplish, and this time around, as already about a quarter into it and 25,000 words later, it will get done.

Mixing it all up with chores around here, as usual watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, taking a weekly ride towards a chosen destination. This is Big Bend after all, these millions of acres will never lack of such destinations.

This is our lives for now, a Journal for these times and the few months to come.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

That is pretty amazing!!! Thanks for posting!

 

A much needed change on our Journal, TX

The unexpected is always around the corner in Life, and especially while on the road. As mentioned in our last entry “I am here but truly there”. I am realizing I am so totally in the past while writing this book spanning our seven years on the road. After a quick round trip to San Antonio and Del Rio for errands and eye doctor, we are back here at The Oasis for the duration to complete this book which I am one third into it. For my mental health sake, logistics, time, I have to refrain writing our Journal, yet, continue posting it even most likely more often with photos, videos and some quotes I stumble on. They say “a picture is worth a thousand words”. This will be the case as this space is the perfect one to write while going down memory lane.

Being in San Antonio for just one day made me realize how good we have it here. I thought people had gone mad while driving as Kamikazes. The freeways were as spaghetti dropped in a bowl and if it was not for our GPS, I think we would still be there.
The weather has finally turned to cold on us, gray days these past couple ones and while sheltered and pounding on the keyboard, will take it.

Anything but hot.

So, we hope you enjoy the photos, they are were we are!

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

7th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

Half way through writing our book, [yes, Spirit writes also...], this winter has become one of discipline with a calendar and clock. Odd for us to not be moving around, not even into events in Terlingua. Pretty much holed up here and writing and more writing.

While reading our own Journal, the amazement of having visited so many spaces does not stop. If nothing else, I have already decided on many we will return to, most likely seeing it all with a different feel.

A few photos of what is happening here in the skies, a ride cut short to Presidio while instead rescuing a couple who could not find each other for a few hours! It was an amazing experience. Probably as much for them as for ourselves. In and around the Closed Canyon, no water, no hat, he was wearing cowboy boots with leather soles... I still to this day cannot understand how they could loose each other while even calling his name carried by such a strong echo through the canyon.

It might be I have read too many mystery books in the past, the experience was the perfect plot for?... Anyone can take it from there. This would include a wife much younger than him, a 10lb dog which has to be carried because he is a house dog [???] and missing keys for their vehicles.

A bit of snow as usual for one night, some cold front lingering, the usual winter scenario here at "The Oasis".

So, we hope you enjoy the photos, they are were we are!

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

Happy Holidays and a “2014 Sunsets Calendar”. TX

It was a nice break from the so far 80,000 pages written, having two travelers stop by a couple days ago. Refreshing conversations all with similar interactions with the road, the many met, the experiences, human and physical. The kindness of people present. They have been rolling for two and a half years now. I had coincidentally cooked enough food that morning with our Solar Oven to feed an army. When I saw they were getting ready to open a of couple cans, they were put away quickly. Bad Karma I think it would have been to open those at The Oasis...

It has been a breather to have company and now, through January, by the time you read these words, I will be back into the book. Summer of 2011. Couple more years to go.

There is no doubt, especially reading my own entries, of how much I now miss the road. I can taste it, even if knowing well, it is right around the corner.

I did take some time to make up a 2014 “Happy Sunsets Calendar” as I call it as many have asked me to do so. It is linked on our Journal with also my favorite quote of the year.

Happy Holidays to you all and wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
ara gureghian's Books and Publications Spotlight 2014 Happy Sunsets Calendar

 

It is another crossroad of times. TX

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. I hope it is never too late for such wishes.

The weather has been generous here bringing back memories of past fairly mild winters. More memories are plentiful while going through a second edit of “Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash”. Written and expressed language has always amazed me as is the power of words.

It was a fine New Year's Eve spent with friends and cooking all day. The present has been doable, yet, I cannot help thinking of the months ahead coming up back on the road. As I expressed in this new journal entry I have some concerns, such also shared by others criss crossing this beautiful country of ours.

Times have changed these past seven years, and so has a certain segment of society spilling on those lands where the camping is free. The conclusions are certain after discussing the situation more often than once.

I don't know how long we will stay here while we divide our time with the parks near by. The holiday season being over, such parks being the less visited ones in the country, the good sites will be again available to us.

Have a great day! Enjoy the cooking...

Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
ara gureghian's Books and Publications Spotlight 2014 Happy Sunsets Calendar

 

Tentative book front cover and excerpts. TX


We are literally coming up for air being in between the second and third edits of our book "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash". I am realizing we [Spirit also!] have so totally hibernated and as the second edit ended yesterday, I felt as my fuses had blown.

I read today, written by "Anais Nin":

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect"

It has been three months of intense retrospect.

Our editor loves the book, I posted some excerpts just yesterday on our journal and the feedback has been very positive. Myself? an opinion? I don't know... besides finding our past seven years having been interesting mental and physical path with positive choices made.
We live in such a beautiful country, everyone of course has a taste of their own when it comes to the outdoors, we ourselves try to find the desolate beauty which surrounds us.

I want to say "we will be off for about a week"! It does sound kind of strange as being off 24/7, yet in contrast with these past months it does make sense to me as I have no doubt Spirit also agrees.
We are off towards Big Bend National Park. I already know some corner will be waiting for us and the cameras will be put to work again.

As a good friend of ours said the other day "there is no deadline for this book, is there?". My answer was "not really". Maybe another month or so.

We do miss the road and the unknown behind every boulder seen.


Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
ara gureghian's Books and Publications Spotlight 2014 Happy Sunsets Calendar

 

Taking a breather between edits in Big Big Bend National Park. Tx

The stages here at The Oasis and in the park are very similar. It is a gift when throughout these winter times one can within comfortable temperatures roam around 900,000 acres only a few miles away. Every fall I tell myself "we are not coming back", and yet, here we are, the space calling us like a magnet. Baja in Mexico would probably the only other region I would consider while still away from the crowds as the plus would be the beaches. Maybe next winter.

It was a fine time at the park, a change of scenery while taking a breather between edit #2 and #3 of "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash". Some nice riding, meeting travelers going around the world in their Unimog and Landcruiser, cooking on the grill, just being while watching the sun go by followed by the moon right behind it.

Would I ever consider writing at some point Book #2? I doubt it very much. Would I recommend anyone to write one Book? Yes! Absolutely. It is consuming, it demands discipline and for myself an environment of silence and peace unencumbered from any urban aspect. Everyone has a story to tell worthy of others to read.

It is easy and hard all at the same time. It is demanding especially when the contents are non-fiction. Unable to live in the now the mind is constantly hovering over the past dates which fills the pages. Then comes the edits which is what we are going through right now. Can one really write a 90,000 word book without any errors? They say it is possible. I yet have to find out. Soon.

There are times I ask myself "why am I doing this?", other times a sense of accomplishment takes places as all is more of a personal challenge than anything else. One more month! It will then go to the printers. Digitally and physically.



Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal

 

"Dogs and Spiritual Materialism"

This would be the first time in over seven years while keeping a journal, posting an entry a friend, "Damun Gracenin", wrote. Obviously about dogs... "Dogs" with a capital "D".

It was just too good to not share as myself and Spirit while together 24/7 see and understand the reality of the meaning and words of it all.

Besides, the nights and days here are filled with the past pages of the book which is now entering its fourth edit. I must say, while driving my editor "crazy", for lack of a better word.

The experience is fulfilling. Some days are good, some not so good as the road does not cease calling our names. Yet, there is nowhere else we should be while here under good weather, silence and neighbors miles away. Another month? At the most I would say.

Our previous journal entry has a couple videos. One where I changed the angle of the camera facing Spirit and the other, again of Spirit, this time in the evening wearing his "new" Halo Belt collars. The company has a great future no doubt.They are optic fiber LED belts which also can be worn over the shoulder when riding and the same LED's as collars. Besides hearing Spirit's Bear bell, I can now also see where he is. Pretty amazing.

So till next time while I start on some chores here throughout this break. Maybe start packing!!!



Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal

 

Captain of our Souls, TX

Life can be an amazing feat sometimes in charge of our path and at times not. Often we fall right in between hoping the cracks are not too deep.

The realization of an addiction came upon me last Sunday when after days on end, non stop pounding the keyboard throughout a fifth edit of the book [or is the sixth?] I shut it all down and on we went for a 400 mile ride. Life on the road is "addicting", so is riding. I can only very poorly express it, one has to experience it. Chatting always goes along on those road with the few we always bump into. Spirit is invariably most of the times the culprit.

While here, could be in Terlingua, the Park, Marathon or Alpine as it happened that day, the choices of destinations are many. The truth is, no destination is needed. We just go. No clock in sight, just a glance as to where the sun is and the wandering takes place.

I didn't think we would have to sit this long throughout winter, yet all is so close to a finish line. I had to give myself and others a deadline, we are are on the home stretch. March 10th is when the manuscript will be applied for Copyrights and on immediatly will start the many publishing steps in all the electronic formats and soft cover.

That day ride was a fine one. The best we have had in weeks. We could not get enough of it and returned past sunset watching the nightly show from a different vantage point than here at The Oasis. And now, to my surprise, another week has almost gone by. I think tomorrow will be time again to let it all out and implement that addiction of ours.

There are more thoughts on the Journal. Riding and thinking goes hand in hand. As I wrote, sometimes serious, often silly.


Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal

 

Reconciliation with Life. TX

Five months later, the last punctuation has been typed, the manuscript of "Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash" has moved on to the publishers. It is time to pack up and move on rolling on our familiar path of unfamiliar roads. The present has seen a bit of a void and much free time surfacing back into our days. An odd feeling mixed in with a sense of accomplishment. It will be a couple more months before publication, I must have patience.

I am trying to decipher a route to Florida as far as Cedar Key, then back up to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, those familiar neighborhoods we left years ago. All this hoping to be back to Southern Utah early May to enjoy some coolness in their deserts before having to escape more north.

Oil changes, new tires, clean up a starter, making a list, following that list, all will be part of the coming up ten days before we leave. It is all part of regrouping, a familiar scene always I must say exciting while knowing we belong to the road and nowhere else.

Spring is right around the corner for us! New destinations, looking forward to much photography and many new videos. That is about the whole content of our lives, Spirit and I.




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

Where do I start... Ara this is such a beautiful thread, while Spirit and yourself find your path with no predetermined course and not knowing what is behind the next "boulder." So different is your approach at life at what draws me to your story. Stunning stories and photos fill these pages of your life with great detail.

Congratulations on the final phase of publishing I love the cover photo.

 

Thank You very much. I think everyone has a story. I just happen to share it. A different lifestyle maybe, and then again, what is normal? You stay well...



The road calls...

It is that time. Time to head East which will include Florida and Georgia [meaning "Two Wheels of Suches" on Friday April 11th for a few nights!] and back to Southern Utah before the summer heat takes over Valley of the Gods. I am so much looking forward seeing friends we have left behind years ago. Some nice campfires as I know the stories will fly.

The contents of our book is being handled by a very knowledgeable trustworthy Publisher. The cover is taking shape, it is not the final version but close to it. It will be a few more weeks before being available in soft cover and all lectronic formats.

There is excitement in the air while thinking a bit ahead of the new upcoming days, each morning being a curtain rise for a new experiences, adventures, people met, photos taken and videos made. How could I ever turn my back on such a Lifestyle. I think it is too late to do so.

Three days left and suddenly on this Monday I cannot lose a single hour packing it all in. We have done this so many times, yet it always feels brand new. It is all pretty amazing I must say, we are on the road for a "permanent picnic!".

Mother Nature is gifting us these last days spend at The Oasis with some incredible Sunsets,, a Sunrise while the Moon at the same time is setting, colors unimaginable while riding the many miles of dirt roads to nowhere and now again, much more time for cooking.

All in the Journal...




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

A day at the Dragon Boat Festival in New Iberia, LA

We are covering a lot of territory as today only 150 miles south of Atlanta. It feels odd, strange, at the same time as we just took a long ride and back to refuel before heading West one more time... for a few more years. Has been 89 months, roughly 2700 days, we have barely crossed the starting line.

While spending a few days in New Iberia with a very Dear Friend of ours, we attended the Dragon Boats races. This is as close as we will get to a Mardi Gras. I think.

The weather? We have been watched over. Open skies while getting to Vidor to visit more Friends, the same while en route for Louisiana and throughout our stay. As soon as we left bad storms took on New Iberia. Dark skies but calm while renewing my Driver's License in Pensacola and arriving in Georgia through Alabama right behind the creeks flooding yet receding for us. What can I say?

Enjoy the photos. We sure had a good time and much food those days. Mainly shrimp and crawfish. Two items I have been dreaming about while sitting and writing our book those few months in the Big Bend Desert at The Oasis. It will be published in a few more weeks after more proofing.




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal

 

Tasting Valley of the Gods, Utah.

All I can say is "WOW! we made it...". East Coast and back, we are good for a few more years.

Trying to stay ahead of summer and so far so good in and around Valley of the Gods, I must say, one of my all time favorite space to be in and dig our roots a bit deeper than usual. We have been all alone this time around with easy access, I have not seen anyone else camp out on this beautiful 17 mile loop. A couple visitors, some good friends, nothing planned, but they showed up! That is the way we like it as planning never works out.

The weather suddenly is not very promising for the yearly outing of balloonist which get together every last weekend of April. They don't get along so well with rains, winds and storms. The surprise element is definitly present.

The marathon from these past weeks is over, the calendar and clock are once again put away, the internet connections are weaker than ever, lucky [or unlucky!] if any, there is a sense of regained freedom and tackle our journey as we use to.

The publication of our book is moving right along. More details in our journal with photos and a video shot in the Georgia Mountains on Highway 60 to "Two Wheels of Suches" I called "Sitting, Riding and... Leaning".

Enjoy




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal
The Oasis Of My Soul The Photos

 

Around Moab... Utah

Sometimes the weather will just not quit telling us to move on as it happened while in Valley of the Gods and nearby Mokey Dugway, Gooseneck, Monument Valley. We took refuge, seemingly as it had happened in years past, in Bluff. Then came time to move on again while needing a real Internet connection, you guessed it maybe, for one more proofing of our book! It seems it is never going to end even if the finish line is getting very close.

This area of course is one of our favorite spaces with too many choices every day of roads and amazing sights. A bit crowded at times, but we get around it.The weather is our friend for now, nice and cool and even so snow projected at higher elevations. A bit of maintenance on Old Faithful including a new rear tire and we are again ready to explore what we have seen before, yet, always being as the first time.

While sheltered I was reading an interesting French book and for some reason decided to translate its first few pages having to do with the mystery of the beginning of times along with some photos taken in Arches National Park. That is what our new entry is all about. Much mystery and unanswered questions.

Enjoy




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal

 

....some great photos....stay safe an have a good one.....b8b

 

Thank You. Wishing you the same.





Validation of Life on the Road, Utah

Every month, week and day of the year is a good one for us. Has to be as it is a choice. But these weeks are for lack of a better expression “the meat and potatoes” of the year when we chase northbound the cooler weather staying ahead of the upcoming summer heat. It is quite a game we play. Maps in hand, three different forecast software and sometimes even some thinking!

Southern Utah including Valley of the Gods, Muley Point and Recaptured Pocket have been experienced. The digits on the thermometer went up and we moved on to the Moab area. We are spoiled avoided “hot”. The town itself is the center for all outdoor activities, so pleasant especially during the week, great food markets including my favorite butcher in the country “Old Geezer”. We did not last too long in the Arches as my patience with the “fast” tourists drove me to a certain animosity, but Kane Creek Road, La Sal Loop, Potash Road, Schaffer Trail and so much more saw us throughout this perfect time of the year.

Staying ahead we are now in Colorado. A few isolated nights around Blue Mesa Lake bringing on mid 30's again throughout the nights and now for a few days in Gunnison needing a real good Internet connection. Our book has finally been uploaded to the printer. It is in what they call “pre-media” stage. As soon as approved which I am sure it will be as the formatters helping me have been the best, a real copy will be mailed to our Editor and myself for the last of the last proofing! We are more or less at the mercy of a good mailing address and a strong connection. What a long process this has been since early October 2013, but done right.

Lake City? Lake San Cristobal? Crested Butte? Lost Lake? So much for us to wander to while we wait. It will not be long...

The photos keep piling up!


Enjoy




Till next time.

Stay well.

Ara and Spirit

8th Year, the Stars, living under them…

The Oasis Of My Soul Ara and Spirit: Life Under the Stars The Journal