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"The Oasis of my Soul"... A Lifelong road trip with Spirit...

Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, 4pm to 10am…

:wow 18 hour shift is kinda long for that area -- Ara didn't you mean to say 10am to 4pm? After all don't they still roll up the streets around 4pm down there :laughing
 
navy8ret said:
Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, 4pm to 10am…

:wow 18 hour shift is kinda long for that area -- Ara didn't you mean to say 10am to 4pm? After all don't they still roll up the streets around 4pm down there :laughing

That's 6 hour shifts... 3 times a week... child's play compared to my 80-100hr weeks! What streets?...

Be well... Ara & Spirit:laughing
 
More about River Road, Texas

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More about River Road, Texas

I suddenly had two dogs in the sidecar yesterday but was tool slow with the camera!!! What a sight and laughter as also I had come across some riders from San Antonio… They did make a big mistake having lunch at the wrong place instead of Kathy’s Kosmic Kaffee… The food they had instead… I will say no more!!!
Life goes on here, finally some cooler weather mixed in with some clouds, some welcome temperatures.
More about the ride and some pictures on the website… a new recipe also has been posted, a new old recipe that is retrieved from the Blogs… things are starting to be better organized! Finally…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit


www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…
 
Beemerchef said:
That's 6 hour shifts... 3 times a week... child's play compared to my 80-100hr weeks! What streets?...

Be well... Ara & Spirit:laughing

That's what I thought it might be -- so I was kinda just pick'n on ya :p
I've been following your adventure for some time now -- I just wish I could send a little sonthing to help keep it goin -- but living on a fixed income sucks sometimes.
AWESOME and thanks a bunch for starting a running tab on this part of your life for all of us to share :thumbup :thumbup
 
La Kiva, Terlingua... Texas

Hey Roger, don't you worry about it... it's all good... we can only do what we can, including myself. Some readers have been very generous, it is all very appreciated... You get to see La Kiva today!!! Quite a place... Karma has been good!

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La Kiva, Terlingua… Texas

Finally some pictures of this famous lounge restaurant where I spend 3 evenings a week chatting, I mean cooking for the locals and tourists… Truly a fun place, the best choice in town for me to get to know what is going on in the area and the off the map places to ride and explore.
Also some pictures of Sotol lookout where we spend a few hours yesterday evening just watching Mother Nature work hard on the constantly changing scenery, complete with thunder and lightning.
All in the website…

Enjoy… stop by… and be well.


Ara & Spirit

... and "thank you" for making this thread a "sticky"... I am touched and honored...

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and blog...
 
Marfa's Gift, Texas

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Marfa’s Gift, Texas

Did they always outdo others in Texas?… How about a town feeding everyone dinner on a Saturday evening?… and not just any food… great food! If you can next year, do not miss the Chinati and Judd Foundation Open Day in Marfa… a must! Incredibly friendly people from all over, much art, much food, much to see and experience.
Spirit, well, I had to walk away for a while as the crowd was gathering to take pictures of him… and he just sits there with his Doggles on (he will normally take them off when we stop by shaking his head!) posing…
Part one on the website, there will be more to come.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
More on Marfa, Texas

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More an Marfa, Texas

This is the second part of that great Saturday in Marfa. With all the Galleries open, the Judd buildings, a great dinner served to 3000 guests right after a storm, more Artifacts and great people we talked to, the pictures have been plentiful.
I don’t know if we will come back to this particular area next year at this time, but you should really plan on being here for the event. It is a fun time.
I again added one more recipe, a pasta sauce with a twist, and started a series of articles on my past life in Naples when cooking for the rich! The memories are still there from a stage so different and so distant now. Interesting facts

Be well… as always…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…
 
The Hot Springs in Big Bend, Texas

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What do you see???


The Hot Springs in Big Bend, Texas

It is still very hot for hiking at lower elevations, but at the time the Hot Springs seemed like a good destination for the day. Water is always a must, much water and shade. We made it, but the Hot Springs were covered by the rising waters of the Rio Grande! Will just need to return at a later date. The hike however was worth its scenery, the pictographs, the village remainders from the early 1900’s and one cannot forget the giant Palm tree… Spirit is getting used to the heat, he has been quite a trouper and a patient companion throughout these times.
Much more on the website

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Happy Birthday Lance

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Happy Birthday Lance

Lance has always been part of this Journey on the road… this Journey of the mind on a stage constantly changing where the cast is directed only by Mother Nature. Seems to be the only unique stage I can walk on anymore in sometimes these trying days.
Life is so full of surprises, obscure events, unsuspected paths suddenly taking shape, one can only make the best of it.
Today is Lance’s 30th Birthday with more sadness than joy.
My emotions are also directed to all of you that share the same circumstances, I have learned over these past years that I am not the only one, having received much support, support very much welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

You be well.

Ara
 
What do I know... (Texas)

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What do I know?… (Texas)


The odd vehicles (mine included, they say it is…) are lined up by the Porch for the daily Sunset and gathering of the locals… Just another day in Terlingua, Big Bend, Texas!
Through the written support of so many, today the energy is up, some realizations are making sense, lets look around us while we are here, lets admire what has been laid out and accept the resolutions of Life when even the cards dealt are not in our favor.
It seems like it is the only choice we have…
I feel as I have a new Family in all of you after reading comments and e mails send to me. “Thank you” will never be enough words to express my gratitude. All this because of our Blog, we are getting to know each other as a community which I would not trade for anything else.
Mixed in today are some pictures of a short little dirt road behind us called “Indian Head Trail” which has become one of my favorite hang out. Just a bunch of rocks… hope you enjoy them

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Old Maverick Rd, BB Park, Texas

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Old Maverick Rd, BB Park, Texas

I hope that you check out the Blog today and take a good look at Luna’s picture and his home. The man lived to 108 and so much wish he was around. A great smile, the man looks like someone I think we would have loved to meet and spend some time with by his humble Jackal… around the fire, maybe cooking some and listening to his stories!!! I wish so much that you would “all” have the desire and the ability to join me and start feeling the experience of being on the road as we are, senses developing as time went on and just being transported on this incredible stage. It is not about riding anymore, photography, cooking or eating… it is just about “being”.
“Terlingua Abaja” was also a stop for us on that heated day… with more pictures on the site.

You be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Santa Elena Canyon and some, BB Park, Texas

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Santa Elena Canyon and some, BB Park, Texas

This is now into the end of the day, a short hike into the Canyon, a closer look at Mule ears, a bit cut short as the heat was getting intolerable. But good news as for the first time last night I had to use the heater… finally the weather is changing and this is going to be the perfect time for some longer hikes and more comfortable day trips. About time I was thinking!
I interrupted this above “big guy” from crossing the road that day… he did not seems to be very happy about it as his moving speed increased, finally taking refuge within some vegetation… he ran but could not hide!!!
More on the site

Be well…

Ara and Spirit
 
"Many Stones"... Dual Sport Riders... Terlingua, Tx

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“Many Stones”… Dual sport riders, Terlingua, Texas

For such a little town far away from it all so much is going on outside the Park. This is the weekend for the TRH National Suzuki dual sport ride with about 150 riders in town having a great time on the local dirt roads… A visit with Ring yesterday, the owner of “Many Stones”… a unique gift and rock and Cacti shop… and I am finding out that some musicians from the 3 week long Kerville Music festival are camping near by… A great dinner at the Crisis Center aka the Cultural Center with some great local talents… I don’t know what else to say… never a dull moment.
Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
One year, 200 Blogs later... Texas

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One year, 200 Blogs later, Texas

Have we really been on the road all this time?… I asked myself this morning. There is not much sense wondering why it has gone by so fast, it has been a good year with the help of your company, and I can only enjoy “now” at any given time, but cannot hide the excitement of times to come. Spirit and I have grown attached more than ever, he has matured and gained a care free happiness that was not there before. He is now a “traveling dog”! From smell to smell he has established these months many territories… his tail has been wagging more than ever… he is a kind soul to be around.
Some, most, train their dog… we have built up a mutual understanding… we live together and I have learned… a lot from him! I guess we have trained each other…
We have been surrounded this weekend by about 150 dual sport riders, mainly from Texas, lots of pictures here… great times!

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
"Art Car"... Murals... Errands, Alpine, Tx

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“Art Car”… Murals… Errands, Alpine, Tx

Combining a great ride with errands is always the ultimate. Spirit with his yearly shots, myself with a prescription renewal and many carbs at a local Bakery proved Alpine is a great little town. The closest town to Terlingua, about 160 miles rounds trip.
And then we saw an Art Car! The Camera Van… it is something that left me speechless wondering if I should think about a new project called… “Sidecar Art”? Maybe the attention Spirit gets is enough!
Enjoy the pictures and description of it on the site
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our Blog and website…
 
"Viva La Historia" Terlingua, Texas

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“Viva La Historia” Terlingua, Texas

It was one of those events not to be missed, and we did not! Sorry it is not about riding… parks… the roads… or even Spirit. It is about much more, Life itself over many generations finally back together in this one little town around a cemetery to celebrate it all together. It was tears, laughter, food, music and kind people opening their arms to even myself passing by here from so far away. The emotions surpassed any gathering I have ever witnessed, you had to be here… I hope the Blog and the pictures can relate as close as possible the experience.

You be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Am I just an old "hippie"? Tx

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Am I just an old “hippie”? Tx

We took off for the day to the Park yesterday. Much needed for the both of us, it was time to spend some time trying to answer some questions running through my mind fueled by such empty spaces. Since Spirit is not allowed on the trails we pretty much stayed on Croton Springs Rd and Paint Gap Rd, riding some, hiking some. It happens always… the magical effects of Big Bend. In a couple days actually the Mountains themselves will be our view! A good friend of mine has offered some great first row space on his property for us to stay on. So today we are packing for tomorrow’s move, Karma again has been good to us.
More on the Blog

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
The pictures are amazing and moving. Seeing roads and locations that I've traveled to, thru your photos has sparked a deeper interest in getting out again.

Enjoy your trip, I'm glad I found this thread. Cheers.

:applause
 
Our new Home, BB, Texas

Yes, you need to get out again!... and again... and again...:thumbup

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Our new Home, BB, Texas

Due to the generosity of Roger, a friend we met last year, we moved onto his property yesterday morning… beautiful! What a view, what an incredible peaceful and serene space with the landscape of Big Bend, The Ghost Town, Terlingua… 24/7!
These are busy days! Another friend from Louisiana is arriving today, some riders from the Texas Two Wheel Forum also tonight… the Chili Cook Off has started… we have a free pass for the complete event as I volunteered at the gate last night…It was a good time with good people.
More on the Blog… a new recipe… a new Magazine page…
Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Yes, you need to get out again!... and again... and again...:thumbup

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Our new Home, BB, Texas

Due to the generosity of Roger, a friend we met last year, we moved onto his property yesterday morning… beautiful! What a view, what an incredible peaceful and serene space with the landscape of Big Bend, The Ghost Town, Terlingua… 24/7!
These are busy days! Another friend from Louisiana is arriving today, some riders from the Texas Two Wheel Forum also tonight… the Chili Cook Off has started… we have a free pass for the complete event as I volunteered at the gate last night…It was a good time with good people.
More on the Blog… a new recipe… a new Magazine page…
Be well…

Ara & Spirit


very cool. BB is like a diamond in the rough. middle of nowhere but a beauty on it's own. How long will you be in the region?
 
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