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

A Celebration "The Day of the Dead", BB, Tx

The best answer would be... "a while"... Hope to see you here some time...

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A Celebration, “The Day of the Dead”, BB, Tx

A Mexican Holiday celebrated here in Terlingua, a friend from Louisiana, the Chili Cook Off, the Texas Two Wheel riders in the area… and you thought probably that there is never anything going on around here!
On our way right now to the finals of the cook off… much more on the Blog…
We have to run!!!
Be well…
Ara & Spirit
 
The Chili Cookoff, Terlingua, Tx

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The Chili Cookoff, Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua has regained its composure yesterday afternoon, the many events that took place these past weeks are over. Millions of stars where shining down on us last night as the town near by was dark and quiet. We spend some time at the Chili Cookoff, the craziness was just starting as the chili’s were turned for judging. The Showmanship competition was on its way, amazing imagination, laughter, colors and music… as always!
Spirit will pose for pictures as long as needed… it was a great sunset and no exception, he sat patiently and waited for the camera to stop its shutter noise! What a dog…
Enjoy the pictures on the Blog… there are quite a few!

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
A bit of my Dog’s Life riding and living on the road…

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A bit of my Dog’s Life riding and living on the road…

We did live on 16 beautiful acres at one time in Northern Georgia when my buddy rescued me from the shelter with just a couple more days to live. I heard many people telling him not to take me because I am a Pit, so I proved him wrong for over a year now!
Life is good, the smells are good, the food is to and so is his affection and Love for me. I have my own sidecar, I get to ride and watch my other buddies walk the streets instead. Of course I have to give in often for all those pictures he takes of me, same goes for all those strangers that have never seen me riding with my goggles on… but oh! Well… small price to pay… check it out…

Thanks for the scratches you always send me…

Spirit
 
Pinto Canyon loop, Texas

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Pinto Canyon loop, Texas

Take a truck, a jeep or a dual sport bike, but do not miss this road. It is not only the 22 miles of dirt and rocks, it is also the paved road that leads to it and River Road which will take you back to Terlingua… Can I add it is the baked goods of the Bakery from Alpine eaten on the side of the road while baking under the afternoon Texas sun?
It was a great day of riding for us, new roads are always welcomed. So much to see that the road is still new as we will go back to ride it again most likely. The side roads are inviting, the Hot Springs are too!
Part I is here… the rest next time.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
More on Pinto Canyon, Texas

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More of the Pinto Canyon, Texas

More pictures of the rest of the ride from Pinto Canyon. We are planning to do it again soon, maybe even spend the night at the Chinati Hot Springs if there is such accommodations. I have not checked into it yet and the weather is suddenly changing, I was told that it is erratic here…
Well, this is the first picture of Mr Spirit as a Biker Dog with his helmet… he is putting up with it… but he does not like it! Don’t ask… he puts up with it. Maybe he will just wear it in bad weather and on long distance rides… and you don’t want to know what happens when we stop! I now know what celebrities like him go through with the paparazzis… He is on his own… if he could only talk seriously some times!

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
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A quick tour of Lajitas, Texas

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A quick tour of Lajitas, Texas

I have always been intrigued as to the feel Lajitas would give when there… I do have a favorite spot, a short river crossing to Mexico a bit past the town, in the old days before border crossings changed that was some busy sights. But the town itself was eerie, sad, not only because of it being deserted but because its authenticity has been stripped, replaced by some “look alike” buildings trying to fool the tourists that modernism can still look old! It still made for some interesting pictures! There was no one to get in the way of the camera including specially a quick stop at the “International Airport”…
Spirit’s helmet fits better… we had to remedy to his unhappiness of the previous day… and we are planning some long… long… rides!
All on the Blog….

Till next time, you all be well… and enjoy the Sunrise!

Ara & Spirit
 
Old Marathon Rd loop, Texas

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Old Marathon Rd loop, Tx

We are indoor this morning, the winds blowing like mad all night had me even reset the Dish! This is the clearest skies we have ever seen so far, would make for great pictures if only the sun would come out and take this grey cast away. I think it is happening as I write this!
It was a great ride yesterday, again isolated inland roads with this time some degree of difficulty for us… a street tire in deep sand is never the best scenario!
Thinking today was Friday, I realized it was not and we have now one more day to get ready for a weekend in Alpine for the Open Gallery Night, where we will try to find a little obscure corner to spend the night! It was a customary fashion in the 60’s! Including much hitchhiking…
And yes, Spirit will have his blanket!!!
Be well… enjoy…

Ara & Spirit
 
Artwalk in Alpine, Texas

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Artwalk in Alpine, Texas

Another great event in this area… the Alpine Artwalk! Nighttime open Galleries, rubbing elbows with the Artists… eating and eating again… and much chatting!
We left early in the day, the weather turning cold last night made us came back the 80 miles, missing only one deer in the dark. I keep thinking… some day! Some day it is going to happen… so far we have always drawn the lucky number.
Such a great time that we (I did anyhow!) thought about maybe going back tonight.
Enjoy the show… and a Holiday Recipe…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
A couple events in Terlingua, Texas

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A couple events in Terlingua, Texas

More going on here every week that passes by. The local talent was in full force at a benefit for the recycling program, including an incredible Fire Dance at the beat of the Drums… a nostalgic tour at the “Menagerie Press” where Lauren uses two almost 100 year old letterpress presses to print cards and pages… no click of the button here… no switches, but true hard work one letter at the time.
We are on our way to the Chinati Hot Springs which we missed the last time we rode Pinto Canyon. The weather is still warm ahead of a forecasted cold spell, and we better get on and take advantage of it…
That is about it for now!
Almost forgot… lots of pictures in the “My First 100 Years” last article…

Be well….

Ara & Spirit
 
The Chinati Hot Springs, Texas

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Oh! That look!!!…

The Chinati Hot Springs, Texas

Yes, still in Texas… the big and friendly State with so many places to go and events to attend! When “things” get busy somehow my mind always go back to our stay in the “Joshua Trees”, the “Belle” campground, all the way in the back by the big rock where we sat there for hours… days really! I guess it has left quite an impression on me. Chinati Hot Springs will became the same, in the middle of literally nowhere, isolated from it seems the rest of the World, as they say, it is a place to get “restored”!
Even if the journey there was kind of a fiasco regarding food and sleeping accommodations… my own smart lack of planning!
Don’t miss it if you are in this area… more here on the Blog.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Holidays in Big Bend, Texas

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Holiday in Big Bend, Texas

We actually spend most of the day in Alpine, working at cooking! It was a fun day putting to use what I know best. Had not help from Spirit, nice think carpet in front of the fireplace, that was his pad for most of the day! This dog is not a fool…
Change in weather so suddenly made us ride in a bitter cold wind that somehow even came through the helmet and my ear plugs. Price to pay I guess… It even snowed last night up on Chisos Mountain where we tried to take a ride up this morning, but even with my heated gear including the gloves, we had to turn around… just a bitter cold. It will warm up… soon.
Recipes and pictures are here… on the Blog.

Till later… you all be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
A Journey with no Fences and Gates? Texas

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A Journey with no Fences and Gates? Texas

We are going to Fort Davis tomorrow. A change in the scenery, it is about one hundred miles north of here and it will allow us to explore the area without the 200 mile round trip every time. Makes sense…
The weather has been warming up nicely, some great riding in the area should make it for a pleasant stay. Having quite a few friends visiting Big Bend in December, we will be back here before heading… East… for a very short while.
Some thoughts today… somehow I see the fences surrounding us also being part of our own Life…
You be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
Just wanted to say I really enjoy following this thread and keep those great photos of Spirit coming.
 
Marathon, Texas

I guess... you like Dogs with that handle and Avatar!!! Thanks....:teeth

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Marathon, Texas

Repeat to myself “never write about our next destination”… repeat to myself…
So we are still here… we did leave… came right back! Not strange if you consider that the Powwow is happening this weekend, the Bug Show… and the “Run for Stupidity”! Only in Terlingua… you would not want to miss seeing all those events on this Blog… would you? So only to please you (!!!) we unpacked again and forced ourselves to stay… just for you! I insist…
We did take a ride to Marathon yesterday, a nice ride and a cool little town as you will see on the Blog…
Our “Spirited Doggie Treats” (Spirit’s new hobby!) would have been a better choice for lunch than what I had…. But… maybe I will have better common sense next time…
You be well….
Ara & Spirit
 
A Powwow in Terlingua, Texas

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A Powwow in Terlingua, Texas

I think the ones that did not show up for this event missed out on a lot. It was a beautiful day, we are back to short sleeve T shirts by the way here in south Texas, and the event kept our senses awake all day. Just a few miles from camp, this will never be considered as a ride report! It really is better, a true ride for the mind surrounded by proud people within their rich history.
A new experience making me happy that we turned around to come right back a few days ago.
Enjoy the pictures on the Blog…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
 
hey there ara...if we do end up running the southwest in april/may it will be great to finally meet you and spirit!
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as usual the photos are stunning! and what a fun read!
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cheers
 
The rest of the weekend, Terlingua Tx

That would be great not to miss each other somehow... I am so much looking forward to Moab... patience!!!
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The rest of the weekend, Terlingua TX

I have to clarify what I wrote today on the Blog regarding the Powwow and my feelings toward the group of Native American Indians present… I am speaking about who I saw, what I saw and what I felt this weekend. Of course I know about the Casinos, of course I know about the millionaires in Palm Springs… but “this” was here, it was “now”…
Spirit again had a package in the mail, he has his own fan club… many spirited (!!!) followers most likely. Some stickers for his helmet… and now he will get noticed even more, trust me that my job as his “bouncer” has just become more difficult.
As most of you are feeling the cold and maybe buried under the snow, the weather here? Come and experience it… nice and cool in the morning… nice and crisp during the day, not a cloud in the sky lately… this even beats Florida weather!
You can also check out the “Bug Show” and the “Race for Stupidity” on the Blog…
Till next time… be well… and let me know what you think!

Ara & Spirit
 
Beemerchef said:
That would be great not to miss each other somehow... I am so much looking forward to Moab... patience!!!
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The rest of the weekend, Terlingua TX

I have to clarify what I wrote today on the Blog regarding the Powwow and my feelings toward the group of Native American Indians present… I am speaking about who I saw, what I saw and what I felt this weekend. Of course I know about the Casinos, of course I know about the millionaires in Palm Springs… but “this” was here, it was “now”…
Spirit again had a package in the mail, he has his own fan club… many spirited (!!!) followers most likely. Some stickers for his helmet… and now he will get noticed even more, trust me that my job as his “bouncer” has just become more difficult.
As most of you are feeling the cold and maybe buried under the snow, the weather here? Come and experience it… nice and cool in the morning… nice and crisp during the day, not a cloud in the sky lately… this even beats Florida weather!
You can also check out the “Bug Show” and the “Race for Stupidity” on the Blog…
Till next time… be well… and let me know what you think!

Ara & Spirit
Click to expand...
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ara, that snap is brilliant!
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how many pairs of doggles does spirit have?
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:laughing :laughing
 
Wandering through other Texas towns...

You know, Life can be so unfair... he has 5 pairs, also one with clear lenses, that readers and the Doggle Co has send him... and I have just lost my only pair of sunglasses (rx!!!), thank God I have a visor on the helmet... I keep hoping he would loan me one pair... as I even try to bribe him with the Treats that bear his name... I am still waiting... and squinting! Oh! well... at least my position here is secure.

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Wandering through other Texas towns…

An empty and desolate road, some turkeys I could not get close enough to take pictures of, nice cool breeze, this was all on the way to Ft Davis. Terlingua is behind us for a little while, I long for some bit of distance riding, some new roads and new scenery. The highlight of the day was seeing Ron and Marsha Cox making brooms! Something you probably don’t even notice in the stores… replaced by these noise making machines called vacuum cleaners. These are the same brooms made since the 1800’s. You might even think that the Desert might be getting to us, as Spirit is of course is part of this (!!!), well, maybe. But, besides just riding, it is also fun to watch and learn Artisans at their Craft, specially when it is such an ancient one.
Lots of little Texas towns around here… because, yes, we have moved to Alpine… near Alpine anyhow.
It is all in the Blog…

Be well… Ara & Spirit
 
A little more riding, Texas

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A little more riding, Texas

Sometimes I just don’t know how to title the day! Do they all need a title?… sometimes it is helpful and sometimes not. Today is the continuation of yesterday, such common sense… right? There is always so much that happens, so much we see and experience, which makes me wonder if we could ever live any other way from this point on! Maybe if we had to. More time spend in Ft Davis, a visit to the Mc Donald Observatory with an invitation to return tomorrow morning and check out the behind the scenes of this unique telescope. The fog is rolling in right now, rain or shine we will be there!
More on the Blog…

Be well… Ara & Spirit
 
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