• landscape,  lifestyles,  Transportation,  Travel

    Some Options

    July 31, 2020
    My ride in 2004 was a BMW R1150RT Sport Touring bike. From a trip to Washington

    My dream for quite some time has been to have a Class B van, one I could spend several weeks on the road with, even living in it and have that feeling like I’m right at home. I had the Class A on the Radar for a short period of time but quickly realized that was more than I wanted to deal with.

    I have also dreamed of getting a roof top tent for my Forester and traveling a bit more on the rustic side without a toilet, shower or running water on board. The romantic in me whispers life would be perfect with either of these, right? But I’m wise enough to know that external stuff and dreams will not bring me lasting joy or happiness. It would not make life perfect. However, I do believe it would be an adventure. So, these ideas and dreams have been stewing for quite some time. There is a financial price that will need to be made for either a van or roof top camping. Nothings cheap while there is a major price difference between the two options.

    I’ve been looking at two options for Class B vans. One  would be nice setup with on board water, shower, and toilet such as the Roadtrek SS Agile or even a step up to the Class C  Leisure Travel Vans Unity. The other option would be an adventure style van which really appeals to me. It is a Class B but setup more for dispersed camping without a toilet and shower such as the Winnebago Revel. And there are also some very nice custom shops that will convert a van for you.

    The other option is the roof top tent which has interested me for several years. One option that appeals to me the Autohome Columbus Variant. This idea was spawned by David duChemin and Jesse which he wrote about back in 2011.  Another option would be the Thule Tepui. These are slick to setup and take down which really appeals to me. 

    I’m throwing these out there because these options and their marketing teams have perked my interest enough to keep me awake at night and brought up thoughts of selling off my kids, grandkids, my home or even your home. In a later post I’ll talk more to the reality of what I want with travel, is it feasible for me at this stage of my life and what fits my budget.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  moon

    Such is Nature

    July 30, 2020
    The moon and clouds with a touch of pink taken from my front porch last night

    Yesterday afternoon the wind picked up and blew hard while I was at one of the natural area. Tree branches were scattered everywhere when I arrived at my condo. By the time the sun had set all was calm and peaceful. Such a contrast and such is nature. I sat on my porch and watched the clouds take on a pink hue as the moon danced in and out behind the them. Hoping you have a wonderful day!

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  • coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  lifestyles,  writing/reading

    A Restless Soul

    July 29, 2020
    First mocha at the Bean Cycle in about 5 months

    A few years ago I found myself with my camera bag over my shoulder, my hand on my doorknob, heading out the door, realizing I had no clue where I was headed. My mind was blank and a recurring experience. I can’t even count how many times I’ve laughed at myself. I’ve wondered if I was crazy. Of course there are times I had a clear indication of where I was heading but not always. Should I be making a therapy appointment?

    Over the years I’ve come to the awareness that I am not a homebody but a restless soul of some sort. Home for me is not just a manmade structure with a mortgage payment of 30 years, which is how much of our culture defines home. For me, a home is where we lay our head to sleep, find shelter from harsh weather, a place of safety, and a sanctuary, a place of quiet and solitude. So home can be anywhere and everywhere. Some will disagree.

    I feel at home when I’m at one of the local natural areas, camping trip, a road trip, a nearby park, in a bookstore or library, at a coffee shop, in a sacred place, or a bicycle ride, my Adirondack chair on my porch, anywhere and everywhere. I am a restless soul. I suppose this could indicate some psychological problems but we’ll dismiss that for now because I do not want to spend money on therapy sessions.

    A closing thought as I want to keep this short. I have daydreamed of traveling most of my life. Play time was always outside, bicycling, sports, fishing, camping. As a young teenager I thought I wanted to be a truck driver. I’ve constantly dreamed of living an RV lifestyle for the past 15 years. Which I write about next. I’m a restless soul.

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  • flowers,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  Plants

    A word about the new lens

    July 28, 2020
    OIS Marigold (I think) found in Old Town square – handheld

    A short comment about the Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0 lens. Loving it! Crisp images. I’m impressed with the how close I can get for macro images. It is silent compared to the XF18-55mm f2.8-4.0 lens. The focus is almost negligible. I was worried at first with the OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) because it is so quick. Thought I may have a bad lens but some experimenting let me know it does it’s job. At my age the OIS is a nice plus. For sure making me a better photographer. 😊 

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  Travel

    The Wanderer

    July 27, 2020
    Clouds are nature’s way of asking us to pay attention to the art it creates

    “The wanderer is one who gives priority to the duties of longing over belonging. No abode is fixed. No one place is allowed finally to corner or claim the wanderer. A new horizon always calls. The wanderer is committed to the adventure of seeing new places and discovering new things.”

    John O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes

    I’ve had the bug to travel for many years. I’ve shared stories about my travels before on this blog and talked about some of the travel I still want to do. I would like to write more about it, maybe finding some clarity, sorta like talking it through. I’m not sure I’ll be able express my desires and dreams about travel or if I even have enough understanding  on what those are. There is a part of me that relates to the wanderer John O’Donohue writes about in the above quote.

    Some of my travel history includes touring on a motorcycle and  road trips in my car while camping along the road. I’ve also spent seven years living in hotels working and living a nomadic life as flight attendant. And, photography has been a integral part of each of those adventures. I’ve very much enjoyed each of those adventures. But there’s still a yearning for more.

    So over the next few days or weeks I want to share some ideas and questions I have that run through my head. I know some of you have traveled or are traveling so there is experience among my readers. I welcome any and all comments, even if you think I’m insane.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  reflections

    Just Being There

    July 26, 2020

    Clouds over the mountains at Rigden Reservoir

    “In the moments away from the crowd we perceive the subtler gifts—light, air, quiet—and discover we are more content than we thought.” Anne Scottlin

    I could see the dark clouds sitting over the Colorado Front Range so I decided to spend yesterday evening at Arapaho Bend Natural Area and realized I hadn’t been there for a while. There was also a desire to experience those clouds within a natural area rather than my condo. Nature can and does offer surprises when we least expect it so I go there. I did not find an any spectacular images when I returned home but what I really needed was the time there. I walked along the edge of Rigden Reservoir finding a rather uncomfortable rock to sit on and watch nature work it’s healing touch, whether I think I need it or not. Being next to the lapping waters edge drowned out the noises of the crowds. A stillness settled in. I found the rock was really not that uncomfortable, allowing me to enjoy the subtle gift of just being there.

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  • bees,  flowers,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  insects,  Plants,  quotes

    The Beauty of Silence

    July 24, 2020
    A bee enjoying the nectar from a cosmos at the CSU Trial Gardens

    “When you have a moment, just listen to the beauty of silence. It has so much to say.”

    Armin Ganguly

    I found this article from the Sierra Club interesting. Some of you may have already read it or at least seen the headlines about it. The Sierra Club is apologizeing for some of the early directions the organization took and the views of some of their founders. I found it very revealing and helping me see my role of my privileged life.

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