Hermit time

I haven't blogged much lately.   I know.  But I just have not felt the need, energy or desire.  Previously I would blog entire posts in my head before I would put them down on computer but that hasn't happened in months.  My stream of inner conversation seems to have halted.

My guess would be because I have just been so busy!  When the festival ended I stopped in Eugene for a week and had five clients during that week.  Then I went back to the ECETI ranch (http://www.eceti.org/) over the Labor Day weekend and downloaded more information than I could process so needed a month of inner reflection and minimal outward distractions.

That took up the month of September into mid-October when I found myself in Chico, CA.  I met some people at the festival's first venue that live in Chico and I had hoped we would reconnect again as I headed south.  I stopped in Chico for a week and I saw seven clients over a four day span as well as spending lots of time with my new friends.

Now I am on the road again heading to Arizona.  After a long day on the road I don't feel like blogging.  I don't feel like talking about the road, the park I am at for the night or my inner feelings.  I just want to veg out.  I feel all talked out from the festival and my time in Chico.  My energies have been taken up with meeting so many new people in the flesh.

As my plans stand now, I will be in Arizona for two weeks then traveling back to Palm Springs for a conference (http://www.starknowledgeconference.com/).  Or not.  That decision has not been finalized.

But that is why I have felt too busy to do much other than just live my life.  It has felt too full to add anything else into the mix.  I need my hermit time.

I'm Baaaaack!

Kristi, Anouk Sophia, Lori and Me

Well, kinda back anyway.  I spent four weeks on the road with 21 of some of the most amazing and beautiful people I have ever met.  They came from Slovenia, Australia, Switzerland, England and the United States and we lived with some of the most challenging circumstances you can imagine. 

We formed into a community of healers, healing ourselves as well as helping others with their own healing.  We camped on top of mountains (Mt. Shasta, Mt. Adams, Mt. Ashland and the California Coastal Mountains) and found our way through the myriad ways and shapes of a developing community and all its many challenges, all the while being out of our own particular version of "comfort".  We all fell apart at one point or another (I personally found myself in a fetal position crying) and yet we all stayed together and in the end there was nothing but profound love for one another.

Yoga With Mt. Adams

During this particular yoga session I felt waves of love blanketing the planet and knew I had been part of creating something that made a difference.  Something that was so special in its making.  Knowing that we all showed up, no matter what, and planted the seeds of a new beginning.

Fortuna, CA

I am stationed in Fortuna, CA for a few days, the last of my RV parks before the Kaypacha Festival.  Tuesday I head to Garberville, CA and the great unknown.

I have heard that the road to the Heartwood Institute is "scary and challenging" so am a bit concerned but also excited to board this thrilling ride.  I am also feeling nervous and excited about stepping into this community of my fellow gypsy travelers who have also jumped off the cliff into this great unknown.

I won't have cell service or internet access for the upcoming week and my updates may be few and far between as I festival travel for the next month.  But I do hope there will be some interesting tales to tell when I eventually resurface.

Off I go, into the wild blue yonder.  Climbing high into the Sun....

Break Free Story

 For those of you who may be interested in hearing more about my spiritual journey this link will take you to a recording of my Break Free Story.  My story begins around the 1:00:00 mark and it will only be available for a short time.  Enjoy:).
http://www.bethmartens.com/break-free-stories-kaypacha-archives/

Brookings, Oregon

It is a foggy day at the Coast and I am listening to the sound of the lighthouse and the crashing surf.  I changed parks but am still in Brookings, OR.  I love my new site and this new town.

The View From the Last Park I Was In

My New View

There was nothing wrong with the last park I was at other than I could have been anywhere in the U S of A.  It was clean and quiet as was perfect for my needs at the time but now I feel like I am at the coast.  I tried to get a pull through site with a more unobstructed view of the water but since that was not possible I chose the best back-in site I could find. Totally love my new territory and have extended my stay for four more nights.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.

Next stop is Fortuna, CA and then on to join the Festival for a month of traveling.  Gonna be so good!

A Perfect Day

I wasn't having the best of mornings.  I was feeling disconnected, unworthy and old.  Yes, the mirror was telling me I was definitely older.  New signs of aging seem to have magically appeared on my face, neck and arms.  I could swear they weren't there yesterday.  It didn't help that in dream time there had been yet another man I was totally connected to only to awaken and find he had stayed in the other reality.  I hate when that happens and it happens with far too much regularity.  Is it any wonder I want to stay in dream time as much as possible.

But the weather was sublime here on the Oregon coast so I stepped outside my door.....walked a 1/4 of a mile down the road....and walked into a Perfect Day.

The Dock at Brookings, Oregon

A Saturday market was set up on the Brookings dock and with the sun shining and temperatures in the 70s it seemed that everyone was in the best of moods.  And then the gifts just kept on coming:

1.  I purchased a beautiful bead bracelet for $1
2.  Had divine conversation with a beautiful woman as we shared our hearts with one another.   I love those moments of connection, where you are authentically seen.  I saw her, and she saw me and we hugged as we parted, total strangers only a few moments ago.       
3.  A micro-brew and good conversation with the man who brewed the beer and was also a massage therapist.
4.  A gift of some of the best fried shrimp I have ever tasted, compliments of the food vendor next to the beer brewer.    
5.  Held and snuggled a 6 week old Peek-a-Poo puppy.  Fell in love!  Maybe the dog for me?
6.  Browsed a real bookstore and more conversation, this time with the lady who owned the store.   She is loosing her sight and must cut down on her book reading.  We shared our love for books and talked about the haunting episode of the Twilight Zone where the man steps on his glasses.  If you have seen the episode, you will know which one we talked about.  Haunting!  I bought two books and a paisley patterned coloring book.
7.  An Umpqua mint chocolate chip ice cream cone.

I walked home with a pretty big smile on my face, thinking I had just experienced one of those perfect days.  I had turned my "frownie brownie" into a "smiley eyely", my heart was young and buoyant again and it no longer mattered what my old arms had to say.

'Nother Day, 'Nother State

 I had a wonderful 5 days in Crested Butte, Colorado enjoying the scenery, hiking and weather.  And I even enjoyed being parked on the frisbee golf course.  But there always comes the point when it is time to go and when that time came I drove straight into a heat wave.

My Last Hike in Crested Butte

 

It was a good 30 degrees hotter my first rest stop after leaving Crested Butte and it only got hotter the further I drove.  All I could think of was "GET ME TO THE WEST COAST!".  And so with manic desperation I pushed the Aspect and myself through Colorado, Idaho and Nevada and back into Oregon.  Yesterday it was 104 degrees in Winnemucca, NV at 5 PM.  Today in Oregon it was 90 degrees.  Still hot, but a noticeable difference.  Tomorrow I will make it to my west coast destination and the weather should be much cooler. 

The drive from Winnemucca to Klamath Falls, OR was one of the most challenging and beautiful roads I have ever driven.  For the first 200 miles I barely saw another vehicle.  It was mountainous, curvy and desolate.   And then there was this:

It was a section of a rainbow coming out of a cloud.  It was not raining, there were some clouds but I couldn't quite figure out this swath of rainbow that kept getting larger and larger.  And then I looked behind me and saw this:

WOW!  So amazing and not another soul for miles around to enjoy it.  What a wonderful way to start a new day....rainbows, mountains and cooler weather.

Welcome back to Oregon.

Crested Butte, Colorado

I have found myself in Never, Never Land, a town where the Lost Boys have taken up residence.  The name of that town is Crested Butte.

I went to college in Boulder, Colorado and I can't help but feel that I am 18 again and back in college.  So many young people live here!  Mountain bikers, hikers, kayakers, skiers...name any outdoor sport and they are here.  I am dry camping across the street from my friend and it is a parking lot for a frisbee golf course.

I get the distinct impression that no adults live here and certainly don't make the rules.  And yet there is no crime to speak of, the town is thriving and the nature that surrounds the town seems surreal because it is so beautiful.  Everyone I have met in the streets or in the stores seems so happy!

No wonder Peter Pan took up residence.

Golden Days in Golden, Colorado

I finished up my business with South Dakota and started my trek back to Colorado.  I decided to break it up into two days and stopped in Gering, NE and ended up in the most amazing park! (http://www.gering.org/rvpark.html).  Biggest site I have ever had, most cable channels I have ever had and good, fast wifi.  All for $27!!!

Now THAT is a Big Site!

My View (With 2 UFOs on the Left Side - Have No Idea Where They Came From!)

 Sometimes I don't know why I end up where I do, or for what purpose. While in Gering I needed to have my RV looked at after an exhausting day on the road. I drove to one RV repair place and no one was there and I could not reach them on their phone. After a trip back to the RV park and a trip to another RV repair guy, now totally exhausted, I met Butch. Butch fixed my problem and all he asked for in return was a hug. I guess Butch needed a hug and I needed to be there to give him one.

I was tempted to stay for several days to re-energize and take advantage of the site and the amenities but I was on a waiting list for the park in Golden, CO and when they called to let me know a site was available I opted for the road.

I heard about the park in Golden from Amy of gopetfriendly.com.  I met Amy and Rod when they stayed in Truth or Consequences, NM and knew that our routes would be similar.  Thanks again Amy for this beautiful gem of a park! http://www.cityofgolden.net/play/recreation-attractions/clear-creek-rv-park/

Amy Enjoying a Beer During First Friday in Golden, CO

Beyond That Fence is Clear Creek

Clear Creek

Kayaking Clear Creek

Tubing Clear Creek

Even Dogs Enjoy Clear Creek!

 

The creek is freezing but the temps have been in the high 90s so I have seen a lot of action on the path across from me as people head further up stream with their assortment of tubes and kayaks and the intention of floating down stream.  I hear people screaming as the rapids douse them in the frigid water which makes for good entertainment :).

There is always a waiting list for this park and 14 days is the maximum stay.  I will stay my 14 days and then move to the higher elevation of Crested Butte and hopefully cooler weather.  Who'd thought it would be so hot in Golden, Colorado!?

Whirl Wind

It has been a whirlwind lately and I can scarcely keep up with the days as they fly by.

My last day of work in Truth or Consequences was Thursday, May 30th and I left the next day and headed to Santa Fe for the night.  The winds blew me into Santa Fe Skies RV Park (http://www.santafeskiesrvpark.com/) which was a very nice park but the winds made it impossible to do anything other than stay in my RV.  When I left the next morning I drove through the smoke from the Pecos fire which at that time was 0% contained.  The area was so beautiful and green after my many months on the desert and I wondered how much damage was being done to those trees as I sped through 20 miles of smoke.  It was a bit unsettling but as soon as I got through the smoke the roads opened up and it was a beautiful day to be driving and listening to my new love...Sirius radio.  How did I ever live without it????

Now That's An Open Road!

Not Often You Find a Tribute to Women

Next stop was Colorado and a two night stop at the Garden of the Gods RV Resort (http://www.rvcoutdoors.com/gardenofthegods-colorado/).  I wasn't that impressed with the park but my neighbors from Leaf Verde RV Park (which was just awarded the Arizona RV Park of the year award) are workamping there and I wanted to stop and visit.  Jean and I had a wonderful day together in Manitou Springs where we ate, drank and shopped.  Oh, and I just had to visit one of the medicinal marijuana dispensaries.  It is not as open and available as I thought it would be but come January 2014 there will be no problem walking in and sampling the many varieties.  They told me to come back in January:).

Manitou Springs, CO

Lunch at the Keg

Best Strawberry Margarita I Ever Sipped

Gotta Have Your Paperwork

This Cowboy Bell Woke Me Far Too Many Times!!!!  The RV Park Served Dinner and Pancake Breakfast on Sunday Morning.....Who Wants to Hear This Thing on a Sunday Morning at 8:00 AM?????

But the Bar-B-Que Was Delicious and Those Were True Southern Greenbeans

After two nights in Colorado I drove north and spent the night in Cheyenne, WY.  I got in just ahead of a storm that blew 50 mph winds and when I saw those nasty dark clouds rolling in I pulled in my slide.  I have learned my lesson and when I start to experience winds that strong I just roll in my slide and take no chances on another ripped awning.  Dang all this wind!

And now I am in Rapid City, SD with more wind!   Once again I got in just ahead of the strongest gusts but 22-25 mph winds seem to be my new normal.  I am in Rapid City because I have finally gotten around to changing residency and I now have a new address and as of tomorrow will have a South Dakota driver's license and will soon have new vehicle plates.  America's Mailbox (http://www.americas-mailbox.com/) makes it extremely easy to walk through the process and with only one night's stay, although I am staying two nights, you can become a resident and no longer pay tax on your personal income.  Sorry Oregon, I loved you, but your 9% tax was just too much. 

After South Dakota I have around a month to fill before joining the Kaypacha Festival (http://kaypachahealingfest.com/) so I will be heading back to Colorado to hang for awhile.  I love Colorado and am excited about a longer visit.

Pikes Peak Way In the Distance With Very Strange Cloud Above It

And now even though it is only 8:30 PM, I am exhausted and ready for bed.  The whirl and the wind have had their way with me.

Oh What a Day

Serving Coffee During a Work Day

For the last three years I have worked Memorial Day weekend.  I watched the crowds, the families and the crazies from behind a front desk as I checked in the multiple RVers and vacationers out for their first summer weekend.  For me it was the beginning of a long workamping summer and I just wanted to get through that initial weekend and survive to tell the tale.  Well, not this year.  This year I get to be one of the crazies.

Rio Running

They opened up the dam and the Rio Grande came flowing through.  It started as an initial flush which brought all sorts of debris (bales of hay, tree limbs, bottles, cans, pillows) but by Friday most of the accumulated refuse had floated downstream and the river was now fast, deep, cold and totally enticing.  And then what should show up but the invite to float down the river in float tubes, kayaks or rafts.  Count me in!!!!

River Trip with Turtle Back Mountain in the Distance

Joan Ready to Go

Our group ended up being four of us...me and Joan, Ken and Jake (the manager of Riverbend) and an extra inner tube for the cooler of beer.  Because no one wanted to be too far from the cooler we tied our tubes together and had an absolute blast!  It took about 2 hours to float back down to Riverbend which was just the perfect amount of time.  Once back at Riverbend we hopped into the the hot springs and chased away the chill of the mighty Rio.

Jake and Joan with Captain Bob getting the van ready

Ken was in Charge of the Cooler

What a day what a day.   It was such a good day, we are going to do it all over again tomorrow...:)

The River's Flow

I haven't posted much lately.  Life has been too full and too busy.  And even though lately the heat has kept me mostly indoors on my days off, my need, want or desire to write seems to have gone on hiatus.

Today was one of my three days off.  I spent early morning soaking in hot mineral springs while idly watching a school of carp circling in the Rio Grande.  My plan was to take a picture of this carp dance but as I was lazing about one of the dams in the Rio was released and now the carp have all retreated to mud holes or puddles wherever they can find them.

The water mark on the deck piling shows the decrease in water level

You can now see the shore across the river

The carp have mostly disappeared

I didn't take this picture but this is similar to what it looked like before the dam was released

My understanding is the smell will be quite strong for a few weeks and then the Elephant Butte Dam will release its water and the Rio will rise to its full glory.  That is when there will be kayaking, tubing and floating...something I have never seen since I have never stayed here during the summer months.  My workamping job ends May 30th.  Do I want to stay a few more days to see the majesty of the Rio Grande as she freely flows downstream?  Can I bear a few more days of this 90+ degree weather?  Guess I will just have to play that one day by day.

What I have decided is that this will be my last workamping job.  I have unsubscribed from the daily "worker wanted" emails and will not renew when my workamping membership expires in August.  That's it, I am done.  It's been an experience, but I will no longer be enticed into working for my keep.  I don't wanna work!  

 I sold my interest in the land owned by my former spouse and that will give me enough money to live on.  At the end of the year I will file for social security which will add even more monthly income.  At least enough money that with my simple life, I can simply live.

Picture of me at my last workamping job

Go Pet Friendly

For those of you that have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I have had my questions regarding my willingness to commit to a dog in my life.  Years ago I had Patty the dachshund for an overnight stay and another time I had Rosebud for 25 hours before sending her back.  Neither dog seemed exactly right or the timing wasn't right or something just wasn't right.  I loved having Ralph for a few nights but I was equally happy to have him go back home.  So look who showed up as my neighbor for the last several days: http://www.gopetfriendly.com/

They have been great neighbors and conversations with Amy have answered a myriad of questions and been gently encouraging regarding dog ownership.   She even thinks she might take a picture of me to post on facebook and ask all her followers which dog breed might suit me best.

So even though  I recently killed my air plant,  I am still thinking maybe the time is right to reconsider a dog.

Astrolo Tea

Do you love tea?  My friend Pamela does.  She loves it so much she has created her own business, designed a website and poured her heart and soul into hand crafting these amazing loose leaf teas.  Please check out her website that was just launched today and if you are a tea lover, I can promise you that you will love her blends.  And if you are not that into tea, her teas just might make you change your mind.

Rock on Pamela Morgen!

http://www.astrolotea.com/

Festival

 http://kaypachahealingfest.com/

For those of you interested in the Festival I will be traveling with this summer here is the link.  Also, be sure and join up for the free webinar that will start April 25th.   I was interviewed so at some point my voice will be coming across the air.

Being so open and public has really pushed me past my comfort zone.  But that is what a break through story is all about....right?

Cloudy Skies/Sunny Skies

I am sitting in the Eugene airport waiting to return to Arizona.  Just as I have finally acclimated to the cool, rainy Northwest it is now time to return to the hot deserts of the Southwest.  I am returning to the sun of the South with my own internal sun lit and replenished.

My two week visit started out as too much time, and ended with not enough time.  The generosity of three friends enabled me to split my visit among homes which hopefully made it easier for all of us.  This was the first time in years that I was able to spend hours, full days and over nights with friends, finally having time for long conversations, hugs, laughter and tears.  I feel full and blessed to continue to have these people in my life.

My legal issues with my son have been resolved and completed, each of us breathing a sigh of relief that we can now move forward.  It has been a painful learning experience for both of us but we made it through the tunnel and our bond remains unsevered.  Definitely one of the most challenging events I have gone through.

I decided to return to Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences, NM for a 6 week workcamping stay so won't be back in Buckeye very long before I head down the road.  Hot mineral springs, starry skies and the Rio Grande are calling me back.

Life feels good.  It feels expansive, full and rich.  Some days the sky is cloudy and some days the sky is sunny.  Life is living the full spectrum.

Winding Down

All Guests Received a Smile on a Stick

I was up early this morning.  Early enough to attend my first (and last of the season) coffee and donuts event.  It started at 8:30 AM, which is why this was my first attendance, and by the time I arrived at 8:32 AM there was standing room only.  Nothing like free coffee and donuts to bring out the masses!

This is my first year here and by a show of hands I am definitely in the minority.  For most people this is at least their 3rd year and one older gent has been coming here for 15 years.  The sites and some other aspects are not ideal, but the people are what make this place a destination year after year.  I will miss them and would not hesitate to come back again.  There was a outdoor dance on March 17th and it felt like the end of summer camp, that time when you know you will be returning home and you are remembering all the good times you have had.  It was a very emotional evening and not just for me.

I have decided to fly to Eugene for two weeks and when I return on April 8th most people will be long gone.  I have attended my last line dancing and only one more game of water volleyball remains.  I will sneak out in the dark hours of the morning and avoid the many goodbyes that I always find such a challenge but I have added many fond memories to a long list of people I have met and enjoyed.

Anything is Possible

I am so in love with this video that I just had to share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FYxl2iWPIA

Big Wheel Keep On Turnin'

The conversations still tend to revolve around food, but the new conversation is now all about "when are you leaving?".

Some of us have been here for quite a few months.  Because this park is smaller than most of the other Arizona parks we have bonded over water volleyball and line dancing and with the weather getting warmer and Canadian visas expiring....well, it is just time to start thinking about who is leaving when.

And my answer to that is.....I DON'T KNOW!

I didn't realize I was so set in my ways until March rolled around.  In all previous years the middle of March found me winding my way back to Oregon with a summer workamping job lined up somewhere in Oregon.  That is not going to happen this summer.  No heading back to Oregon in March and no workamping job for the summer.

I have a general idea of what my summer will hold, but it shifts and changes daily.  I don't know when I am leaving Arizona, but when I do the plan is to revisit New Mexico, spend some time in Colorado and then make my way to South Dakota to change residency.  I am excited about exploring new territory but there are mountains along the way so I don't want to get there too early and be subject to Spring storms.  The slower the better.

Then my dream begins. My vision of joining a traveling healing arts festival becomes reality for the rest of the summer.  Where and when are still being developed but every step has been filled with creativity, amazing people, wonder and magic.  They are coming from around the world to join this caravan and I will be one of them.

When I submitted my application video I said "I am a one-man-band that has been waiting for the Philharmonic Orchestra, and you have finally shown up".

Gonna be a good summer :).

Rhythm

I watched her fold her laundry.  She did it with slow intent, present with every motion.  I watched and I watched, falling in love with this slow beautiful rhythm as each piece of laundry was smoothed, caressed and folded.  It was a poetry I had never seen before.

I knew this woman but I had not always had the kindest thoughts towards her.  She teaches line dancing and she never seemed to be quite on the beat or rhythm, always moving slower than the music.  Such a challenge!  But eventually the class would find some beat to the music that we could all connect to and by the middle of the song we would all be in synch.

You see, she has Parkinson's, a condition which affects the motor system with one of the symptoms being slow movement.  Some of her days are better than others and on a really bad day she will step aside and allow her husband to lead the class.  Her rhythm will be too slow for the faster pace of the music.  But she will watch and step in to help the beginners in the class, slowly going through each step until it is mastered.

There is a different ease to this dis-ease, a presence few of us master in our more fast paced lives. My aunt also has Parkinson's and I wonder if they are here on this earth to specifically show us how to slow down, to slow down our conversations, to slow our actions, to be present in each and every moment.  And to even be more present as we fold our laundry.

3-2-1

The women at the pool talk about food.  They talk about it a lot.  They are the ones that inspired me to use my convection oven for the first time, a good thing, and to buy my first jar of Nutella, not such a good thing.  But they did pass along a recipe that I think should be passed along again.  It is called 3-2-1.

Mix together a box of cake mix (any kind or flavor will do, I chose Devil's Food) with a box of angel food cake mix.  I mixed it all together in a large ziplock which is easier for me to store.

Then here is the simple part:

3 - add 3 tablespoons of the dry mix to a coffee cup or ramekin
2 - add 2 tablespoons water to the dry mix and stir
1 - bake it in the microwave for 1 minute

That's it!  Even I can remember this simple recipe.  Put whatever you want on top.  That is where that jar of Nutella comes in handy.

Coffee Cup

Perfect Little Cake

They told me I can experiment and make up-side down cake or a multitude of variations, but I think I will stick with the original 3-2-1.  Doesn't get any easier.

Only One Rule

Looks Kinda Like This, Without the Ref on the Side

An outdoor swimming pool is my number one requirement for my winter residency.  I love to swim and bask in the sun so an indoor pool won't do it for me.  Gotta have an outdoor pool.

And now I have discovered a new activity...water volleyball.  I don't know how much fun it would be at another park because at this park, there are no Rules.

There may be a set-up from the back to the front; a set-up from the front to the back; a set-up that travels horizontally down the line; one person may hit the ball as many times as they like and your team can hit the ball as many times as it takes to get it over the net.  Just when you think the ball is dead someone will scoop it out of the water and the play will continue.  You may hit the ball under the net while it is still on the other team's side.  No Rules!  I laugh and laugh as it will sometimes bounce off someone's head or get completely lost in the sun and land in no man's land.  There is a lot of floundering and a lot of excuses: "The ball was slippery!", "It was Vic's ball!" "I was setting you up!" "I can't breathe and play at the same time!" and a lot of yelling "It was out!".

I am a die hard and will play on just about any day.  The pool is heated but some days it has been bitterly cold getting in and out with cold temperatures and the wind blowing.  On a good day, the teams can be stacked with 7-9 players on each side.  On one of those cold days, we were happy to have 4-6 on each side.  It is just too much fun to miss one of the two days per week we play and so I am almost always there.

Oh, but there is one Rule.  And that one Rule is, Don't Hurt The Old People.