ZION UT - TONOPAH NV, Part One
I was awakened by an alarm clock of wind and dust which blew into my half cracked bivy sack that protected me while I slept under the stars. There was no snooze I could stagger into operation so I deciced to get up. The sun had already begun to shine its brilliant morning gaze on the spires above and all around me in that heavenly place. Temperatures were crisp and complete with a chill but it didn’t seem to matter. I was awe struck. This solitude and clarity is what I had been after. Now I felt like I could actually begin this journey.
I stopped into a lovely espresso café on the way out of Zion and ordered a crossiant sandwich. It was delicious and satisfying. Over a single americano I checked emails, sent SMS message to Sahrfroggy via Skype and wrote a very small bit on the journal which I guess were mostly pictures. The two ladies who ran the place were wonderful hosts and made it easy to stay long, but with these ever shortening days I had to get on if I wanted to get above Death Valley tonight.
There was an elderly woman sitting by the doorway who seemed to be visiting the younger of the two hostesses. On my way out she stopped me.
Softly I said, “ Hello Ma’am.”
“I just wanted to tell you that you are beautiful, beautiful man. “
Oh! In that moment I wasn’t exactly sure what to say, admittedly considering a condition of dimensia. However as our eyes locked I could see that she was complete and cogniscent.
“Thank you,” I said
“I am grateful for this day in my life seeing you.”
I wish I could claim that I gazed into her eyes acknowledging some sort of connection but it was probably more of a glaze. All I could offer in return was another thank you. It left me with a wonderful flavor on my palate of adventure, an aftertaste of peace and closure to the landscape I had already past through. That was not the first time I was incapable of acting in such a situation. As I rode away I decided that from now on when ever a stranger shares a moment of intimacy with me I will at the the least offer my name and my hand.
The now late morning was still cool and calm. I mounted and rolled away into the desert.
I was awakened by an alarm clock of wind and dust which blew into my half cracked bivy sack that protected me while I slept under the stars. There was no snooze I could stagger into operation so I deciced to get up. The sun had already begun to shine its brilliant morning gaze on the spires above and all around me in that heavenly place. Temperatures were crisp and complete with a chill but it didn’t seem to matter. I was awe struck. This solitude and clarity is what I had been after. Now I felt like I could actually begin this journey.
I stopped into a lovely espresso café on the way out of Zion and ordered a crossiant sandwich. It was delicious and satisfying. Over a single americano I checked emails, sent SMS message to Sahrfroggy via Skype and wrote a very small bit on the journal which I guess were mostly pictures. The two ladies who ran the place were wonderful hosts and made it easy to stay long, but with these ever shortening days I had to get on if I wanted to get above Death Valley tonight.
There was an elderly woman sitting by the doorway who seemed to be visiting the younger of the two hostesses. On my way out she stopped me.
Softly I said, “ Hello Ma’am.”
“I just wanted to tell you that you are beautiful, beautiful man. “
Oh! In that moment I wasn’t exactly sure what to say, admittedly considering a condition of dimensia. However as our eyes locked I could see that she was complete and cogniscent.
“Thank you,” I said
“I am grateful for this day in my life seeing you.”
I wish I could claim that I gazed into her eyes acknowledging some sort of connection but it was probably more of a glaze. All I could offer in return was another thank you. It left me with a wonderful flavor on my palate of adventure, an aftertaste of peace and closure to the landscape I had already past through. That was not the first time I was incapable of acting in such a situation. As I rode away I decided that from now on when ever a stranger shares a moment of intimacy with me I will at the the least offer my name and my hand.
The now late morning was still cool and calm. I mounted and rolled away into the desert.
Wow! How wonderful! I told you you're beautiful, you beautiful man. I want to go kiss that old lady for seeing it so quickly. I'm glad you're having so much fun, cupcake eater! :)
ReplyDeleteDude, I am so jealous of you right now. I hope you make it out here by Friday because Dave and I want to take you camping, since I'm sure you haven't had enough of camping already! - Rosh
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