In our Tacoma, we've taken to scenic byways and those roads less traveled of dirt, dust, ruts; all that fun stuff. We sought places we’d never seen before along with those we’d visited briefly a long time ago. The raw experience of dark skies & brilliant stars filled with silence so loud all of your senses are on high alert. The meandering rivers we’d follow parking for the night along a bend listening to the riffles lap as they lull us to sleep. Mountain lakes and remote ponds on a day hike we’d find always drawn into their tranquility and beauty whether frozen deep in winter’s sleep or teeming with the new cycle of spring’s activity; immersing ourselves in nature is our true getaway.
My story isn’t a parable but rather it’s a love story, a landscape that is ever changing yet somehow remaining the same. I hope you enjoy reading it allowing the words ripple off of the page.
Stillness, it’s within me somewhere but fights against my own river of emotions. Rivers are life, the connection I have with waterways is multidimensional. Sustenance and serenity, their beauty and wonder, from what lives upon the water, along the shore and hidden below.
As I’m nearing the end of another
season of overlanding I find I’m less rushed but I continue to look around the
next corner and lookout for the fork in the road. We've been living out of
our Tacoma for months visiting not only mountains, beaches, deserts, and
meadows but family & friends across the country along this adventure too. Reflecting on our journey these years
together, planning this course we’ve taken, sharing of stories while preparing
meals or sipping on beverages welcoming laughter and healthy banter breaking nature’s natural silence.
Wind has become my main nemesis
while overlanding. As we create camp
each evening the consideration of gusts is a must before I strike any
match as I’ve witnessed our earth with areas seemingly untouched while others show their scars of wildfires that have distorted
the reality of the landscape. Rain
herself isn’t much fun when overlanding. In those moments, we simply choose to hunker down and settle in, perhaps a well-deserved nap is in order, while drops are
soaked in; a blessing for the wildlife, waterways and our land.
Upon emergence post rain events there is distinct aura of newness on the horizon as the plants gorge themselves and the landscape basks in the colors bouncing off puddles and wet leaves.
There are many evenings we skip a campfire for the winds are too much to be trusted
Waking up to wilderness at our feet & the sound of coyotes yipping off in the distance (I think they found breakfast)
There are some campgrounds that are open all year and choosing a site is easy when you're the only ones enjoying winter camping.
The glistening white sands of New Mexico (technically is rare gypsum sand & selenite)
Water, each individual drop, a valued sought after resource; its ecosystems complex yet the fragility is simple. Even when things seem quite the urge to protect and preserve remain ever present in my mind.
Colors along the river’s edge smile back at me as I navigate
trails to gain access to public lands and my own inner thoughts. I allow myself the experience of quiet
solitude. Water of any kind has become
my sacred place, a magnificent space I often go to rediscover myself, to dive
deeper into who I am and what I want my legacy to be.
As a novice outdoors women and as a reflective writer I’m constantly trying to find my flow and make something meaningful of my life experiences. I’m not a scientist by formal education but
what I am is a committed citizen scientist. Citizen scientists may design experiments, collect data, analyze
results, and solve problems. Anyone can
be a citizen scientist, regardless of where they’re from. It doesn't matter how
old you are or what your background is.
They also create great items to toss in lieu of snowballs too but make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling critter pooh.
On my journey I've really enjoyed, ok I love finding unique items to share on Wild Wednesday's
I am always rewarded by nature and willingly invest my time to her. If I am in a low emotional space or need to refuel my soul she’s there, my constant friend reflecting back at me. The stillness of an undisturbed pond or the riffles of water as it grows into rapids turning the bend up ahead ease my mind, carrying stresses away even if only momentarily.
Strength to explore is a requirement
but that drive and desire doesn’t have to be immense.
What I’m truly seeking? A question with no complete answer but I’ll keep my mind open and my eyes wide for perhaps she’ll produce an unexpected reply; my life’s destination.
Each evening, we anticipate the unfolding display as the stars start to illuminate the darkening sky. Seriously, the dark skies are stunning begging for you to stay awake. The connection I have with the dark is scary, the imperfection it offers, a quandary, further examination, my own hesitation. Should I enjoy this so effortlessly and not be stressed of what I can’t see and embrace what is visible in front of me.
Recently, on one of the coldest
nights I was alerted of the potential for an aurora borealis. I've been haunted by the near misses while I slumbered and slept through the purple, green and blue. As I stood there all alone, under a clear sky, my hands
shook not because I was chilly but rather my adrenaline taking over as I
witnessed waves of light pulsate, shift in shape, colors washing over me as I
basked in the delight of northern lights.
Almost an all-nighter I pulled, the first blanket, a unique quilt dripping out of the sky started near 10PM. The sounds of color amplified as it moved. My position, I adjusted to magnify. Lying on my back, on a snow covered field, a layer of merino wool near my skin that goose bumps of the magnetic kind dance in a ballet of unequivocal delight.
Back in college a professor described me as having chutzpah. I wasn't clear entirely back then if that was a compliment or harsh criticism, this willingness to take risks. I was confident, yes that fit. I was determined, yup this gal too. I wasn't an energy waster, not ever. I'm risk adverse, that is true. I see potential, even if remote it's there calling out to me. I've tried to cultivate the positive traits, drawing my spunk, a line of boldness, a willingness, to challenge myself in situations, and devour my determination. I'm considerate with strong moral principles which I believe help to further guide me, reaching my goals. True to my core, I am genuine and value friendships.
The relationship I have made with nature, her land, her sky, her waterways are often times the best company, never asking for anything other than mutual respect each time she welcomes me back into her home.
I'll happily admit amid grand vistas it's nice sometimes to stop and focus on a small patch of moss, clover, or dandelions on the ground, watching a butterfly flutter or birds chitter-chatter in trees as the morning light warms the day. Ending the war on weeds isn't a daydream but a reality easily achieved. No mow May will soon be underway and although there is no yard of my own on the road I applaud those who dedicate patches to pollinators; a butterfly garden we should all subscribe.
Willingly, I've let go of so much "stuff". The ability to adventure freely has reshaped me, it has strengthened me.
Years ago, I began approaching waterways with ceremony, my own ode to its diversity and life it freely gives away. Although anger inside sometimes percolates when I think about the recklessness with this resource. During the time I have left, my path on this earth, I want to share the universal language of love, compassion for nature, so that folks will not only dream of beauty that once was.
Water is something I'm seemingly always seeking for relaxation as well as hydration; that too for washing of me and our clothing gear.
We’d heard of a hot spring tucked deep in the mountains, a nine mile hike out & back. A mixture of winter hike, mud, brown meadows where soon wildflowers will bloom, and only us two.
Ah yes, gear. The proper gear is the secret ingredient to all of this adventure too.
Traveling light these days is important and the gear I’ve carefully selected has treated me very well. Having our truck-bed literally and figuratively as the primary place to sleep while overlanding in winter months with weather ranging from the negative digits without a blustery wind-chill to those warmer days bookended by rapidly changing conditions doesn’t cause me fright.
Being prepared is key. I’ve chosen merino wool base layers which allows me to always regulate my temperature. Honestly, we’ve slept in some extreme temperatures that most folks would quickly say we’re nuts but Minus33’s eco-friendly options literally saves our life allowing us to sleep worry free & snuggly.
That's correct, there is no heat in the bed of our truck. When we climb in for the night, tucking ourselves in, we're acutely aware of the elements, the temperature, the risks, but both of us are wrapped warmly with a spoon for that extra touch.
"Hi, my name is Kally and I'm a Merinoholic"; someone who is addicted to wool, the great outdoors, living an active lifestyle, putting me and the gear I choose to the test while exploring the outdoor world with confidence each step.
Sometimes, yup it's true, not all days are sunny and blue. Cloud cover can take hold or billowing fluffy ones lazily float across the sky. Rain, I've previously mentioned is kind of a bummer but without them rainbows are rarely ever seen. Organization is helpful dealing with weather elements ever changing; so with it so do I. It's not a magic trick, an endless bag of gear but strategic planning for the what-ifs.
Stepping into a new adventure can be daunting, the fear of the proverbial unknown haunting, selecting destinations on a map with an idea of what we'll find, the remoteness of wild landscapes, the harsh realization that we secretly knew, the tireless work involved in this lifestyle choice begs that simple question to some... "is it worth it"? The answer isn't complex, a simple "yes" but as with me I typically have a plethora more words to share if you'll humor me as I address this query.
Food or "truck snacks" as I refer these days to eating, sustenance and fueling.
Each day starts with me motivating myself for an early rise, not with the sun but before nearing half an hour I open the back cap window, my egress into the new day. It's harder than one'd think when the degrees are intensely cold with wind mocking me but I persist, coffee is next in order of business.
I've been strategic in my boiling of H2O, two sets of hot water I'll create. Once for pre-warming my vessel for this cup o' joe. I've learned that if I'm lazy and skip this step my coffee quickly chills and it isn't the season for iced coffee just yet. I never waste drinking water, this pre-coffee hot water is placed into my bottle with a tea bag for consumption over the course of the day. It's an easy win-win in the game of hydration as I sip with the waking sun.
Weather not whether is the question, or cause for hesitation. It's not whether or not we will travel from place to open space but it's the weather that'll keep us in place or force us to take shelter in town leaving behind public lands for safety demands.
There's a shadow lurking belowIt shrouds movements I makeA fishing adventure on border waters with no hasteMy hand on the reel always at the ready as I wait
Flowing swiftly ice melts nearbyBait ball in the water of earthen night worms yum-yumHidden hook delivers as it’s slurped and sucked inA fight like none other ensues
Water temps are deadlyLife saving jacket in place just in caseWinds are bone chilling air is frigid with hints of sunA fish I lift and yup I hug
Release … a quick gentle return into the river water you go
Biologists have guesses
ranging from freezing, frosty temperatures or a genetic mutation.
Perhaps it’s from when the cells within the growing stem began to divide outward rather than in the normal circular pattern. Once estimated at 1 in 200,000 saguaro have this crest. An iconic symbol are the mighty saguaro for their ability to endure harsh desert conditions. “Crests” generally measure between three and five feet in diameter with convoluted patterns & folds. Due to the scarcity of crested cacti sadly it has led to poaching.
High
above the Snake River overlooking "The Niagara of the West"
Often
referred to as the Niagara of the West, Shoshone Falls is a must see attraction
in Twin Falls, Idaho.
At 212 feet tall and 900 foot wide, Shoshone Falls is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States surpassing the height of the famous Niagara Falls. Shoshone Falls is located on the Snake River as it carves its way through a deep basalt Canyon on its way to the Columbia River.
In these drawings, from long-ago, they used their pictorial voice to visualize
details outlining a story to the readers.
I’d like to think I’m being told about a hunting party’s success, a path
taken by a father & son, the great herd seen over the horizon, the rivers
path explored finding fertile lands for their people, a gentle moment in time
not wanting to be forgotten.
The true stories shared are unknown but what I know in my heart is that stories should be shared like that favorite family recipe otherwise the aroma we love & that sweet taste will vanish over time no longer able to recall; etch them into your history.
Oh, one image might even be an invitation to a great feast to be shared to celebrate the day,
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