"Desert Spirit....."

"Rivers... are greater than their grandest canyons and biggest drops... for nearly all there is something more, something ineffable yet deeply satisfying, as we join with the ancient currents and flow, for a brief time, between the timeless banks." Bangs & Kallen

Our recent Grand Canyon rafting and Black Canyon kayaking adventures reminded me of this favorite quote and the nature of 'desert spirit', as in the energy, enthusiasm, fun, and friendliness we often find among fellows out in our wild lands...

The power of this most human element is immeasurable...

Such 'spirit' is most evident when it is a shared adventure experience; one of appreciation for nature's beauty, and a real presence of enjoyment, laughter, and fun...

A fellowship is created when people share enjoyment of experiences like deep canyon moments...

We rafted the Grand Canyon among five Australians, who had so much energy, with such vibrant humour and an appreciation of life's opportunities... They have been friends for a long time and seem so very young at heart... They are indeed spirited souls...

Kayaking in Black Canyon also offered a shared experience with a young couple from Nevada itself, married not yet two years, who at the beginning of their journeys together are already very thoughtful and reflective persons... One surprised the other with this adventure in a way we have over the years as well... They are such friendly and caring spirits...

I remember... the most beautiful Grand Canyon vistas, so very cold waters, endless smiles and laughter, standing under a refreshing canyon waterfall, the most intriguing conversations, a sunrise of gentle colors...

I remember... Black Canyons' hot springs, rain caves, reflections off the waters, quiet moments of drifting, the warmth of the rock, hiking to hidden places, the contentment of the familiar sweep of the paddle, emerald colors...

I remember... the immense depth of each place, the intense colors, especially the reds, the faces within the canyon walls, and the soul of the ancient rock layers themselves...

Kayaking and river rafting for us has always been a means to become part of an elemental medium... There have been many such rivers over the years, all with their own unique liquid expressions... Many done with such spirited groups, others experienced together, or solo...

Adventuring upon a river, now within the depths of deep canyons, adds other memories and meanings for us now too...

Deserts are places of paradox and contrasts... The sky and the waters; bare rock along with the fresh green of new spring plant growth; furnace like temperatures and bone chilling water - to assume these wild lands are barren would be wrong, they are so very full of life...

At times my spirit for adventure wains... Getting out there with adventurous souls, like these Australians and the young couple from Nevada, sparks within me the desire to adventure on...

We so appreciated them all sharing their desert spirit with us... The Australians will surely live and laugh very long lives... The couple will just as surely love and journey far too...

What amazing spirit they all have...

And too, yet again, I gathered small stones, and yet again anonymously placed many more...

I hope they enjoy their Summit Stones & Adventure Muse.....

DSD