"What May Really Haunt Us..."

It is not what some may first think about that which haunts lots of us during the long, sometimes too quiet hours... For many adventurers it is not the darkness and depth of the night that makes us shiver; nor the risks inherent within all adventures which catches our breath at times. Not even the moments of trial and anxieties, and those real tests to one's determination and endurance that shake us on occasion. Fears about the unknown aren't foreboding to such explorers as we. Worries of keeping up or about competition simply are not there anymore for us elders either. The wild places are too welcoming for such wraiths to severely bother those who wander endlessly out there.

What really haunts many of us in those exposed contemplative moments; what truly may keep us up at night sometimes, are not so much these ghostly worries, but more so those ponderings and wonderings of what could have been...

We all have them. Those wishes for what might have been, for what we did not do... Maybe sadness or deep disappointment for dreams not put in motion; and even at times possibly for the loss of the desire to go...

What may in reality haunt many adventurers in those long, quite hours are more the shades of lost moments, unused opportunities, when we may have been distracted by something other than what could have been truly meaningful moments out among the wild places. These are the spirits that may really haunt us if we do not exercise them.....

DSD

"Wild & Mystical Experiences..."

"The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical." A. Einstein

I have always loved such quotes and this one, by one of the most prominent thinkers - Einstein, is a cherished favorite. He was a hiker too you know... These are profound words from one who studied matters of the most scientific and physical in his early years. They are an acknowledgement too from one who came to also know the importance of other elements not written about on charts nor able to be seen under the microscope. Einstein was later to develop an awareness into the importance of many things we are not able to touch and yet we truly know of their existence. In his last years, after his many walks most often taken among forested wild places, he would say that he has matured from a scientist to a mystic - and that the sometimes inexpressible wonders of nature allowed such to be for him...
I do so love such musings as this.....
DSD

"Partners In Placing Summit Stones..."

Today, while looking over many posts, pictures, and email from you my Friends, I am enjoying just remembering... You have all gone so high and so far in your wonderful adventures, your amazing journeys, and when I look back upon these last seasons of my own wanderings and musings, and over the connections made with you this year - I find myself feeling especially grateful... Because on very selective occasions I have quietly inquired of another fellow adventurer if they might enjoy sharing in, partnering if you will, in this endeavor of giving back and passing forward. In the early days I would journey on my own to gather up, later paint, and much later then appropriately place, these small cobblestone gifts. In the last few years; mostly after beginning this blog, others have been gracious in becoming partners in these placings, companions in this karma... I am so very, very grateful for this...

The reality is that while I do my best, there are so many more skilled adventurers around than myself, so many elusive high and wild places I will never likely see, nor set foot upon, so that inviting a fellow along on occasion has then created a wonderful experience for this shared path... I believe we become good friends within such endeavors and in doing so I have also been allowed to share in your experiences, to follow along on your adventure summits, the canyons, towers and treks and trails upon water & land. As we get older I've found such connections become especially important... So I will always do my very best to ensure that this will never be about getting in the way of another adventurers' interpretation of their experience. I promise too it will never have anything to do with assuming credit for a summit or another adventure goal attained - not by me, but by a fellow partner. Simple things; but important things...

This endeavor is only about offerings, sharing elemental enthusiasms, and hopefully encouraging much personal musing as we each discover individual meanings for our own wanderings...

My sincere appreciation, and enduring gratitude, to each of you, my Friends, for participating as partners in this journey.....

DSD

In Memory of: http://summitstonesadventuremusings.blogspot.com/2008/01/there-is-place-we-go-in-mountains.html

Just One Thing: http://summitstonesadventuremusings.blogspot.com/2006/12/just-one-thing.html

"Spellbindings..."

"I'd fallen under its spell in part because of what it was, but also because of what I wanted it to represent." K. Johnson

Our wild places cast many spells upon each of us... We are charmed by deep canyons, so attracted to the fast flowing rivers, always fascinated by the high majestic mountains, often amazed and surprised by the deserts, and forever spellbound by the winds and waves among islands embraced by oceans and lakes... Such incantations touch each of us on the deepest levels of our awareness and spirit as to hold us so closely forever... When we later call these to mind we learn for ourselves again and again what symbolism and meaning adventure journeys represent for each of us. They portray, they affirm, they embody, motivate, and truly manifest our hopes, dreams, and desires for what we want to experience out there - and for who we want to be as adventurers... Such are wild place bewitchments of the very best kind...
DSD

"A Misty Morning..."

"There is nothing to fear within the mists of the unknown." Anon

"Unfold like a mist rising out of a ravine, gleam like a lake touched by a zephyr." Lu Yu

I awoke this morning to a deep misty day. Fitting I thought and smiled as we come nearer Halloween...
DSD

"Deep Inside The Heart Of A Stone..."

It was a special stone among many unique cobblestones... Discovered and gathered from one of the most remote islands I had ever paddled to. It had weathered the eons through storms and tides, wind and rains, and was polished so perfectly from dancing forever among others of its kind out there. It now held a coastal image upon it, one that reflected night and day, rocks and mountains, beaches and forests, and a rainbow of more colors than is usually seen. It was coated to protect it and now rested within its 'Adventure Muse' waiting quietly for the anticipated journey we were both on. I had selected this wild place objective for reasons of fun, for solitude, to challenge skills recently learned, and to place this small gift in an appropriate established cairn.

The challenges were more than expected, both of difficulty and time - but now here I was, finally resting beside the cairn; slowly and respectfully opening the register... I so enjoy sharing in others' past journal notes enclosed there, and the small gifts they often too may have left.

But when it was the moment to place this Summit Stone, I decided to view it one more time before wishing it well on its way. To my total surprise what was now in the 'Muse' was not one, but amazingly two, distinct and perfectly separated pieces of stone.

This painted cobble had split itself along a seam that ran throughout the rock. There were no loose shards and the pieces fit just right when placed back together. The coating had also protected all of the painted images there. How and when and why this had happened I enjoy pondering ever even today. Yet I still placed it up there because it seemed the fitting the to do. The rainbow on it ended at the inner open edge now, as if there must be something golden hidden inside of it. If you looked very closely at what was now revealed, there was indeed heartfelt treasure to be found...

I have since painted many split scenes, like the one above, upon Summit Stones, as I recall that wonderful experience, and how another simple cobblestone shared its' inner beauty with me while inspiring me in yet more ways... I so hope the 'Finder' who next made the journey to this forgotten and hardly ever visited high place enjoyed its' uniqueness too.....

DSD

"Adventuring For Another Reason....."

There are so many adventure experiences that may be enjoyed by each of us, so very many terrific interests for being out there... So many motives for such efforts and for taking on these challenges, enduring the trials, pushing through the limitations... They are such personal, individual grounds for going we each hold to, yet on occasion, at very special times, we can move among the wild places for another reason...

Something else becomes the fire in our belly for being out there. Something very special transforms both our purpose and our very being. This evolves from a different kind of motivation, from a whole new level of intention; for why we do what we do in our chosen adventures. There is a unique energy within such reasons. There is also a special kind of commitment towards then fulfilling such an adventure objective. What has now influenced us to go, what then induces us to keep going, is seen to have a very different genesis. We have now chosen and committed to another kind of adventure - an adventure of cause, of purpose, one that we see as so deserving of support. Be it as a soloist, or within the symphonies of a group, we set out on a trail of inspiration, resolution, determination & dedication, that has its' own unique nature within it. We are adventuring for another reason, often for another person, who may not be able to wander the wild places as we might. While they may not be with us, they are causal, truly instrumental, as to why we are out there...

Their needs become our inspiration; their wants become our objective...

We have committed to paying a different price and our efforts, and our following through, are reward enough themselves. We are out there for anther purpose... Climbing, scrambling, hiking, paddling, trekking, biking, running; now for an ideal - for another very special reason...

What might those reasons be for you Dear Friends.......

DSD

***Please see all the wonderful sites linked to here for many amazing opportunities to 'Adventure For Another Reason'...***

"A Magical Quality..."

"From my deepest and oldest memories, I was always fascinated with the mountains. They had a magical quality about them and climbing was a part of that... In climbing, you can have a very intense, sometimes spiritual, highly emotional adventure and you can turn around and have another one. That kind of thing keeps a lot of people doing it." W. Read

Time to head back to the high places.....
DSD

My appreciation to Andrew Nugara for his inspiring images above: http://members.shaw.ca/anugara/index.htm

"Your Wilderness Calling....."

"Wilderness is not just a place... It is also a state of being...". G. May

"If you are willing, and if you listen very gently and carefully, you will sense that this mysteriousness is ready to lead you, guide you to where you need to be... It is your wilderness calling...". G. May

Somewhere, something, is calling to you my Friends...

Whatever your wild places may be for you,

Where ever your wilderness may exist,

However you seek your adventure experiences out there,

Somewhere, something, is calling especially for you...

Such callings seek out our own answerings - and those answers, we know, are very personal, very individual, very special for each of us. You will be the only one to hear it calling in that way...

Our responses to these quiet callings often reflect freedom, fun, companionship, and challenge. Then our wild place adventures become the means for us to become the person we want to be - out there and then back here as well.

Somewhere, something, is calling to you.....

DSD

My appreciation to J&M Monkman for the above images.