"In The Wild Places..."

In the wild places... We discover land & seascape as muse and are gifted with many intense experiences worth pondering over.

In the wild places we learn of nature and of ourselves as well. Elemental metaphors are both surreal and very real out there.

In these wild places we find that sense of freedom each being needs in their lives. In these special places the goal is to adventure and see new things, and also to see in new ways...

We begin to realise what wild really is, the strength within nature, and to know its' vulnerabilities too.

In the wild places we find inspiration, we re-create motivation, we more understand our motives - our why's for going and doing what we do out there...

We embrace the seasons of the wild places, the seasons for our lives, and the real reasons why such outback resonates within us.

We cannot be, what we cannot see; so we open ourselves up in the wild places. We share experiences so meaningful with family, partners, friends, and animals.

In the wild places we begin to know what we always knew. Many times out there our bodies are tested as they should be. Yet in the wild places we feel and sense more than body though; we also find real spirit...

In these wild places we uncover true humility and that which we all are part of. We exert efforts to preserve that which was passed forward to us knowing intuitively its importance...

In the wild places we learn priceless lessons, depths of insights. We want to attain goals, to be, to feel. We play, have such fun, returning to our child like lives.

In the wild places we experience the power of choices. We so push ourselves, and each other, while moving beyond self-induced barriers and past adversity.

In the wild places we enjoy endless sunsets, alpenglow, the wind, waves, and such vistas too many to count. We discover surprises, newness, realities before unknown. We see many levels of nature, true beauty, of the place and as a human in that place.

In the wild places we become more of the person we want to be; we go back to our natural selves, and return refreshed.

Ultimately... In the wild places, we find what we never lost, and are so grateful for these gifts.....

DSD

My appreciation to G. Wiltsie for the above images.

"Dedications....."

The terrain of dedication is a diverse one. Like that which reflects our intentions for climbing a mountain itself, the meaning of our dedications, and what we wish to honour with our adventure efforts, is a very individual and personal thing. For myself, the study of what elements make up our resoluteness; in pondering the willingness we each choose in 'giving up to get' within our adventure goals, and in musing over why and how we devote ourselves so - remains a life long quest.

I thought of dedication again when returning with a close companion to a mountain where a fall took place, and how dedicated my friend is in keeping on in the face of such severe adversity.

I reflect on dedication as well when I read over the many wonderful links I have here to the scribings our fellow adventurers like Kraig, Stewart, Casey, Carol, and others make in their continued loyal commitment to the quality, frequency, and depth of their adventurous blog posts.

I think too of Rick McCharles at Best Hikes, in his year over year journeys to seek out and actually experience many of the best hikes of the world, his posts and pictures about them, and the amazing sharing in placings he has made of Summit Stones.

Then there are all of you too, fellow 'Partners In Placing', who share in beliefs about the importance of giving back and passing forward. What selfless dignity you have sharing in the smiles and karma along the way.

So, here's to you my Friends, as we dedicate ourselves once again - in sharing at this time of year; towards planning next seasons adventures; and especially within how we consider we might 'Adventure For Another Reason'...

Such inscriptions of our dedications are then indeed written in stone, within the forms of our vision, our desires, and our adventure dreams about the wild places...

I wish for each of you many very happy seasons of summits & trails, sunrises & sunsets.....

DSD

"A Story With No End....."

That is what our adventures are... A story with no end...

A story of promise, of possibility, desire, and high expectations. The wild places inspire these stories and we become trusting of such experiences from out there.

We remember the uplifting moments, the fulfillment's, and the transcendence's of the mountains...

We remember the knowings, the innocence, and the expressions of the desert...

We remember the potentials, the futures, and the feelings that the rivers share...

We remember too the oceans and lakes with their newness, the breakthroughs, and their messages of hope...

Wild places for many often especially create experiences of freedom, sometimes for redemption, even emancipation's and forgiveness...

They are a story too so phoenix like in spirit, with endless new beginnings and meanings, grand memories and sensing of something 'more than' to be found...

So many musings to be discovered, so much to be enjoyed, all inviting us to go onward, to go forward, to go beyond. A spirited story with no end, as there doesn't need to be, because the wonders are also in the journey and the telling of the story itself too.....

DSD

My appreciation to J. Miglavs for the top image above and to G. Epperson for the lower image.

"Further Mystery & Magic Of Mixing In..."

The higher and farther we go, the further we seek it seems, within our wanderings and the fun of our adventures. As have I too these last long seasons, and especially within the mystery & magic of 'mixing in'... I've written briefly about this before as it has become a wonderful part of the gathering, then particularly the painting, and finally in the sharing of these little gifts I call Summit Stones.

Many elements have called to me within these last long seasons, among so many wild places, wandering solo and with others out there. I have journeyed so much further and higher along these adventurous paths than ever before in search of certain kinds of selected stones and elements to 'mix in' with them.

There were deep canyons where I collected the seeping moisture of desert tears and sand crystals never likely touched before.

Out among a few secluded valleys too where at the ends of these, I discovered very old rock fire rings, and the remnants of weathered charcoal under those stones there.

I sought these elements upon one of the most elusive summits I've yet shared in, where that unique powder of rocks can be found hiding among the crevices up there.

I gathered other elements as well near such distant coastal islands, whose grains of sand and shells are so rare, and whose ash from fires there is so welcoming and warm.

There was also the elemental waters from snow fields, some glaciers too, from last years sun and wind dried alpine flowers, and the aged old pine needles and leaves found near our northern lakes.

Then when ridge walking, as I so love to do, I found that distinct high point of stone, with markings upon it that could only be from multiple lightning strikes, and the scrapings of this I was able to gather up as well...

Now, here, I sit quietly, with the window open slightly, listening to the soft music of snow gently falling. In front of me are quite a number of small Nalgene containers. Each has one of these gathered up elements within it. I know every one well, for the precious gifts they are, from such far away wondrous wild places. I will spend endless hours this winter, learning and practicing how to mix these in with the paints utilized on these Summit Stones - the techniques, the swirling in, the composition, and how this then will dry, all intrigues me greatly. Some selected stones absorb them well, while others need to be coaxed along.

Particles of each element, maybe the tiniest drop of moisture too, may be ground up or simply will be mixed in with the images of mountains, the alpenglow and fires, the flowers and trees, and the sun, moon, and waters that become part of the face of these painted cobblestones.

I so hope this then all blends together to further reflect the mystery we all sense from out there, those energies which resonate and emanate for each of us, and that which supports our intentions and feelings within our adventures. All of which may 'mix in' to call us further, farther, onward, upward, and inward...

Many seasons of gathering, so many hours of mixing in and painting, then sharing with my Friends & Partners In Placing, all blending now together during this wonderful sharing season as gifts for you Dear Finders.

Enjoy the wonder, mystery, and magic of it all.....

DSD

Mixing In Link: http://summitstonesadventuremusings.blogspot.com/2010/01/mixing-in.html

Partners In Placing Link: http://summitstonesadventuremusings.blogspot.com/2009/10/partners-in-placing-summit-stones.html

"When I Reach Into My Pack..."

There is a very kinaesthetic and emotional experience in the touching of these small items, that I know will always reside in my pack. They hold enduring memories for me that have never lost their intensity, even though so many, many, seasons have passed...

When I reach into my pack, another old worn one in a series of such gear, especially during this later time of the year, my hand naturally goes for the small zippered pocket at the top. When I reach into my pack there, whether in bright daylight or darkness, I know exactly what I will find...

Three small, yet so significant things, tucked away in that little ditty bag, carried for so long. Always there with their presence. Three small items... One, a very small stone from a very first summit. The second, a tiny compass collected when I was so much younger. The third, a little metal tube with some ashes never forgotten. Three small items... Always carried with me out there, and forever in memory too.....

DSD