"Finis......."

On the last page of this little 'Adventure Muse' is one of my very favorite quotes by Viktor Frankl . He said "The Latin word for 'finis' has two meanings: the end or finish, and a goal to reach...".
Every time I, or a Friend places one of these small touchstone gifts, I think about why I've included it. It was put just there, in the last bit, for many reasons. Then it just might spark some musings about its endless meanings...
As adventurers, I think we all sense, then feel, and finally know, the truth of these words the further and longer we wander out among the wild places.
We may come to the end of a climb but really are only just beginning we eventually see...
The trail may seem to be completed, yet our path is only truly getting going...
That ridge route appears finite, but the vista's and perceptions opening up are clearly not...
A longed for adventure experience may be in its last stages, but the callings we then continue to hear are even more pronounced now...
Our efforts out there are over and done, yet the echoes of what these mean are simply getting started...
We attain a point on the map, accomplish an elusive objective, then we go on to discover still other sources, even further energies, and destinations yet to be revealed...
Such passages may feel occasionally like they are in their last phases, but now we realize too they are reflections of endless possibilities ...
We bring together the days end by eventually closing our eyes out in a tent or under the stars . Then we dream about new beginnings and the meanings for why we do what we do when out adventuring among the wild places.
What appeared final, we now know to be primal. What seemed last, we sense now to be first. What looked as closure, we discover to hold amazing potential.
Then Frankl's quote echoes out yet again and promises us all so very many further wonders and farther adventures..... DSD
A distinct dedication this day to all of those who are Adventuring For Another Reason this season.

"Echoes Once More....."

 



There it surely is once again,

Something far away quietly calling to us all.

On ancient mountain winds journeying through the trees,

Subtly shifting valleys of both pines and leaves,

Moving our deepest perspectives too it always seems...

There they are again we now hear,

Telling tales of effort, endurance, and so much else.

Saying all of what we each need to know,

Blending with emotions we all hope to feel.

As we listen even more closely now,

For our own echoes out there yet once more..... DSD

A dedication this day paying our respects to those wonderful Adventurers of Ascent For Alzheimers who are underway!

 

 

"A Map Forgotten, Yet Found..."

"We organize information on maps in order to see our knowledge in a new way. As a result, maps suggest explanations; and while explanations reassure us, they also inspire us to ask more questions, consider other possibilities." P. Turchi
This was a very long trail; a trail winding far through distant valleys, then even further over a number of mountain passes. It would eventually loop through those mountain ranges, back once more upon itself, as it meandered around those many mountain peaks. It was my trail to wander for those late season adventure days, as I wanted to simply solo hike, ponder, and wonder. No other objectives in mind other than those of motion and musing...
From my long gray haired experiences, I know that there is something always waiting out there for me. Something beyond my expectations, usually way above my initial perceptions. Something wonderfully surprising, essentially elusive, always inviting...
After those long hours, when finally meeting that junction, where one trail branched to become three, I paused and breathed the crisp mountain air in as I am sure most of do at that point. I simply sat, munched some gorp, and eyed my water intake, as my mind cleared a bit more, getting the dust from back here out of its corners. Then snoozing for a few moments, and awakening as one who has sleep problems does after a short time, but usually more refreshed - I looked across and noticed it resting under some branches against a tree...
A map forgotten it was...
A map of this area of course, yet quite worn from folding, handling, with much character evident from long use.
Now came the questions about who had left it there, how long had it rested here, should I simply leave it in case they return, or carry it further to the next campsite. But on which trail would that be I wondered. Lot's of options; many plus's and minus's to each.
I decided to bring it home, my intention to later take it back.
Now as I write these words out here, I carry this little worn map on my return. Another later season journey. Maybe on this trek I may meet its rightful owner, and we can then tell one another stories of the journeys this map has been on, and also of its wonderful company too. For as we know my Dear Friends, maps always become close companions.....  DSD 
My appreciation my Friends for your engaging images above.

"Moments Of Shared Emotion..."

David, at the friendly Adayak Blog recently posted a great Video that very much resonated with me and many of you as well. David described this video as an account of "The true emotions of a hiker as he takes his last steps towards Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail. 2000+ miles comes to a close...".
I wanted to pass this wonderful imagery forward even further, as we all have shared in such moments of emotion out there haven't we my Friends.
Remember, that so elusive mountain, the extremely challenging climbing, that route that never seemed to end, over rock that almost didn't reveal its secrets - remember those powerful feelings present as you finally stepped up upon that summit...
Remember, those so distant coastal islands, the wind and waves that never seemed to cease, the endless hours of necessary persistent paddling, where it seemed you had actually become part of your kayak - remember the joy, even relief, and simultaneous smiles and tears upon reaching that hidden cove...
Remember, that deepest darkest canyon you lowered yourself into, where one long rappell after another was needed, that very real anxiousness, those doubts all mixed in with the excitement - remember the amazement and the grins as you realized you have now embraced both your uncertainties and the adventurous unknowns all at once...
Remember, all our journeys upon the PCT, the AT, the WCT, and other timeless trails, with every sunrise and sunset, each storm that called so loudly, and the gentle rainbows that always settled in the quiet moments after - remember how every step still seems to echo in our minds even now...
There are countless such examples, so many stories of our shared adventures, where those amazing feelings & sensations of the moment, then become the enduring emotions of forever memories.
Thanks to David for his post and these wonderful reminders for all of us..... DSD 
By the way my Friends, have you looked closely at the symbolism on the clothing that David has on his site... Gaze for a moment into these, to see other special things about ourselves out in the wild places... Then Adayak gives back a portion of every purchase to preservation charities.

"Such Amazing Hidden Beauty..."

It is an experience of such amazing beauty, even though much may not be clearly seen at first. It is an experience of wonder too, because of all of its inherent mystery.
To be out paddling upon those waters, so slowly, so quietly, calmly drifting along, long pondering only the elements...
The sounds are gently muted by the fog and mist way out here. The character of the ocean is hidden somewhat too. These distant coastal islands are elusive enough, yet when the mist and fog settle in for hours, even days at a time - there is such a contemplative ephemeral slowly revealing beauty to it all...
There are the unseen yet vocal waves rhythmically breaking upon shy rocks. The shifting of great beds of kelp. Sands and shells upon secluded beaches tucked away who have the consistent caress of the tides eternally upon them. The waters are always flowing, the currents are always changing, the gliding of a kayak always blending, among the mist that is forever gently moving. There are the sounds too of certain wild ones, the sea beings, and the winged ones, who let us know occasionally of their special presence as well. When the winds eventually become more felt, the fog and mist so slowly begins to journey on. Then the ancient trees on these islands glisten and now wave us happily forward. My most favorite sound through such fog though, is the gentle crackle of a small fire, first only sensed, then barely heard, finally glimpsed, through the mist just before we return and land again at our little island camp.
Listen with your eyes closed for a moment my Friends, so we can share in the hidden beauty and wonder of it all..... DSD 
My sincere appreciation for your mystical images my Friends.

"Cherished Reflections..."

"Why is it that memories of campfires are so long-lasting...".  D. Brower
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled...".  Plutarch
We all have such cherished reflections from campfires don't we my friends. You remember those beautiful flickering flames, while relaxing much later in the day, after attaining your sought after elusive summit.
We recall the engaging conversations, and also those quiet personal musings, while contemplating the depths within those lingering inspiring fires.
I remember those coastal islands, those very long days and forever moments, while slowly kayaking from one island to the next, and then onward.
You surely feel the warmth of both memories, and those glowing coals too, which are still emanating from your last time out around them.
We remember the darkest winter nights, beside a frozen northern lake, with the crisp air and the distinct crackling of that welcoming fire.
Then also in the deep desert, with the stars far above, and the shadows dancing closely, from our small but embracing campfire.
Warmth and wonderment, flames and friendships, coals and connections, reflections and memories... All such very cherished gifts.
A few of our shared memories, sources of energy and inspiration as well, reflecting yet once more as I now set out seeking such warm moments..... DSD 
My appreciation to Barbara for the top image above from her West Coast Trail journey, and to Drew for the second image from one of his challenging climbs, and the inspiring reflections they share with us.

"Three Epiphanies..."

This early morning, amidst the preparations for my next adventure out upon those coastal waters, I find myself reflecting upon epiphanies. Those experienced this last mountain season and those I hope to embrace soon...
Out among the summits that day, I was reminded how adventuring is not just about the endless vistas, nor only about the brilliant sunrises and sunbeams we see out there for example, as wonderfully amazing that they always seem to be. So many times we also sense certain kinds of beginnings, those previously unknown ways and means for seeing, in developing formative perceptions about all of what we experience in so many new ways as well...
This is what was unfolding that hiking day out with close friends, to the headwaters of a great river, near an ancient glacier, and right by the immense waterfall that shares in the stories within all that mountain history. What eventually manifests on such adventures we can never really predict. One of the many reasons we go, as I'm sure we all sense, is the seeking of such inspiration out there - the hope for discovery of new things, different ways to see, and for even more meaningful ways to be.
This is reflects the phenomenon of the epiphany...
That nexus of awareness and effort, energy and adversity, attitude and perspective, connection and projection, all within our past, present, and future. This all allows the elements to blend, and then unfold, in so many kinds of amazing revelations.
Three such epiphanies were gifted to me that hiking day...
First was an energetic youth, whom we saw moving along the trail up ahead. His gait was uneven, almost as if he was unsure. But that was not the case at all, for he was hiking with a prosthetic leg, yet more surely than many we have met out there. His pace, his intention, that smile, and determination, all shared so much about discovery.
Then later, was an elder. A woman out with her family, who surprised us when we were to catch up. Her energy was endless, her enthusiasm contagious. I asked as politely as I could of her son how old she was. "Seventy eight", he said so proudly, "and she's not slowing down at all". There again was that wonderful appearance, of both perception and inspiration, hiking out ahead of us, so gracefully amidst that later time of life and yet in this wild place too...
Finally, most profoundly, at the far portion of our hike, near the base of that very high waterfall, was another of that adventure days epiphanies hiking slowly towards us. I had been gathering up old rocks that would surely later have a bit of paint splashed upon them. Through the mist surrounding me, I looked up to see one of my friends talking with a couple. The gentleman looked about my age, but it was his face that caught my eye. He looked tired in a different way, yet a smile and happy gestures were there as well. When approaching them, as I needed to place the stones I had gathered up in my pack over by my friend, I was then able to listen in a bit to the conversation. "What a wonderful waterfall", they were saying, and "a gorgeous trail we've hiked over", they were sharing about too. I don't know how the topic then came up, but as we do chat about so much with others out on the trail, then this person shared about what this day out there meant to him. His cancer had recently returned. There would be no treatments this time around, he said, while decisions now needed to be made, and hiking this whole trail this day was one of these...
The mist on my face hid the tears in my eyes as I listened quietly to the rest of his story. Then later with a wave and a smile, they carried on and I waved back, then watched them hike on further...
I am sure you all share in the same revelations that came to mind right then my friends...
Three epiphanies appeared, and were gifted us that long adventure day, and we will not ever forget them..... DSD 
My appreciation for sharing your eye opening images with us here my Friends.