"Wild Place Refuge....."

Oh, what a fall it has been... of diversions and distractions... and the winds of change are blowing so hard right now...

There will always be times of personal angst, political challenge, worldly unrest, unknown markets, and even those just of constant unexpected stress...

Yet a promise of the wild places is that the natural wonders out there are just as enduring, the elements we need to blend with will always remain, the refuge we may need to seek forever present and giving to us... Wild places offer us moments of retreat, time for us to rest and shelter when our way of being in the world needs some small protections...

So my friends, might we all take a few moments... to watch the flight of a beautiful bird, walk among old forest or young new trees, time to sit and listen by the river, some brief contemplation while looking up at the mountains or out upon the ocean before us, a simple bike out into the desert, even a short paddle among quiet islands...

The opportunity for refuge among the wild places will always outnumber any of those competing influences that may seem to close in upon us at times...

While a time out of sorts or escaping from the 'important' things it may seem, this is more truly about our regrouping, centering ourselves once again, allowing it all to settle as nature does after a storm, and in letting the high winds and rough waters of troubled perceptions calm themselves - all so we can then return from our wild place refuge more focused, now seeing more clearly, and thus so much better able to then choose our responses to the demands made upon us back here...

Seek out your wild place refuge.....

DSD

"Wild Resilience..."

There is a great wealth of wisdom literature around about the ways and means people keep going when the going gets extreme and severe. Most reflects upon how and why and with what motives they draw their strength from - even long after most of us might have expected to have given up... Much of this writing defines principles of behaviour and describes strategies by which severe challenges may be met and overcome...
Yet what I find of most interest is that a great many of the examples used and the case studies applied involve those who would see themselves as adventurers...
The unique hidden gemstone in this literature is that we, ourselves as adventurers, are very often the 'subjects of study'. Be it climbers, trekkers, soloists, survivalists, kayakers, adventure racers, mountain bikers - all of us at one time have become the prime case example in such studies... The research typically looks at why we do it, how we bounce back, how it is we keep going, and going, and going; and also inquires about the paradox of us actually making experiences harder for the 'fun of it' out there...
This wild resilience we adventurers have is both puzzle and paradox to those who study us. Yet we know... don't we... the secrets of what is to be found out there... and within each of us as well...
Such examination and the wisdom literature that comes of it would seem to be of real and distinct value to all of us wild place wanderers who muse and ponder through tough times... but also clearly for anyone hoping to better understand human resilience in general...
We are an interesting wild bunch aren't we Dear Finders.....
DSD

"Seeking Our Shackletons..."

Years upon years ago, I discovered and then read whatever I could find on Sir Ernest Shackleton and the journey of his ship, the 'Endurance'... It was one of my very first experiences with adventure literature, and what a powerful impression it made upon me...

That voyage through challenging terrain, time, severe trial, and especially of spirit exists as one of the most inspiring stories out there... I recall the wonder, amazement, and the tears upon my face as I finished those books...

It was not an ending for me, but a distinct beginning. This had sparked an interest that still remains today about the source of real inspiration, true wonderment, about human endurance, and the power of spirit and motivation; particularly within adventures...

From that waypoint until now, even decades later, I continue to seek out these 'Shackletons'...

For me, and many I know, 'Shackletons' are true examples of intense experience, epic tales of trials, clear moments of intention and motivation, and journeys that are inherently full of inspirations... These 'Shackletons' have had immense value and practical utility for myself and those I know closely; especially in overcoming the epics within our own lives... And very much so when storms, setbacks, and mistakes cast us off course ... There will always be such trials that test our intentions and commitment, unexpected situations that attempt to break down our hopes and dreams. While these are as natural as lightning, sleet, high winds and waves - ever present too out there are each of our own 'Shackletons'... Those things that truly inspire us, that continue to ignite and sustain our internal passions and flames...

If we just open our eyes to see what we are viewing, and make the choice to turn into the wind, just as Sir Ernest did time and time and time again... we will endure.....

DSD
This Link is to the amazing descendants of Sir Ernest Shackletons' band of explorers, who will follow in their ancestors footsteps from the end of October 2008 until well into 2009: http://www.shackletoncentenary.org/

"A Summer For Passing Forward..."

I wrote for the last page of the 'Adventure Muse': "Passing things like your experience, a 'Summit Stone', or adventure quotes, forward, is a way of giving back and sharing wisdom, strength, and hope. If you enjoyed your 'Summit Stone' and the Adventure Muse, then pass something along to someone else you see on their own journey"...

A few selected fellow adventurers from out there have taken this to heart... And this I am so grateful for...

There are so many paths to take, rivers and lakes and trails to explore, distant islands and elusive summits to quest for... On occasion I have asked if certain fellow adventurers might be intrigued in becoming part of the karma of this small stone endeavor... And some indeed have...

This is a concept, a sharing theme, that was suggested to me by a close friend; one who lives very much within the wild places...

There are a great many adventures out there, and so many elements of the wild places I will never see, wild lands never to set foot upon; that I still so enjoy imagining and musing over...

I ponder while walking one path how a fellow adventurer is on that very same day, making their way to one of their own elusive summit experiences...

So, my sincere appreciation and thanks to you dear friends, who have shared in this journey, the efforts and messages of giving back and passing forward, the mystery and karma of it all, and especially for the smile of a Finder who discovers a small gift that we all shared in placing together...

DSD

"Lawrence Grassi & The Lake O'Hara Trails Club..."

Here we have... Two unique elements caring for our wild places... linked through time, intentions, and real efforts... An historical man of our mountains and an Organization who continues in the same nature of giving back and passing forward...

Peakfinder.com wrote of Lawrence Grassi (1890-1980) that his: "Love of the mountains is legendary. Grassi visited all areas of the Rockies, making many solo climbs, some of them undoubtedly first ascents that were never recorded. Although he climbed many of the high mountains of the Rockies his favorite was probably the technically demanding Mount Louis, which he climbed thirty-two times. In the summer of 1925 he is said to have completed the first solo ascent of Mount Assiniboine and in 1926, together with another climber, ascended the east face of Cascade Mountain. Although he loved to climb he also loved to build trails in the mountains. An examination of the trails Grassi built, not only in the Canmore area but in other valleys of the Rockies as well, demonstrate his strength. Huge stones were moved single-handedly to construct steps, bridges, or simply to provide stepping stones. He set off into the hills, axe on shoulder, to make trails to points on interest. It was a labour of love. He loved the mountains but enjoyed having others share their beauty. So day by day he pushed through the bush discovering the best ways of approach - blazing a trail, cutting out the underbrush, grubbing out stones and rocks, bridging little mountain streams."

J.S. Woodsworth said of him: "The world needs Grassis'... men who will seek new paths; make the rough places smooth; bridge the chasms... point the way to higher levels and loftier achievements."

Grassi has an Alpine Hut, two beautiful lakes, and a mountain very much worth climbing all named in his honor... And this is the legacy that Grassi gave us, which the Lake O'Hara Trails Club continues to pass forward, season after season, year upon year...

The Lake O'Hara Trails Club is a non-profit group of energetic and enthusiastic volunteers. They were established in 1949 and continue with their efforts and intentions today. Committed to this cause are: "Those individuals who, moved by a deep love for the beauties of the mountain areas of western Canada, volunteered their efforts to create a system of trails in the Lake O'Hara region." These trails are some of the most eco-friendly , ingeniously made among many of the most pristine mountains and lakes of North America...

The Lake O'Hara Trails Club Mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of this vulnerable, beautiful wild place... Their motto is: "Preserve through appreciation"...

Three words that convey intention, commitment, understanding, and sharing at many levels...

Grassi passed his creed forward to the Lake O'Hara Trails Club, and they like many other such dedicated organizations, continue to give back to his memory, while also passing forward to all of us season after season... year upon year...

DSD

Link for the Lake O'Hara Trails Club: http://www.lotc.ca/

Link to Peakfinder.com: http://www.peakfinder.com/

"The Spirit And Need For Adventure..."

"Adventure is a human need. We recognize it as the daring thing which makes us bigger than our usual selves. Adventure is the curiosity of man to see the other side of the mountain, the impulse in him that makes him break his bonds with lesser things and frees him for greater possibilities". W. Burnett

Sometimes... A fellow wild place wanderer is able to capture such spirit of adventure within certain images... Dru accomplishes this in special ways...

DSD

My appreciation to Dru on Flickr for his enspirited photography that blends with Burnett's quote: http://www.flickr.com/photos/druclimb/

"Spirit Island Kayaking..."

With a very early start, we were first upon the waters that day... It was so very calm, yet we were wary as it was to be a long, full kayak day to Spirit Island and return. Maligne Lake is known well for how the wind is caught and funnelled down its long shorelines and narrow waters... Just after first light, bright newly born sunbeams were reaching high as we set out with a strong cadence. The only sound was of water upon paddle; a meditative experience in such calm... Later during a short break we drifted slowly and were amazed at the picture perfect reflections of each of us in the water... 'Which was real'... I wondered... the one above, or the one below these special enspirited waters...

The pebble beaches found here and there had some prior existence of camping. Among these rocks and fire rings I placed a few Summit Stones with a gesture of reverence for these wild place surroundings... Our only fellow adventurers' we later paced and then shared a moment with were canoeists out on a multi-day trip. They were a fun couple, full of energy. We talked about the beautiful terrain, the surrounding mountains, the days to come, our shared cautions over the winds, and then parted ways. I passed them a Summit Stone and said, 'For around the campfire'...

While there were other boats out later in the day, on the tours to this place of spirit, we were gladly on our own when quietly arriving at Spirit Island... It can be a popular place and site to see. Yet our moments there were mostly about reflection, softly spoken words, both collecting and placing a few cobblestones, some journal entries, and gazing... simply gazing upon this tiny enspirited island, among majestic snow capped summits and waters from thousand year old glaciers...

On our return much later in the day, those winds began to make their presence known. We were in single kayaks; which made for hard paddling and a sustained cadence, even drafting each other somewhat. We dug in and just kept going... We tried both sides of the lake for the most sheltered water, but the nature of the long terrain and the persistence of the wind in seeking us out, meant for no breaks at all...

We were rewarded in seeing a huge moose which joined us in the water just before we landed. At the end of this very long paddle, my partner tiredly said that the day felt like a marathon of sorts; but like with that event, while very tiring, they still are such great experiences...

When resting and stretching after on shore, we reflected upon the spirits of the day, Spirit Island itself, in placing a few gifts for Finders out there, and in the stories and memories we found out there.....

DSD

"An Echo Of A Flame..."

There is a small island... among many others... off the coast of a larger island...

A very favorite place of mine to wander by sea kayak. I had never set foot upon this particular point of rocky shore until during one very, very, low spring tide. I was just barely able to land for a brief stretch... I often wonder what I may find during such moments... new vistas, unseen terrain, maybe not touched by any other... something from our past... And that was the echo that I not so much saw, as sensed that sunny day...

Among the trees, above the waters, tucked into the rocky shore... was an ancient fire ring...

How ancient I am never sure, but old enough for trees to grow tall among the placed rocks of this ring... old enough for there to be no remains at all of a flame burning, except for some blackening barely left under the rocks used there...

But still... here this was... and I wondered over it; pondered further too about who had been there, how very long ago, and with what echoes they had lived their lives with...

They would have been looking then at pretty much what I was viewing at this present moment... They stayed longer in this spot than I would, to likely eat and sleep by this warm fire. The flames would have flickered off the nearby trees with the echo of their laughter falling upon the company of the ocean... Their presence would have been reflected in many ways as they lived that day among these secluded islands...

Such echoes create images in our minds eye of what was, even at times of what could be...

I remind myself that our actions in the wild places may echo and resonate for eternities just as these fire rocks have...

I ask often of myself too... what will we pass forward to be heard generations from now, and who will sense the reverberations of our intentions and adventures of today...

What an interesting connection over time... From ages ago until these moments; from then until now... from them to each of us... in the simple echo of a flame.....
DSD

"Hiking Hidden Valleys..."

There are many hidden valleys out there... waiting... just waiting...

I am sure some hardly ever see the shadow of a human fall within them; hardly ever hear the breathing of a person among them...

Many such hidden places only the feathered and the four legged ones know about...

It was on a solo, just off the regular trail, while hand-railing a small alpine lake, that I was to enjoy the serendipity of discovering the remnants of a very old trail heading subtly north off into the trees...

It wouldn't have even been noticed if I hadn't stopped at just that spot to adjust my pack again as it often shifts about as if it has a mind of its own...

"I wonder...", are two words which have led me out both on amazing unplanned adventures and epics as well. I pondered these words again in my mind... and then just stepped out and started to follow where this musing and that trail might take me...

It was a very old trail; after an hour it only led to what seemed to be a narrowed section where two rock bands met and embraced each other... I 'wondered' again, and after some struggling with scree and scrub, made my way up and through this stony cleft... The trees beyond only thickened further, but after just a bit more persistent bushwacking, the rock dropped away... and a small hidden valley opened up...

There are times out there that brand an image within our minds as any tattoo upon the skin - so memorable, so vivid are they...

I wandered about there for hours... For such a small place there was much to explore... Trees to gaze upon, a small stream to listen to, polished rock to hold, lichen to wonder over, high cliffs on all sides to look up at, and tracks to study...

That was a very special day of wandering and wonderment... of simple exploring and enjoying... of reflecting upon summits and secrets and musings among that little hidden valley...

I have yet to return to that secret place... part of me kind of hopes no one else has discovered it since; but I am sure someone has. On those quiet reflective evenings, I wonder again if that old snow ever really melts in there, I ponder how much growth has taken place, and what flowers are out this season... I wonder too if that ages old cairn I found still exists, and I smile as I think of the little surprise I placed there...

And then I begin planning to return to that special hidden valley... There are many of them out there waiting still.....

DSD

"Keeping The Cadence..."

After visiting with Kraig at the Adventure Blog yesterday, and musing over his new gear for biking adventures, I began pondering over what we have learned about cadence...

I learned about this movement metaphor first in Outward Bound; we saw it applied by an older person so well on a long distance trek; it was taught again to me on a multi-day paddle; a friend and mountain guide also shared the potency of it on a very challenging approach and climb; and while biking the slickrock in Moab its subtle power was very apparent...

There can be found within us and out there... a zone of sorts... a way of being in cadence with our body; with the activity; and more in tune with the elements we are journying through...

Some say it can be a kind of 'flow', where the movement - as hard as it gets at times; simply becomes part of us, as much as our breathing and our heart beat. There are moments where we even transcend the effort and are almost above or apart from it as something of our internal being simply observes the ongoing exertion...

'Cadence' is a very valuable physiological, psychological, emotional, even spiritual technique...

It has distinct usefulness at altitude when everything slows yet becomes so much more difficult. It can be applied when paddling for hours in opposing winds where getting off course or being driven back are not safe options. And on those very long days, at the end of a trek, across unknown and broken ground; this cadence of mind and body can keep us moving ; keep us carrying on, even when we may have thought we just couldn't...

Cadence can be the key in the mind moving the body; when the body says stop...

Cadence can also be used to keep the mind in neutral when certain thoughts and doubts and tired anxieties are distracting us unnecessarily... Cadence is measured movement... Intonations within the mind, body, and spirit that propels the whole forward...

Marathoners know it well; cyclists experience it intensely; adventure racers embrace it closely; long distance paddlers and trekkers practice it often...

All of us adventurers can discover its hidden benefits and secrets...

A personal cadence can be almost anything that works for your own internal rhythm... Sounds, song, sensations - whatever is mantra like and meditative for you personally...

Keep the cadence out there my fellow adventurers...

DSD

"Of Wild Places & Gratitude..."

"Just look at all that already exists in your life, all that you already have: unlimited air to breathe, ample lighting to see, music to hear, books to read, stars to dream by, trees to gaze at, floors to dance on, friends to cavort with, enemies to befriend, strangers to meet, woods to walk through, beaches to comb, rocks to scale, rains to cleanse you, rivers to float you, animals to comfort you..." M. Dooley

Being so inspired today by MickRange's above images... I made extra time to muse over simply being grateful for our wild places... and what adventures have been gifted to us out there...

And for fellow adventurers who share their wild place journeys with all of us...

DSD

Mick's Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mickrange/

"Seeing......."

"The whole secret of the study of nature lies in learning how to use one's eyes...". G. Sand

"We take from nature what we cannot see". T. Roethke

I often ponder over... Do we really sense the value of what has been perceived out there...

Do we truly feel and comprehend what we have experienced within the wild places...

Thus the importance of musing...

An Outward Bound Instructor shared with me years ago, that many seasons had passed before she was really able to know and understand... all of what she had 'seen' out in the wild places...

I think I am beginning to see what she meant...

DSD

My thanks to Casey at 'Modern Hiker' for his Motivation category of posts and the above pictures from his Flickr.

Modern Hiker:http://www.modernhiker.com

Casey at Flickr:http://flickr.com/photos/dropdeadsuit/

"A Second Year Waypoint..."

Interesting how the course of one's life can be seen through the journey of some simple stones...

Here is a recent Finders comment: "Wow! I said when I found my summit stone and a muse in the summit register. Wow! It took me a long time to get up here. I wondered how long this was there and how far it had come. The view from the summit looks like the painting on the rock. That got another wow! You came a long ways to put this here DSD. Thank you very much."

Dennis from Yosemite.

Dennis's comment gave me real pause this adventure season, as his words seemed full of both enthusiasm and insight...

I am just listening to a certain piece of music; pondering over the last many years of placing; musing about these two passed years of blogging; recalling those memorable moments of connecting with Finders; while learning of their adventures and how the journey of a small painted cobble has become part of their lives... I never realised when beginning with my simple intentions how this would become key to understanding my own waypoints along this long journey...

Many of these Summit Stones have come a further ways than any of my longest trails; more time and distance than any trek; higher than many climbs; and a longer course than any paddle route... What was just a piece of rock, just a stone, is no longer... Just like what we each often go through in our own lives when adventuring out there... When I look back over these many seasons, I often ponder with wonder about how did I get here, and what has or hasn't happened along the way. Then I try to look beyond, about this passing forward endeavor, towards what I think we may all wish to be, and muse over where do I want to go now and what will I need for that journey...

These are all my hopes for you as well, Dear Finders, that while wandering towards the horizon, you wonder in your mind over such musings that are important for you...

Don't you just love the mystery of it all...

As Dennis said, we have come a long way haven't we... Yet, much is left to learn about out there... so much yet to enjoy out in the wild places... so many adventures, inner and outer challenges to experience... and a long, long ways to go still...

DSD

My sincere appreciation again to Google & Blogger.com for the opportunity to become part of this online adventure community: http://summitstonesadventuremusings.blogspot.com/2007/07/google-and-blogger-thanks.html

Link to my first year waypoint: http://summitstonesadventuremusings.blogspot.com/2007/08/one-year-waypoint.html

"Outward Bound & Destiny Or Fate..."

After a scramble experience on my second Outward Bound course, we found ourselves sitting among and on top of some very large rocks later in the day... Our Instructors invited us to each take turns sharing something personal of the days events and adventures. They asked us to describe these moments as if we were going through them again; with an emphasis on our senses, our thoughts, the very perceptions of each moment...

There were many views of that simple day; many different perceptions of the same experience; the angles of which we may not have seen before... Each person had such a unique perspective of the climb itself, the rockfall that surprised us, the effort if took, the support given, the doubts and fears that were unsaid but still shared...

What was most interesting was a common theme that developed about the outcome of the day, and the events that were all linked together... It seemed to be a theme reflecting ideas about fate and of destiny...

Fate is often described in the sense of things being predetermined in our lives... that we have little true influence upon the course of things... Some see destiny in this way too, but more others believe destiny is more accurately found in the sense of our own choices; in what we did with what has happened; in how we each choose to respond to such external circumstances...

Our discussions seemed to mirror our beliefs that we were creating our own destiny that day in the wild places... on that high mountain summit... even with all the adversity that faced us...

These may sound to be seemingly simple concepts, yet such can have very profound impacts upon the course of our lives and our adventures... That day Outward Bound gifted us not just with an adventure summit or impassioned discussion out there, but with truly meaningful tenets to then apply to our day to day living... These were powerful experiences for such young persons...

These learnings were all about understanding our own choices; personal control for what we can; and taking real action to influence the course of our own lives in the best ways possible...

These have real impacts upon our adventure outlook and how we handle the inherent challenges of these activities. The distinct benefit though is the lasting and sustained effects upon the whole rest of our lives...

Who would have thought that a single day scrambling... among the barren rocks of an unnamed peak... would inspire such ponderings...

DSD

"Mysterious Mountain Music..."

There exists a small valley quite a hike above Moraine Lake in Banff... Larch Valley is named because of the trees that change through the seasons, and the brilliant colors they share with us as if painted by a master... Just below Sentinel Pass; which is one of the very highest in our northern Rockies, there are a few very small mountain tarns called the Minnestimma lakes...

This tiny high alpine valley is embraced by three unique elusive mountains; the summits of Eiffel Peak, Mt. Pinnacle, and Mt. Temple, which all overlook this wanderers paradise...

We have shared climbs upon each of these high places and have returned again and again to Mt. Temple in particular. We have also journeyed to renew ourselves in Larch Valley too many times to tally...

On one challenging summit day, we encountered a mystery... one that I had never experienced before out there... We were on our own with no fellow adventurers about at that moment, and just resting at Sentinel Pass... Then it began...

It became very, very quiet... then we thought we heard some notes... of music...

They began so softly we questioned if we had actually heard anything, but these were no illusions at altitude... They continued to build until we could clearly hear the beautiful playing of a flute... While I am used to the natural elements combining out there to form symphonies of sound I love to hear so much, we were unexpectedly and beautifully serenaded in those moments with what was to follow... The music crafted by that Flutist was eerily haunting, yet so very captivating and inspiring... The crispness of the playing in the high mountain air was amazing and you could almost breath in each of the individual notes... At a high point of this magical experience, the waters of that small tarn shimmered as if the musical notes had been thrown like jewels across its surface, and a shiver of sorts went up my spine...

It was simply so very beautiful... there was nothing out of place in this alpine valley music, as if the sounds were at home there as any of the other elements about us; as much a part of everything as the rocks & lichen, the wolves & the waters, and the wispy clouds above our heads...

'Who does this?' I asked myself, maybe like another adventurer indirectly asks of my endeavors when surprised by discovering a Summit Stone in a cairn up there... The friend who was venturing with me that day often speaks of epiphanies and the enjoyment of the moment, and that was what was unfolding in sound and soul and vista before us... I can only imagine too, a climbing group higher up on the Mt. Temple scramble route or a pair of technical climbers on Mt. Pinnacle... and what their experience must have been like having these resonating sounds formed so beautifully in this natural amphitheatre... The sensations and feelings that mysterious music like this creates in us, maybe would bring them to pause for some very unique moments within their adventures...

There stands a huge boulder right by the largest tarn and the small stream where this gifted Flutist was playing. I had only just placed a Summit Stone there a very short time before... It wasn't busy then but would be as more hikers and scramblers ascended later in the day. We were early up and they were just after us, so I hoped it was that mountain musician who found my gift in that cairn. I like to muse that we passed forward to each other something created by each of us that day...

Like the flow in certain moments of climbing and the experience of those few special days of effortless paddling, I wished it wouldn't stop... The wanting echo of the last note off the cliff walls was riveting... That mysterious mountain music is still imprinted upon my memory; a beautiful branding, as artistic as any other... When I often return to this Valley of Larches surrounded by so familiar summits... I listen closely for, and most times still so clearly hear... That mysterious mountain music...

DSD

"Castle Mountain Majesty..."

It was after our first ice climbing course decades ago that the majesty of Castle Mountain captured my muse... There it quietly stood during that deep winter day in the Bow Valley; a regal mountain not just of one summit but two; each distinct in their own Rockies way...

The scrambling and climbing routes are many and varied upon this castle of mountains...

I remember... Our group scramble during an extremely hot mid summers' day... An early season technical ascent in snow and ice up the usual descent route, with the later day fun of such high rappels...

I remember... The Eisenhower/Castle climb across the Dragons Back, and up all that very loose jagged rock... Helena Ridge scrambling, and the ridge walk from that summit as it circles above the hidden lake in behind Castle Mountain...

I recall memorably as well, the many visits to this Rockbound lake... such a favorite quiet point upon the map...

The Castle Mountain trailhead and summits have been very special moments too for placing these painted cobbles over the years...

The actual summits of our Castle are not the only coveted terrain there. Many adventurers quest to Rockbound lake itself with its' still waters surrounded as it is by dramatic cliffs...

There is a small peninsula near the back side of this stone bound lake. Some have built cairns there and on the routes to and from this hidden spot. During one of the placings over my own adventures I was surprised myself to discover a bit of treasure... Each Summit Stone & Adventure Muse is encased in two or three ziploc bags in order to better weather the elements. A Finder had found this at the largest cairn, and after accepting what I had placed, they then put their own offering in return in the same ziplocs....

Here is what C.R. wrote: "Thank you DSD for this wonderful gift. I hope you come back again and find my note with my appreciation."

I did C.R. - and thank you so very much.

There is truly a majesty to this Mountain and its surrounding terrain...

Castle Mountain overlooks Bow Valley with all its vulnerable wild places... The analogy of protection and preservation is not lost on us... Its also a mountain that guards its secrets well... as it should be... Only letting them be known to those who adventure among the castellated summits there...

DSD

"And Kept Going....."

There are moments of inspiration... that can resonate powerfully and touch us so deeply... we will never forget them.....

M. Bane, while watching the Marine Corp Marathon, writes:

"I had stationed myself at a beautiful tree-shaded spot about 20 miles into the 26.2 mile run, next to a series of steps. I was watching the runners go by when one of the last wheelchair athletes reached my spot. He was older than most of the wheelchair racers - my age, Vietnam age - and he was absolutely exhausted. Since the wheelchairs couldn't make the steps, there was a ten-foot ramp next to the stairs. The racer started up the ramp, and his arms failed. Five more times he tried the ramp, muscles bulging, his face bright red from the exertion, and five times he failed. The crowd, myself included, had gotten quiet. Other runners and the young Marines lining the course shouted encouragement, but the man in the wheelchair was in his own world. On the seventh try, his face was blank, his eyes focused on a universe that was ten feet long. He didn't see the Marine behind him, openly crying. He didn't hear the other runners' shouts or feel those of us in the crowd. He just went up the ramp, an agonizing inch at a time. And when he finally reached the top, he just smiled, waved, and kept going."

Such moments of inspiration, when strung together, become like the polished stones of our own precious jewelry, that we carry forward with us into a lifetime of such potent shared experiences...

Where will you discover your source of inspiration and determination today Dear Finders...

My sincere appreciation to Bane and this inspiring athlete for this moment.....

DSD