"Meaningful....."

"Challenging the meaning of life is the truest expression of the state of being human..."
Viktor Frankl
This, my Friends, is what we as adventurers do each and every step on our journeys...
DSD

"As I Move Slowly Towards It..."

Here, by a gentle stream, these compositions come to mind... That next distant blue mountain awaits, so quietly out there, but at this point of the map, I am not able to yet see it. This is not one of those mountains that can be viewed from a highway or any nearby trail. It keeps itself secluded away, hidden far down a series of maze like long valleys.
It first spoke its name to me many, many, years ago. ..
Over the seasons it also whispered a few more secrets, so that they have held my inspiration for such a time now too. Long have I listened, while the few who have adventured there then shared their stories, with hushed voices out of respect for this elusive mountain.
There seems only to be a few images of it around, most showing the almost ever present storm clouds that veil the grand heights and stark ridges up high. It is a mysterious place, where many epiphanies certainly await for those who dare to find within what they need to adventure with out there...
It is a wild place where the rock itself echoes with our longings, where dreams become real adventures, and these self-changing experiences then alchemize into such precious life long memories.
Now having worked so hard, as we all do, to polish the skills these mountains always ask of us, I so hope to embrace that experience, as I move slowly, so slowly towards it..... DSD 

My sincere appreciation Friends for sharing the above images of your own elusive high places.

"Why Hiking Makes People Better..."

"Who first gives the new possibilities their meaning, their direction... he awakens them." Robert Music
Every so often I stumble upon an especially insightful piece of writing that I feel resonates greatly for many of us. Kathy & Craig Copeland of HikingCamping.Com are two fellow wanderers who share many ideas about how and why we do what we do when hiking out in the wild places that I have followed along with for years.
Their Guidebooks are particularly unique in how they each blend very detailed trail and terrain information, with an awareness of quality within these hiking experiences, and also what meanings such adventures gift to us. They write: "Guidebooks, like the wild lands they describe, should stir you...".
Recently they posted an article on why 'Hiking Makes People Better' . I've re-read this quite a number of times and on every occasion have found myself smiling, remembering, then pondering, and very much enjoying the reflections their musings have inspired. I wanted to post this before I head out today so you could all have a wonderful visit with Craig & Kathy , as they share such thoughts as: "Heading outdoors eventually leads within..." .
Enjoy your time with them my Friends..... DSD

"Of New Ways....."

"Our destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things..." H. Miller
This adventure day, I cross a line of sorts, am at a branch of the trail, finding myself reminded once more of this wonderful quote, and what meanings it reflects..... DSD

"A Small Book..."

A small book, a great mountain, slowly unfolding sunrise, then a powerful storm.
Endless unique rock, many little stones, very strong winds, then some gentle rain.
An old book passed forward, now read upon a mountain seemingly on fire, gifting images of spirit, and lingering alpenglow.
A very old weathered tome, with an aged character and cover of leather, discovering the experience of losing oneself in its musings, now finding even more to ponder , then to write about too...
A small book, a great mountain, a brilliant sunset, and then such calm.
All reflecting the spirit of our adventures, and now of such lasting precious memories as well..... DSD
Dedicated this adventure day to all of you hardy spirits who are 'Adventuring For Another Reason' .

"Anonymously... Intrinsically..."

"The acid test of a true adventurer, if presented with certain anonymity, is whether each of us would still have made the journey beyond the last blue mountain..." M. Clark
Over these many years, and every season for certain, I am asked why undertake this Summit Stone endeavour in an anonymous way. Remaining anonymous, simply being nameless, was actually first encouraged by a close mentor of mine way back when. It was during those younger heady years, full of that vigour, energy, and endless goals. We talked about, then I long pondered, the differences between pride in our accomplishments, and the hubris that can distract us from their true meanings... As my intentions within this whole journey evolved, it became more clear as well that the essential elemental nature of all of this could be better expressed by remaining unknown. Then the focus shifts more clearly to other meanings, other important adventure themes, more significant expressions - like those represented in the "Giving Back & Passing Forward" section link right here...
The ancient Greeks understood the depths of 'Anonumos', as they called these paths and efforts. They mused endlessly about the mystery to be found therein by each and every spirit who wanders. Being 'Anonumos' also very much meant leaving the ego by the wayside, letting go of that kind of recognition, so something else may be discovered... I think it is this kind of mystery that calls out to each of us. The unknowns of the wild places inherently do this. So if you discover a painted touchstone up within a summit cairn and register, placed there by an unknown someone, then just maybe, that tiny bit of extra mystery might spark a little interest as well. In why someone would do this, and what that might mean for you, and how this could express itself in any way you choose to give back and pass forward yourself...
Then such anonymity invites another kind of awareness. Many others, in their own ways, have also enjoyed exactly this kind of experience by giving something, anything, anonymously. This kind of expression then is not really about the giver, nor even only about the gift, but moreso about the connections that grow for all of those involved. There is much to be pondered about giving anonymously...
Vìktor Frankl wrote: ``We should not, then, be hesitant about challenging man with a potential meaning for him to fulfill``.
Maybe it`s kind of like heading out on a solo sea kayak trip, or as potently out upon a solo mountain climb. Then it is only truly about you and the mountain, you and the sea, within the joy of those moments. Other than for safety, no one even knows you have been there; only you know what those efforts meant, and for how each of us then creates our own meaning within such experience.
Frankl also wrote: ``What he needs is... the call of a potential meaning to be fulfilled by him``.
An anonymous gesture is more about doing something for its own sake, not being influenced by any external outcomes or expectations, but more allowing the intrinsic value, purpose, and meaning of it all to emerge. If that is what is then naturally revealed, then it is all good and everyone can simply smile..... DSD
My sincere gratitude for sharing your images with us all my Friends.

"Many Truths....."

"There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience has brought it home...". John Stuart Mill
Dedicated this adventure day to all those 'Partners In Placing' whom have shared in this little touchstone endeavour. My sincere gratitude for passing forward some smiles..... DSD
Thank you Jeff, for your recent Post, and the image of yours above.

"What If's....."

There is so much adventure potential in keeping our perceptions as open minded as the terrain we cross. There is as much potential too in developing sustained ways to ponder about the possibilities out there. Adventurers are no different it seems in how we may limit ourselves to only certain trails, routes, or experiences, by how we see things and frame things in our minds. I've written here before about my Outward Bound experiences and how they revealed to us there is so much more within us than we may ever first realize...
Often that Outward Bound catalyst came from within the experiences themselves, yet just as many times from the quiet words of wisdom our Leaders shared with us each time out. One adventure concept of theirs was the "What If's", and is one that resonated with me back then and still echoes out strongly to this very day. "What If", they quietly asked at the end of our climbs and trails, then later at the end of our course, what if instead of this being an ending, you are really just getting going... What if, rather than this experience being over, this is really only a beginning for you...
What if too, they asked, that any setbacks are really steps in the direction of fulfilling your adventure dreams. What if, they inquired, that the hard earned lessons, the trials and adversity - are all really part of what we are seeking anyway. What if, they pondered, that regardless of weather, injury, age, or infirmity, we are just starting out upon other ways of wandering further, farther, higher, and even more inward...
Such was the trail of perception that was revealed way back then to me, and still is as well after so many years of journeys out there. All along the way, time and time again, their subtle reminder would echo once more about possibility and potential, and about the potency and power of 'What If's'..... DSD
My appreciation for sharing your images my Friends within this dedication this season. There is a point on the trail I will be crossing soon where I will be watching the new sunrise and musing once more about such 'What If's'.......

"The Deep And Profound..."

"Out in the woods, or in the mountains... where times are slow paced and the people sensitive to nature, there is the possibility of knowing the deep and the profound..." Deng Ming-Dao
Let's take a quiet moment.... DSD
Dedicated this adventure day to Chantal & Mike and all our fellow adventurers over at 'Climb For Change'

"Stormbound....."

Some may see these times as epic, others as frightful, even as such poor weather that our adventures would surely be ruined. Safety is primary, adjusting always necessary, and then we are gifted with something more... When we are stormbound we slowly learn that this can also be a mystical and magical time...
I remember... Deep winter camping among the frozen lakes and dark forests of the north during a wild winter storm. I wondered if the wind could get any worse and if the tent would truly last. A long night it was. But the crisp morning vistas were so very beautiful. A calm after the storm as can only be found so far north among forests now blanketed in perfect white snow and frosts...
I remember... Days out on the Continental Divide, and rain that was wind driven so hard it seeped through our tent walls. Ominous dark clouds that rumbled and spoke of the power of the sky. The anxiety over potential lightning made those stormy moments last a very long time. Yet the rainbows after were like none we had ever seen. Rainbow upon rainbow, caressing almost every summit into the distance...
I remember a difficult weekend of climbing, then a raging river raft the very next day, the white water moving at a speed unexpected. A good thing as an even bigger storm was coming. When later in our tent at a higher elevation, and even when clearly safe, the rolling clouds, angry winds, pounding rain, and the grumbling of thunder felt so very, very close. We were bound by that storm for many hours and then were greeted by peaks painted so beautifully by ice and sleet...
I remember... Sea kayaking among our west coast islands just after a passing gale that beached everyone. The sun may have been out but the waves were still rocking and bucking like none I'd ever experienced, and we just had to try and ride them out...
Let's take a moment my Friends, to pause, and rest, and reflect over the immensity of nature and the power within the elements you have successfully navigated out there before... There is an energy that may be found in dealing with our stormbound experiences, that we may draw upon when needed during other such trials... I am so looking forward to being stormbound yet again out among our wild places..... DSD
My appreciation dear fellow wanderers for sharing these images with us.

"They Go Together..."

"Really, the fundamental, ultimate mystery - the only thing you need to know to understand the deepest metaphysical secrets - is this: that for every outside there is an inside, and for every inside there is an outside, and although they are different, they go together...". Alan Watts
Time to wander, and thus to ponder, all the wonderful ways, they go together... DSD

"Time Lapse Wonders..."

"Time is the wisest Counsellor of all..." Pericles
"Time is the coin of your life...". Sandburg
"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in...". Thoreau
"Time is the most paradoxical of things... Time, the cradle of hope...". Colton
Time for adventurers, is an ephemeral thing. We seek the timeless flow of it all out there, while knowing we are really the timekeepers ourselves... Each journey is an era, each mountain a thing immemorial, every river and coastline a passage, all canyons a history. So our association with what we call hours, days, and seasons - evolves, or more clearly distills, into moments. Such as those I have shared in upon an elusive westerly summit near here. My high place wanderings there began when I was quite young, unfolded over the years, and now in a time honoured way, I return there each season still. The course of all these experiences, intervals of adventure and for introspection, has invited many perspectives of how we each may ponder time... I'm sure that is why, being more grey of hair and long existence, that I so very much enjoy certain Time Lapse adventure creations shared with all of us over the Internet. Many selected ones reflect so many wild places and journeys, in unique time lapsed passages, where the movement of the moments fill us with awe and inspiration... We do have the time of our lives out adventuring, and then viewing these Time Lapse wonders becomes a reflection too of our Time Lapse selves... A YouTube search by adventure topics, another search on The Adventure Blog by Kraig, or National Geographic Adventure, among other such esteemed sites will gift you with many remarkable experiential examples of these. Call them what we will, refer to time as we may - chronologies of movement, a time warped stillness to ponder, visual retrospectives of how we wander, antiquities or our own elapsed experiences - these are timely wonders of perception for time itself and our adventures. So, for the time being, turn the volume way up, enjoy these Time Lapse wonders my Friends, so they then inspire you to return soon to your own wild place adventures..... DSD

"Only....."

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in...".  John Muir
Never, ever, only it is for we adventurers..... DSD

"It Begins....."

Once again, here and now, in these most precious moments, it all begins... We truly sense this as we feel the first shift of our packs, as they settle upon our backs, when it begins... Then just before that first step, as we are getting underway, we sense that genesis of such emerging energy as well. In those initial minutes, those moments of excitement & anticipation where it is all made real, where our adventure is now very much coming into being - it begins... As our paddles reach for and touch the water, or when our hands first grasp that hiking staff, just as we feel the rock under our fingers and toes, here begins what did not exist before. In those emerging unknowns, we are shown what will be renewed and then afreshed, coming into bloom like a large new moon, with that original vibrancy and excitement we have all felt before. When we set out so, with each lovely new sunrise, we look forward to endless possibilities as we commence with our beginnings. Thus each moment among the wild places is born anew, and will wonderfully then transform each of us as well...
When it all begins we further embrace our origins - that essence, the source, for why we are there, for why we started out, and ultimately for why we will also then keep on going. Then later, during what may seem to be an end to this journey, now instead we see the prelude for what is more truly very likely just the beginning of another amazing adventure. There is nothing more primal than new beginnings.
So it once again begins..... DSD
My gratitude to you Friends for sharing your images here.

"A Connecting Link..."

"It was also a connecting link... with the long story of man's urge to match himself against the canyon, to learn something of himself through learning its ways...". D. Lavender
Another means for finding things among the paths out there... DSD

"A Whisper Of Wild Places..."

There are certain wild places whispered about among those of us who wander... Most would never likely find their locations written down, or hardly ever hear their name said aloud, these hintings are so very ephemeral, so very special for us...
A whisper of something where the elements blend with one another, to make them more than just a place, more than a simple point upon a map. We speak quietly about this terrain, where we each connect with such mystery. They are wild abodes we are attached to through ropes of the heart, and silk strands of the spirit...
A whisper of a place we know when we find that laughter is the currency there, where accounts are made up of fun and enjoyment. A place whispered about in private conversations, so we do not lose the energy of them, like how we shield the flame of a candle in a winter snowshoe trip, or our last match just now struck in the wind.
Places whispered so about are where we belay one another in as many ways of spirit as physical. We whisper too because we do not want to scare away the shy adversities which wait for us up on the rock and out among the waves. These places are whispered over so as we are making room for much more than space and time...
Their whispered names are remembered quietly because they reflect experiences where tears of effort become gems of confidence. These are soft voices of trials, of tests, and challenges only audible for our own ears, and where the origins of our efforts are found among that old ancient internal growth...
In the whisper of a wild place we hear and feel and know close at hand, those talking breezes that want us to sense their low murmerings, and the strong winds that will eventually become unforgettable reflections of themselves. We hear whispers of old friends, adventuresome companions, and new fellows yet met, all gently conversing with each other as well. We experience those rustlings and shared whispers by our campfires, within our dark tents, over hot morning brews, and then again after long days out among these - our wild meeting galleries...
We whisper of such places because at times it is hard to believe they are real, so full of beauty and wonder they are. We whisper because we don't want the time to pass quickly, and it is as if slowing our words, helps us halt the flow of the hours. They are the places for whispers too where those now gone, tell us of the ways and the secrets yet to come, because we miss their voices so much, such places let us still hear them again and again...
We speak quietly in these ways for we have experienced how we are invited to belong out there, and for how we are made to feel at home, even with all of our longings. Such whispered dreams then become voices of the real world and we hear what we could not before, like when being down in a valley and yet our voices can be heard by others still upon a summit, no matter how lowly we speak...
We can whisper forever in wonder if we choose - of canyons & islands, of elusive summits, towers & cliffs, across oceans and lakes, over rivers & rapids. We may do so through time as well if we listen closely enough. If we endure with our soft whispers, the wilds will make room for each of us. Then we begin on the path to truly discovering these places intimately, as they will eventually then know each us in turn too. We just need to remember how we got there, we only need to identify ourselves as seekers, as wanderers when we enter...
When we next meet each other out on the trail my Friends, let us stand close, and subtly share our secrets with each other, of that which we whisper, out in the wild places..... DSD
Dedicated these moments to our shared Earth Day and those who 'Adventure For Another Reason' this season...

"One Thing To Remember..."

"One thing to remember is to talk to the animals. If you do, they will talk back to you...". Chief Dan George
Such conversation of spirit, creating unforgettable memories, on a shared path towards tomorrow - our Earth Day... DSD

"Their Presence..."

"Those who have packed far up into grizzly country know that the presence of even one grizzly on the land elevates the mountains, deepens the canyons, chills the winds, brightens the stars, darkens the forests, and quickens the pulse of all who enter there..." J. Murray
Those who wander far, have had their hearts touched so... DSD
My appreciation to Kathy & Craig of the HikingCamping Blog for reminding me of this favorite quote.

"Time Will Pass Anyway....."

One of those distinct truths, we adventurers come to know so well, within our awareness of time, and especially of moments out there...
The real truth of it is, very much written in stone it would seem, that the time will pass anyway, regardless of how we plan or wander...
A truth we learn to hopefully embrace, not in any way of sadness or loss, for this potent awareness is so valuable, when understanding the depths of moments we each are gifted...
Time will indeed most certainly pass, no matter if we are aware, or do not choose to participate, as it is our time, and our own choice, to blend with this as we will...
When looking ahead over decisions and directions, then when gazing back upon memories and wonders, all the while accepting the elemental adventurous nature - of time..... DSD

"Never Stop....."

"Be like the explorers of old... Never stop learning, never stop exploring, never stop going on adventures." D. Ming-Dao
So never shall we..... DSD

"Your Mountains... Your Life..."

"The wilderness holds answers to more questions than we yet know how to ask". N. Newhall
"In the Mountains... There are times when a person's spirit sets forth upon rambles of its own accord". J. Muir
From the many engaging exercises encountered on my Outward Bound courses, the following resonates greatly, as one of the most meaningful. From my memory of it, and as I have practiced it many times over the years, I believe I will do it justice here. The key to this exercise is to fully project oneself, our very being, ahead in time and place, so that your whole life's journey would then be laid out before you...
So, imagine yourself, on a calm day, with gentle winds, the warmth of the sun, being up on the highest summit around. This particular mountain, your finally attained elusive solo summit, is a welcoming place, where you feel full of enthusiasm, with energy to spare.
From up here, you are able to then look back over the whole journey of your life. This summit provides an overview of it all. You can envision all of your past experiences, picture everything that has happened, see all the details of where you have been, also understanding from up there why you went in each and every direction you did. This grand view before you reflects every valley and mountain you've encountered, every objective met, each challenge and adversity overcome, even where you rested as well. As you continue to gaze out beyond and look back, you can literally watch yourself going through your life's journey, overlooking the choices you made, every trail, path, climb, junction - and all of your attitudes, reactions, and perceptions as well. What a grand view your mountain gives!
Now, as you are enjoying this amazing vista, up upon your chosen summit, your find yourself pondering so many grateful memories, and musing over the wonderful adventure your life has been. From up here, the distances provide perspectives, like having a surreal but very detailed map laid out before you, where you can see so much more than before. All of your experiences, every bit of your life's terrain, highpoints and valleys, contours and elements, are all there. You begin to muse even more deeply and then quietly, gently, ask yourself: What did I do that was meaningful, that gave me purpose... What were the moments that made me laugh and smile... Where did my energy come from, who were the connections I found, what became special for me... If I decided to go back over this terrain again you ask, what would I do once more, what matters now and what doesn't... As a result of these adventures what is clear to me now, and what lessons do I take from all of this...
From up so high, being able to clearly see every one of your wanderings, also why and how you navigated the way you did, you begin to feel even more at peace. Because as T. Elliot wrote: "We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know it for the first time".
Now your musings shift a bit, towards wonderings about where you want to go from here, what do you want to experience now, about what would be significant and need fulfilling from this point on... You begin to wonder, what is in that misty valley just over the horizon. You feel the enticements and excitement about those unknowns, anticipation about what is surely waiting patiently for you out there.
You now have a very distinct understanding of your life, having answered such questions about why we do what we do in our adventurous lives. There is also a very true sensing and knowing that there is more within than we ever first realize as you now carry on with your life, further, farther, higher, onward, and inward as well...
It is your mountain, your life to live..... DSD

"A Mountain, Like Life..."

"We are all climbers, if you think about it...". "A mountain, like life, discloses something of the being a climber is at his or her core". P. Ament
We are all adventurers, if we think about it..... DSD

"Calling....."

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

One of my very favorite spring quotes, composed by a cherished Author... 'Your wilderness calling' - what an ephemeral, thoughtful musing. There is most certainly a hidden mystery, a secrecy beyond simple perception out there within initially concealed exciting unknowns that beckon us on. Then we begin to ask ourselves: What revelations will we each discover; what possibilities will we each uncover; what wonders will be revealed... Our wise wilderness has always been calling, a mien, a trail, towards ourselves... But when called will we listen, when gestured for will we see, when motioned to will we feel... Will we allow ourselves to sense those many elusive wonderments, among such hints of enigmatic elements, all waiting so patiently, to assemble as we return to our natures... Then eventually, so intuitively, we will develop such insight and knowings, as we wander among our chosen wild places, from the wisdom shared with us on our adventures. Having returned, we will finally begin to devine this magic, through understanding that it is we who are now calling out in gratitude as well..... DSD

My gratitude also, for the inspiration for this musing, from 'B', and for the inspiring images from my Friends.

"Happy Losses..."

"It will be equally easy to lose ourselves in their happiness... the cliffs, sky, and clouds. We desire to find what we know we will keep hidden from ourselves." P. Ament
Such happy losses they all are..... DSD

"The Ground Shook Beneath Us..."

It occurred in those very early, long ago seasons, as we followed along with every measured step that was taking us forwards, as we were being lead by our Outward Bound Instructors. Then in later years too, with every determined step of theirs, as our Mountain Guides took us upwards - the ground seemed to also be shaking beneath us... What had happened was truly an earthquake of sorts, of our emotions, tremors around our assumptions, and a shaking apart of beliefs and misconceptions. The ground of what had seemed to have been solid perceptions clearly shook beneath us so... What they were doing through their actions, showing us by their example, saying in their quiet yet potent ways, and in modelling who they were choosing to be as mentors' and as adventurers' out there - had shaken up our vistas of the world, and more importantly the sometimes limited views we each had of our very selves... Then what we began sensing, seeing, then realizing deeply, and finally believing in, was that the terrain we had previously created of our perceptions from before was not as solid as we had once felt. 'This was possible', 'we can do this', were now all our new compelling mantras. The concept that there was indeed more within us than we ever first knew became our new inviting geography... Our preconceived limitations were now shaken, our previously limiting beliefs were now shattered, our understanding of possibilities had shifted, and the epicenter of what we now truly knew had moved distinctly farther and higher. The ground had shaken greatly beneath us, and we were so very happy that this had happened..... DSD

My appreciation to Colin for his wonderful efforts and these thought provoking images.

"Becoming Acquainted..."

"Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself...". S. Johnson
So here's to embracing adversity through our welcoming adventures... DSD

"Funny Where..."

Funny where... We each might discover, inspirations not seen before... Interesting how, we each may find, new anticipations just not recognized yet. We never know for sure, what such first light may mean for us. Of the warmth within desires, wants, and dreams, we have yet to fully understand... We can never say for sure, that the mists do not hold things yet to be revealed, from passions yet to be uncovered from within their depths... Funny how... The beginnings of an adventure day reflects the dawnings within our minds, and the shifting of perceptions too. Such new vistas can hold out for each of us, previously hidden enthusiasms and motivations. Wonderfully funny it is... How we each will surely discover, mysterious inspirations not known before..... DSD

Thank you my Friends for sharing your inspirational images with all of us.

"Where To..."

"Not 'where from' but 'where to' carries me to the next mountain and beyond myself..." R. Messner
Meanings within a metaphor, waiting for us to do just this... DSD

"Meditations Upon A Dragons' Back..."

The very name of this part of that climb so intrigued me the first time I heard it. To finally be moving across that rock was thrilling. It was on our way, those long years ago, to our ascent of Castle Tower, also called Eisenhower Tower of Castle Mountain in Banff. While climbing the Tower itself was an amazing adventure experience, there was just something about the Dragons' Back that whispered certain quiet secrets. I have returned there many times now... You can scramble to this point but from there on it is a technical climb. That has invited me to enjoy going solo up to and then for long hours just upon the Dragons' Back itself. Solo because that seems the best way to slowly blend with the many elements up there. The winds themselves cross the crest of this part of the mountain often. The stone is unique in ways both felt and seen. The vistas from this point are special looking out and across to so many other mountains and valleys. When gazing one way in particular, you can imagine what it would be like traversing the sky itself up here, flying this way and that, upon such a Dragons' Back. I listen for the waters as well, amidst the occasional rains, or snow melt too, when I have meditated up there. Each contemplative experience when allowing this to unfold, I have lost any sense of time or place, and as surreal as that feels, it is very fitting and so reflective of the name: Dragons' Back. In my minds' eye today, I can envision once again, the next time I will share the sky, up so high upon this elusive wild place..... DSD

"Touching The Winds..."

"You are touched by something invisible, something that bends trees and makes strange sounds. It throws the ocean into confusion, whips up fantastic froths of cloud, and carries the desert off in its arms. And yet it communicates directly and intimately with you. You can feel its effects deep inside...". L. Watson

To be touched so by the wind is to be held in the embrace of an elemental... DSD

"To Ask And Answer One's Own Questions..."

Today I was reminded about the subtle sharing of some powerful ponderings that seem to echo for us all... They are from Outward Bound Leaders offered before solo, from countless quiet discussions around glowing campfires, and an old Mountain Guide friend, very grey of hair, but so youthful of energy and perceptions. With that sure confidence that grows from having asked and then having sought the answers to one's own questions - they invite us to ask ourselves as well: What do you want from this adventure experience? How is that important for you? And, on the best of all days out there, what would that be like? We ask ourselves too: What kind of adventurers do you want to be when out there? Who do you want to be like when wandering? More pointedly: How much do you really want this? And, if you get what you want from these experiences, what would that mean to you? We quietly ask ourselves as well: What do you hope, dream, and wish for about your adventures? What is in your mind's eye about them? And, why is that meaningful for you? Then when doing so, we discover that to ask and answer one's own such questions, especially while out wandering, is so potent an adventure journey in itself..... DSD

My appreciation Dear Friends for including your images from when out musing over you own questions.

"Of Meanings..."

"Mountain climbing for me is creation of meaning... To establish meaning is half the effort in life...". R. Messner
Have a wonderful meaningful adventure today my Friends... DSD