"When The Trees Sing..."

"When the trees sing, It doesn't really matter if you know the song,Or if you know the words,Or even if you know the tune. What really matters is knowing, That the trees are singing at all." M. Stepanek

Inspiration can be found in so many places. Inspiration may be discovered among such diverse voices. I ponder this quote today from a very young philosopher. Thinking how he would have been so wonderful a companion and wanderer... Now as I listen to the songs of these of these so old trees, Among the wilds visiting with these ever present ancient winds, Musing about 'knowings', and singing, and other subtle wonders.....DSD

"Goal Questing....."

"Goals... are part of an internal quest - one of fulfillment and excellence in the here and now. The key to goal realisation is to choose challenging destinations that will enable you to create joy during the journey." Huang & Lynch

Such enlightened perspectives on goals,

So personal reflections of our selves,

Adventures among every step,

Joy within almost all moments,

What could be more wondrous,

Than such quests for our goals...

DSD

"A Symphony Of Movement, Motion, And Music..."

Who first called them 'slabs' we may never know, and they likely mirror those countless other local cliffs hidden away out there, yet near enough to us all. It was just to be a quiet day for me. A rest day for tired legs and old tendons. A day for simple recovery of walking, carrying little except some books, water, and a big lunch. I remember that day chuckling how it wasn't that long ago that a much younger one had commented about how 'retro' I was in still using my old cassette player I had to listen to the muses and their music. Now I have a little Shuffle too which never ceases to amaze me with its size, capacity, and simple complexity. The name fits with me as well as that is how I feel my hiking is now at times these many decades in, especially with a full pack upon my back.

I was early and able to find and lay claim to the best shaded ground, under an even more perfect tree nearby our slabs, in this ancient valley. With some water and my journal in my lap, and those fancy little ear buds all tucked in my ears, I now could simply watch the many others here practice and move their way up and across these many polished rock slab faces.

After dozing for a bit, and then waking to wonder what the young ones must think about the grey hair asleep under the tree, I turned up the volume some. Then I began to just watch, to enjoy their enthusiasm, and to appreciate their boundless energy. The next few hours was the best blending of the most amazing symphony of music, motion, and movements I have experienced in ages...

While they were not listening to what I was, they must have been hearing their own harmonies as they climbed. What artists they all were that adventure day. Each had a grace in their movements, and a focus to their motion... All were joined in that wonderful vertical dance upon ancient rock...

Not all were as skilled as others in leading these routes, but all were still artists of a kind... Even those that struggled or fell, still did so in a dramatic fashion - like the heroes we read about who always get up even after being solidly knocked down time and again... It seemed that when the tempo of my silent music picked up, so did their wonderful efforts...

Then when I was listening to some quieter sounds, their focus seemed to increase but slow. What amazing synchronicity it was... What beautiful compositions this all made, this symphony of motion, and movement, and music...

What a wonderful adventurous rest day it was, out among all this spirit and stone.....

DSD

My thanks to B. Model for the lower image above, and to P&K Smith for the upper image.

"Touching The Same Cairn....."

Similar weather, such a familiar route.

The same sea of summits, views from memories too...

Ageless rocks of a cairn, holding close an old summit register.

Trembling some as it is opened...

And there, the same hand writing, now as back then.

Both words and paper faded; though meanings still so vibrant...

Then the simple placing of a few Summit Stones, and moments for quiet reflection.

Touching the same cairn, now with older lined hands,

Much greyer of hair as well,

Being tempered of energy,

Yet not of spirit.

So many years have passed,

To return to where it all began.....

DSD

My sincere appreciation to S. Abegg for the top image above, and to R. Ingraham for the lower image.

"Ask....."

On this adventure,

In those moments,

What is it that you might need to ask...

What ponderings do you want to have answered...

What is it you hope to find; to discover yet again out there...

What could there be that you wish to more understand; maybe even about what you may already sense...

About out there, in the wilds.

About in here, within your heart.

From deep within your spirit too.

On this adventure,

In those moments,

Ask.......

DSD

"Ceremonial Stones..."

The ancients called them Stones of Ceremony, Learning Stones, Rocks of Passage, among other cultural & spiritual references and descriptions too. They were used in sacred ceremonial experiences, almost always out deep within the wild places, most importantly as ways of keeping memories alive...

Being the substance of rock, that of lasting stone, they became symbols passed from one hand to another; from one generation forward hopefully everlasting in this way. They are instrumental as ways for remembering, for recalling significant events, to bring back memories of persons, in relearning lessons to important to lose, in sharing stories of challenge and accomplishments, wonderments, and especially of emotions too...

The stories that were symbolically attached to such Stones of Ceremony were woven into their history, beliefs, and ways of the people who polished them so. This is not surprising considering the enduring substance of stone, and the uniqueness of every one in its' own shape, color, texture, and even the character of each one.

I have seen how persons hold these memory rocks with such reverence, almost as if by handling them, they return to a time before and become more in touch with those who have long ago passed them forward...

Combined with the nature of stone we join and blend the wonders of memories and ceremony, and the synergy found in doing so, is truly another kind of elemental energy.

While we only pass through these elements, Stones of Ceremony are indeed one of the eternal elementals from out there. They are like the Scholar Rocks I have written about before, another of the mysteries of hidden history the I so enjoy reflecting upon within my own stone endeavours.....

DSD

"A Touch On The Arm....."

I was just catching up with one of my old friends made while out years ago with Outward Bound. Both of us had been away recently coastal winter kayaking. There is a very close connection developed there that we have had for what seems ages now. We often chuckle and reminisce about our novice selves and the way we first faced challenges way back then. He was one who brought confidence with him to that experience, and then found new ways to grow this internal element even further when out there...During one of the many shared trust and personal challenge exercises, he stood beside me as I was next to go. Certain heights and some kinds of edges have always invited a bit of anxiousness for me. He could read this upon my face, and at that difficult point, he simply reached over and touched my arm... Then with a smile on his own face he just nodded to me...

This was a gesture reflecting subtle, powerful, quiet messages of 'I'm here', 'You can do this', and as he had just gone before, of 'If I can then you can'...

His face always comes to mind as I have passed forward such encouragement to others over these many years. Encouragement is a gift twice given it seems, and always, always, will bring a smile to each and every one of us adventurers...

DSD

"An Immeasurable What If..."

What if.....

What if it all means we should go. You know, even with all of 'That'...

What if all of those other so important distractions, that daily distress, those preoccupations of people and time pressures, the never ending deadlines, family concerns, others issues, lack of support or sleep, that extra work, or feeling quite tired of it all - what if on another level of understanding and need, what if it all means you should go...

Of course, many of these are real concerns, important in their own way, and needing of some time and attention. But, what if, having all of these kinds of storms in our lives - rather than meaning we shouldn't or seemingly couldn't go, what if they all actually are telling us a different secret...

Even while they are trying us, testing us, to see how much we want these adventures; what if much of what we really need many times is to be found in the avocation of our wanderings out there... What if, by going, we discover more clarity, become centered again, more focused yet relaxed, renewed of energy, and so much more able to return to navigate all those other such things back here.

What if, after pondering this seemingly simple question, we each uncover a heretofore hidden and immeasurably valuable answer for ourselves...

What if.....

DSD

"Stone Stairways....."

I have always enjoyed reading by a fire and later yesterday I took an old tome off a shelf which had collected too much dust. Paging through it gently, as such aged books need to be handled carefully, I found a note on a piece of paper I likely used as a bookmark way back when...

After reading the words there, I reviewed the pages where it had been found, then pondered who might have first said it. I do not recall the words as my own, could not find them in the tome, nor had any reference been noted.

The mysterious quotation simply said: "The mountains are stone stairways...".

Just these five words; nothing more.

As I gazed into the fire, many musings crossed my mind of how the mountains are indeed such stairways - ascending ways and paths of rock and ice, scree and snow, of challenges and trials, of directions forwards and upwards, towards profoundly personal experiences and meanings that we each discover all along the way.

Such beautiful stone stairways are our elusive high places that we each seek.....

DSD

"Romantic Realists..."

We adventurers are such romantic realists, when we turn and face that which we each have chosen, as we make our own way out among the wildest of places...

To be an adventurer is at heart, to clearly be a romantic, and yet it seems very much a realist too. We take our dream like visions and make them come true. We move past everyday life back here, and journey into the extremes and emotions out there; and then return with spirits, hearts, and perceptions renewed.

That which really matters become the elements we seek to embrace; what is within the true nature of an experience becomes that which we seek to engage.

As adventurers, we deal with things as they are, while following enthusiasms towards things that are yet to be...

We are so imaginatively practical in the pursuit of our wild passions. So often playfully serious about our fun and our freedoms. We blend risk with romanticism, and distinct objectives with subtle fulfillment's.

Such romantic realists are we, such pioneers and wanderers, poets and bards, explorers and philosophers.

We everyday adventurers.....

DSD

My thanks for the top image above to A.G. Belt.

"Circumnavigations....."

The circle is a powerful symbol. Many adventurers embrace the concept of the 'Grand Circle', knowingly or not. It blends with all of what we do out there as we enclose our wanderings within the language, ways, and means of such symbols. The circle has also been viewed as a continuous path in many cultures and histories. Circles upon, and within circles - or circumnavigations; are very potent adventures. Such voyages and journeys take us all around, all the way to the edges, and then finally back again...

We so circumscribe the elements, crossing meridians, and all points of the compass by doing so, in actuality and through the adventure metaphor as well.

I remember... Circumnavigating those many coastal islands, then returning again to the same point we launched and embarked upon, but not as the same persons at all...

We recall... Surrounding Mt. Temple from east to west, north & south and then back again, from trail head to scramble route, through hiking and climbing, and so much more...

We remember... Following the circumference of so many maps from wild places to further wilderness, then on to that internal terrain even more elusive...

I myself remember... The circuitous nature of returning, coming back full circle, to the very first mountain climbed, the initial river rafted, where a certain wild animal was first sighted, that place where the worst fall was taken, the lakes of my youth, the injury that almost ended these journeys, and those so special wild places where some selected little stones were gathered up and an idea was formed...

Such potent symbols circles are, such wonderful journeys circumnavigations become.....

DSD

My appreciation to M. Hill for the above images.

"A Misplaced Dream..."

There is a river out there I know well, but have yet to run all of it. It is not the longest, or largest, nor the most grand - yet it holds a truly unique beauty within its' remote fluid wildness.

Near this river is a small somewhat hidden valley. I so want to journey down between the high rock walls that embrace the older growth forests held closely there. Some of those streams from this valley feed the waters of that river which is the only way to access this undiscovered area on my map...

At the far end, at the very farthest point from this river I have yet to paddle, is an unusual mountain. Not the highest, but certainly the most aesthetic one nearby. It is a severe craggy rock, with old ice and deep snow upon it on a scale not seen on many high points now. The summit of this distant mountain may not likely have ever been visited, other than by the wind or the feathered ones, or so it feels when I dream about it...

A season does not go by where I do not also find myself again envisioning a journey upon that river, down that pristine valley, and then slowly ascending that elusive mountain...

We all have such wild places & plans, possibly misplaced dreams that we need to revisit, from deep within our hearts, where our spirit longs to wander... The energy of life is made up of such hope and dreams...

I hope to dream again of my secret adventure there yet again tonight.....

DSD

My appreciation to A. Jones for the lower image above and to K. Su for the top image.

"What Will It Take....."

What will it take, the Muses say,

Then too the storms call out,

What toll are we each prepared to give.

What will be asked of us, the shadows state,

What will it take, the echoes call as well,

For each to choose, then each to strive, with all they have,

On paths of efforts, and such trails of time...

Now let us commit, responds the ageless voices,

For then it seems, all the more surely, we will each discover,

Whatever it takes, to be on our way...

DSD

My thanks to F. Polimeni for the top image above, and to G. Wiltsie for the lower image.

"New Beginnings....."

"Prevalent in primal lore are stories of beginnings... Sacred myths and cherished legends narrate the origins of the cosmos itself, the earth and its life, and human beings and their purposes. Only if we know how things began, the primal mind seems to say, do we know how to continue..". P. Novak

Therein is one of our many reasons for why we muse about the origins of our adventures; for the very why we do what we do, out in the wild places. We often seem to grasp why it is we began; yet understanding too why we keep going especially when the trails become trials is certainly as important.

How & why & when did you begin to head out there - we often inquire of one another.

What adventures did you first start out upon we also share about.

Then, most interestingly, as the seasons pass, as the many years come and go, we just as often find ourselves returning to those times and places and reasons we began with...

Adventures within experiences,

Wonders within moments,

Returning to beginnings,

Full circle yet again,

This early new year.....

DSD

"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

"All Along The Way He Told His Stories..."

There are those of us who listen more and others who want to share much too. Most tend to enjoy both of the give and take of conversation and also the quieter connections when out there... He was one of our elder adventurers; one of the venerable ones who through time and deed and leadership, others would follow and listen closely too, often just for the many lively stories...

It was not so much an account of his own life, as it was about the shared tales of amazing experiences in the wilds. Grand narrations of high places and fast waters, with anecdotes of legend, which many of the young ones listened closely & intently to and were then embraced by these. Each new day would bring forth a new fable, and each turn of the trail a different tale. When the weather changed or the sun set, the tone and content of his stories would evolve also, into something when more than words were being spoken... The fire would be lit and the images would then begin to dance before our very eyes...

To blend such fun activities of adventure, with the sharing of so meaningful tellings, was unique and powerful. The subtle thing of this experience for many of us, was that a significant part of our own adventure journey had now become the stories being told along the trail.

These many years later I can still sense how, while the adventure experiences were great and memorable, what I now remember most are the shared stories he gave us - they have become unforgettable...

He is no longer adventuring, yet I am sure his spirit wanders still. Now during those times out when we are telling our own tales, we ensure to share his many wonderful stories too, all along the way.....

DSD

My appreciation to G. Wiltsie for the above images.