Homeless with Spirit on the road... the story.

I started smilng when I saw your post... well, I have worked for 37 years as a Chef, there has been a bit of savings even though the past 20 years I have taken 6 months vacation every year... to travel.
I have left for this Journey a bit too early as I am 60 now, but, family circumstances drove me to this now. We survive, the fuel and the website are the big expenses... and maybe as you might read into the Blog today... we are going to start selling "postcards" and "Spirited Treats" which I will be baking myself! Hope this answers your question... and also I did work 3 nights a week a while ago, we do not pay for camping as we camp on BLM of National Forest lands, friend's properties... I am consulting for a Bed & Breakfast right now, short term.



A quick tour of Lajitas, Texas

I have always been intrigued as to the feel Lajitas would give when there… I do have a favorite spot, a short river crossing to Mexico a bit past the town, in the old days before border crossings changed that was some busy sights. But the town itself was eerie, sad, not only because of it being deserted but because its authenticity has been stripped, replaced by some “look alike” buildings trying to fool the tourists that modernism can still look old! It still made for some interesting pictures! There was no one to get in the way of the camera including specially a quick stop at the “International Airport”…
Spirit’s helmet fits better… we had to remedy to his unhappiness of the previous day… and we are planning some long… long… rides!
All on the Blog….

Till next time, you all be well… and enjoy the Sunrise!

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com

wow I kindove took you as a younger guy... Not saying your old but just younger than you are now... Thats ok Its great what your doing... You are going to have to stop by sedalia and i,ll cook you some of my famous chili or maby you can show me how to spice it up a bit.. Well I would like to congratulate you on making your 100th post on this single thread. Out of all the threads yours has got to be one of the most popularest...

Be sure to post your "items" up for sale here when you're ready

There's a spot for that in the "For Sale" section. Have fun and stay safe

I am old... I am old... here I go!!! Thanks!!!...
Thanks Dunlap... I want to do this right... I am checking on ingredients NOT to use... I hear pumpkin is real good... I have read a lot but there is always much research to do! I will...



Old Marathon Rd loop, Tx

We are indoor this morning, the winds blowing like mad all night had me even reset the Dish! This is the clearest skies we have ever seen so far, would make for great pictures if only the sun would come out and take this grey cast away. I think it is happening as I write this!
It was a great ride yesterday, again isolated inland roads with this time some degree of difficulty for us… a street tire in deep sand is never the best scenario!
Thinking today was Friday, I realized it was not and we have now one more day to get ready for a weekend in Alpine for the Open Gallery Night, where we will try to find a little obscure corner to spend the night! It was a customary fashion in the 60’s! Including much hitchhiking…
And yes, Spirit will have his blanket!!!
Be well… enjoy…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Artwalk in Alpine, Texas

Another great event in this area… the Alpine Artwalk! Nighttime open Galleries, rubbing elbows with the Artists… eating and eating again… and much chatting!
We left early in the day, the weather turning cold last night made us came back the 80 miles, missing only one deer in the dark. I keep thinking… some day! Some day it is going to happen… so far we have always drawn the lucky number.
Such a great time that we (I did anyhow!) thought about maybe going back tonight.
Enjoy the show… and a Holiday Recipe…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

A couple events in Terlingua, Texas

More going on here every week that passes by. The local talent was in full force at a benefit for the recycling program, including an incredible Fire Dance at the beat of the Drums… a nostalgic tour at the “Menagerie Press” where Lauren uses two almost 100 year old letterpress presses to print cards and pages… no click of the button here… no switches, but true hard work one letter at the time.
We are on our way to the Chinati Hot Springs which we missed the last time we rode Pinto Canyon. The weather is still warm ahead of a forecasted cold spell, and we better get on and take advantage of it…
That is about it for now!
Almost forgot… lots of pictures in the “My First 100 Years” last article…

Be well….

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Oh! That look!!!…

The Chinati Hot Springs, Texas

Yes, still in Texas… the big and friendly State with so many places to go and events to attend! When “things” get busy somehow my mind always go back to our stay in the “Joshua Trees”, the “Belle” campground, all the way in the back by the big rock where we sat there for hours… days really! I guess it has left quite an impression on me. Chinati Hot Springs will became the same, in the middle of literally nowhere, isolated from it seems the rest of the World, as they say, it is a place to get “restored”!
Even if the journey there was kind of a fiasco regarding food and sleeping accommodations… my own smart lack of planning!
Don’t miss it if you are in this area… more here on the Blog.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit
www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

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Spirit is dreaming again!!!

Holiday in Big Bend, Texas

We actually spend most of the day in Alpine, working at cooking! It was a fun day putting to use what I know best. Had not help from Spirit, nice think carpet in front of the fireplace, that was his pad for most of the day! This dog is not a fool…
Change in weather so suddenly made us ride in a bitter cold wind that somehow even came through the helmet and my ear plugs. Price to pay I guess… It even snowed last night up on Chisos Mountain where we tried to take a ride up this morning, but even with my heated gear including the gloves, we had to turn around… just a bitter cold. It will warm up… soon.
Recipes and pictures are here… on the Blog.

Till later… you all be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Well, I appologize for the blank above!!! I am trying a new animation... I did see it when I posted it... then it must have vanished... Oh! well...



A Journey with no Fences and Gates? Texas

We are going to Fort Davis tomorrow. A change in the scenery, it is about one hundred miles north of here and it will allow us to explore the area without the 200 mile round trip every time. Makes sense…
The weather has been warming up nicely, some great riding in the area should make it for a pleasant stay. Having quite a few friends visiting Big Bend in December, we will be back here before heading… East… for a very short while.
Some thoughts today… somehow I see the fences surrounding us also being part of our own Life…
You be well…

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Ara & Spirit

Marathon, Texas

Repeat to myself “never write about our next destination”… repeat to myself…
So we are still here… we did leave… came right back! Not strange if you consider that the Powwow is happening this weekend, the Bug Show… and the “Run for Stupidity”! Only in Terlingua… you would not want to miss seeing all those events on this Blog… would you? So only to please you (!!!) we unpacked again and forced ourselves to stay… just for you! I insist…
We did take a ride to Marathon yesterday, a nice ride and a cool little town as you will see on the Blog…
Our “Spirited Doggie Treats” (Spirit’s new hobby!) would have been a better choice for lunch than what I had…. But… maybe I will have better common sense next time…
You be well….
Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

A Powwow in Terlingua, Texas

I think the ones that did not show up for this event missed out on a lot. It was a beautiful day, we are back to short sleeve T shirts by the way here in south Texas, and the event kept our senses awake all day. Just a few miles from camp, this will never be considered as a ride report! It really is better, a true ride for the mind surrounded by proud people within their rich history.
A new experience making me happy that we turned around to come right back a few days ago.
Enjoy the pictures on the Blog…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

The rest of the weekend, Terlingua TX

I have to clarify what I wrote today on the Blog regarding the Powwow and my feelings toward the group of Native American Indians present… I am speaking about who I saw, what I saw and what I felt this weekend. Of course I know about the Casinos, of course I know about the millionaires in Palm Springs… but “this” was here, it was “now”…
Spirit again had a package in the mail, he has his own fan club… many spirited (!!!) followers most likely. Some stickers for his helmet… and now he will get noticed even more, trust me that my job as his “bouncer” has just become more difficult.
As most of you are feeling the cold and maybe buried under the snow, the weather here? Come and experience it… nice and cool in the morning… nice and crisp during the day, not a cloud in the sky lately… this even beats Florida weather!
You can also check out the “Bug Show” and the “Race for Stupidity” on the Blog…
Till next time… be well… and let me know what you think!

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Wandering through other Texas towns…

An empty and desolate road, some turkeys I could not get close enough to take pictures of, nice cool breeze, this was all on the way to Ft Davis. Terlingua is behind us for a little while, I long for some bit of distance riding, some new roads and new scenery. The highlight of the day was seeing Ron and Marsha Cox making brooms! Something you probably don’t even notice in the stores… replaced by these noise making machines called vacuum cleaners. These are the same brooms made since the 1800’s. You might even think that the Desert might be getting to us, as Spirit is of course part of this (!!!), well, maybe. But, besides just riding, it is also fun to watch and learn Artisans at their Craft, specially when it is such an ancient one.
Lots of little Texas towns around here… because, yes, we have moved to Alpine… near Alpine anyhow.
It is all in the Blog…

Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our Blog and website

A little more riding, Texas

Sometimes I just don’t know how to title the day! Do they all need a title?… sometimes it is helpful and sometimes not. Today is the continuation of yesterday, such common sense… right? There is always so much that happens, so much we see and experience, which makes me wonder if we could ever live any other way from this point on! Maybe if we had to. More time spend in Ft Davis, a visit to the Mc Donald Observatory with an invitation to return tomorrow morning and check out the behind the scenes of this unique telescope. The fog is rolling in right now, rain or shine we will be there!
More on the Blog…

Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Spirit goes to School! Texas

He did! Valentine School, between Marfa and Van Horn… We had a great time, touched by all the kids (there is only 2 seniors) that wanted and did play with him and fed him treats. I think they will remember him as I will remember them. This was today in some great weather in contrast with yesterday’s storms and rain and fog while we did go for a private tour at the Mc Donald Observatory which we will write about next time.
Just so proud of him… thinking just a few years ago he was in a shelter laying with his head down not even barking when all the other dogs were! He has come such a long way… today was proof of it!
More on the Blog…

Be well… always…. Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

A private tour of the HET, Texas

HET stands for Hobby-Eberly Telescope, near Ft Davis, in total fog the day we went back for the private tour. Quite an experience I must say. A beautifully designed telescope, Artwork in my eyes, the world’s 3rd largest instrument for astronomers to study what is millions of light years away… It has brought up some thoughts about how minuscule we ourselves are in this vast Universe as we are passing through comparatively for such a short time.
Spirit patiently waited outside, cover and coat on without a complain. As usual, cool and collected just waiting, such a perfect companion and buddy.
Hope you enjoy the few pictures of this memorable day, all on the Blog…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

The Christmas Art Show, Texas

Well, it was not all that bad after all. Sold about 2/3rd of the 75 Art Cards had had prepared, mostly local scenes, and a few bags of the Spirited Doggie Treats. Learned a couple lessons of course! Never set up outside on fine dirt in windy condition even if I am told to do so… because obviously the locals had reserved, most likely a year in advance the best indoor spots!
It was nice to talk about our Journey to the curious ones, watch the expression of the on lookers stopping to glance at the table I had set up, listening to the local talented musicians and of course eat some excellent home made tamales…
Sunny today, but cold… 27 degrees this morning and the heaters are still going full blast!
Enjoy the Blog!
Be well… Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…http://theoasisofmysoul.com/

Last call for Terlingua, Texas

The Chisos did not hold back their last curtain call on our departure from Terlingua. It was not a spectacle to miss or will forget soon. Could the word “WOW” say it all?
350 miles or so to the east we have already covered, primitive camping near Del Rio, right on the water in the Amistad National Park. Back to the basics, no running electricity or water. There is a sense of dependence on ones self living as is, and I like it. We are only a few miles from Acuna in Mexico, and as a Blog reader, Mary Jo also traveling with her Pit Bull is camping near by, we will join forces and go to town to explore a bit of the local colors.
I could not help myself writing a few more thoughts about the Christmas Art Show… it seems like I say it the way it is on the Blog.

Till next time, you all be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…http://theoasisofmysoul.com/

Molly and Spirit will not get to play... Molly plainly does not like other dogs. She is 12, has had many cancers and was attacked herself not too long ago by another dog... what a shame... Spirit could have used a girl friend, but I do not want to push the issue...


In Acuna, Mexico

All yesterday’s pictures while in Acuna, Mexico, have this grey cast, a blanket that would not lift itself off. Today in contrast the weather has heated up, the skies are bright and blue and we are wearing short sleeve T shirts! Acuna is only a few miles from here and will need to experience one more time, with Spirit also… as I left him behind in camp alone for a few hours. I missed him and at the same time my cautious mind was glad to have the experience alone and judge later how we would do together back again. I remember being in Germany visiting my mother where dogs where allowed everywhere, even in Restaurants! Now that would be a great world to live in, it would actually be so incredibly nice. But, not being the case we do what we can with what we are given.
A nice day it was, hope the Blog transports you there even if it just for a little while.
Be well…

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

More of Acuna, Mexico and some Pies…

What an irony that on this incredibly sunny day the wind kept us inside! One of those where I had to reset the Internet Dish 3 times and add some tie downs for fear of it to blow away. We were also told to stay close as Law Enforcement was looking for 3 smugglers on foot… and wet after bailing out of their boat when caught by the Border Patrol… How exciting and… relaxing day before the Holiday creeping up on us. We went to the incredible “Whitehead Museum” here yesterday in Del Rio, I don’t think very well known, but definitely not to miss, so I had many pictures to go through for the next Blog. I am also getting ready to make Spirit’s Christmas present… you will see it soon!
Reorganizing some cabinets… you know… all that boring stuff that needs to get done eventually.
Today’s Blog is the rest of our visit in Acuna and also a couple Pies that I made which I hope you will try to duplicate. Always feel free to send me your questions… love to help!
Till next time, you all be well and hope that you and your family are ready to celebrate.

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…

Happy Holidays from the Road, 2007

It is all quiet now, one camper, I can barely see them either, and that is about all for this whole area! Many ducks on the water, but they just don’t know what day it is.
Spirit’s present is ready… a huge… but you will have to wait for the pictures!
Even the Internet is quiet, amazing how one can feel it being here remote from it all.
I think tomorrow we will go back and spend Christmas Day in Acuna. I have no idea if the vendors will be out on the streets, if the celebration will be present, as if it is, should be very colorful and joyful. I do know “Feliz Navidad” and we will get along just fine…
In the meantime, some pictures of the “Whitehead Museum” and Happy Holidays to you all… friends, readers, everyone we have been in touch with at some point or another and everyone we will be in touch with!
Our Best Wishes to you all… as always.

Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our Blog and website…

How was your Christmas? TX

We have started to move on today, and besides the border towns in Mexico, hopefully will see Piedras Negras tomorrow, the area does not excite us. We feel back into civilization, and for that reason I think we will take a bit of a Northern route to head East. Maybe Garner State Park… and then on Galveston State Park… Louisiana…
We had a fun day yesterday, specially with Spirit’s Christmas present… He did not quite know what to make of it first, but, as the official tester of the “Spirited Doggie Treats”, he gets an A+ for approving the new Peanut Butter flavor!!!
The heater is fixed… a little gizmo the size of a button was fried… all is well.
Lets see where we land tomorrow! Tonight is Eagles Pass…
You be well… and thank you for all the Best Wishes you have send us…
Ara & Spirit

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog…