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Thursday, October 5, 2017

Asleep at the Wheel




"Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today...ya-aah" 
"What's Going On," Marvin Gaye


What does one do to counter seemingly endless news of tragedy and suffering wrought by earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and heart wrenching executions of innocent men, women, and children at the hands of homicidal psychopaths? 

Where is the "light" at the end of this tunnel of doom? Where is the turning point, or better, where is the breaking pointWhere is the "dawn" of a new day that follows such darkness? Where the fuck is our "benevolent God" when we need Him?     



It was a soggy, foggy morning when Bobbie and hauled our numb minds and bodies for color-hike up Dexter Creek Trail. Lovely Ouray was covered under a thick blanket of fog forecasted to burn off by mid-morning, allowing temps to warm into the 60's. 

Melting snow and ice from the bows of pines created a literal rain forest as Bobbie and I slogged up through bushes and trees dripping with moisture...our hearts and legs heavy with the somber reality that, at times, we live in a world of unbridled pathos. 

Our task as human beings is to carry on, to shine the dimmest of light upon darkness in whatever horrific form it takes, while our "benevolent Creator" dozes at the wheel...




 We thought about trying to make a ten mile loop-hike by going up Dexter Creek (red) and returning on Cutler Creek (blue). However, that would leave an additional 5 or 6 mile road hike at the end to get us back to the car at Dexter's trailhead.


Then, of course, there was snow that would get deeper as we ascended. We learned our "lesson" a couple of years ago trying to hike Cutler Trail after a fall snowstorm. The idea was to make a loop-hike, but as we ascended to higher elevations the snow was so deep we couldn't stay on-trail. We wandered through dense forest...looking for old "blazes" on trees as another storm bared down. 

This time we settled for an out-and-back.






























On a happier note, our Sonoma Pals are in town for their annual fall photo-tour of the San Juan Mountains. Al and Doug invited us over to the Seldom Inn for homemade peach pie and coffee (Al, your crust is to die for!).





I'll finish with a few photos from a hike up Oak Creek Trail...just to shed a little more "light" on the darkness.





11 comments:

  1. The Boss don't rule the earth. He said that long ago. Satan has dominion over the earth. What most don't grasp is -we- the human race...is Satan.

    What is done to us we do to ourselves. But then, blaming someone else... or some THING else is tradition isn't it? Never is it our own fault. Can't be.

    We are a narcissistic, predatory, cannibalistic species... that lacks the honor and honesty of a coyote.

    What has always been will always be. Is why I become more of a hermit with each passing atrocity...seeking peace in the wind...on the road or on the trail.
    -Brian

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  2. Your photos are brilliant points of light and beauty, reminding us of the transient nature of humans and the mystery of beauty and chaos.

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  3. Miss you big guy. We are driving back from a 3 day bike adventure on the Katy trail as I type. Great post. Clearly our tradional "thoughts and prayers" response to such horror is not enough. Where does the buck stop?

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  4. I sit here trying to formulate some insightful or otherwise intelligent comment or response, to no avail. All I can say is thank you for this post!

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  5. Looks like it turned out to be a beautiful day for that hike and a good place to go for some relief from the daily crazy news. We're basking in the healing vibes of the red rocks of Snow Canyon. Hope to see you guys soon!

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  6. Thanks for so perfectly expressing how I feel in your opening paragraphs. I just want to dig a hole and crawl in. Although I sure wouldn't complain about an out and back hike through such fabulous scenery. Who wouldn't want to hike it twice in one day?? Nice looking peach pie. Can we have a crust off between David and Al? I've got my money on spelt and nearly as flaky as phyllo.

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  7. Your Fall colors are busting loose. Our's are about a week behind yours...
    Spring and Fall are my favorite times..
    Upriver

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  8. Beautiful story, photos, peach pie setting with friends!

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  9. Nature to the rescue of our troubled hearts...as long as we can manage to save the natural places that is...

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  10. Thanks goodness for the beauty of nature to give some rescue from the world around us. Too much negativity and darkness over the last many months. You photos are always a bright spot. Love the light dusting of snow:)

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