Devil's Tower

We have recently been in touch with a highly-regarded psychic friend of ours, who told us it was a good time for a trip to Devil's Tower, as there was abundant spiritual energy there to tap into .

Well, it turns out that it was true. We had some questions concerning our place in the world, and we felt this was a good time to ask the spirits for guidance and strength.

After several days of rain here in Iowa, the clouds parted on the way across South Dakota, and by the time we reached the Black Hills, the sun was shining. We decided on a quick drive through Spearfish Canyon to augment our journey. It was beautiful, as the fall colors were in full force.

We arrived at the beautiful Devil's Tower Best Western Hotel in little Hulett, Wyoming, and I had just enough daylight left to snap some photos. Seems, however, that the zoom on my camera was not working properly. Oh well, I thought, I'll just use the largest pixel setting on my camera and edit the pictures down when I get home.

The next morning we were a bit dismayed to find a veil of fog blanketing the area when we got up. But after breakfast and some time in the hot tub, we discovered that the fog was beginning to lift, so we drove off to the tower.

We were careful to approach the tower with proper respect, as we were very aware of the spirits' activity. I could only wish all the other tourists would have been so thoughtful, but the spirits seemed to allow my forgiveness for them. Kind of a Jesus thing, I guess. Didn't know I had the power. Wow.

Then the spirits graciously allowed the veil of fog over the tower to dissipate as we walked around the trail circling the tower. And as I prayed and snapped pictures, the spirits must have felt I was a worthy visitor, because suddenly the zoom on my camera began working again.

We were just finishing our walk when a group of tourists rushed by us on the trail; some of them were giddy and others more aware of the spiritual presence. I guess the spirits accepted them, as I was gently reminded that admonishment on my behalf wasn't appropriate.

I was able to get all the photos I wanted, including the lucky shot you see here. You may see the other pictures I took on my links list.

On the road back to Sundance to head home, the fog rolled back in, followed by rain. I don't have much doubt that was the spirits wishing us peace.

I was left with a sense that it is time in my life to get my own spirit in order with the cosmos, and I think I'm on my way. It's not necessary for me to worry about what negativity others may wish to spread; I am content with my own inner peace. That is all that matters.

We are making plans to come through here next summer, and to spend another night in Hulett on our way to Glacier National Park. I am sure there will be at least a brief pause on the road alongside the tower, if only to re-energize from the marvelous spiritual energy I that was very honored and grateful to receive on this journey. I am very much looking forward to that.

Jim Carroll 1949-2009

"It's when the body at the bottom,
That body is my own reflection
But it ain't hip to sink that low
Unless you're gonna make a resurrection
They're always gonna come to your door
They're gonna say, "It's just a routine inspection"
But what you get when you open your door
What you get is just another injection
And there's always gonna be one more
With just a little bit less until the next one
They wait in shadows and steal the light from your eyes
To them vision's just some costly infection
But listen, you should come with me
I'm the fire, I'm the fire's reflection
I'm just a constant warning
Just a constant warning to take the other direction

Mister, I am your connection."

Copyright Earl McGrath Music/Jim Carroll Music ASCAP (1980)

Thanks for the poetry and the autograph, friend. I'll try to keep your light on.

Onabike 2009

Onabike 2009 pictures now up. 63 miles through the beautiful Loess Hills of Western Iowa, in a time of 4 1/2 hours; average speed 14 mph. Pretty good for me. See the link on the right.

Mulberries

A couple of summers ago I noticed that we have two mulberry trees in our yard. I didn't really know what to do with them until I Googled it today. Turns out mulberries are very high in resveratrol, which is a powerful antioxidant.













So this represents my first harvest of the berries. A little bit sweet, but delicious, and they leave your fingers (and teeth) red. Depending on how much ambition I have, I may either try drying them or making a pie or jam. We'll see.















Of course Athos wanted to check out the situation, but after her first investigation, she went to look for something else to do. No doubt she would prefer something she could chase, like a bug or a mouse. That's fine with me.

The Farm

A guy came up to the farm a couple of days ago with this photo, taken about a week ago.


I had seen a plane flying around then, but really didn't pay it much mind. If I had known he was going to take a photo, I would have cleaned up around the barn a little more (normally I don't care that much). Buckaroo is on the right.

But this is my liberal little sanctuary in the midst of all the conservatism, for better or worse. You're still all welcome to come hang out.

Dog Creek

Being a bleeding liberal in a really, really conservative part of Iowa has its stresses. I guess I shouldn't need to say that (again).

So I have to try to find stuff to concentrate on that remind me of the good things about living here. One of those is Dog Creek County Park, just two miles south of the farm.


Featuring two small campgrounds and a beautiful man-made lake, it is a regular stop on my fair-weather bike journeys.








I recently chose a calm spring day (very rare here in Iowa) to take some pictures to show you of this lovely place. This is a view of my swimming course, from the beach across the lake and back. Can't wait for the water to get warm enough to start enjoying that.






And of course I had to baptize the Trek in the waters of Dog Creek Lake. This is my beloved bicycle, in whom I am well pleased.

You are all invited to come on down for a ride and a dip in the lake with me.

Omaha

What do you think of when you think of Omaha? Cow manure? Marlin Perkins getting mauled by an angry beast on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom?






I wasn't sure what to expect when we first went down to drop a couple of violins off for servicing at Nielsen's Violin Shop downtown. What I saw, and experienced the next weekend, completely changed my perspective on this wonderful Midwestern city.

The people who live and work in, and manage, Omaha have done a marvelous job over the past several years of transforming their city into a vibrant, progressive haven for lovers of art, history, culture, and fine living.


In a space of just over a day and a half, we stayed near, and greatly enjoyed, the Old Market area, ate an outrageously marvelous variety of foods, saw a world-class classical concert (Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the Assad Brothers) at the world-class Holland Performing Arts Center, toured the magnificent Joslyn Art Museum, hitched a ride in one of these lovely horse-drawn carriages, and walked the new Senator Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River. Sensory overload to the max, and I was beat by the time we left to come back home. I can't wait to go do it again.

We didn't even leave the downtown area, this time. There's lots more to enjoy all over the city, which we are looking forward to many times in the future. If you ever find yourself around Omaha, don't worry about not having anything to do. They've got you covered, and then some.

(I've posted more of these photos on my MySpace page; follow the links.)