It turns out East Colorado is flat!
Something about Colorado evokes this idea of Earthly Belonging
Like the place I belong is here
Among the Free Loving and Loving Freely People Hidden somewhere in the Mountains
Waiting for me this whole time...
Like the place I belong is here
Among the Free Loving and Loving Freely People Hidden somewhere in the Mountains
Waiting for me this whole time...
I've fallen in Love with this Wild Life
Been trying to get here for 3 years
The Night Watch
Keeper of The Light in a Darkened World
Seeker of The Wisdom of The Word
Seeker of The Wisdom of The Word
Illumination Lifted for All Mankind to See
Opening The Gate of Mystery
Thank you again Greg and Kurt
If y'all hadn't helped me out when you did that freezing rain would have really wracked me
People used to travel this trail via wooden horse drawn carriages!
Damn Right I am!
There's already more water (and rain!) here
Don't think about all the Work or Struggle or Pain
Think about The Goal
Focus on What You Want
The Dream
The Vision
The Vision
I'm following this trail for a while
This was a perfect spot at this church
It was raining lightly but the tree kept LionHeart and stuff dry
And I slept underneath that ramp!
And I slept underneath that ramp!
It's hard to see in the photo
One Day I'll have a better camera
But there are Purple Flowers that are all over each side of The Road
Was really pretty riding in between them all
ZEBRAS!!!!!!
IN COLORADODO!??!??
IN COLORADODO!??!??
It's cool being on the same path that many adventurers before me also treaded upon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQAA4SGTwi8
It led me to Bent's Old Fort
An old fortified trading post from those turbulent "pioneer days"
I heard of this place miles before and knew I had to check it out
I got it easy
Just going from town to town
Water and bathrooms aplenty
Imagine how weary and haggard travelers in those days must have been
Just going from town to town
Water and bathrooms aplenty
Imagine how weary and haggard travelers in those days must have been
This iron plated door will keep out invaders!
This Place is AWESOME
Wealth is having the Supplies and Resources one Needs to Survive
And the Health to Gather/Create more
I could imagine some epic battles happening here!
Though none ever did
And that's a good thing
Though none ever did
And that's a good thing
The walls are made of adobe
Just a mixture of clay, sand, and some binding material, such as straw.
Dried into bricks, layered, then covered in a wall of it
It'll stop bullets!
Interestingly, concrete is similar
You need some sort of solid stringy matter within otherwise it cracks
Thanks for showing me Jose (:
Just the proper ratio mixture in this shape and voila!
The bricks are put on their side to dry
Then stacked criss-cross
And finally covered in another thick layer of adobe mixture to create the walls
Then stacked criss-cross
And finally covered in another thick layer of adobe mixture to create the walls
If your community which you live in depends on your work
Then your work is pretty valuable
And you're going to feel pretty good about it
This used to be the room where different groups would meet to have diplomatic talks
Beyond being a successful Bastion
The existence of this place probably helped keep Peace in the area beyond its own Walls
Beyond being a successful Bastion
The existence of this place probably helped keep Peace in the area beyond its own Walls
Olden Day Sleeping Bag
A Buffalo Hide
(But wait aren't they Bison!?)
A Buffalo Hide
(But wait aren't they Bison!?)
The Trading Room
It's actually really well stocked!
This Fort is Ready!
Dining Area
They heated the space with firewood and fireplaces
Kitchen Hearth
A Living Quarter
The Man that built this place was awesome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bent
He was accepted into Native tribes, became a "sub-chief," and married women in that tribe.
The Space that he created spread Peace and Prosperity
His Standing Fort is testimony to that legacy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bent
He was accepted into Native tribes, became a "sub-chief," and married women in that tribe.
The Space that he created spread Peace and Prosperity
His Standing Fort is testimony to that legacy
Native American Blanket
Depicting a series of events
I guess there was a meteor shower that freaked them all out
The Blacksmith's Workshop
Pretty Bad-Ass Trade if you ask me
I'd Love to learn more about it
The fort was full of friendly animals!
And some more stand-offish ones!
Finally got a close-up of a peacock!
I guess the peacocks were traded to the fort way back in the day and have just been peacockin' it up here ever since.
I guess the peacocks were traded to the fort way back in the day and have just been peacockin' it up here ever since.
The Stables in the back of the fort
I helped feed Milagro the Horse and helped Wrangle the chickens :D
Here's my Room!
The Carpenter's Workshop!
The Carpenter's Workshop!
Look at all these awesome tools!
I thought it'd of been so cool to have one from the fort
But these tools are not for sale...
I TRADED AT THE TRADING POST!!!
I TRADED BAMBOO PIPES FOR A NEW AWL AND EGGS!!!
IT WAS JUST LIKE PIONEER DAYS OMG IT WAS SO AWESOME
THANK YOU JOSE!!!!!
I TRADED BAMBOO PIPES FOR A NEW AWL AND EGGS!!!
IT WAS JUST LIKE PIONEER DAYS OMG IT WAS SO AWESOME
THANK YOU JOSE!!!!!
I WILL CHERISH THAT AWL FOREVER I PROMISE!
The Fort was never actually attacked
It served as a Peaceful Neutral Ground for the many different factions of the times
Native Americans
Mexicans
American Pioneers
All met here peacefully
The only incident was apparently a case of some stolen horses
But hey if it wasn't such a well fortified facility perhaps some group of scalawags would have tried to take what they could using force
I believe The Walls and artillery are necessary
They keep the Varmints out
They also help say
"Hey, if you're thinking about attacking us, we are fortified, and you will receive losses."
Strength is for Protecting What's Good
"Hey, if you're thinking about attacking us, we are fortified, and you will receive losses."
Strength is for Protecting What's Good
But I'm certain what protected the fort the most
And led to its success
Was that it was indeed a good place of rest and safety and Peace
So people Loved it
Or at least appreciated/valued it
And they wouldn't want to destroy it
Because then they'd Lose something they Loved and have that blood on their hands
Or at least wouldn't have it around to serve them anymore and would miss that service
I don't know if Bastion will look quite like this
But Solid Adobe Walls are not to be underestimated
The next day someone made this post on facebook I happened to see
"sooo umm where is this enchanted commune where babies and mamas are safe, after like 9 years of looking for it I would really like to check us in."
"sooo umm where is this enchanted commune where babies and mamas are safe, after like 9 years of looking for it I would really like to check us in."
That is exactly The Space I Want Bastion to be
And at the end of the day
The Doors are barred
And The Fort is Sealed
On my way out I found an interesting box...
Curious, I looked inside and found...
A GEOCACHE!!!
Got a Sante Fe Trail Pen and a couple other magical items
And left some magical items of my own <3
I Love Wildflowers
I heard this town has some Legendary Fruit Orchards!
So I came here with plans to Land and work on one of these farms a bit to learn their technique!
So I came here with plans to Land and work on one of these farms a bit to learn their technique!
How do I join!?
She's reading Ol' Yeller
It turns out La Junta/Rocky Ford are known to have the best Cantaloupes in The World!
So YEAH I want to learn how to grow those!
I have a LOT to learn about farming so any crop will do
But I would much rather learn how to grow fruits and vegetables
I made an appointment to meet with the folk of Hirakata Farms here and explored the area in the mean time
Found an abandoned house to live in
There were a bunch of bird nests in here too
I left a bit of food out and they ate it in the morning before I woke up!
I saw myself working on the nearby Cantaloupe Farm
I'd clean this place up
Do some work on it too
Once I got my first paycheck I'd get just a few things to turn it into a real Squat!
I'd make it my Dojo
I could see myself training every day upon waking
Then riding down the street to the Hirakata Farm and having Breakfast there with my fellow farmhands
Doin' some Good Work in the fields all day
Learning about farming and how to grow The World's Best Cantaloupe!
Then returning to my space to work on my endeavors in solitude
That was The Plan lol
I don't need much so a blown out building is fine
But for something a little more permanent in my future
This sort of tiny structure is a bit more likely
They have staff and resources too
One may speak to a counselor, use a computer, play some board games, bathroom+shower, clean your clothes...Like
Woah.
I saw myself coming here a lot in the coming days if I could get work on the Cantaloupe fields
I made several dishes for everyone during my time in the area
It's here for those individuals of the area struggling in various ways
In some towns they are just on their own and have little to no options
Here they have a place they can at least go to during the day and find food and warmth and support
Basic Needs Go a Long Way
If you're traveling through La Junta
Stop in and say hi!
Stop in and say hi!
It turned out there was no place for me on their fields
I guess there are companies that contract groups of immigrant workers to go to a farm for an entire season and the farms in the area just go through them
So they don't need any extra hands
That was disappointing...
But it was cold and for once NOT Windy
So I figured I could get away with it
Plus I kind of Needed it for Light and Warmth
And Protection...
Quickly moved all the kindling and tinder around to bring the fire down
Don't need to be startin' no wild fires...
I took out Cantankerous (My Bokudo 木刀) and searched the area quietly
Luckily I found the spot, gathered firewood, and got the fire going without a problem
Lucky Coins
I used them to buy this drink
So I could think about my baes
I cooked a bit of food and wrote in my Journal and Prayed
I guess I might write about being alone a lot and maybe it sounds like I'm complaining
But I know The Lord won't let me be alone forever
So until then I want to appreciate these days of solitude and find my Peace within them
Thanks again Lisa from The Peer House for my new F# harp!
In the morning that log had partially burned away and was hot and ready to go
The morning was pretty cold so I added some tinder right into the embers under the ash
Nothing happened for a bit and I did my morning exercises
But the moment I blew away the ash...
Oxygen could get to the fire and WOOSSH combustion began immediately!
The sun dried these things as I had breakfast
I still had two more eggs from Jose!
I poured some of the eggs whites on some SourDough Bread I was given in La Junta
I put the egg soaked bread on a piece of bark and placed that above the fire
The egg cooked the bread toasted and it all had a delicious smokey flavor
I had been told about a trail behind the fort that leads to these ol' Trapper Camping Grounds
But ya can't just walk through 'em!
If ya ask me
The vulnerable stay in a protected area and give support
Basic Strategy
A gaggle of kids were on a field trip when I went back into the Fort the next morning
The Gift Shop here actually had some amazing supplies
A mixture of knick-knaks and some truly authentic stuff
Gotta inspect things carefully to discern the difference
Thank you again so much Mona and Bob!
Only Gentleman were allowed in here
Probably because scalawags would 'cause trouble when they lost a game
And though no fault of their own Ladies would simply 'cause a stir
No Offense Sisters
But on the way outta town it struck me that maybe these aren't the types of farms meant for me
That is, my farm is going to look a lot different than these
Being able to feed a family and not have my land taken away from me by the government is Winning!
Being able to create enough Prosperity so that it can be shared with a community and with others in Need and everyone thriving together is Victory!
But I don't see my farm as having such large scale operations
There's just no Need
And plus I don't want to be dependent on tractors
I don't like when a Machine does my work for me
Nor do I like when animals are reduced to a "thing"
Valued only for what they can produce
What can be taken from them
What they can be used for
There were hundreds of cows on this dairy "farm"
It looked more like a concentration camp to me
Is it too high of an ideal?
Beyond my reach?
If I can't create it then who can?
I have to go for it
I have to aim for that Promised Land
I have to try to Build it myself
With My Own Hands
A Sacred Space
I can't Just get back in line
I can't
and I won't
Hard to see 'em with my lil' camera
But I could see them alright.
I Love Wildflowers
EeeeeK!
It had a friend with it too
Gotta be careful around here...
Oooooh Boy...
We're already as high as several of the Appalachian Mountains right here
I was planning on just flying right through
But The Universe had some other plans for me
Important work to do
But hey I have fun too!
On the way into the city,
"Is that..."
"Is that..."
"IS THAT ONE OF THOSE..."
"D-D-D-D-DISPENSARIES!!?!?"
I've never been in one, y'see
And now it's time for a friendly Public Service Announcement on the Plant known as Marijuana!
But I believe it's pretty good stuff
In Moderation
And Medicine to Many
My all-time favorite was J1
When my friend shared some of that with me I immediately took out my phone and typed out four different sonnets to four different Ladies
Ice
Sun
Fire
Lightning
Thanks for being in my life ladies
I meant the words I wrote
Then and Now
You can't be replaced
I identified with this one lol
For the record I don't covet this stuff
But I Do Appreciate it
But THIS is what I'D Want
Oh I would make The Greatest Risotto
Ever
Maybe one day lol but for now that is just not what my money is for
Despite the benefits listed above I ain't smoking these days anyways
I Just don't Need it
I'd rather save it for a nice candlelit dinner
Just the kind of guy I am I guess
But it is medicine to a lot of folk though
And a Hell of a lot better than Oxycodone
Too many Americans have it backwards
An actual healing God Created Plant that grows out of the ground is illegal
But Peoples' lives are being disrupted for its use through fines and arrests
(I'm Wanted in Mississippi—for nothing)
And yet Doctors prescribe life DESTROYING chemicals
(And don't even get me started on alcohol—also a life Destroying chemical)
It doesn't make any sense
But people don't challenge their own notions
They don't think they just buy into the ideas their social circles also believe in
They don't say, "Hey, the way we're doing this is wrong."
They instead keep silent and think up some excuse to NOT speak and NOT consider alternate points of view
That all being said
Substance Abuse is also a serious issue in this country
These things exist to help us have a nice time or expand our perspectives or change our way of thinking or be more comfortable and at Peace and Rest
We aren't supposed to drink or smoke or whatever every day
We are all supposed to be following our Dreams and working towards better futures
I don't know how our World and our Country would transform if we were...
But I know that the more Productive Sacred Spaces that exist the better
I Will Not Give Up
Nor Will I Fall into some Pit of Addiction
Substance Abuse is also a serious issue in this country
These things exist to help us have a nice time or expand our perspectives or change our way of thinking or be more comfortable and at Peace and Rest
We aren't supposed to drink or smoke or whatever every day
We are all supposed to be following our Dreams and working towards better futures
I don't know how our World and our Country would transform if we were...
But I know that the more Productive Sacred Spaces that exist the better
I Will Not Give Up
Nor Will I Fall into some Pit of Addiction
THEN GO ALL IN ON 'EM!
Even Ice Cream I don't really have space for
Budget and Health
The last Ice cream I bought was back in Illinois
I was given some ice cream in Texas once
But when a man hands you some money out of the kindness of his Heart and says,
"There's a family run ice cream place just down the street with fresh fruit and granola and I want you to go there and spend this money there."
Well, I'M definitely not gonna argue against THAT
Thanks again Tony for guiding me to this place
If anyone is in Pueblo and you want a treat
THIS is the place you want to support
THIS is the ice cream you want to eat
I ate really slow in little bites
It was Just pure heaven for like twenty minutes
The owner wanted to give me a free drink
Guess what's in that cup?
Cantaloupe Juice <3
Bike shop was closed on Sunday
And probably a Bad Idea going into THE ROCKIES with a broken part
So I enjoyed the city 'til I made it over to the bike shop Monday morning
Been dealing with a steadily degrading crank shaft since I got to the state
I made it this far...
I made it this far...
I didn't have quite enough funds to make the repair
Luckily The Great Divide bike shop is pretty Great
They let me leave my gear safely in their basement
So I hit the streets in Foot Mode to go and earn/find what I needed
Luckily The Great Divide bike shop is pretty Great
They let me leave my gear safely in their basement
So I hit the streets in Foot Mode to go and earn/find what I needed
Gotta be Fully Prepared for those Mountains
But I got some places in this city to check out first!
~Art by Cipherus
Owner of Lion Godz Studio
Pueblo is actually a Beautiful city
Lots of Beautiful Parks
The greatest thing about busking isn't the few bucks you get while you practice your music
It's the people you meet that want to help you out and the connections you make!Obviously!
So thank you everyone for helping me out
I needed $37.11
Everyone who gave to me
From Brother Carson who gave me $21 dollars and a Kombucha and so much more
To the girl at the river walk that just dropped in .20 cents and walked off
To the family at the park that didn't have any extra money but made me a sandwich
(Glad I could give back with a little music lesson :D )
You all helped me get to this mountain
But more than these tangible things
Thank you for seeing me and talking to me and caring for me
But I'm tryin' Mr. King I'm tryin'!
I found a little enclave to sleep at
I Found it!
THE BEST PUBLIC LIBRARY!
And it IS pretty nice (:
The cold wind really picks up out of no where 'round here
Pretty sweet studio y'all got goin' on too
Why buy from wal-mart when you can support local/independent artists!?
https://emptythreadco.com/
Every now and then people see the bike and I don't know what their mental process is but they come to a place of Judgement somehow and treat me like I'm some kind of degenerate
I'm not too bad at handling out-of-line police calls myself
But it helps phenomenally for someone to say,
"Uhm, hey, no, this guy isn't causing any problems.
Why are you here?"
Keep making art Brother it Rocks
http://www.lastleafprints.com/
Finished Journal #7
Just as I'm about to leave the city and climb The Rockies
Just as I'm about to leave the city and climb The Rockies
Generally better to wait out a Storm then charge into it
If you have the choice
Thank you again for showing me your art!
The Rock I gave You is very precious to me
Please take care of it
And remember to visit Yellow Springs!
Find a piece of glass at least as big as a Half-Dollar
And hold it in your hand to a strip of leather
In this way you can slowly smooth and shape the glass piece
Mr. Fustin turned this piece into an ArrowHead shape!
I don't have scales available to weigh it at this time
But I'm definitely carrying around some extra stuff I don't necessarily Need
I've been able to get away with it so far as it's been pretty flat from Austin to here
(Though The Wind has been Killer)
Tools and Bamboo Stock for Bamboo Art
Wok and Custom Spatula and Spices and Oil for Cooking
Journals and Notebooks and Pens for Writing
Camera and Chargers for Photography
Hand Wraps and Mouthpiece and Bokudo for Martial Arts
Instruments for Music
One of the Best Things about this Journey has been the opportunity to invest all the Free Time I have in between riding into these pursuits so I can really Build my Self into Who and What I Want To Be
As I like to say
"It's The Only Way to Be Free!"
Well if I can do this
What else can I do?
Once I set my Mind and My Heart and all my Intentions towards it
All I can say is
I Have Goals
They are Real
What else can I do?
Once I set my Mind and My Heart and all my Intentions towards it
All I can say is
I Have Goals
They are Real
And I Believe in My Path
As Spring comes the Snow from Winter begins to melt and cascades into the Valleys all around the Mountains
Luckily I found this spot to rest before the big climb
As the Elevation increases the Biome changes rather dramatically
Goin' Up!
Suddenly everything became Beautiful
This Mountain is only the first
Every Brother I've Ever Met
Ever Made Together
Andy
Arthur
Ben
Brian Junior
Bill
Carlos
David
DaVonte
Donny
Hunter
Ian
Jason
Joey
Jordan
Liam
Mike
Noah
Zach
...There are so many more.
I Will Not Retreat
I Will Not Fail
I Will Not Fall
There's a Heaven that I Want to See
I NEED TO BUILD THAT HERE
ON EARTH
So Naive
Thought he had gone so far
Climbed So High
Still so far
So Far To Go
Lessons to Learn
Roads to Ride
Stop/Walk when winded
Pace Breathing—Alternate Stance
Swallow/Drink with Full Lungs
Exhale after Swallow
Breathe in new water into mouth slowly
This will reduce water vapor entering into lungs
Desire
Climb
Love First
Then Self
Everyone
Then Me
Them
Me
Or At Least Are Ready to Die For
Maybe This is Your Mountain
Or Maybe This is Your Mountain
A Cliff Bar from Sister and Soy Nuts from Brother
I said a prayer of thanks for these gifts
And made an offering at the end
From My Brother and Sister
To The Mountain and To The Sky
But when I do it's when I'm on the top of a Mountain and I don't check to see how it came out
But the air quality really makes a huge difference
As I climbed I became Winded more and more easily
To the point where I could only ride for like ten seconds before I had to catch my breathe
The Road itself would often be lines of varying looseness of Gravel, Rock, and Sand
I couldn't ride uphill due to lack of oxygen so I had to push the bike
But my feet wouldn't have traction and would slip out from under me
And the wheels would slip out away from me
I had to follow the lines of more solid road and use larger rocks to push off from
I was basically doing push-ups
Pushing the bike then engaging the brakes then stepping forward.
This was Difficult.
I was worried because I wasn't sure how much further I had to go
But I knew if I could get to the top before Dark I'd be okay...
Thanks to you I was able to bathe and have a great rest and recover after The Mountain so I was good to go the next day!
So were the Rice and Beans!
Just what my body needed to repair itself
And knowing that there were some people that would help me once I made it really allowed me to push myself to my limits climbing over The Mountain
The Lord truly Blessed me when we were met in Pueblo
The Pine Lodge in San Isabel is a Wonderful Little Inn owned and run by some Wonderful people
And it's a Wonderful Little Town too <3
Everything is either Climbing or Flying now
The next day was a pretty short rideI wasn't in too much of a hurry to leave the Beauty of San Isabel
Plus my next destination was only five miles away...
As I moved towards the Mountains
Again and Again I would hear of it
Or Celebrity at least
Most everyone had been to The Castle or at least knew of it
And most everyone that had been had some story or impression of Jim Bishop
The Man who built a Castle by himself
"Don't mention the government to him! He'll go on an hour long rant!"
I was very much looking forward to that actually
He doesn't Want any Help
But has opened a few spaces to Community Contribution
To Anyone and Everyone
In The Great Hall
Wild and Free."
Lots of Work
Yes
An incomprehensible amount of Work
But SO MUCH FUN
Some people are afraid of The Stability
But I say
Just don't be Dumb...
Just don't be Dumb...
From My Notes:
How could One Man Build all this??
Years—Decades—of Hard Work
Lifting carrying toiling laboring
Dedication
Vision
Faith
Belief
Resilience
Perseverance
Talent Skill Knowledge Technique
Resolution
Spirit
Will
It would not be a Beautiful Masterpiece if it did not Take
Require such things
Here Mr. Bishop used a Truck and a rope and pulley system along with this track and cart to bring stones Up
I walked through the grounds and the structure with the utmost Respect
As it Deserves
Picking up some bits of trash along the way
So as to do my part and to leave things cleaner than I find them
How people could have such little Respect or Awareness within them that they'd throw their garbage on the Ground hereOr Worse even Vandalize such a Work of Art intentionally
Is Completely Beyond Me
But I forgot to Inquire
Look at Yourself and Judge Your Own Actions
And Determine Where You Will GO
Forge Self through Service
Hold Love Above the Petty
Hold Love Above The Darkness
Hold Love Above The Dragon
With Whatever You Have
Love and Light
Or Forged Blades of Your Own Darkness
Or Whatever Your Element
Whatever Your Color
Whatever You Are
We Have Risen Above The Dragon
What Do we DO?
My Castle is My Horizon
On The Way into Pueblo
I stopped in the town of Vineland
Just to take a break and have some lunch
Inside I happen to start talking to some teenagers
I'm always trying to inspire the Youth
If I can
So after telling the kids about how I Do what I Do and This and That
This being Peanut Butter and That being my recent Cantaloupe Disappointment in La Junta
The kids left......But then came right back
With Three Gifts!
Firstly, three eggs—fresh from his family's chickens
Secondly, A Jar of Local Honey—With Peanut Butter!
And Thirdly, from his family farm
A tiny little package of...
Cantaloupe Seeds.
They Went Straight to the Safety of My Journal Bag
Then Carefully and Ceremoniously Moved
To the Special Pocket of My Magic Bag
With My Meteorite and Adventurite
The Pocket of Things that Can Never Be Given nor Traded nor Sold
I promise
I'll be carrying these seeds
For Thousands of Miles Still
Until The Day I Plant them on My Land
Bastion
My Castle is My Faith
We Build Tomorrow From Yesterday's Today
As The Sun slowly rises over The Forest line
And I begin to feel its Warmth
And The Shadow of The Mountain slowly recedes
And The Trees continue their quiet Life
I can't stop thinking about
What I'm going to Do
With My Day
