Van Travels, Cronicle # 1: The Pacific Northwest

Two weeks into my nomadic adventure via the Sprinter Van, otherwise known as the"ARRRGH", and words can't really capture the wonder and whimsy of the passage.  Hopefully these pictures will.  Tiffany, Josh, Stella, myself and our three dogs have been on the road now for two weeks, encountering ourselves and our natures in the midst of the pacific northwest's incredible loveliness. Thank goodness for good snacks, great companionship and the opportunity to soak along the way.

Our departure! Onward to Mary's Peak to say farewell to Corvallis. 

Sunset on Mary's Peak

Stella and Tiff, trying to keep warm.  Our first evening was our coldest yet.

Good-bye Corvallis!

Hello Olympic Peninsula! 

HOH!  Snag balancing at Olympic National Park, Hoh park.

Whidbey Island, WA

Cascade Lake, Moran State Park, Orcas Island, WA.  A lake for lovers.   

View from Mt. Constitution,  of Mt. Adams at Moran State Park, Orcas Island.  Image stolen from Josh.  Tiff and I hiked up here too.  I forgot my camera.  On our hike the fog burned off and we were able to see panoramic views of the sound, Orcas and surrounding Islands.  Apparently on really clear days you can see a great deal of the Cascade range down into Oregon. 

Foggy Morning at Doe Bay Resort, Orcas Island, WA.  So far it has been my favorite camping locale.  The resort has a sauna, hot tubs and showers that overlook the bay. Rustic and beautiful.

Stella and I found red jellyfish on the shore at Doe Bay!

Doe Bay Resort also serves amazing farm to table food! What a treat! 

Onward to San Juan Island, WA.  Luna and I hiked out to Lime Kiln State Park. 

Lime Kiln, home to the largest collection of old and enormous madrone groves
I have ever seen on my pacific northwest wanderings.

And Orca! On my way meandering back to the trail a pod of Killer Whales swiftly cruised the waters just off the cliffs.   What a moving experience to see these large, fierce, graceful and endangered creatures so closely.  Magical! 

And then they were gone! Amazing!  The sunset on my arrival back at camp"!" . . . Now on to Canada!

Burning Away: The Mystique of Nomadic Traveling!

Just returning from Burning Man 2012, which lives up to it's reputation as an experience that defies description.  For some it is their yearly pilgrimage.  It reminded me in many ways of my journey on the el Camino de Santiago, certainly snacking, being kind, and sharing of oneself were some of the guiding principles.

I traveled via this Oregon Hillbilly VW Mobile to Black Rock City, with Troy, Tif and Anjali.   Prior to our departure Anjali, a veteran burner, sang a riotous song!

Upon entering the city you are greeted and welcomed into the city by your fellow Black Rock City community members and if you are a virgin you ring this bell, and are embraced by the elements of the desert. Burning Man is also a venture in extremes.  The city is an ancient lake bed, that is highly alkaline with very fine silt and dust. 

                                   I have to admit I sort of wondered what I had gotten myself into when our Oregon hillbilly mobile came to an abrupt halt in this dust storm.  Oddly my fellow travelers where giddy to have me git out of the car, roll around in the dust and ring the bell! 

A burner virgin no more!

The light quality on the playa is a photographers dream.  While there all my photographic devices decided to punk out on me, which I took as a sign that I needed to immerse myself in the richness of the passage and put down my camera.  Here are some images I did capture.

Morning Ride, this year's Temple.

It was really incredible to see this structure, to name one, burn.

I married myself on the playa.  Which was really wonderful and now makes me think very fondly of Amy Sedaris.

My fellow newlyweds, and bridesmaids Jessi and Tif.  We had a lovely reception and party following our ceremonies.

My last morning, this is at Black Sabbath Pancakes.  Pancakes and drinks were served,  music roared, fire was thrown and so were the dodge ball.  Man these people know how to burn! 

The remaining KFC crew walking to the temple burn.  What glorious people to play in the desert with. 

Post burn, Stella helped me find Earth.