The Road to 65, Mile 343: Brief Return

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November 6, 2015, Prescott- Aram spent two days here, and we got all of his possessions packed and loaded for his return to San Diego.  He is standing on his own, in a full-fledged way. I could not be prouder of the powerful, clear-headed, forthright man he has become.  There are times when I wish I could stand as tall, figuratively, but I know it has come hard for him.

We ended his time here with an hour or so hiking in the Granite Dells, north of Watson Lake.  This is an exquisite side trail to Prescott Circle, and one of which I could never tire.

Here are a few scenes.

Granite Dells, north of Watson Lake

The above is the first sight of the Dells, along the Flume Trail, a vigourous hike, which takes the high road to Watson Dam.

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                   The sad part is, there is no flow to Granite Creek here, and it’s algae ridden.

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                                      I was able to make the trail, without a walking stick.

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We spotted a leak in the feeder pipe, attached to the dam.  At least the structure itself is not leaking.

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The next order of business was to head for the overlook.  The Dells and Watson are a divine match.

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                                       I took a rest, among the boulders away from the trail, a bit.

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                          A lone butte, across the road from the trailhead, keeps watch on the Dells.

Our adventure ended around 3:30, then Aram headed back towards his place of maturity.  I tucked into a fine meal at the Legion, and enjoyed a drum circle with friends, later this evening.  It’s been a fantastic day.

The Road to 65, Miles 341-42: The Flow

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November 4-5, Chino Valley-  My son arrived on Wednesday evening, for a two-day visit.  Of necessity, he was on his own, for the better part of Thursday, as I had to care for the little ones.  Tasks ranging from administering spelling and reading tests, to enlightening a curious child as to why it is not a good idea to blend marker ink into a cup of drinking water, and call it “Blue Lemonade”, occupied me for the seven hours I devoted to work.

My days are certainly at once exasperating and exhilarating.  Children go through minor crises, and as long as the adults in their lives deal with these at the “minor” stage, they are just fine.  Besides, they notice the skillsets employed, and take these into themselves, for future reference.

My day starts an hour earlier than it used to, and in the dark.  Somehow, though, the tasks I face are de rigeur, and not as draining as they once were.  I chalk that up to the improvements wrought by my essential oil supplements, and the guidance offered me from the world beyond, both on a daily basis.

Son’s presence has made a happy difference, also.  He is taking his stored possessions off my hands, and is ever a source of both intellectual and emotional support.  We indulged in Thai cuisine, this evening, and I was able to offer him a comfortable mattress and warm place to sleep, albeit in the living room of my one-bedroom abode.

Life, no matter what the day’s agenda or the events which bring it to fruition, has come to resemble a flow.  The water within is clear, and envigourating.

The Road to 65, Mile 306: Sis

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September 29, 2015, Chino Valley- I spent the afternoon up here, meeting parents of some of my students and going over materials and procedures with which I will carry on this teaching enterprise, starting October 12.

Today is my only sister’s birthday, so I gave her a call.  She and her husband are in the midst of a long-desired trip, seeing fabulous wilderness, in another part of the country.  It does my heart good to see this, with her life of service having in some ways eclipsed my own.  Her four children and seven grandchildren stand in testament to this.

Sis has been my friend and confidant for most of our lives.  She has survived challenges that would make a lesser person fold up the tent and head for cover.  She has kept on, taken one day at a time, and has never lost her joie de vivre, or ever-present smile.  She  has never lost her love for family, or sense of what is right.

On this day, I can only offer thanks for her presence, and for her unwavering support through the tough years of my beloved wife’s decline.  I am blessed with the best of families, and Sis is no small part of that.  May these birthdays long continue.