one last time before Spring...

It was way before dawn when I awoke, and so lazily, slowly, I make my way downstairs to the kitchen. As I sip my coffee, I see that a spring storm has left new fallen snow everywhere. I suddenly have what alcoholics refer to as "a moment of clarity", and realize why I am up so early. I pack my gear and head to the mountains to snowshoe to the sunrise.

As I start up the trail, the sun has yet to pierce through the snow covered trees, and the trail is hard to find. I realize I just pulled a Ralston, and hurriedly check my phone to see if I can leave a message with someone, anyone, but it is too late. I think about driving back down and being responsible, but quickly scrap that idea. If an avalanche or hungry beast claims me, so be it. I start my ascent.

As I climb up the road to the trail head, I see remnants of a campground in winter. I remember being here before, many years ago, with a girl that had my heart. We were sitting by a fire I built, talking about nonsense, making out by the firelight. A porcupine, the largest I'd ever seen, waddled past us, minding his own business. We hid under blankets until it disappeared into the forest. This thought of the past carries me forward as I gasp for breath with each step.....

The silence of the mountains is the most beautiful sound. I'm glad I didn't bring any music. I have time to look at the sky, watch the clouds pass overhead slowly. I occasionally see other people, and we exchange greetings and smiles. These are my kind of people, this is my Utah.

 

airplane sex dreams

Her warm breath hovers above my lips as strands of blond hair dance along my neck and shoulders. My back arches upward as her body draws near, and little white stars illuminate the corners of our eyes. Her head tilted, ever so slightly upward, so that we gaze into each other, through each other, with the quiet understanding of animal attraction. I felt her hand on my thigh, caressing me, sliding up my leg as my whole body quivers and shakes...waking me up.

As I opened my eyes and looked down, I saw my arm resting against hers. I am stuck in the middle seat of the plane, having sex dreams from a strangers touch. She smiles at me as I awaken, not knowing what thoughts our slight connection has caused.

I smile back, move my arm slightly, and close my eyes again, hoping to pick up the dream again, but knowing that will not happen. It never does. I only get darkness.

I keep thinking of the dream, the girl, the darkness. It won't escape my thoughts. I think and drive until I find myself in the center of nowhere. I shout to the trees, and listen for a response.

At least they listen.

I find remnants of another soul, look around for a body, but only get a uneasy sense of creepy emptiness blowing in the wind.  I look up at the circling vultures in the clear blue sky, and hastily drive away.

It is not my time, I tell the ancient spirits in this land.

over the hills & far away

Today was made for the outdoors, as mother nature beckons to me. Dusted off the biking shorts from the back of the dresser drawer, and readied myself for a ride.

Rode the Legacy a few times, but today faired to well not to complete the trail.

This adventure took a curious turn on my return home, as one tire tube burst right around the 8th mile. But as luck would have it, I did not have to walk myself the remaining distance, as the 'rents cottage was only a mile or so away.
Visited with the 'rents, and coached them into a ride home.
Which was a good ending to the day.

Give Photo Credit you wanker

I love this.

I found this on Little Brown Pen's blog.

What I found to eat in the AZ

Whilst traveling this past week for work in Arizona, I came up with a new idea, trying to find unique places to eat, and then give you my thoughts about them. Let's get started :

Flagstaff : This town has a historic downtown district that you can walk around and find all kinds of great restaurants, bars, and cafes. Free parking lots are conveniently located everywhere, and  so after parking, I walked only a couple of blocks before settling on Altitudes bar and grill.

 

It was a perfect day to sit outside and enjoy the spring weather. The place was super cool and relaxing, with friendly service. People were outside with their dogs enjoying a shot and a beer, or reading and sipping whiskey. I ordered a tasty vegetarian wrap, filled with broccoli, peppers and other good stuff, with a side of macaroni salad, and washed it down with a tasty iced tea. Some of the tables outside are made of old ski's, and even more outdoor memorabilia is scattered throughout the interior.

This place is awesome, and recommend it to anyone.

*****

The next day, I found my self in Camp Verde. This town always conjuring up images of whitewater rafting to the distant sounds of banjo music and the haunting words of "Squeal like a pig!". (Deliverance anyone?)

I never have high expectations in Camp Verde. I had heard good things about the restaurant next to their local casino, The Gathering, so I gave it a try.

 As soon as I walked in, I remembered that I had been here before, over eight years ago. I must have blocked out the memory. The people are friendly enough, but the decor is horrible, tacky, and boring all rolled into one. I tried a Verde Beef sandwich, which had green chiles with cream cheese and roast beef. I did like the taste of the chiles, but the sandwich was too greasy for me. The cottage cheese wasn't too bad though, I'll give them that.

I will still be on the lookout for a good place the eat in this town. I don't recommend The Gathering.

*****

That evening, I found myself on the other side of the mountain in a town called Prescott.

 

Prescott has a great area in the downtown area called Whiskey Row. I meandered along the Row until I found a little place The Palace. 

 

Around since the 1870's, the history of this place is what drew my inside. Well, that and I can't not go into a place with an entrance like this....

 

As I seated at the huge, beautiful wooden bar they have, the western ambience of this place was palpable. Cowboys in full gear, and the Old West was strewn throughout.

They have a great menu, but I wasn't really hungry. Their wine selection was small, but what they did have was fairly good. They do have a great selection of spirits though, if that is your thing. After enjoying a nice Pinot Noir, I decided on the prawns wrapped in fresh basil. A great appetizer, but the historicness of this place is truly what makes it a great find. If you like that sort of thing, this is your place in Prescott.

****** 

The next day I was in Cottonwood. We went into Old Town to a place I've been to a couple of times before, and have been a huge fan since my first bite, Thai Palace.

This time, I ordered the Panang Curry with Chicken, and it was so good that I gobbled it all up before I realized I'd forgotten to take a picture. I love how they separate the rice from the main dish, and the peanut dressing they make for their side salad has a great flavour to it.

 

The staff here has always been nothing but extremely friendly and helpful, as they want to make sure that you get just the right amount of spice and flavour to enjoy your meal. If you ever find yourself in Cottonwood, do not miss checking this place out.

*****

 

For my last night, I found myself back in Phoenix. It was late at night, and the end of a long week of travel, so I wanted to just relax. The perfect place to do this is at a great new hotel super close to the airport, the Holiday Inn hotel and suites. Besides comfortable new rooms with great bedding, this place has a wonderful little hotel bar. They have a great selection of wines, beers, and spirits, super friendly bartenders, and you can enjoy your drink outside in the Arizona sun by the pool, or just put your feet up in big comfy lounge chairs or even a couch while watching whatever you want on three large screen TV's. My favourite meal is a fresh, crisp Ceasar salad and bacon wrapped shrimp and chipotle dressing. Delicious!

 I'm back this upcoming week to new cities, and we shall see what I will find.

Gym no more

I despise the gym most days. The feeling of being an exercise puppet, staying in place, going through the motions. I hate it all.
I strive to be more active with the world around me. On Monday, good ole Zion got dumped on by Mother Nature, leaving over a foot and a half of new snow in the valleys, with several feet up in the mountains.

Screw the gym today, I thought, the mountains are calling my name.

untitled

I was going to write about how the Grunge music revolution changed me, but found my words pointless.
Music can be everything you need to keep you alive.
Walking up and down the streets of a city, trying to feel that I belong
Spit out and rejected, tossed aside and taken away by the cold wind.

I awake in a gutter, stopping the flow of garbled conversations of the less fortunate. I rise to face another day.
My clothes that once were remnants of flannel shirts, tattered jeans, and army boots
are now replaced by items of comfort in this new decade.
The revolution is dead.

One must move forward, or perish in regret. I feel like a Russian nesting doll, hiding in layers of Milton and Neitzche.