Monday, February 19, 2007

Road Anarchy

Don't you just want to go, on some days deep in the heart of Winter, on a road trip, destin- ation unknown? There are many people I know who have the wanderlust spirit, taking trips here and there...mostly organized trips, over the Winter months. Cabin fever averted.

But I'm a homebody...one who usually finds comfort and peace in the rooms of my house. Long months away from where I am at my most tranquil would be difficult.

Every once in awhile, however, on the spur of the moment, I want to do what a hairdresser pal of mine once referred to as Road Anarchy. As he cut my hair, we discussed trips and vacations. I mentioned one of my favourite things to do is to leave everything behind, and drive where I am guided, or where the whim of the moment leads. Ungoverned and unfettered.

To turn left, off the beaten path...or right. To take a bumpy road, perhaps, one that doesn't look as if anyone has used it for a long time. Maybe, just over that steep, deeply runnelled hill that lies at the end of this road, there is a Stream that burbles over sunlit Pebbles.

And perhaps, there will be a large sun-kissed Boulder that cools his bottom in the singing Stream. I will sit, letting Bird Song rise and fall into my consciousness; letting the words from Wind filter in and out...

And I will listen to the stories from the Trees that cluster here, on the side of this Singing Stream. Stories of long ago, when they were seedlings...of awe and humbleness and gratefulness for each and every drop of Rain and shaft of Sunlight. Stories of wisdom and peace and stillness, when Winter Snow leaves a hush over the land.

If I am fortunate, I will meet wildlife I haven't met before and exchange greetings. Perhaps Deer or Grandfather Bear may meander to the Stream for a drink, and our eyes will meet, recognizing in the other a kindred soul.

Or Eagle may grace me with his presence, sending his message from Spirit. He will ride the Wind flow for long, long moments, dipping and balancing. I feel his eyes, keen as the point on a blade, search for mine, as he soars...at one with the silent currents of Air.

And after awhile of sitting on that Rock, I will become as One with all the elements that surround me...silent and still, but with so much to say...

I might wonder, at some point, where I am. But this is the beauty of taking a road trip of unknown destinations. It doesn't matter where I am, I just am.

And when I return, for I shall always return to the Home of my Heart...back down that previously unknown road, back the way I came...I will remember the stories I heard, the messages given to me, and the sorrows I gave to the Stream, who kindly washed them clean.

And I will remember how, for an afternoon, I became a peaceful road warrior, one who practiced anarchy, left sorrow behind and found beautiful, pacific moments... in the arms of Mother Nature.

Even if the anarchy only happened in my imagination.

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:16 p.m.

    What a marvelous odyssey you have described. If you ever take this road trip, please invite me to go aong with you.

    Oh, wait...you just did and I enjoyed myself enormously without the inconvenience of actually traveling anyplace.

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  2. What a beautiful post, Marion. I think I need to find that rock and do some sitting! hugssssssssss

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  3. I love trips away and even now at my age I get very excited and can't sleep the night before. If you can make a trip now a days there is always the internet to take you to all very interesting places. Its nice , but not quite the same though.

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  4. Jan, you are a wonderful companion...thank you! lol

    Lorna, I learned a long time ago to find a Rock, sit my Butt down and Ground. It's called Butt and Ground, and it centres me like nothing else!

    Even a Rock in your imagination will do.

    Yeah. No kidding...if I go anywhere, the planning is half the fun, and sleeping the night before a trip is definitely out!

    Sometimes, it's a few days before I settle down enough to catch a few winks!

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  5. Nice escapade. I enjoy the desert but it is 1500 miles off and probably very cold!
    Thanks for visiting my blog about my ducks. I will consider your suggestion about a goose; perhaps that is the solution. I am always amazed as to how little defense geese or ducks have to predation. They can only swim and if the lake is frozen, they can only fly for a short distance before being overtaken. These domesticated ducks cannot even fly for more than a few yards.
    Another blogger suggested that I raise raccoons. I hadn't thought of that and had to laugh.
    Welcome to spring for all of us homebodies.

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  6. Enjoyed the little trip. I have a friend who is planning a trip to Italy and will probably go with a tour company. We miss so much when we let others guide us.

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  7. I saw that comment, Goatman, and laughed, too...what a surprise those wild raccoons would have if they tried anything!

    Spring is really starting to bounce, here...there are more and more flowers coming into bloom now.

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  8. That's true, Sheila, I love to mosey off the beaten path...I find things that I would never have discovered on a scheduled tour.

    On the other hand, there's safety in numbers.

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  9. I too, like to go off and seek what I am unsure of. It makes for wonderful feelings of oneness with all things and creatures. For when I find something or someone new they have also found me. It is a mutual hunt. If I am as lucky as you and see via eye contact or energy blending a soul that has been with me before then it is a homecoming. My soul sings when I am able to encounter these episodes. Marion, thank you for taking me on the journey once again.

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  10. Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.



    - Henry David Thoreau

    one day i will leave my cave
    into another place

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  11. One of our favorite things to do on a Saturday when we were younger was to get in the car and head to a different part of town. We would just drive and look. Then we'd decide where we wanted to go, and try to find it without anything but dead reckoning. It was always fun to see how close we came to our target.

    It's not the same, but we now get our pleasure from finding the Estate Sales houses, following the directions from the computer to get from one house to the next.

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  12. Anonymous1:13 p.m.

    What a wonderful concept. You have reminded me of the wonderful freedom of following your heart, best wishes, The Artist

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