It's always harder to begin again. The first rush is long gone. It's just you and the long road ahead.
No different from starting to date again after the break-up of a long relationship or that first moment when you kiss her and realize you were expecting those previous lips. Or when you touch a face or a breast, and your fingers find the differences from your lost love. For a moment, you recoil because it's unexpected, but fortunately that doesn't last. If you're lucky, you'll stop comparing her to your former love by the third date.
Or maybe not.
One step at first, of course. You put yourself out there again, signal that you're ready to risk your heart again, and steel yourself up for the pain.
Then you take another step. One step at a time. Walking away from what was toward what will be.
So hard to do that. To leave your past. To forge forward into the unknown ... the unexpected ... perhaps heartache ... perhaps nothing at all. It's a wonder we ever take a step in the first place.
But we do. Eventually life will pull us or leave us behind. Either way it's a choice.
We take the first step. Heading toward our new life, that fabled place where we are loved, where we love in return ... one step at a time, walking toward Jericho.
***
Sanako and Hassan, and Clyde and I put in another half mile last night.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The First Oasis
Many things have happened since last I took quill to this journal. Let me begin by saying we have made excellent progress toward Jericho. Lady Kirsten and Maryam added 7.1 miles to our total! Sara and Clarence and Roen and Drama each added another 3 miles while Sanako and Hassan and I and Clyde added 1.5 miles respectively. Our newest member Bill and his camel Frank added 1.4 miles. This gives us a total of 17.5 miles! Truly we move swiftly now.
We also reached the first Oasis on the Jigmap. The Turner Falls Park Oasis is near Davis, Oklahoma. From the official park scrolls:
Since the Jigmap allows us to move in seasons as well as space, we arrived at the Oasis during early summer. The Oasis teemed with people, and our camels caused many comments.
Here are some photos:
A long view of the park
The 77 foot waterfall
One of the caves
A bit of Dr. Collings' Rock Castle, which was built by a poor couple and their son working for an eccentric doctor during the 1930s.
We spent several days at the Oasis. Our headman Franklyn, for some reason, was nervous during the whole time we were there. He kept urging us to continue our journey. But we and the bearers were content to enjoy a few days respite from the White Road.
Still, Jericho is a long way away so eventually we packed up and continued on. We are two days past the Oasis now and fallen back into the rhythm of the journey. I am still insisting that we keep a watch each night. This made Franklyn quite surly. He says there is no need because the three bearers simply wandered off.
"Perhaps so," I said. "But we will continue the watch."
He looked as if he would have argued, but Lady Roen, Sir Sanako, and Lady Sara supported my position. He slunk off, grumbling. I will keep a closer eye on him.
It's now time for the evening meal, and it's my turn to cook. More soon.
We also reached the first Oasis on the Jigmap. The Turner Falls Park Oasis is near Davis, Oklahoma. From the official park scrolls:
“Turner Falls Park, the oldest park in Oklahoma, has received national publicity and has served as a classroom for the naturalist. Many springs from the world famous Arbuckle Mountains form Honey Creek which cascades down a seventy-seven (77) foot fall to a natural swimming pool making the majestic Turner Falls the largest waterfall in Oklahoma. The park is accented with beautiful picnic areas, nature trails, caves, geological wonders, and two natural swimming pools very unique in nature.
“The Turner Falls area has been described as one of the three geological windows into our past, including the Grand Canyon and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
“As early as 1868, Turner Falls was known as a popular recreational area. The City of Davis operates the park and you are welcome to enjoy the 1500 acres of fun in the ‘Heart of the Arbuckles.’
“Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma is the best Arbuckle Mountains family destination. From Dr. Collings’ Rock Castle to the 77ft waterfall, Turner Falls Park offers unforgettable fun for the whole family.”
Since the Jigmap allows us to move in seasons as well as space, we arrived at the Oasis during early summer. The Oasis teemed with people, and our camels caused many comments.
Here are some photos:
A long view of the park
The 77 foot waterfall
One of the caves
A bit of Dr. Collings' Rock Castle, which was built by a poor couple and their son working for an eccentric doctor during the 1930s.
We spent several days at the Oasis. Our headman Franklyn, for some reason, was nervous during the whole time we were there. He kept urging us to continue our journey. But we and the bearers were content to enjoy a few days respite from the White Road.
Still, Jericho is a long way away so eventually we packed up and continued on. We are two days past the Oasis now and fallen back into the rhythm of the journey. I am still insisting that we keep a watch each night. This made Franklyn quite surly. He says there is no need because the three bearers simply wandered off.
"Perhaps so," I said. "But we will continue the watch."
He looked as if he would have argued, but Lady Roen, Sir Sanako, and Lady Sara supported my position. He slunk off, grumbling. I will keep a closer eye on him.
It's now time for the evening meal, and it's my turn to cook. More soon.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The shimmering sands
Lady Sara and her Clarence led the mileage this time with 2 miles to her credit. Sanako and Hassan and I and Clyde both added a mile so our total is 4 miles. Mile by mile, step by step, we travel to Jericho.
No other bearers have gone missing. Perhaps it was just wild animals that carried them off or perhaps they did wander into the unforgiving desert, but I remain uneasy and alert as do the others. We continue to share a watch at night, although our headman Franklyn says it is unnecessary. I do not like Franklyn, but I am careful to not let it show. He is competent and seems loyal, but at times, I catch him looking at the horizon almost as if he is waiting for someone. Or something.
The White Road continues to lead us on. I wonder who built this road and why. The Jigmap doesn't show it leading to anywhere, just a blank place on the map marked by dragons. What ancient people created it? Where did it go? Such mysteries may never be solved.
Last night, the full moon cast a pure light across the shimmering sands. It was eerily quiet and breathtaking beautiful. We all stood for a time and drank in the beauty. When we leave the desert, I will always remember that night and the glorious vista spread before us.
I must close now. I am taking the first watch tonight with Lady Roen. I trust we will have an uneventful time.
No other bearers have gone missing. Perhaps it was just wild animals that carried them off or perhaps they did wander into the unforgiving desert, but I remain uneasy and alert as do the others. We continue to share a watch at night, although our headman Franklyn says it is unnecessary. I do not like Franklyn, but I am careful to not let it show. He is competent and seems loyal, but at times, I catch him looking at the horizon almost as if he is waiting for someone. Or something.
The White Road continues to lead us on. I wonder who built this road and why. The Jigmap doesn't show it leading to anywhere, just a blank place on the map marked by dragons. What ancient people created it? Where did it go? Such mysteries may never be solved.
Last night, the full moon cast a pure light across the shimmering sands. It was eerily quiet and breathtaking beautiful. We all stood for a time and drank in the beauty. When we leave the desert, I will always remember that night and the glorious vista spread before us.
I must close now. I am taking the first watch tonight with Lady Roen. I trust we will have an uneventful time.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Missing
More miles passed beneath our feet since I last wrote. Lady Kristen and Maryam traveled 4.2 miles, Lady Sara and Clarence traveled 4, Sanako and Hassan made .6 of a mile as did I and Clyde. This made our total 9.4 miles this time. Excellent mileage, but we would have done more except for a puzzling and somewhat distressing situation that has arisen.
Three of our bearers have disappeared, one each night. No one heard anything. Their belongings were left. Sir Sanako, Lady Roen, and I followed the tracks of one bearer. He walked into the desert -- the trail was plain -- and then the trail vanished. It was as if he has been spirited away.
I have ordered the remaining bearers to move their tents closer to ours and that a watch be kept by three men at all times. No one disappeared last night so perhaps these precautions were useful.
Franklyn, our headman, says they may have been taken by wild lions or perhaps they went mad and wandered away. He seems strangely unconcerned. I am not sure I trust him.
It is late. I must rest before my watch.
Three of our bearers have disappeared, one each night. No one heard anything. Their belongings were left. Sir Sanako, Lady Roen, and I followed the tracks of one bearer. He walked into the desert -- the trail was plain -- and then the trail vanished. It was as if he has been spirited away.
I have ordered the remaining bearers to move their tents closer to ours and that a watch be kept by three men at all times. No one disappeared last night so perhaps these precautions were useful.
Franklyn, our headman, says they may have been taken by wild lions or perhaps they went mad and wandered away. He seems strangely unconcerned. I am not sure I trust him.
It is late. I must rest before my watch.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Traveling the White Road
We have traveled 11 miles toward Jericho since last we spoke! I am delighted with our progress.
This total was helped by the welcome addition of the charming Lady Kirsten and her camel Maryam who joined us on the White Road. They added 3.2 miles to our total. Lady Coral and Penguin bought in another 3 miles. Lady Sara and Clarence walked the road for 1.5 miles while Sir Sanako and Hassan and I and Clyde walked 1.65 miles each. With such amazing mileage, Jericho doesn't seem so far away today.
While pleased with our progress, I am concerned about our bearers. They remain uneasy about the White Road, yet when I question them, they are unable to tell me why. Or they won't. There are many strange religions and philosophies in these countries, some darker than dark. Still, our headman Franklyn assures me that it is nothing to worry about. "I will beat them if they falter," he said, evidently expecting me to be pleased by this. Perhaps he was joking. Perhaps not.
Last night we heard the howling of some beast, perhaps a wolf, although they are rare in these lands. It was far off and our camels did not seem concerned, but I was grateful for the warmth and light of the campfire.
More later.
This total was helped by the welcome addition of the charming Lady Kirsten and her camel Maryam who joined us on the White Road. They added 3.2 miles to our total. Lady Coral and Penguin bought in another 3 miles. Lady Sara and Clarence walked the road for 1.5 miles while Sir Sanako and Hassan and I and Clyde walked 1.65 miles each. With such amazing mileage, Jericho doesn't seem so far away today.
While pleased with our progress, I am concerned about our bearers. They remain uneasy about the White Road, yet when I question them, they are unable to tell me why. Or they won't. There are many strange religions and philosophies in these countries, some darker than dark. Still, our headman Franklyn assures me that it is nothing to worry about. "I will beat them if they falter," he said, evidently expecting me to be pleased by this. Perhaps he was joking. Perhaps not.
Last night we heard the howling of some beast, perhaps a wolf, although they are rare in these lands. It was far off and our camels did not seem concerned, but I was grateful for the warmth and light of the campfire.
More later.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The road of white stones
During the Great Sandstorm and our holiday rest, we were joined by Lady Sara and her racing camel Clarence. We are honored to have them with us.
Yesterday, Sanako and I added another two miles to our total travel, but Lady Sara amazed us by adding seven miles total yesterday and the day before! We are now nine miles closer to Jericho. We have doubled our distance traveled in just two days.
I feel much encouraged, even though the Jigmap doesn't seem to match our landmarks at present. The Great Sandstorm has changed the surrounding countryside to an amazing extent. However, the Jigmap clearly shows the far mountains in front of us, and as long as we continue east, we will eventually find our bearings again.
Yesterday, we found a road of white stones that had been buried under the sands and is now clear. It leads east so we are making good time. The stones glow faintly at night. I suspect luminous paint; our bearers whisper of ancient magic. No matter what imparts this quality, the road makes our way easier, and I am grateful.
Now I must rest. More tomorrow.
Yesterday, Sanako and I added another two miles to our total travel, but Lady Sara amazed us by adding seven miles total yesterday and the day before! We are now nine miles closer to Jericho. We have doubled our distance traveled in just two days.
I feel much encouraged, even though the Jigmap doesn't seem to match our landmarks at present. The Great Sandstorm has changed the surrounding countryside to an amazing extent. However, the Jigmap clearly shows the far mountains in front of us, and as long as we continue east, we will eventually find our bearings again.
Yesterday, we found a road of white stones that had been buried under the sands and is now clear. It leads east so we are making good time. The stones glow faintly at night. I suspect luminous paint; our bearers whisper of ancient magic. No matter what imparts this quality, the road makes our way easier, and I am grateful.
Now I must rest. More tomorrow.
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