Is One Lonely?

On the Venzaliner50 journey one of the most common questions is, “Do you get lonely?” My answer is always no, but I decided to delve in and explore a little further.  According to Wikipedia, loneliness occurs when emptiness and solitude are brought upon by the lack of social relationships.  And, according to Mother Teresa, the most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved. Well, maybe that’s it, there is never any time for emptiness on the Venzaliner50 as solitude brings time for reflection on the awe-inspiring sights; and thankfully, my life is nowhere near poverty and I do feel loved.  Therefore, I still answer no to loneliness as thankfully, I learned, “life begins on the other side of despair” (Jean-Paul Sartre).

After leaving Centennial, loneliness came to mind when I ventured over the Snowy Range Pass where the rock faces including the Medicine Bow Peak stared me in the face, and all I could think of was, who could be lonely with this view?

Snowy Range and Medicine Bow Peak

Then after continuing south on Highway 230 and venturing into the Six Mile Gap National Forest Campground, just above the North Platte River in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, I noted there was not a soul in sight; however, once again loneliness was overtaken by the solitude and beautiful rock formations just outside the Aliner’s door.

After a night’s rest, I ventured south over the Colorado border and a stop along the roadside to take in these spectacular views; again, I was reminded that loneliness is not a part of the Venzaliner50 journey because there is always something to take in whether people, places or things!

 

 

No, I’m not lonely on the Venzaliner50 journey as I enjoy the solitude, new sights and new people along the way. Besides, I have learned, “if you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company” (Jean-Paul Sartre). I must journey on…but I leave you with this thought…

“Remember: the time you feel lonely
is the time you most need to be by yourself;
life's cruelest irony.”
                                         ― Douglas Coupland

 

Eccentric Mountain Life!

Centennial, the town my mom (June) resides, is a community located in southeast Wyoming about 30 miles west of Laramie off of Highway 130.  It sits in the Centennial Valley at 8,076 feet above sea level with Sheep Mountain to the east, Centennial Ridge and the Medicine Bow Forest to the west.  A laid-back small town filled with easy-going friendly eccentric people (about 270 according to 2010 census); including four restaurants, three bars, three hotel/motels, general store & gas station, mercantile, real estate office, post office, museum, library, and an elementary school.

No sediment settled under the feet on my visit to Centennial, Wyoming.  Days began with coffee at the Friendly where discussions with the locals reminded me “Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric” (Bertrand Russell). And, each day was filled with new experiences…

Music and dancing at the Centennial Uptown Breakdown at the BearTreeTavern & Cafe;

An afternoon of jazz and Murf’s famous bar-be-que at The Trading Post Dinner House &Saloon Jazz in the Park;

Eva’s FU-dge party at the Mountain View Historic Hotel to celebrate her return of ownership!


Judy, Eva & Barb

Centennial Community Day at the Museum & Depot where area residents sell household treasures, Social Club sells pies, Library Club sells books and music was played by Centennial’s own Mumbletypeg (a psychedelic rock band created in a makeshift lab in the mountains of Wyoming...hmm!).

Community gathered at the Trading Post Dinner House & Saloon to support Murf & Linda at the Trading Post auction; although it didn’t sell, a good time was had by all. 

Afternoon in the hammock chatting with mom on her deck and now it’s time to journey on…watch out Colorado!

“Unless today is well lived, tomorrow is not important.”

                                                                                             --Alan Sakowitz

Smiles and Laughs

 

I am smiling because you are my brother.

I am laughing because there is nothing you can do about it!

 

As adults, life can pass by without the opportunity to enjoy siblings and their family. Thankfully, the opportunity didn’t pass by on the Venzaliner50 journey to share smiles and laughs with my brother and his family in their world in Laramie, Wyoming. 

The smiles and laughs occurred over several days during dinner with Maggie and Rhylan (without mom and dad!), wine and hors d'oeuvres at Jim, Patti & Eleanor’s home (we missed you Jim!), an evening with Andrea (thanks for leaving town Joe!), and my birthday celebration with the family and Joe and Andrea’s friends (thanks George for the delicious olive oil!)

Many smiles and laughs were shared on a camping trip with Joe and Rhylan.  We ventured out to “Elk Camp” in the Medicine Bow National Forest to hike and scout the area for their upcoming hunting season. Joe had smiles when he realized he had an extra set of hands to haul a load of wood back to Laramie. Click here to see additional camping pictures.

 

 

Another smile…Cross country is a love of Maggie's and therefore, I was thankful for the timing of my visit as I was able to join in on cheering her on to 12th place in the Varsity Girls 5000 meter run at the Laramie Invitational at Happy Jack.

Maggie is front left runner!

 

 

Rhylan kept Joe and  I entertained one afternoon with his metal detector; amazing the things one can find in the fields.

 

Thanks for the time Joe, Andrea, Maggie and Rhylan; I certainly enjoyed every moment and look forward to the next visit!   



Joe, Rhylan, Andrea & Maggie



 

Love affair...

"In the American Southwest,

I began a lifelong love affair with a pile of rock." 

                                                                         -- Edward Abbey

 

Welcome to Centennial; want to hike the Snowy Range this afternoon?  That was my greeting from Mike & Eva today (Eva owns and operates the Mountain View Historic Hotel in town). Within the hour, I was hiking the Snowy Rnage mountains near Medicine Bow peak and enjoying the views. For those of you reading this, no need to be jealous...Click Here, come on along and enjoy the view!

Thanks Mike; awesome hike!  Let’s do it again sometime; hopefully Eva can join us next time!

Dreams Do Come True

 

Cliff overlooking Wyoming's Wind River Basin

Bill Cosby once said, “Is the glass half full, or half empty?  It depends on whether you’re pouring, or drinking.” He’s right, it’s all in perspective; and a person’s own perspective is the only one that matters when building his field of dreams!

 

On August 3, 2011, high above the Wind River Basin, it was on this cliff (Latitude:42.66892 Longitude:-108.20045) that I placed my life in perspective and began building my field of dreams. One year later, here I sit peering over this beauty created by our maker acknowledging that rather than dawdle in the doldrums of life, I dug deep and explored my true dreams and desires...four months and 12,500 miles into my Venzaliner50 journey I am living those dreams and perspective was the key! 

 

I encourage you to click here and take in the beautiful view from my hike on the ridge of Wyoming's Wind River Basin (a little smoky from the summer wildfires); further, reflect on your life perspective and if you haven’t already done so, start building your field of dreams and chart your own path to fulfillment!

 

 “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.”

                                                            –Walt Disney

Imagine, Westward Ho!

Imagine the wagons forging the ruts of the Oregon Trail across these vast lands of Wyoming.

 

From 1812 to 1868, South Pass was the only passage through the Continental Divide for the pioneers, trappers, traders, missionaries and others traveling westward. Today, South Pass City is known for Wyoming's biggest gold boom and bust. The first mining claims were made in 1868 and by 1870...bust! In 1869 South Pass City was Wyoming Territory's second largest town with 3,000 people. Today, a state historic site, here's the sign.





 

I think they all live here!

However, don't let the sign deceive you. In 1968 a group of Wyoming citizens purchased, and donated to the public, the remaining historic structures and since has been preserved as a frontier mining camp.  The town today is exacly as it appeared a century ago--minus a few people of course! Today, South Pass City is Wyoming's second oldest incorporated town. Check it out...

 

 

 

South side of the street...structure farthest down the street was the Exchange Saloon & Card Room

The cave...protects perishable food and liquor

Stamp Mill crushed gold-bearing ore



The days of gold!



Nothings getting through that door...oh wait, it's open!

 

Gotta love those recordkeepers!
 



I'm so glad Aliner's have improved over the years!



The Carissa Mine & Mill; open for tours Saturday & Sundays during summer by reservation only.

Although South Pass City experienced the loss of a way of life, a dedicated core decided it was too tough to die...long live SPC!!





Doubly Happy!

"Doubly happy, however, is the man to
whom lofty mountain tops are within reach."

                                                             --John Muir

 

It seems as though the sights just keep getting better.  After the majestic, awe-inspiring Grand Tetons, what’s next? Time to journey on south through the Bridger-Teton National Forest, into Jackson to explore the city and then on to find a quiet campsite to process the sights and ponder the thoughts!   

The drive south goes through the Jackson Hole valley to the town of Jackson. Ah yes, I must see the famous Elk Antler Arch in the Town Square. Unique and massive (I wonder how many antlers); however, too many cars and not enough parking spaces for the Venzaliner. Therefore, no pictures; however, for those who are curious click here for the townsquare webcam. Did you know the largest ball of barbed wire is located in Jackson too; no picture of that either (my apologies, hope you weren't too disappointed).  The Venzaliner enjoyed a drive around the town, but the only official stop was for fuel and propane. I was on a mission to process and ponder; besides, I was doubly happy just to see Jackson after reaching those jagged mountain tops.

Ahh, I found it…The Warren Bridge Campground adjacent to the Green River, surrounded by sagebrush covered rolling hills just 20 miles north of Pinedale WY. Looked rather desolate from the road, but I saw beauty as the antelope were roaming and the sun was preparing to set over those sagebrush covered hills. As I pulled into the fee station, there was a fellow camper with his two girls. The fellow camper, his wife and two girls were traveling from NC to his new job as a physician's assistant in Seattle.  So sweet...I'm sure that will be a trip those girls will never forget! 

After a few minutes of chatting, we were all welcomed by the Camp Host.  He makes it part of his job to welcome each camper as they enter the campground.  WOW! This is the first BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campground (heck any campground) where I was welcomed at the fee station, not to collect the fee, but with a sincere welcome and an invite to join the the hosts and fellow campers for coffee in the morning. Who can turn that down? Not me.

Upon arising from a good night’s sleep, I ventured over to the Host’s site to experience another Venzaliner Journey special…meeting and chatting with fellow campers; today over a cup of coffee, I met camp hosts Glyn and Diane from Alaska, Bill and Diane from California and Ken who was fly-fishing with his son and granddaughter. We enjoyed travel and life discussions and enjoyed pictures of Alaska. The best part of chatting with fellow campers is getting first-hand knowledge on things to do and places to go and see.  Destination for the day found...South Pass City...Thanks for the hospitality Glyn and Diane!

 

However, before hitting the road, a short river hike captured these sights...

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 What a place to process and ponder...

Nothing but doubly happy and thankful for the Venzaliner journey!

 

 

Majestic, jagged and unmarred!

Even through the smoke-filled skies, I was awe-struck by the mesmerising jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons. According to the National Park Service, 2.7 billion-year-old rocks in the core of the range are some of the oldest in North America but these mountains rank among the youngest in the world.  They look old; however, youth is on their side.

The weather was gorgeous, low 40's overnight and high 70's during the day.  What does a person do with weather like this? Relax, enjoy and explore those jagged peaks.

Approaching from Yellowstone via John D. Rockefeller Memorial Highway, the beauty kept appearing beginning with a stop off at the:

...the water was flowing!

and the fishermen were fishing

The Aliner found it's place to hideaway and relax at Signal mountain Campground while I explored. 

A drive up Signal Mountain gave me just that, cell signal (and a beautiful view)!

 

Continuing on the Teton Park Road, the views were plenty including:

 

Note the snake's shadow attempting to eat the camera...

 

Yep, it's all there, including The Black Dike and Ice Age glaciers...even with the haze it was awe-inspiring!

 

In order of appearance, Mount Teewinot, Grand Teton and Mount Owen...definitely directed my thoughts higher!

A view from the Jenny Lake Overlook

My immediate thought after the Jenny Lake Overlook view above--I need to go over there (no wants, just needs)! Therefore, a boat ride across Jenny Lake for inspiration!

brought clear skies

for a hike to hidden falls, up to inspiration point, on into Cascade Canyon,  and a trek back around Jenny Lake...the views were spectacular (click here to see pictures from hike) and yes, I was inspired to journey on!

 

"There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than...the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."  Theodore Roosevelt