What can I say about classes? They ROCK man. I thought I was going to learn about just how to see the footprints, plants, and animals.. But what I have been learning is how to really see the footprints, plants and animals and much much more. We are learning to see how the animals and plants move.. how they eat.. how they adapt to the environment.. how they can change the environment for better or worse and how we as humans can fit in with the natural rhythms of this earth we all call home.
I never thought about how I move in the natural world until I started listening to an audio collection of lectures by Jon Young called "Seeing Through Native Eyes" and "Advanced Bird Language". I started listening to these because it was on our recommended reading list or Not required books but ones you should get if you can. I listened to these audio cd's before I left for Alderleaf Wilderness College in July 2011. These audio cd's allowed me to use my ears to listen to the message that was in the lecture and let me create what I herd into my own vision or day dream of what was happening, much like imagining things when you read a book.
I decided to try out some of the things Jon was mentioning in his lectures. So... I walked through the woods like I normally would... loud and noisy and flailing around and kicking over rocks and just being a typical person in the woods. Then...I sat down and didn't move from the spot I stopped and just closed my eyes and listened.... and listened... and finally I started to hear slight bird chirps in the distance. Louder and louder the chirps became. After about 30 minutes and me about to fall asleep I slowly opened my eyes and could see small brown birds and chickadees about 10 feet from me just as busy as can be. Squirrels that were silent were close to me know and just overhead instead of fleeing through the tree tops and barking out my place in the woods for all to see. When I realized that I was the one who interrupted their baseline state or harmony in nature... it really made me think about how we all misunderstand nature and or don't know anything about the whole system or cycle of life.
So, on this Journey Across The U.S. my ultimate goal is still not known but, I can tell with every passing day that the choice I made to come across the U.S. to attend Alderleaf Wilderness College was the best decision for myself. I really do enjoy learning about the natural world and all its systems and different habitats and really just everything that works together... the Flow and rhythms in baseline state. I have noticed a great change in my thought process. Instead of running through the woods... I tend to Fox walk or walk without making a large disruption in the forests. I consider the plants and animals more and the repercussions of my actions when I am being negligent in the their home. I now consider other living things more than just all about me me me. I put myself in their shoes and ask myself how would I feel if someone __________, and you can fill in the blank.
I know I am also documenting the mental awareness and change that I am going to go through but, most people don't realize they change a lot, maybe subtle things but not drastic. I have noticed a ton of personal growth in myself and I am very proud to say that I am taking charge of my life in these crazy times and I cant wait to change some more, for the better of course. I hope to give anyone who may read my posts or blog a little bit of faith that its never too late to change your life into what you want it to be. Just believe in yourself and give it hell! Something will eventually give way to a new and beautiful beginning.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Almost to Washington
Well It has been a while since I last wrote but here is the low down of my travels so far.....Lots of driving!!! So far I have drove about 2200 miles across the US from Hickory, NC to Terry, MT. Soooo before I got the chance to head out on the open road for my trip on July 6th, I decided to take a ride down to the store for a Cheerwine or Soda (only in NC by the way) and my transmission decided to crap out on me... UGH! What timing right? Well I did manage to find an auto mechanic to rebuild it. $1,400.00 was the Bill!!! wow. Not what I was expecting but I had to have it done.
The auto shop came through just in time for me to be able to take off from Hickory, NC and start my trip. Of course, I was very worried about driving it 3000 miles without driving around town a little but, I figured that this is a road trip... aren't they supposed to be full of surprises? Well I have good news to report about the transmission, it is just great!
I left out early on July 6th and took I-40 West towards Asheville, NC and if you want to see a beautiful sight in the NC mountains... drive early in the morning and watch the sunrise over the fog that has settled between the mountain peaks! By the time I had reached exit 90 the fog was starting to be visible and when I reached Black Mountain the clouds were holding to the valley floors.
I crossed into Tennessee through the Tunnel on I-40 W and was jammin out. I have to say that I beep the horn on my Explorer every time I pass through a tunnel or pass by a sign that designated crossing into a new state. My mom started me doing that so I have continued to do so all the way to Washington. I get a few weird looks from people who are right beside me when I do it. Hahaha... they either slow down or speed up and give me that go to hell look. I think its funny!
My next stop is In St. Louis, MO where I stayed over night with a fellow classmate. We went out and had some shark meat and a beer or two. I had a pretty good time but I still hate the cities. So I left from there and headed to my grandparents house in KS. I stayed there for about 10 days and went fishing and did a lot of eating. I mean a lot of eating. I spent time with my aunt and uncle and all my cousins. I had so much fun. Shooting Skeet or Blue rocks with the family is always fun! I have to say that Wendy is really good at shooting and fishing. Wendy and I took out the canoe and fished in a near by pond for bass and caught some Monksters! We grilled em up and had a feast. From Kansas I left out on the Pony Express or Hwy 36 and then cut through Nebraska to South Dakota. I am not knocking the Mid west but all I saw was farm land and a shit ton of bugs once I reached SD.
So I hit up the Badlands of SD and it was beautiful and very very very hot. It was July when I went through. I got to see the park and you know I thought it was going to be a bit different once I got there but, It was bumper to bumper traffic through the park. I honestly will probably never go back to a National Park again just because of the way they are set up. I think that you should be able to appreciate nature from a more non commercial way. Maybe see the park for how it is instead of paving a two lane highway through it, just so you don't have to get out of your car to see how magical the place really is. But, enough of that.
I drove from my Grandparents house in NE Kansas to near Miles City Montana in 17 hours straight. Thanks 5 hr energy. What the crap is in that stuff??? I was still wired when I made it to my destination. Once I reached Montana. I stayed with some really good friends and hung out there for about a week. I got to see some really cool thunderstorms and lightning storms there. The sunsets are to die for! Then I went to a ghost town where I fell in love with the setting. House is facing the west to see the sunsets from the front porch and total peace and quiet. All I could hear was the wind pushing the prairie grasses around in circles, small birds and insects making their usual noises. But what I noticed the most is how wonderful it is to not hear a single car or vehicle or horn or anything from the modern world. I felt like I was the last person on earth... and I felt really privileged to be able to have that feeling and to know there are places in the world that you can have that feeling. I felt joy and a sense of relaxation and also peace within.
The auto shop came through just in time for me to be able to take off from Hickory, NC and start my trip. Of course, I was very worried about driving it 3000 miles without driving around town a little but, I figured that this is a road trip... aren't they supposed to be full of surprises? Well I have good news to report about the transmission, it is just great!
I left out early on July 6th and took I-40 West towards Asheville, NC and if you want to see a beautiful sight in the NC mountains... drive early in the morning and watch the sunrise over the fog that has settled between the mountain peaks! By the time I had reached exit 90 the fog was starting to be visible and when I reached Black Mountain the clouds were holding to the valley floors.
I crossed into Tennessee through the Tunnel on I-40 W and was jammin out. I have to say that I beep the horn on my Explorer every time I pass through a tunnel or pass by a sign that designated crossing into a new state. My mom started me doing that so I have continued to do so all the way to Washington. I get a few weird looks from people who are right beside me when I do it. Hahaha... they either slow down or speed up and give me that go to hell look. I think its funny!
My next stop is In St. Louis, MO where I stayed over night with a fellow classmate. We went out and had some shark meat and a beer or two. I had a pretty good time but I still hate the cities. So I left from there and headed to my grandparents house in KS. I stayed there for about 10 days and went fishing and did a lot of eating. I mean a lot of eating. I spent time with my aunt and uncle and all my cousins. I had so much fun. Shooting Skeet or Blue rocks with the family is always fun! I have to say that Wendy is really good at shooting and fishing. Wendy and I took out the canoe and fished in a near by pond for bass and caught some Monksters! We grilled em up and had a feast. From Kansas I left out on the Pony Express or Hwy 36 and then cut through Nebraska to South Dakota. I am not knocking the Mid west but all I saw was farm land and a shit ton of bugs once I reached SD.
So I hit up the Badlands of SD and it was beautiful and very very very hot. It was July when I went through. I got to see the park and you know I thought it was going to be a bit different once I got there but, It was bumper to bumper traffic through the park. I honestly will probably never go back to a National Park again just because of the way they are set up. I think that you should be able to appreciate nature from a more non commercial way. Maybe see the park for how it is instead of paving a two lane highway through it, just so you don't have to get out of your car to see how magical the place really is. But, enough of that.
I drove from my Grandparents house in NE Kansas to near Miles City Montana in 17 hours straight. Thanks 5 hr energy. What the crap is in that stuff??? I was still wired when I made it to my destination. Once I reached Montana. I stayed with some really good friends and hung out there for about a week. I got to see some really cool thunderstorms and lightning storms there. The sunsets are to die for! Then I went to a ghost town where I fell in love with the setting. House is facing the west to see the sunsets from the front porch and total peace and quiet. All I could hear was the wind pushing the prairie grasses around in circles, small birds and insects making their usual noises. But what I noticed the most is how wonderful it is to not hear a single car or vehicle or horn or anything from the modern world. I felt like I was the last person on earth... and I felt really privileged to be able to have that feeling and to know there are places in the world that you can have that feeling. I felt joy and a sense of relaxation and also peace within.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
rain rain go away
rain and dreary here in NC but, i guess i should get use to it seeing as my new home will be in the cascade mountains. classes start for the certification program in September and finish the following may. also going to stop in to a friends house near the badlands for a few days of r and r in Montana. Kansas will be my first place of vacation for about ten days to see some designs of root sellers and tornado shelters. possibly might hit up a friend and go storm chasing. yeah boy.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The move is near.
Well on July 6th I will be leaving NC and traveling to Kansas to visit some relatives along the way. I should be there by the 8th of July and I plan on staying for a week and a half. Then I will be heading towards Montana for a Visit with some more friends for a week or so. I will probably stop in Colorado to see the Rockies again and hopefully get to see some cool sights along the way. Then up through Wyoming and to Montana. I don't know If I will go to Yellowstone or not but its probably a good idea right? Then I guess I will be in Idaho for a couple of days visiting more friends and enjoying all of the different types of environments along the way. Then, finally on to Washington where I will get to spend the next year learning about all kinds of cool traditional living skills and survival techniques.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
comming back to childhood
I was hanging around the house one day and decided to go down to one of the local outdoors store that we have in Hickory, to look for some camping things. I have been fishing every day for catfish and bream and bass and so on and so on for weeks at a time. I had gotten kinda bored with fishing and wanted to see about camping stuff.
When my brother and I were kids we went camping on the weekends with my dad and stepmother in the mountains at a campground. It had been years since I had camped again. I had forgoten how much fun it was to run up and down the creeks all day and to sleep by the fire and wake up to smell that crisp mountain air in the morning. I always woke up when the dew, driped off the trees and would land on our tent. Our fishing rods, poptarts, and a glasses of milk is all we needed to get us up and on the creeks fishing again. My mom took us camping too and we have had some good stories out of those trips. Stories I won't embarass my mom with, well maybe later.
So, now I am heading to the store to check out some camping gear. I have always been use to the not so good gear that is real cheap to buy at a famous chain store that is taken over everywhere.... I bet you cant guess where? I bet you already know. So, anyway, I go in and start asking questions about tents and gear and stuff. I am definately interested in all this cool gear but, not in the prices. I had no idea a rain jacket could cost 400.00+.... That's crazy right? Well, as I have gotten older, I also have become smarter too. Cheap prices = crappy gear! That is all there is to it. So, I purchased a Hammock that a friend had recommended me to get because it was cool. Thank you Chris, it was an awesome purchase that I am still using today and you were right... it is cool, especially in the winter months.
On the way out I ask the manager Rick if he knows anybody to go hiking with. He tells me to look on a table full of brochures and business cards and to look for one with the red and white logo on it and said to hit this guy up online. So I did and went to a meeting and met Jeremy and a few others too. Man I tell you this dude has got me hooked on camping and backpacking all over again. Over the past couple years, I know I have spent a couple thousand on gear. Backpacks, clothes, shoes, tents, hammocks, tarps, pots, pans, stoves, utencils (have to say the 20.00 chopsticks are awesome), headlamps, knives, hatchets, and Lord only knows what else I have packed away in boxes. There is no way I would trade all the good times camping with the Hickory Outdoor Group aka HOG. Check them out if you get a chance. I have made some real good friends in that group.
To tell you the truth, camping and hiking in the woods makes me feel like a kid again. I'm young still but you know what I mean, where there is amazment all around you at every turn. Cool insects and all the different rocks and trees and bushes....I can do without the spider webs that are head level though. There is something about the way a river carves itself through a canyon or mountain range and if you think about it long enough, you can almost see in your mind how it must have looked a million years ago. Just let your imagination go like a child would and try to recreate what that mountain stream or rushing river in that canyon must have looked like all those years ago. I bet you can do it. That is one thing that makes the outdoors and nature so enjoyable... you can use your imagination and there is no right and wrong to your daydream. We can't control anything really in the wilderness except for what we bring in on our backs. Nature's laws take over when you enter in and there isn't much you can do about it. No tv, cars, noisy bars, neighbors, City life in general. It is just you and the natural laws around you.
It is wonderful to be able to take a break from so called Civilization and hang around in a place that with the right mental state, will actually accept you as part of it. If you sit real still, the animals, birds, insects, and reptiles will reveal themselves once they see you as no threat to their lives. Sit and try it! I bet you I am right. Don't make a bunch of noise, just sit still as you can and look straight ahead and listen. You will see real cool things. I have had animals walk right up to me and birds sit on limbs within reach trying to figure out what I was. The life in the forest is very interested in what you are but you must respect the laws of nature and respect their home and they will let you see how they act when you are not being noisy and loud and disturbing their normal day to day habits.
So this blog post is about comming back to childhood. Well it is a shame that almost all of us loose that childhood happiness. That desire to explore and build things and to figure out what the crap made this hole in the dirt or who make this trail through the underbrush... Hmmm... I don't know but, lets go and find out attitude. Curosity and desire are the words I was looking for. Trying to figure out what this is and having the want to get down to the bottom of that question. So, here is what I am going to do to regain that respect for nature and find that childlike state of mind again.
I am going to attend Alderleaf Wilderness College in WA. http://www.wildernesscollege.com/ and take the Certification Course this September. This blog is about my travels across the U.S. to get to this college and to learn traditional ecological knowledge and in hopes to enrich others lives across the U.S. after I graduate. I think that the ultimate accomplishment in life is when you can cut ties with the modern day life and totaly rely on your own mind, body and skills that you have learned to get you through to the desired life you dream of. Self reliance is probably one of the most rewarding feelings you can ever have... I guess I have a little bit of studying and tons of trials and errors to figure that out for myself. Stay tuned and you will find out how it goes.
When my brother and I were kids we went camping on the weekends with my dad and stepmother in the mountains at a campground. It had been years since I had camped again. I had forgoten how much fun it was to run up and down the creeks all day and to sleep by the fire and wake up to smell that crisp mountain air in the morning. I always woke up when the dew, driped off the trees and would land on our tent. Our fishing rods, poptarts, and a glasses of milk is all we needed to get us up and on the creeks fishing again. My mom took us camping too and we have had some good stories out of those trips. Stories I won't embarass my mom with, well maybe later.
So, now I am heading to the store to check out some camping gear. I have always been use to the not so good gear that is real cheap to buy at a famous chain store that is taken over everywhere.... I bet you cant guess where? I bet you already know. So, anyway, I go in and start asking questions about tents and gear and stuff. I am definately interested in all this cool gear but, not in the prices. I had no idea a rain jacket could cost 400.00+.... That's crazy right? Well, as I have gotten older, I also have become smarter too. Cheap prices = crappy gear! That is all there is to it. So, I purchased a Hammock that a friend had recommended me to get because it was cool. Thank you Chris, it was an awesome purchase that I am still using today and you were right... it is cool, especially in the winter months.
On the way out I ask the manager Rick if he knows anybody to go hiking with. He tells me to look on a table full of brochures and business cards and to look for one with the red and white logo on it and said to hit this guy up online. So I did and went to a meeting and met Jeremy and a few others too. Man I tell you this dude has got me hooked on camping and backpacking all over again. Over the past couple years, I know I have spent a couple thousand on gear. Backpacks, clothes, shoes, tents, hammocks, tarps, pots, pans, stoves, utencils (have to say the 20.00 chopsticks are awesome), headlamps, knives, hatchets, and Lord only knows what else I have packed away in boxes. There is no way I would trade all the good times camping with the Hickory Outdoor Group aka HOG. Check them out if you get a chance. I have made some real good friends in that group.
To tell you the truth, camping and hiking in the woods makes me feel like a kid again. I'm young still but you know what I mean, where there is amazment all around you at every turn. Cool insects and all the different rocks and trees and bushes....I can do without the spider webs that are head level though. There is something about the way a river carves itself through a canyon or mountain range and if you think about it long enough, you can almost see in your mind how it must have looked a million years ago. Just let your imagination go like a child would and try to recreate what that mountain stream or rushing river in that canyon must have looked like all those years ago. I bet you can do it. That is one thing that makes the outdoors and nature so enjoyable... you can use your imagination and there is no right and wrong to your daydream. We can't control anything really in the wilderness except for what we bring in on our backs. Nature's laws take over when you enter in and there isn't much you can do about it. No tv, cars, noisy bars, neighbors, City life in general. It is just you and the natural laws around you.
It is wonderful to be able to take a break from so called Civilization and hang around in a place that with the right mental state, will actually accept you as part of it. If you sit real still, the animals, birds, insects, and reptiles will reveal themselves once they see you as no threat to their lives. Sit and try it! I bet you I am right. Don't make a bunch of noise, just sit still as you can and look straight ahead and listen. You will see real cool things. I have had animals walk right up to me and birds sit on limbs within reach trying to figure out what I was. The life in the forest is very interested in what you are but you must respect the laws of nature and respect their home and they will let you see how they act when you are not being noisy and loud and disturbing their normal day to day habits.
So this blog post is about comming back to childhood. Well it is a shame that almost all of us loose that childhood happiness. That desire to explore and build things and to figure out what the crap made this hole in the dirt or who make this trail through the underbrush... Hmmm... I don't know but, lets go and find out attitude. Curosity and desire are the words I was looking for. Trying to figure out what this is and having the want to get down to the bottom of that question. So, here is what I am going to do to regain that respect for nature and find that childlike state of mind again.
I am going to attend Alderleaf Wilderness College in WA. http://www.wildernesscollege.com/ and take the Certification Course this September. This blog is about my travels across the U.S. to get to this college and to learn traditional ecological knowledge and in hopes to enrich others lives across the U.S. after I graduate. I think that the ultimate accomplishment in life is when you can cut ties with the modern day life and totaly rely on your own mind, body and skills that you have learned to get you through to the desired life you dream of. Self reliance is probably one of the most rewarding feelings you can ever have... I guess I have a little bit of studying and tons of trials and errors to figure that out for myself. Stay tuned and you will find out how it goes.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The welcome post.
Hi,
If you are reading this post.... you probably are a personal friend of mine. If you don't know me personally you will after this blog is complete. OK, Across The U.S. is going to be about why, when and the adventure of going across the U.S. What and Who started me on this path of wanting to change my life? There are many people who have influenced my way of thinking over the years but, my family has been the biggest influence. Friends come next, and I have a few real good friends out there. The thing that made me switch my way of thinking is the fact that I have always worked since I was a kid and haven't ever really done anything I have wanted to do for myself. I always try to do for others. It's time for me now. The icing on the cake was when my wife and I separated. Its now time for me to let go and find myself, my true self. Maybe I should start a blog named "discovering Wilbily". More to come... Comment all you would like. My mom gave me the Gift of Gab so I will always have something to say....
If you are reading this post.... you probably are a personal friend of mine. If you don't know me personally you will after this blog is complete. OK, Across The U.S. is going to be about why, when and the adventure of going across the U.S. What and Who started me on this path of wanting to change my life? There are many people who have influenced my way of thinking over the years but, my family has been the biggest influence. Friends come next, and I have a few real good friends out there. The thing that made me switch my way of thinking is the fact that I have always worked since I was a kid and haven't ever really done anything I have wanted to do for myself. I always try to do for others. It's time for me now. The icing on the cake was when my wife and I separated. Its now time for me to let go and find myself, my true self. Maybe I should start a blog named "discovering Wilbily". More to come... Comment all you would like. My mom gave me the Gift of Gab so I will always have something to say....
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