Al Sabo Life Preserve

Sometimes life has a funny way of intervening when you need it the most. Earlier this week I was delighted to receive a series of messages on Facebook from a long time friend (nearly brother). The messages were interesting since they came to me about 3 in the morning when most people are asleep. Either way, I was excited to read what they contained.

 The first message spoke about the possibility of a visit when he was going to be in town for a wedding and the next spoke about more definite times he would contact me. This was an exciting proposition since I really haven't had much of a creative outlet for my thoughts and for a while. Times such as this typically happen on long hikes, overnight backpacking trips, canoeing trips, and long runs. Lucky for me, right on my door-step was the outlet I needed.

 Have you ever had a friend that you could not talk to or see for weeks or months but are always on the same wavelength with? This friend of mine is someone who has been through thick and thin with me. This is someone I got caught drinking beer with by my grandpa, smoked my first cigar with, first began shaving my head, got my first speeding ticket with (with him holding a 3 legged turtle in the front seat,) among other things. Hell, Drey and I used to sneak into a cement company along a freeway and climb up the various figures to smoke cigars and talk. Drey has always been an older brother I never had. He has always been a person I could talk to when I had nowhere else to turn.

On Saturday morning, 8 miles into a 10 mile run I received a call. Drey was on the other line explaining that he had a time crunch for Sunday but that he really wanted to meet up. I was understandably bummed out about the prospect of less hang out time, but having anytime was better than none. Geeked up, I told Drey I was pumped to see him and that I will be ready whenever he calls me on Sunday.

At about midday Sunday Drey gave me a call to let me know he was on his way to my house. I packed up the dog, got ready and exploded into the garage. It was sunny, windy, and bone chilling cold. Initially I was doubtful of the hike I had been hoping for due to the cold weather but my fears were put at ease when Drey said he was up for whatever. The intention was to go on a 2 to 3 mile hike and just catch up. Our conversation was for from that. Through the course of a 7 mile(3 hr?) hike Drey and I hit a variety of topics. His writing, my hiking and running, my life, his job, and our dreams.

 I have really felt as through this weight-loss and hiking journey I have been on that I was running from something, but maybe, just maybe, I am actually running to something. I am not quite sure what that is. Drey asked me how I would know when I got there, and I replied, "I guess I'll know when I arrive". On the surface this is a very simple way to see things, but through the walk and the reflection of my meditation I did last week, maybe this is the question my mind needs. What am I running towards? Drey always is able to elicit thoughts without much prompting. We walked through the woods, I took Drey to my shelter I built earlier in the summer as an escape from everyday life. We sat and took in the combination of UN-disturbed nature and the wooshing of cars on the freeway a few hundred yards away. Peace.

We hurried back to the car in order to get Drey home on time. Hurriedly I explained I wanted to make him some bulletproof coffee and Drey obliged. Together we sipped on what we called "adult hot chocolate". It had been 8 months since I had last seen Drey but it was as if we spoke just the other day. Having fiends like this is extremely important in ones life. Maybe it is critical to have friends like this. Someone who is impartial and is willing to listen to what you have to say. often times in life we are waiting for the person next to us to stop talking in order to add our thoughts to the conversation. I recommend during the next conversation you have to focus intently on what the person you are talking to has to say. Just listen. Drey is able to do this and the feeling it and peace it gave me was in deniable. Sometimes we need to flood out our thoughts to really see the big picture.

Al Sabo Land Preserve is a place I often run, hike, seek solitude, and take Belle for walks at. Now this place holds a new spot in my head. It was able to clear my mind, ease my soul, focus my brain. Al Sabo Life Preserve will be where I seek the answer to my question, what am I running towards?

A Flash

Have you ever sat somewhere and lost track of what, who, and where you are? As I slowly rocked like an pendulum in the wintery forest I got lost. Not lost in the missing type of sense, but lost within myself. Let me start from the beginning.

This morning I woke up early as I do most mornings. As I sipped my coffee, I planned out out my day. Running, hiking, shoveling the driveway, picking up Belle's toys outside, etc. I have been listening to several podcasts lately, but one in particular has caught my attention. During this podcast, the guest described as best as he could the benefits and possibilities of meditation. The concepts he spoke of really intrigued me. During my run this morning (8min @ 8:54 pace<--boom) somwehre between miles 4-6 I vanished. I do not remember this part of the run even though I know I did it and can see on my GPS that I did it. Reflecting on the run in the shower I thought of the podcast where the guest talked passionately about losing space and time when going into a trance-like state. This must explain what had happened to me. I was dumbfounded that I fell backwards into a type of meditation. As I contemplated what happened, I decided on my hike today I would set up my hammock and attempt to meditate for real.

A feel miles in I found a quiet area far off the trail. Belle and I had to all but crawl through about 2 feet of snow to arrive at the intended hammocking location. This area was dense but very near a main storm drain and was once covered in graffiti. Typically gangs and others will leave there mark hoping for immortality I suppose. What I found where this graffiti normally is was a wonderful piece of artwork that seemed to captivate me.

For some reason I felt drawn in by the power of the painting. Quietly I sat up my hammock and put my headphones on. I found my Pandora app that I rarely use and searched meditation music. I laid back and focused all of my attention for a few moments on the painting and the rhythmic sounds being emanated form my headphones. This was the part that things seemed to get weird.

 At some point during the next few minutes I lost track of everything. The sound of rain drops and running water swirled in my head and seemed to pull me down some type of stream. I looked up and there I was, looking directly back at myself. As I focused in on myself, my legs started to wobbling and melt as if they were becoming part of the rain storm in my brain. I watched as my whole body melted into the water and washed down stream. Something startled me awake and I sat up in my hammock. I am not sure what it was but somehow something rattled me back to live and to the present. I looked down at my phone and then to Belle. 30 minutes had passed by and I thought to myself, did what I just experience really happen?

I cannot begin to rationalize or even contemplate what the meaning of what I saw is, but I can tell you that the moment happened. It seemed like a flash, but it sure was powerful.

Purpose

Adventure. The word conjures up views of giant forests, wild prairies, and frosted mountain tops. But there are types of adventures that sometimes can open up giant and expansive worlds within our own minds.
This blog is part wilderness adventure story and part personal growth. Through the last few years, I have grown immeasurably through exercise, will power, and yes- adventure. Follow me as I take you to places that few in today's urban dominated world dare to explore and how those journey's can shape and vitalize mind, body, and soul.