The Kaibab Plateau

         Staring out over the immense chasm of the Grand Canyon, I am aware of our infinitesimal nature. We feel so big in this world most the time, because our world is everything we know, our perception is all that really exists. But when we realize that this world around us has been forming and changing, rivers flowing, fires breathing, for billions of years, the realization of how diminutive we are as individuals is overwhelming. As a whole, the human race, our role on earth right now is just as influential as the wind or rain really, but this is the time and place of our reign. On a universal scale we are just an insignificant speck, we know the elements will never cease, where as we may be obliterated. This perception of mine will be gone, most definitely, in the blink of an eye.What am I here for, why am I standing on the edge of the earth musing about my place in the world? Am I here as an audience, an observer? Sometimes that's all I feel like, sometimes that's the only position I feel comfortable in. The grand Canyon draws an audience from all over the world, a mighty wonder, demanding recognition. But if we (people) weren't here to awe over it, if that moment of perception didn't exist, would it really be that mighty?
         
           In the forest of the Kaibab Plateau with it's lush meadows, Ponderosa pines, Aspens, and Blue Spruce it feels like a different world than the harsh canyons below. Their is a less noticed wonder at work here, the mycelium that hides under the duff, a living mass probably as large as the Grand Canyon itself. The fruiting bodies were everywhere at the time of our stay, popping up on the stage of the great Kaibab plateau, showing off their brilliance. Although less popular than the canyon, they too have their audience. Mushroom hunters from all over the world made sure to stop by for the show on their way to witness the immensity of the Grand Canyon. Aspen Scaber Stalks were the main event, but Fly Agarics, Shaggy Manes and Delicious Milk Caps were there as well. We didn't expect to witness the fungi in such abundance in these parts. When I think of Arizona, I think of desert, dry and parched. The Kaibab is like a lush island floating above the desert, full of life. It rained and thundered continuously while we were there. We didn't mind at all though, because we know what the rain has to offer and with our awesome rain shelter that Ty constructed, we didn't really suffer at all. After the rain, we would go out with our bucket and fill it with delectable mushrooms that we would dine on nightly. This was by far the largest yields we had ever experienced of wild edible mushrooms.

       Before we came to the Grand Canyon we had stopped in Vegas for a night of debauchery, so we left the City of Sin to be humbled by the Kaibab forest and the north rim of the grand canyon, quite a stark contrast. The experience of extremes  side by side, the extremes of humanity and the extremes of nature. Another epic chapter of our Soul Journey completed, leaving us thirsty for more, we left Arizona, heading closer to home and the end of the road.

“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” 
― Edgar Allan Poe

The Colors of the Rainbow

     My first instinct is to start this post by apologizing for neglecting our blog. But I'm not really sorry at all that I've been living in the National Forests of America far away from internet connectivity. I've noticed the most profound moments of my life generally go undocumented, for if I had time to write or photograph I would not be fully immersed in the experience. There is always time for documenting speculations and reflections later.

     We have spent the last four months enveloped by natures feathery cocoon. Entering society sometimes feeling like a rude interruption from this perfect stasis in which we have learned to find comfort in solitude. Everyone hustling and bustling with their individual agendas, emitting a feeling of chaos into the atmosphere, making it seem as if the harmony of the wilds we just stepped out of was a mere illusion There is not really time or inspiration to type away online when we enter the cluster fuck of human society, for we are technically homeless and if we want to sleep in our nice warm sleeping bags without being awakened by a law officer or worse we must quickly venture back into the safety of the wilderness. It's funny how the tables turn once one casts themselves out. Town is no longer a safe zone when you have chosen to live without a home. Sometimes town offers us a desirous social rendezvous and lifts our spirits, but more often than not we are rushing around trying to get our errands done quick, to avoid sleeping in Dharma's front seat. We get sucked right into the constant flow of commercial consumption, and money flows out of my wallet like ants out of an ant hill, bringing food to the queen.

      The west is still wild, it may be splattered with towns tamed by corporate sterility, but no matter the population of people congregating on the fringes or even those exploring the playground of mother nature's domicile, the wild cannot be tamed by our presence. Geography and atmosphere dictate this kingdom in which flora and fauna merely inhabit, relentlessly proliferating. We can create artificial environs to protect ourselves from the elements and make our lives more comfortable, but still we are at the whim of mother nature. We have been through seven states so far and have soaked in at least two dozen hot springs, slept in more national forests than I can count, and have enjoyed the pleasure of fresh scenery around every corner. There is nothing more humbling than bearing witness to a mighty river, a vast desert, a deep forest, all under the endless sky.  These humbling moments are why we have chosen this lifestyle.

         The Rainbow Family Gathering in Montana turned out to be an incredibly positive experience. It was  amazing to unite with so many like minded brothers and sisters, fellow travelers, inspiring musicians, artists, dancers, and just plain kind hearted souls. To see such cohesiveness within a tattered group of people with no actual leaders or laws was amazing. It made me realize how efficient it is for society to collaborate on daily agendas and share in responsibilities. If everyone helps just a little bit, no one person is run ragged and work is accomplished at a much swifter pace. For example, everyone has to eat dinner, at Rainbow Family there are community kitchens where large meals are cooked to feed everyone. Everyone who has the time or will to help can help and everyone eats. So there are maybe 100 fires lit to feed 10,000 people, rather than 10,000 fires lit to feed everyone individually. This was so beautiful to see everyone working in unison rather than struggling on their own. We had a chance to work and camp with the Rough and Ready Kitchen, a really great group of people, making our little section of the woods a heaven on earth. Like any other society even Rainbow has its undesirable neighborhoods and we were careful to find an area where we felt comfortable and inspired. All day people gathered and sang and made music together, children and adults alike juggled, slacklined, hula hooped, danced, and talked. Chores such as cooking, dishes, building structures, gathering fire wood, digging latrines, compost and grey water pits, all these were done without grumbling, an announcement made when help was needed and always a willing group of people to get the job accomplished. Everyone referred to each other as brother and sister and hugged and gave words of love, even when they were strangers. We felt like we belonged, like we could live as one big happy family forever. But as fast as the city was built, it was taken down, and we as well as the rest of our family migrated back to Babylon with a rainbow shining brightly in our hearts.

 Our first glimpse of the Rainbow Family Meadow

 A feast of Neolentinus Ponderosus

 Lakefront campsite in Wyoming on Targhee Lake, the place of the great insect attack, looks deceivingly peaceful doesn't it? lol

 Grand Tetons

Good ol' Dharma girl

        After the gathering in Montana we continued into Wyoming to experience some of the most breathtaking wilderness and friendly people in the country. Only to be scared away by the most horrendous populations of biting flies and mosquitoes we've ever experienced. We've meandered our way down into the beautiful red rock country of Utah, stopping at awesome hot springs and visiting friends that have taken us on adventures off the beaten path and shared their creature comforts and good company. Thank you Jim and Gayla. We still have adventure ahead of us, but responsibility is starting to nag at the back of our minds as our funds are running low. Soon a new adventure will began as we reincorporate ourselves into society and become part of a new community. It should be fun, and in a way I look forward to yet another chapter, but for now the open road is still calling our names.

“Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.” 
― Robert Frost

   

Relaxing through a waxing moon...

  As is often the case while living beyond the connections to cyber stimuli, the opportunity to spend a few hours typing away are rare and far between.  Instead of ether- nets and communication devices, our days are spent reflecting the roots of various edible plants, or deciphering accurately the edibility and toxicity of various mycelium.
  Invariably our day starts upon a routine.  We awake around nine thirty or ten, though often times a bit later as we stay up late around the fire or return late from a "Midnight Run" to the Hot Springs.  We rotate rolls of "Fire Handler", though its usually the one with the most gumption that morning who quickly procures a handful of flammable leaves and proceeds to prepare a small morning fire in which we may be able to percolate some coffee for mutual morning enjoyment.
  Noses in books and sleep still grimy in our eyes, we set forth to explore the strange new area we are within, to decipher its singular beauties.  Each day brings new experiences, waterfalls ranging from voracious and turgid to elegantly powerful, delectable mushroom growing from the loam of the fertile forest floor, salads derived from abundant and tastily yet under looked greenery, not to mention unpredictable and intriguing companionship.
   Endlessly we are slaves to our stomachs, aware of the toll the sun exhorts upon our mortal bodies, of calories burned and the continuous requirement to acquire hydration, and invariably contemplate the menu for the successive meal.   The waters of fate offer us a gift.  "Would you like some chicken as we brought too much to use tonight", a stranger asks us as they prepare to leave the Hot Pools.  "Surely!", we cry, and dine finely that evening, though all evenings offer a delicious treasure trove of nutritional and savory scrumptious delights through Shawna's impressive culinary skills.
  We are warriors of the road, on a self initiated right of passage.  Our war drums are ever ready to unleash their rhythm in a crescendo of fervent palpitations akin to a beating heart as we live in the moment, a nearly real now, that fades into cadence with memories of pure symphony.  Our Fires are small and inviting, as we adhere to an interesting Native American quote we heard on our travels.  "White Man makes a big fire and stands far away, the Indian makes a small fire, and stand close together." 
  Juggling and reading and reaping and seeking, running and laughing along streams that are babbling, dabbling and soaking while sulking and rambling, dreaming a life that truly is living, these are the dreams that we are all feeling.
                                                                                                         Truly yours, Tieas J. Cone