Why do we support Pro Athletes?

Here's the link to my first published work.

Thanks Yahoo!


http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8124185/why_do_we_pay_nfl_athletes_so_much.html?cat=14

Comanche Trail

Plotting my next move toward Denver, I found the Comanche National Grasslands to be right along the path. Petroglyphs, caves, and remote camping sounded perfect. 

Tulsa proved to be a good stopping point. I needed a shower. As you can see, Yonav needed a bed.

The next morning, the road was dull and long, but I was clean.

I was almost blinded by the spectrum.

When I pulled into the camping area at dusk, it was apparent that the campsite was rarely used. It was 8 miles into a gravel road, and there was nothing around except for broken down windmills and farm equipment.

In the mornings out on the grasslands, I cooked sausage omelets in preparation for the hikes. Each day, I found trails to the Petroglyphs and to Crack Cave.

There is a cave in Picture Canyon called Crack Cave. Inside the cave, there are, supposedly, petroglyphs which only are illuminated on the spring and fall equinoxes. The National Park Service only opens this cave on those days and reservations are required. I called to plan my trip around being there on the spring equinox, thinking that this would be a once in a lifetime kind of deal. Apparently, there is a white fungus killing bats all across America, and this year, the caves will not be open.

When I arrived at the cave, there was an iron gate with a padlock. The cave is next to an old abandoned homestead. The family had to move because of a drought in the 1820's.

The expanse of the grasslands is quiet. At night there were no sounds. It was eerie. I sat atop this rock and wondered how many Natives and Homesteaders had done the same. Many beautiful structures adorned the canyon, which made for some cool pics.

With a Bird's Eye View, we were tucked in at night by sunsets of blue-grey and auburn reds, along with a six pack of Fat Tire--Ah, Colorado...

Steel Creek

Buffalo River, in the Grand Canyon of the Ozarks, looks like this.

Steel Creek

This was my backyard for four days. I hit many sand wedges in this lush field. It's always good when you can work on your game and walk the dog. This campsite was totally free because of the off season, but I just happened to show up on the first great weekend of the new year. It was 75 degrees and sunny everyday. Kids from Fayetteville and the surrounding areas arrived later in the weekend, many of them with canoes and kayaks. This river is a trip, a journey of campsites, that runs the length of northern Arkansas.

The shadow soul of the wolf watches over his fallen body. 

Being this close to nature is a refreshing experience. Thoughts flow with the ease and power of a waterfall.

Twin Falls

Jeff, our campsite host, referred me to this off the beaten trail, and I was glad I took the time to find it. I had to backtrack about 15 miles to this spot and made a nice day of it. 

I hiked a trail that lead up to the top of the falls with Yonav. There were chains marking dangerous areas, as I have found to be the case with even the smallest park, but there wasn't going to be anyone around to mind. You could tell, this was not a much travelled area. I did, however, run into two cowboys on horseback. A horse trail apparently runs the length of the Buffalo river, and as Yonav and I were strolling along the path, we came upon two men, who looked like they had just stepped out of a time whorl, and into present day. Each man had a riding horse and a pack horse with a bedroll strapped across its shoulders. Worn leather chaps, weathered cowboy hats, scarfs, gloves and leather boots adorned the men as they rode into view. Come to think about it, they did just kind of appear. It was at a point in the trail where a tall ridge came winding down across a tiny stream of water that flowed into the river. 

The trail was tight. When the men approached, I pulled Yonav aside to let them pass. Like a good boy, he sat and we greeted the men with smiles. They replied with pleasantries, and a humble nod of their heads. As they passed, the man in the back, who was the younger of the two men, commented on Yonav's coat, saying, "Man, I bet your up all night picking burrs out of that." 

"Yeah, it's a job," I replied.

The cowboy nodded and smiled, as if he were all too familiar with that scenario.

Kayakers drifted along the lazy river below. Watching them drift along has sparked a desire to make a trip with this mode of transport. Grand Canyon style.

In the dead woods of Arkansas, there were signs of life.

The angry gods were smiling down upon me.

I knew I was on the right path.

Dawn of Adventure

Oh deer!

With sights like this it was almost hard to leave Arkansas, but after three months of fried catfish, ribs, burgers, and soul food galore, it was time to make my way back west. Trips like these really do make one take stock in their situation and illuminate and or remind us of our tastes for life. I like the ocean.

So, as I look back on my time in Hot Springs, I look back fondly and with wisdom gained.
Spending time with my father and step-mother was a golden experience.

 And the sun set on another chapter of my life. A new Chapter begins here.

Ozark National Forest. FYI, National Forests and Grasslands along with BLM lands are free to camp just about anywhere. There are a few stipulations, like you have to setup 400 yards from water, and be off the main road, etc, but, for the most part, you can camp anywhere for FREE! So that's what I did. This was the first "side of the road spot" and it was almost perfect.

The area was already set up for camping. A small fire pit made out of indigenous rock sat on one side and along the back was a small, long, bivouac covered with metal sheets. The site had the above view over the Ozark mountains. I say almost, because, even though it was remote and beautiful and free, the harrowing sight of a pit bull staring at me will stick in my mind forever. As I made my way down the hill to look for Yonav, I spotted a Pit Bull sitting in the middle of the trail. Fortunately for us, he was dead. Not so fortunate for him. I assume he was killed for some reason: fighting, biting a child, whatever. It still gave a chill to the already thin air surrounding us. I called Yonav away from the area, and left that area alone. For a moment, I thought to take a picture; then I decided against it. I have seen many dead animals on this trip and have decided not to photo them. Superstition, probably. Must be the Indian in me. I think some of them wouldn't take pictures, because they thought that it robbed the person of part of their soul. It's something like that for me with the dead animals. So you get no dead animals and like it.

Down the hill to the left...

This little guy was almost dead. A frost covered the ground on this morning, and by about noon, this guy had found a spot in the sun. He couldn't move. He was a sitting duck, but I think he managed to survive and slink off into the woods later on in the day.

These first two nights on the road were exactly what I was hoping for. I spent two amazing sunsets on this foothill then decided to move deeper into the Grand Canyon of the Ozarks...

Winter Wonderland

Thanks for these shots Mr. Nature. Enjoy!

Beware Downtown Memphis

The hospitality you receive in Memphis is wonderful. As you can see, for $25 you can have this wonderful barrel attached to your car if you leave it in the wrong spot.

If you don't have $25, you can always take the trolley across town.

To world famous Alfred's on Beale where you might get shot.

If you make it all the way down Beale you can admire the wonderful statue of W.C. Handy and notice the bums resting against the building in the background.

If you are headed for the FedEx Forum, and there's no game going on, put your hand in your pocket and switch off the safety on your 9mm. What? You aren't packing? Not smart.

On your way back toward the Peabody, you will pass some of the newer buildings with some old familiar sights.

Safety in numbers. The horses know that.

One of the great old Theaters in America, the Orpheum. I had to take the picture quick though, because there were several bums eyeing my camera.

All kidding aside, this is where it really did get dicey. I walked over the grated streets down to the river to get a glimpse of the bridge and the riverboats...

On my way down the empty street, I noticed a tall, black man with too little clothing on for the frigid temperature. He was walking across the street and I wondered if he would follow me. Well, wouldn't you know it, he did. I crossed over Riverside Dr. and took this photo, post haste.

When I looked back, he was just across the street and headed my direction. It was dark and we were the only two people within earshot of each other. Not another soul could be seen. Then I heard him call out, "Hey!" with something inaudible following. 

Awesome, I said to myself and started walking toward the bridge. As he crossed the street to get to my side of the road, I counter-crossed after several cars in order to buy as much time as possible if he were to follow. It worked. I stuck him on the other side of the street, while I made a quick getaway up the hill, back to the safety of the masses on Main Street.

Past the Cotton Exchange, past the dilapidated buildings, past Huey's (one of the best burgers in the world by the way) down to the Peabody.

I guess you could call me a snob, but I felt rather at home inside the lavish building. People listening to the jazz piano player, croning Christmas tunes, while sipping a on fine Scotch in the warmth was much more appealing to me. I hung out in here for awhile, while I waited for Chuck to get out of his company's business party. 

All in All, in Memphis, you'll need a large vault for your valuables.