RabbitStick Week, March 9-14

TrailWalkers: Mark, Chema, Dan, Grace

Me playing the guitar at Final D

Getting out there on Friday was no sweat. We got out there early enough to gather some materials for making fire and skills, and as it turns out everything we needed was within 50 yards of our camp - which has never happened before. We all had a great time talking around the fire before eventually going to bed around 10pm.

On Saturday we had an unexpected long  hike. It was supposed to be a simple 1-mile hike to a nice river where we would camp for the next two days but somehow I ended up leading the group the wrong direction. Yep, the WRONG direction. That's never happened to me before. I checked the GPS and maps and I thought we had over-shot our destination so we curved back around. I don't know whether I read the GPS numbers wrong or what, but we seemed to be making little progress and hiking a lot. Anyways, the hike ended up being double what we estimated it would be - so not too bad of a mix up - but it was still a long hike for our YoungWalker on their first day.

That night we dry-camped, exhausted and pretty close to a dirt road. Feeling hungry and tired, we just went to bed right when the sun was down. However, it was a beautiful night, and the stars seemed extra bright. Despite some complaints about the long hike, we were all in good spirits. We went to bed knowing that our only goal the next day was to find a nice spot next to the river.

Saturday night I had some interesting dreams. One was about a lady who was riding a motorcycle. She was independent, strong spirited, and wise. She had stopped her bike next to me to give me some advice. I don't know what she said but it was obvious she was there to help me. I thought it was pretty cool, and I think I may have also had a motorcycle of  my own. I think she may have represented my feelings towards my mom. Because my mom is a strong spirited independent person who takes the time to help out her kids. Then, after that dream I had another one. It was about a guy who was in a suit  and had long hair. Though I didn't recognize him it was apparent that we had known each other for a while. He was saying goodbye to me and was walking into a room and attempting to close the door behind him. I kept saying that it didn't have to be that way, but he said we would get caught and be in trouble if we associated with each other, so he had to do this for my protection. But he did say that he loved me and that he had to go because he wasn't allowed to see me anymore. I didn't have any previous memories with this dude, but I remember thinking it didn't have to be that way, that we could still see each other. But that apparently was no longer an option. I feel like this character represented my dad. The final impression I got was that he did love me even though I think he could do more. But his capacity for it is full and it is important that I understand that.

Sunday morning felt fresh and the sky was clear - welcoming a new day. Our YoungWalker asked a lot about "how much further" - obviously hoping not to have another 5-hour hike. This time I knew right where we were so our hike was really short. Within an hour of hiking we had found the river, and a sweet camping spot to go along with it. It also happened to be the same camping spot my fellow TrailWalker had stayed at 4 months before.

Before we started hiking though I found what appeared to be a petrified carrot. Yep, thought it was a cool orange rock but after picking it up I could see the details that looked exactly like a carrot. I've contacted the local Archaeology Museum to see if they would be interested in it, but so far I keep getting passed on to different people. When I hear back from them about it I'll be sure to tell ya if it has any real significance. Here is a picture of that carrot:

Sunday was a quick hike to the river, and then we found a nice camping spot. We spent the day reading, getting to know each other, and working on skills. I laid down in the dirt next to our fire. There's something really special about that. It's a simple thing that won't make sense just hearing about. But I've come to realize that when I'm completely comfortable lying in the dirt, then I am at complete peace with planet Earth. This idea goes though my head that I'm literally using the entire planet as my resting place. I like to imagine all the little details of our planet - the millions of people, insects, plants, rock formations and water. That by laying down and touching the Earth I am also touching everything else that is connected to it. And no matter how tired or hungry or dirty I am, it makes me feel instantly at peace.

I spent the day writing about things on my mind, fixing my pack frame, and drinking lots of water to make up for dry camping the night before. I wrote about my new website idea "WordPress Logic" which will be simple WordPress hosting for anyone. I found out what I need to change on my pack frame so it won't be as uncomfortable. And after a long nap I was feeling my energy coming back again. 

Monday morning we woke up and finished our RabbitStick steppings. Our RabbitStick had finished all of their skills and they were ready to go into the BadgerStone group. We learned that our group hadn't arrived to Final D yet, so we hiked in and set up camp first. The hike was super easy - just down the river for 3/4 mile - maybe 30 minutes max.

I agreed to stay out until Wednesday so I said goodbye to my fellow TrailWalker, and welcomed 2 new ones who drove out to join us until the girls group arrived (turns out the girls group arrived on Tuesday).

I'm glad I stayed out. I ended up moving to the boys band and seeing all those guys whose RabbitSticks I did in previous weeks. It's like watching your own kids grow up in a way. I get to see their first days on the trail and now they're all ANASAZI gurus. 

I hope that wherever I go in life, that I can always keep the spirit of Anasazi with me.

At Home on the Trail

by Mandi Davis

I am home yet again, another long blessed week on the trail. Sipping on Yerbasanta from my little tin cup, enjoying the laughter that surrounds me tonight, the warmth of the fire grabs a hold tight while the moonlight rest oversight....protecting, so peaceful, so calm....who would of everthought life could be so powerful, so uplifting, so absolutely amazing.

I know not what I'm told rather than what I experience myself.
I will learn to mend a broken heart, and take the lesson to be taught.
I will fight strong and fair to not win, but merely stay alive for freedom of bondage.
I will fear my next step to only gain the confidence to carry onward.
I will learn to push judgment aside, for I need to dig deeper inside, before knowing someone for who they really are.
I will ponder my thoughts before jumping to conclusions or decisions.
The eyes I meet are of all kinds: joyous, sadden, unsure, lost, insecure, free.....I must not judge thee...
I will learn to look deeply into the eyes I meet and greet appropriately.
I will learn patience and use it when needed.
I will think and wait before rationally speaking aloud.
I will hold my head high and challenge my strengths.
I will focus on strengthening my weaknesses, but not before learning what they are.
I will let go of the little things, for life is worth much more than carrying around a heavy heart.

For I know over the years any tears I shed, will fade, only to come back again.
I will learn to forgive the presence of evil shadowing over me, for I shall have no hatred in my heart to burden me.
I will deal with death and accept it as a part of life, but not before experiencing the mourning that shall be expected.
I will look everyone in passing directly in the eyes.
I will learn when being taught.
I will listen when being spoken to.
I will learn something new at least once a day.
I will not let the effects of life I cannot control bother me, for the energy is not worth losing.
I will live in the right now, rather than worrying about the future or regretting the past.
I will be appreciative yet tentative when being gifted advice from another.
I will steer away from those who I feel may harm me in anyway.
I will be thankful for each awakening day.
I will learn to not repeat the mistake twice.

I will overcome any and all obstacles that attempts to burden my journey in life.
I will learn to accept a compliment and thank them after.
I will keep in mind everyone's needs are different, therefore handled differently.
I will rest daily and awake refreshed.
I will nourish myself to gain energy.
I will not avoid a challenge yet simply defeat it, more importantly ask for help if need be.
I will listen to any suggestion that is told to me, even if I decide to take it or not.
I will heal when wounded and overcome any hardships.
I will laugh more and spread it onto others.
I will to practice being selfless rather than selfish.

I will donate my time to anyone in need of it.
I will remember my time in this life is only to expire upon death, and until then I have all the time in the world.
I will hope to gain only friendships rather than enemies.
I will learn to be still and tell myself I love me at least once each day.
I will learn that world peace comes from within.
I will pay it forward when I am in means to do so.
I will not be carved form stone, but instead instill the real me.
I will know hunger to feel full, as I will know thirst to feel hydrated, learning that the craving for something so badly can be quicklychanged for better or for worse, depending on the craving.
I will surrender myself and live free.
I will ask for help if need be.
I will know happiness where there once was sadness.

I will respect one's humility for I have my own to share, to know humility is only to grow stronger.
I will take time to accomplish my goals, for my dreams could be a reality.
I will learn to always be kind even though I may not be receiving kindness back.
I will respect one hopes and dreams even if I feel they are distasteful to me.
I will encourage others to follow their dreams.
I will follow through with my words spoken.
I will save at least one dollar every day.
I will light up any darkness by striking a match to a candle every day.
I will find in deep within to forgive myself for any wrongs I may have caused.
I will accept and learn to forgive anyone who has wrongedme in the past.
I will accept and understand that I am not always right.
I will remember the innocence of a child and the wisdom of my elders.
I will learn to keep my thoughts, feelings, and input out of other's disputes.
I will only teach if I am in knowledgeable to teach it myself.

I will remember my ability to choose.
I will understand the difference between empathy and sympathy and use it accordingly.
I will be courageous to face my smallest to biggest fears.
I will lighten my load by writing on a daily basis.
I will remember everyone does not think on the same level.
I will understand that everything I just wrote is to be practiced daily and will not happen overnight, for it is a lifelong process ofactually doing so every day.
I will be graceful in my walkings from this moment forward!
I know that this is not the end to my writing but merely a chapter to my book.

Written on 4.8.09 by Willow Otter by the River (Mandi Davis)

Getting Ready for Another Trail Week

Cooking lentils on a campfire

For a TrailWalker, the days before going back on the trail can seem to blend together like one big day. You feel like you are on vacation, because in a way you are with 6 days of no work, but then on a Tuesday night - just before going back to the trail - you suddenly stop your lazy canter and begin packing. For experienced TrailWalkers the packing usually starts late at night when your roommates are done talking. For the new ones packing started the day before when you were going to the Army Surplus store to buy a better pair of shoes or some more bandannas or whatever you missed while on the trail last week.

The gear is usually left in the same places: back porch, under the bed, or in the corner of any room in the house where it won't get stepped on. The back porch tends to be the most popular spot for leaving gear because if you have roommates they usually don't like how it smells (lots of campfire smoke and some kind of strange funk, thought to be caused by body odor we get from living off of lentils and rice).

The experienced TrailWalker usually has packing already worked into a system, and it's a matter of just wrapping the usual things in the burrito (Anasazi slang for a military bivy sack) and taking it with you to the office in the morning, where you finish packing after getting your food pack.

The best part about going back on the trail is finding out which group you'll be in. Will it be the boys group? The girls group? Sinagua? Which other TrailWalker(s) will you be partnered with? And the next best thing about going back is the anticipation of what the hike is going to be. Following a stream or following cow tanks? 15 miles or 30? There is always something new.