Happy Birthday to Me. Happy Birthday to Steve.
Happy Birthday to Jeff. Happy Mothers Day Mom!,
and Happy Anniversary to Mom and Steve. If I
forgot anyone, forgive me. I just had a birthday
and am another year on the side of... ... ... (huh, I
just forgot what I was going to say...) zzzzzzz
15th - Rediscovering Everett Ruess
Never
heard of Everett Ruess? Not many people have. But if you
enjoy hiking in the great wilderness of the western
U.S., Everett Ruess might be an inspiration to take
longer trips and follow your wanderlust.
Go back in time to 1929 through the mid 1930's. Everett
was a young man about 16. He lived with his mom, dad and
brother in Los Angeles (Hollywood). He was just
developing his skills as an artist and writer. But after
hitchhiking up the California coast to Carmel, then inland to
discover the Sierra's - his life changed. He had an
epiphany of sorts. He returned to Hollywood to graduate
from Hollywood High, but rarely returned
after that. Ruess began a journey of wandering the
Sierra's, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and red
Canyonlands of Utah with two small burros carrying food
and art supplies. Selling or trading his block prints
and odd jobs sustained him for months on end although he
did get monetary assistance from his family on occasion.
Everett was not shy. He sought out and befriended leading
artists and photographers of the time including Ansel
Adams gaining their respect. His art was impressive
for such a young man. As well, his letters to
family and friends were a treasure of prose, poetry, essays and
philosophy regarding the bliss of life on the trail and
the majesty of the wilderness. His writings and story
are captured in the book: Everett Ruess-Vagabond for
Beauty. I read this book long ago after looking
for a follow up to Kerouac's "On The Road".
A long time passed - and there was no word from Everett.
This was unusual since he was constantly sending his
writings and prints to others. He and his pack animals had
disappeared somewhere outside Escalante Utah - never to
be seen again. The year was 1934 and he was about 20
years old.
But last year the 75 year mystery began to unravel. A
body was found and DNA testing lead experts to believe
they had found his body. What happened to him? Find out
more here:
Visit
http://everettruess.net/ for more info and
examples of his artwork. Let me know if you'd like
to borrow my copy of "Vagabond for Beauty".
25th - Falling in Love (with my New Office)
As a kid, there are those things that get you
excited. I mean jumping up and down with joyous
glee. Summer vacation. A sudden "Snow
Day" from school and Archery Day at camp. But if you
told me as a 9 year old that some day I'd be rapturous
over a 16 x 10 space with a nice ceiling and fresh
carpet, I'd think of you as pure Looney Tunes.
As it turns out, that just what happened the other
day after the carpet guys left the new office. Only a
few finishing touches remain and I'm excited as a 9yr
old on the first day of summer vacation. Sweeeeeeeeeeet!
Oh sure, Virginia is excited too, but I think this
is mainly a guy thing.
Ahhh that new carpet smell. Actually it's sort
of nasty, but it looks and feels so good.
Next up: baseboard, curtains and furnishings.
I struggled to
get this salvage door looking presentable. Check
out that bling! Glass handle and brass plate
from 1938.
May 30th - Backcountry Zen
Going in the backcountry this season? Take a look at
this quote from
Doug Peacock - (the model for Edward Abbey's Monkey
Wrench Gang character George Hayduke. If you've never
read Monkey Wrench Gang you really ought to put it on
your list.)
I found this quote very refreshing - and got me excited
about being in "a far older faded world".
And so I'm getting excited about my upcoming trip to the
Sierra's with the guys. Doug, Dick and Chuck hit
the trail. More details after our return.
Until next posting, Happy Trails everyone.
Visitor Comments:
"You've got the best blog that I
read Doug. This May one may be the best. So happy for
you and Virginia. That door knob bling is the best!"-
Charles Bischoff, Thursday, June 11, 2009
Never
heard of Everett Ruess? Not many people have. But if you
enjoy hiking in the great wilderness of the western
U.S., Everett Ruess might be an inspiration to take
longer trips and follow your wanderlust.
