This is the first post on my new blog. First, let me apologize for my long absence. It has been almost 6 monts since my last blog on my old website. Also I would like to thank you for all the continued emails and requests for new stuff.... With that being said here is the new stuff.
In order to understand the present and even begin to speculate the future, one must take somewhat of an inventory of the past. As I have begun to settle into my new surroundings in Kuwait I have thought of so many great adventures that I had with great friends in the States. One in particular has come to mind on several occasions.
It started one early morning in late summer. Three guys had been planning with much anticipation a trip that was sure to bring them stories for the future. This particular adventure began where all great adventures do, in the deep recesses of some unfathomable place where pirate ships still sail and lands wait to be discovered.
The car left early in the morning. It was a small sports car packed with three guys, a tent, a grill, two coolers, three fishing rods, and of course three kayaks. We were all amazed that so much could fit into the confines of the Saab. I had my usual Red Bull and Marathon Bar. Dewayne and Sam were ready as was I to reach our destination. We had been looking forward to the trip for several weeks and had sat so many times talking about what was in store for us.
The car with it's turbo charged engine roared down the Turnpike towards Miami. The plan was to hit Miami as soon as possible, refuel the car, stretch our legs and then make quick time to the Keys. Our destination was a small island located just before Key West, it was called Stock Key. If all went according to plan we would make Stock Key with enough time to set up the tent, do a little fishing, and possibly make it into Key West to explore Bourbon Street and have dinner. Inwardly I was excited to go to Sloppy Joe's. If you've ever read anything by Ernest Hemingway then you need to go there. Sloppy Joe's is the bar that Hemingway spent many, many evenings.
Throughout the drive we laughed and shared thoughts and ideas that had stirred in our minds. We talked about everything from the size of fish that we might catch to the great mysteries of the world. Dewayne had brought a few of his favorite books to read in the evening as he puffed on his pipe. He was a brilliant man who would put so much of his heart and mind into an idea or subject. While the rest of us would spout ideas with little thought, Dewayne would sit patiently, listening, laughing at a joke that someone had told, but the whole time in his mind the wheels were turning. A day, a week, maybe a month later he would come back and remind you of that conversation and share his reflections. He would have thought graciously through the idea and come with a truly humble, and brilliant response.
I had a copy of some Bukowski collection of poems. His witt and cynisism felt like great topic for conversation. I was usually reading something by some nonconformist writer whether it was Keourac, Bukowski, Hemingway, or Bowles. They had so much to offer and on the inside I felt that I was able to gleam something from them as I have often searched deeply for the places where I truly belong. Bukowski, on this trip was a hit. Dewayne and Sam and I read several of the poems only to find ourselves laughing and joking about why some things are published.
The car moved forward to Miami. We made our stop, admired the less than admirable gas station and jumped back into the car ready for the last leg of our six hour drive from Orlando. Within an hour we were on the Seven Mile Bridge looking in awe at the endless ocean around us. It was a deep blue, stained with turquoise and pieces of silver which shined in it's humbling reflection of the Sun. Paintings and pictures always fall so short of scenes like this. I think it is because we want to capture something of the thing itself. The true awesomeness of it, the thing that can not be captured is what lends its boundlessness to it. You can try to paint it or photograph it but the image that will return will only be that which could be captured. The illusive beauty, the thing that takes you breath does so only because it cannot be captured. All you are left with is the memory and an image, as the playful awe inspiring beauty that left it's imprint on your soul dances on only to be seen and sought after at other such moments. This is the true mystery of beauty. It is neither an idea to be ascended to nor is it a thing to be attained. It is by every stretch of the imagination an elusive mist that covers it's subject only for a moment in time then in it's fleeting character moves to the next moment or subject. It is that for which we all seek to attain whether inwardly in virtue or outwardly in the form of vanity or a muse. In the grand irony we seek mostly to find something that does not wish to be found only to be admired.
The car roared to it's destination. Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honda, they all passed quickly until finally we reached Stock Key. It was a small island with only one campsite. We set up camp, placed the Kayaks with all of their fittings to the side and began to construct the massive tent that was full of possibilities but lacked any specific instructions on how to assembly it to it's intended form. After a short time of stretching and pulling on the nylon behemoth it rose phoenix like from the ashes of it's originally wrinkled state to the best of our knowledge, what a tent should look like.
We had time for dinner, a few beers and a quick paddle through the span of ocean which separated the islands. By this time the sun was setting and we mounted flashlights to the front of the kayaks. The breeze that came off the ocean was exhilarating and restful all in the same breath. We saw giant tarpon, the smallest being around six feet in length, several rays and a myriad of other sea life ventured out after the sun sets. One of the most beautiful sights came only after the sun fully set. We adjusted our kayaks to face directly in to the current as the current pushed us away from the islands the warm evening breeze countered its push. It created a strange equilibrium that kept us in one place. We were able to lay back and see stars that we never knew existed. We were miles from any city and nothing obstructed our view. It was as if time had stopped and all was right with the world.
After our stargazing and paddling we made our way back to camp excited about the adventures that lay in store for us the next morning. We sat around the campfire exhausted and thrilled. We talked deeply and laugh loudly. This was the first day of our adventure.....
To be continued.....
