Dear Friends,

It's been awhile since you've heard anything from me but I remain engaged.  One of the reasons for my prolonged silence. has been work on a yurt I'm building from scratch keeping me busy and in Fairbanks through most of the winter.  I also joined a group of Quakers (Friends) who are in the process of discerning what steps to take next to address this issue more actively as a community.

The following is what came to me as a result of questions raised in early meetings of our group.  Please circulate it as you may feel called to do so.

The Moral Imperative of Climate Change

The sea level is slowly rising.  Some island peoples have already being displaced from their homes.   We are locked into some unavoidable changes from climate disruption  It is imperative to act now if we are to avoid the worst consequences of a warming atmosphere driven by the accumulation of greenhouse gases.  Those among us who did not cause the problem are or will by among the first to be severely affected.  We share a common humanity regardless of ethnicity or any other consideration.  We are our brothers and sisters keepers in ways we do not yet fully appreciate. 

Climate change or disruption, if you prefer, is being driven by the accumulation of greenhouses gases from the burning of fossil fuels.   Some remain in denial over the science.  There is, however, a higher moral imperative that cannot be denied.  We are all in this "lifeboat" together.  What we do or do not do about it now and not decades hence will have consequences that will determine the future outcome and viability for all of life on planet Earth. This is no trifling matter.  We ignore it at our peril.   Some of us will not live into all the consequences of climate change.  We come to this moment with more years behind us than ahead..   But it is we of an older generation, especially Americans, who bear a disproportionate responsibility for creating the problem in the first place.  It is also this "we" who must now rise to correct the mistakes of the past.  Many already are.  It is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced and the defining issue of our time.

“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it,” according to Albert Einstein.   To understand the level of consciousness driving not only climate change but the human tragedies of wars, injustice and deprivation is to look at cause.   Human consciousness has evolved and is in the process of evolving.   Yet one aspect of this consciousness nearly as old as our time on the planet has not changed much.   It is the misunderstanding that we are fundamentally (from an energetic standpoint) separated except in a physical sense from one another, from any other living thing, or from the Creative Energy of the universe, known by many names, worshiped by many faith traditions.

We know from the quantum physics law known as Bell’s Theorem that objects once connected affect one another forever no matter where they are.  Put another way an invisible stream of energy will always connect any two objects that have been connected in any way in the past.  Far enough back in time everything was connected.  We are all part of the same eternal stream of energy and always have been.  Our inherent interconnectedness was intuitively understood by some before this,  until more recently affirmed by quantum mechanics.   The grand illusion which will kill us if we persist in it is that we are somehow separate from it except by choice. The good news is that many people now understand that all things are connected energetically and are working to bring change from a higher level of consciousness.  

From our limited perspective the nearest we can come to describing this energy is Love as demonstrated in the lives and teachings of spiritual masters through the ages.  It is our true essence and basic goodness.  And it is that which comes to the fore in times of natural calamities and other occasions when we give selflessly to help others in need without thought of risk or reward.   It is only this energy that has the power to transform and drive out negative energies of fear, anger, hatred and the like.  We are fundamentally all One (of the same energy)  From this reality it is understood that what we give to another we give to ourselves individually and collectively.    Our true role in the grand scheme of things is tenders of the “Garden” part of the web of life that enriches and makes ours possible.   All of life from this perspective is appreciated as sacred none more or less important than another, all with a vital function to perform beyond what profit can be accrued to human kind from their domination and exploitation. 

It would be a mistake to conclude that in our hour of great need that we are adrift on a storm tossed sea without a "pilot" to guide us to a safe harbor.  Our inherent interconnectedness fully appreciated and understood means that thought forms such as prayer especially when magnified by many work because energy flows where attention goes.  This we know from our individual and collective experience of it.   It is no less so now.  To overlook or ignore our inherent connectedness to the Creative Energy of the universe and to not ask for help would be to continue more of the human hubris and lack of humility that has brought us to this imperiled moment in the first place. We are called to embrace a new paradigm. 

We are at the moment of a great “turning” in human history.   We will overcome but not alone and not without a transformation of consciousness that ends the separation of humanity from not only itself but from God, the Creative Energy of the universe.  Love embraced will see us through.  And in that there is hope for the dawn of a New Day and the creation of a New Earth.  

Peace Rider     

 

May love, joy and peace be yours this Christmas       

 

"Matter is spirit moving slowly enough to be seen."

Peirre Teilhard de Chardin

                            

Photos and thoughts from the Peoples Climate March New York City 9/21/2014

Dear Friends,

Thousands of us marched together (310,000 by one estimate) through the streets of New York City.  Jean went with me on a chartered bus from Philadelphia.  She had to leave the march early.  It was a last minute decision after she watched the documentary Disruption.  I recommend everyone see it.  Her husband Peter stayed behind so she could go.  They were my gracious hosts during my stay in Philly. 

At the end of the march one person I sat next to wondered what we accomplished.  Superficially there was nothing of substance to show for it in the moment except good vibes.  That can be enough to change the course of history.  What we focus on collectively we create especially if the motivation and intention is for the greater good.  It is all about energy and how we choose to use it.  Are you impelled by your highest aspiration and hope or your greatest fear?  From our fears we go to war, from love we lend a helping hand.

One other thing I did was call the Quaker meeting I attend to share in the experience just after I knew it had ended.  It was only on 10/12/ 14 that I learned Cathy had been led to share several of my earlier calls during the course of the meeting (a four hour time difference).  She was away from her cell phone when I called at the beginning of the march.    

When one is doing what one is supposed to be doing in the Divine Plan one is affirmed in that in some quite remarkable ways.  I was glad I went rather than "count the cost" and stay at home.

Love to fault declines always is to joy inclined, lawless winged and unconfined, breaks all chains from every mind.

William Shakespeare

Our duty as men and women, is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist.  We are collaborators in creation.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Peace Rider

On the Road from Fairbanks, AK to New York City 9/18/2114 (march on the UN 9/21/14)

Dear Friends,

To those of you who may be checking in to this site to see what Peace Rider is up to next here's the latest.  A bit of a last minute thing but it seems to be the way "inspiration" works, just in time.  I had some free miles which I'm using today to fly to Philadelphia.  Will overnight with a friend in Seattle before flying on tomorrow morning.

In Philadelphia will join a group of Friends, Quakers, headed to New York City by bus Sunday morning to join others hopefully thousands who want something substantial done now to curb greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change.  I was told seventeen bus loads of folks are going from here.   It bodes well for a very large turn out.  

There is not much time left to get this right or suffer unimaginable consequences only hinted at now. Doing nothing to date is unacceptable.   It is in reality doing something and already we are in for a rough ride from a global rise in temperatures and sea levels.  The worst to come is to be avoided at all costs for ours and our children's sake.  

If you cannot come pray for those involved and for a meaningful outcome beyond rhetoric.  

Will report on the road when able.

Onward,

Peace Rider

Insights while On the Road in Cuba (edited 8/26/2014)

Dear Friends

The following from a translation of the Tao (pronounced Dao) by Lao Tsu written centuries before the time of Jesus from World Religions by Huston Smith in the library of Ramon Gonzalez, Gibara, Cuba, 2/2014.

There is a being wonderful, perfect.  It existed before the heaven and earth.

How quiet it is!

How spiritual it is!

It stands alone but does not change.

It moves around and around but on that account does not suffer.

All of life comes from it.

It wraps everything with its love as a garment but claims no honor and does not demand to be Lord.

I do not know its name and so I call it Tao, The Way and I rejoice in its power.

Hay un ser maravilloso y perfecto.  Esistia antes del cielo y la tierra.

Que tranquillo esta!

Que espiritual esta!

Se queda solo y no cambia.

Se mueve por todos lados y por eso no sufre.

Toda la vida viene de este ser.

Envuelve todo dentro su amor como una prenda y aun reclama ningún honor o requiere que sea llamado El Señor.

No sabe su nombre y por eso lo llamo Tao, El Camino y  se regojito en su poder.

In the book of Exodus, Chapter 3, vs 13,   Moses asks God how he should respond when the children of Israel ask who has sent me to you.  And God said to Moses "I am who I am."  Thus you shall say..."I am has sent me to you." 

In the time of the Christ Jesus says:

"I AM                                        Jesus                           The Way"

Love

He did not say worship me but follow me - my example - The Way. 

The Way as demonstrated in his life and teachings and those of other spiritual masters through the ages is self denying, sacrificial Love for others.  It remains The Way to peace on earth and peace with the earth.   It is the only energy than can transform and drive out other energies of lower vibration. 

And from a more contemporary perspective quoted from Being Zen by Ezra  Bayda.

Epilogue

What Is Our Life About?

Our aspiration, our calling, our desire for a genuine life,
is to see the truth of who we really are --

that the nature of our Being is connectedness and love,

not the illusion of a separate self to which our suffering clings.

It is from this awareness that Life can flow through us;

the Unconditioned manifesting freely as our conditioned
body.

And what is the path (Way)

To learn to reside in whatever life presents

To learn to attend to all those things

that block the flow of a more open life:

and to see them as the very path to awakening--

all the constructs, the identities,

the holding  back, the protections,

all the fears, the self-judgments, the blame--

all that separates us from letting life be,

And what is the path (Way)?

To turn away from constantly seeking comfort

and from trying to avoid pain,

To open to the willingness to just be,

 in this very moment;

exactly as it is.

No longer so ready to be caught

in the relentlessly spinning mind. 

Practice is about awakening to the true Self: (our true nature or essence)

no one special to be,

nowhere to go,

just being.

We are so much more that just this body,

just this personal drama.

As we cling to our fear.

and our shame, and our suffering,

we forsake the gratitude of living from our natural being.

So where, in this very moment, do we cling to our views?

Softening around the mind's incessant judgment,

we can awaken the heart that seeks to be awakened. 

And when the veil of separation rises,

Life simply unfolds as it will.

No longer caught in the self-centered dream.

we can give ourselves to others,

like a white bird in the snow.

Time is fleeting,

Don't hold back.

Appreciate this precious life.

Peace Rider

On the Road in Cuba 7/31 - 8/15/2014, Highlights

Dear Friends of Peace Rider,

I didn't have time to finish a post from Cuba as it happened.  This was a different trip, more directly personal following up on friendships from my earlier February and March ride in eastern Cuba.  I didn't take a bicycle this time.

August 8, 2014

This is dengue fever country.  I no sooner sat down at the Hotel computer when I was advised to leave so fumigation could begin.  It's a 45 minute walk from the Hotel Comordoro to where I'm staying in Miramar (embassy row) part of Havana. 

Highlights

Flying with Molly N. on the same flight from Fairbanks to Portland.  She said she'd seen me earlier then caught me by total surprise in a long security line.  We had a lot to catch up on.  I hadn't seen her for over a year after moving to Portland with her two boys following a divorce.  It was a joyful beginning to a new adventure and opportunity.  I couldn't have asked for better. 

Long hair, dressed in white Jimmy be Free playing music for peace and peddling his CD's in the Portland airport.  He was good,  playing a modified seven string acoustic viola.  It was a soothing as well as a welcome ambiance to what one normally gets.  He said he had to try out for the airport gig and share the slot with others. 

Meeting Amy a young lady waiting to board the same flight to Los Angeles from Portland.  I noticed the words "recognize you inner light" tattooed on her left arm as I recall.  That resonated with me and started a conversation about spiritual journeys.  She wasn't finding acceptance of her path among her peers.  Quite remarkable who comes into your life when you open yourself and just let life flow.

Meeting an older Mexican gentleman (I didn't get his name) in the bowels of the Mexico City airport.  He asked if I needed help.  I did.  After two all nighters on airplanes I arrived in a state of near total befuddlement.  He noticed.  Thank You and you.  We walked in the same direction for awhile.  He told me he was a translator working with indigenous people in Chiapas.  I said I'd also been there. He then told me he had been robbed.  A cab he got into (not sure where) stopped after a few blocks and picked up another man, a setup.  They stole his computer and ID he said.  They would have killed him if he'd resisted showing by gesture being knifed.  He was looking for a friend who worked at the airport who could help him.  

Acceptance as part of my new Cuban family. The singing and dance antics along with the "issues" of being five and eight years old for the children.  The singing and dancing seem to be in the blood of Cubans.  New experiences for all of us.  Living the reality of being among the poor in Havana and being hungry.  As Kikito the older son of Maribel said wages are low while costs in Havana are high. This is true throughout the country but more so here.  The joy simple conveniences we take for granted can bring for those who can't afford them.

It wasn't the trip I had envisioned but it turned out to be rich in new experiences and understandings.  I'll have more to say about that in a future posting.

P' lante, onward,

Peace Rider

On the Road from Havana, Cuba Aug. 7, 2014

Arrive safely in Havana a week ago very tired.  Met up with my friends here and staying with them, trying to decide what to do next.

We will head east in a few days.

Preempted by hotel fumigation.  More down the road.

Don

Prince William Sound Conclusion and Possibilities Ahead 7/8/2014

Dear Friends,

For those of you still checking in to this blog I caught the outgoing tide from Cordova east bound and spent the night in a place called Hole-in-the-Wall,  a snug wind protected anchorage connected to Simpson Bay by a narrow tidal channel.  The seas were also building late in the day and I was getting tossed around enough to want relief which I found in this place.  In a straight line I was only a few miles from Cordova.

The next day I made it to Bear Trap Bay near the east end of Port Gravina.  A lovely spot with lots of jellies floating just beneath the surface.  They had an ethereal presence that brought to mind micro cosmic nebulae in living pulsating form as they drifted with the tide straining the water for food with their long tentacles. 

I went for a hike on a nearby hillside and got soaked in the wet underbrush before climbing higher into more open alpine tundra.  Higher up I looked back and saw a black speck moving.  I soon recognized a black bear crossing near the route I had just traveled.  As I watched another emerged.  They were still lower and far off but moving in my direction.  At some point they must have gotten wind of my lingering scent trail because they bolted for a short ways which took them east away from me.  I was headed for the summit of the nearest peak but turned around when the terrain got considerably steeper and brushier where I ended up.

The next day I spent mostly motoring in either calm conditions early or a headwind later.  It got rough crossing Sheep Bay.  I found a place to wait for better conditions in Devil's Cove or some such.  I took a short hike around a small island enclave of very old Sitka spruce.  I love old trees and these were real veterans.  One had a plaque that said eagle nest tree.  It appeared the only residents this year were crows from the scolding I got. 

The seas was more settled with an approaching front when I returned  to Wave Dancer and set off again.  We rounded Knowles Head in nearly calm conditions heading for Port Fildago named for its early Spanish discoverer.  I managed a bit of sailing toward the end of this roughly five mile crossing into Landlocked Bay.  This is another superb piece of real estate.  A lovely waterfall cascades off the mountain at the far end.  I also didn't have the place to myself.  There were three other more luxurious craft tied up together.  I tucked in behind an island and didn't see them thereafter but did hear them leave the next morning.

There were a few dog salmon near the mouth of the stream feeding into the bay but they weren't interested in anything I threw at them before I left. The rain that began in the evening ended to my relief. 

The next afternoon I anchored out near the Aleut community of Tititlek and walked into town.  I stopped at the council office and Marcia Toteamoff let me use her phone to call a Fairbanks friend to arrange for a pickup in Valdez.  He would drive my small truck and trailer from there to meet me in a couple of days. 

Marcia was an Army veteran and had recently moved back to the community with her son.  I learned from her that the people now living here and in Chenaga had originally come from Nuchek where I had stopped.  There is no longer a community there.  She was planning to go with her son to the two week spirit camp held there in mid-July.

I anchored up the for night or so I thought at an anchorage I had been to before on the east side of Busby Island.  It was sheltered from winds out of the southwest.   I forgot that even when calm here there were some slight swells into this anchorage from the more exposed east side.  About midnight I'd had enough rocking back and forth however gentle and pulled the anchor to look for a more protected spot.  Coming into this one I had seen another nearby possibility and headed into a cove with a bit of a dog leg to it..  The tide was in and I anchored in eel grass near the end.  I didn't mind if we ended up  aground with the tide out as it happened.  That's the beauty of a small boat that will go where big boats can't.  I left the rock-a-bye-no-sleep swells behind and slept good.

In the morning I heard crunching on the shore in the intertidal zone and peaked out from under the edge of the tent canopy.  From a distance I thought these creatures were sea otters but when they came closer and scampered into near  underbrush they turned out to be a family, I presume, of land otters.  It was way cool and special.  I haven't seen many land otters in all my time in Alaska. 

It was calm the next morning with wind building later.  I headed west toward Pt. Freemantle but changed my mind and headed on a more northerly course.  The plan was to overnight in Sawmill Bay and meet my friend Frank in Valdez late the next day.  There was enough wind to sail and not being in a hurry I did just that.  I motored around green buoy number nine marking the edge of the shipping channel to photo sea lions sleeping on its above water flat top base.  They didn't seem to mind my near presence. 

Some distance off from Sawmill Bay I could only see at first a tiny black speck breaking the water every so often.  As I sailed nearer it turned out to be a humpback whale breaching.  There were no other boats around and it was a gloriously sunny day.  I liked to think it was jumping for joy because it kept at it.  When I was much closer I could see its long white front fluke raised out of the water like a sail as it lolled around near the surface.  There may also have been a minke whale with it.  I didn't get too close for obvious reasons approaching silently but close enough to get a good look at a huge creature breaking water making waves. 

Sawmill Bay I ended up sharing with a couple of other boats but I anchored up again in the eel grass shallows, aground when the tide was out in the early AM when I got up.  It was also raining.  I put a line out for halibut at the entrance to the bay as I left but quit after an hour without a nibble. 

It was a cold ride into Valdez with boats of all sizes coming and going through the Narrows.  Closer to the harbor I was surprise to see a distant tail fluke of a whale  sounding. 

Frank showed up about 6:00 PM.  It was still raining lightly when we finally pulled out of town on the road home three hours later.  Frank said it was sunny north of Thompson Pass on the way in and we could find a place to park my camper pickup for the night.  There would also be fewer gnats bothering away from salt water.  We were home by mid-afternoon the next day

POSSIBILITIES AHEAD?

Superfically it may seem that these trips are just about having fun.  And there is that element to them.  But at another level I have needed time in the solitude of a wild place free from the usual distractions to listen and discover where I'm being led next.

While I can only generally describe what came to me in the course of this journey it may be enough.  My personal circumstances are changing and I will need another place to call home.  I will not abandon Fairbanks but I may well be spending less time here.  Fukuko will continue to need help to stay in our house here. 

In Cordova I met Dario who has been there more than a year with his wife Sabina and four children..  They came from Switzerland in a large aluminum sailboat with Top to Top written on the sides.  He has a web site at <toptotop.org>.  You can check it out for more details.  In brief he's a climatologist trying to raise awareness about climate change and visiting schools along the way. 

When we met he was ailing from what to me were symptons of giardia he contracted on a descent from Denali drinking river water on the hike out. 

We talked about the possibility of a tsunami debris clean up project on the outer coasts of Alaska involving the local community and children including those from Japan.  It would be Cordova based.  There would be an environmental education component to it,  There has been some local efforts at clean up but this is a potentially huge project with miles upon miles of litter strewn on the outer coasts of Alaska.  Details and uncertainties remain.   

As an initial step in this direction on my part I am looking for a live aboard bluewater capable sailboat for at least two adults and possibly one or two children.  A boat is a practical solution to the high cost of living in Cordova, one of the few harbors with slips available. 

With bigger plans than a bank account I would be willing to consider a project boat to buy if it was not a basket case and take years to get underway.  If you or someone you know just happens to have a sailboat of some size spending more time at the dock than sailing I'd like to talk further with you or them about what arrangements might be possible for its use on a project of this sort.  Peace Rider Don can be reached at <ridefortheplanet@gmail.com>.  And thanks!

Onward,

Peace Rider 

Peace Rider in Prince William Sound

For those of you who may be checking in from time-to-time and not given up on my peregrinations and quest for the next scent in this multi-act drama called life, here is my general route of travel to this point which is the Cordova local library in eastern PWS.

I launched from Seward on a Sunday 1 June with the help of long time friend Fran Mauer who drove my truck back from the launch ramp.  My thought was to make it to Juneau but small boats have a way of taking a toll on older carcasses.  In short you get bounced around a lot.  It was raining that day but sailed nearly two thirds of the way to Resurrection Point.  Next day the weather broke and I had four more days of fair weather motoring and sailing.  I was also a bit "dizzy" for several days until I got my sea legs back.

The second day with only easy swells out on the Gulf I motored all the way across and threw the hook down in Auk Bay.  Dall porpoises joined me briefly cavorting under and in front of the boat.  From there the next day crossed into Earlington Passage, past Chenega didn't stop and made it to an Anchorage on Green Island - another long day of sailing and motoring.  Two nights on Green Island.  Anchored out and was able to hike and have a look around.  There is a Forest Service Cabin there but I preferred the fabric roof overhead in my 20 foot sailing dory.  Besides it was occupied the first night and I had not made advance reservations.

The weather was going down again when I crossed over to Montague the to have a look at Stockdale Harbor.  My hat blew off in the wind and landed in the water during the crossing..  I immediately tried to get the motor going rather than sail to it.  Lesson, learn how to sail and not rely on a motor.  Old habits die hard. Lost it in the waves.  Found a nice hidey hole place in Stockdale but still got blasted by williwas when the worst of the weather hit overnight.  Sea otters and I floated in to a secure anchorage on the incoming tide.  Nearby was Constantine Harbor and spent two night there amist the commercial salmon seining fleet just beginning their season.  Invited to a dinner of fresh copper river red salmon on Tom Lopez's boat out of Valdez.  Boy was that a treat.   This is a hatchery supported run of dog salmon with fry released into net pens.  George Vancouver first arrived here many moons ago.  A good place to careen ships with extensive tidal flats at low tide..

I motored out of there but was able to sail most of the way to Montague Point on the east end of the island.  In fair skies with wind blowing about 20 I decided to cross over to Bear Cape on the west end of Hitchenbrook..  Saw two minke whales up close and humpback whales blowing in the distance.  My little boat is very seaworthy  but you have to pay attention so I was bounched around and had to remain standing for most of the way across.  An oil tanker drove by escorted by two sea going tugs, this arrangement mandated by the '89 Exxon Valdez oil spill.  Arrived Constantine harbor beat and lowered the hook very close to Nuchek Spirit Camp.  Lots of sea otters at first but they cleared out after I showed up.

English Bay across from Camp was where Captain Cook first landed which ultimately launched the harvest of sea otters leading ultimately to their near extinction from over hunting.

Later Leonard Lange the Aleut caretaker came over and invited me to the camp which I did the following day.  Ended up staying there from 9 to 14 June.  He fired up the sauna or bano as he called it and we both got a bit clearner.  I also met Chewbacka a big loveable mixed breed, golden lab, shepard mix according to Leonard.  He'd follow me down to the dock and belonged to the place.   I needed that soothing much appreciated heat for tired bones and muscles.  After another storm passed I rounded Bear Cape north bound over long swells but light winds

Made it to Velper Cove and camped there on an outgoing tide.  Had to move early in the morning to avoid being stranded on mud flats.  Four Sitka blacktail deer showed up and crossed the cove and a bit later two more.  I was sitting unseen watching through a window in the tent shelter over my boat.

Next day poked into Canoe Passage Marine Park and then decided to try and make it to near Cordova ahead of a stronger storm front. 

Lots of memorable characters here in this fishing community of roughly 2500.  Some live on boats because its affordable.  There is only ferry and air connections out of here if  you don't have a boat. 

From here will retrace some of my route back through Orca Inlet then look for an anchorage in Port Gravina depending on when I get out of here tomorrow.

Thought this would be short instead of an epistle.  Wonderful place PWS,,a gem of a water world supporting a host of marine life. 

Take a few days to reach Valdez.  Like to see a bit more of the Sound before hauling out there and heading back to Fairbanks.

Onward,

Peace Rider

On the Water Next 5/30/14

Summer is a busy time in Alaska thus the dirth of blogging from me.  But it has been a good time also to take stock and see what may be around the next corner for Peace Rider.

Tomorrow I'm headed south with a friend and my 20' homemade sailboat, Wave Dancer, to continue a journey I started in 2009 from Homer to Seward.  This one will begin in Seward and take me on to Cordova and possibly further south to Juneau depending on weather and how I feel at that point.

For me traveling into the wilderness and having some time of solitude away from the madding crowd

has given me moments to reflect and see where spirit would have me go next. 

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take you all along on this one.  I had a Spot device but not the right one to give a position report as I move along.  If you know of anyone with an old Spot Messenger I can use let me know?  As it is I may not catch up with email until Cordova so this may not work out either.  If I don't go further will head for Valdez and hitch a ride to recover my truck and trailer in Fairbanks.  So will see, another adventure in the offing and will report at least from Cordova. 

Sunday in Seward and launch.

Onward,

Peace Rider

On the Road in Virginia 4/4/2014

A note since leaving Cuba 29 March.  I again spent a very enjoyable few days with my friends the Warrens in south Miami.   I met them on a previous peace ride and passed through the area every year since it seems.  Yesterday I flew to the Washington, DC area.     

When I called Tammy to find out if they would be home and a visit possible here I learned she and her instructor were hosting an Introduction to Integrative Energetic Medicine this weekend in Winchester not far from where she and husband Steve live.  It's a subject I became interested in several years ago through her when we first met at her father's home in Panama.  The timing and opportunity seemed tailor made.  I will be attending the workshop this weekend. The beginning of next week I'll be visiting several other friends in the area.  On Wednesday I fly back to Fairbanks, winter and cold but with a lot more daylight.

Peace Rider

A Final Posting on the Road from Holquin, Cuba written 3/23/2014

CREATING A NEW EARTH

Thirteen Things You Need to Know

The Maya consider the number 13 sacred meaning Love
Not written in order of priority 

Suggestions

• Come to these with and open mind and heart.

• Test them in you own experience to the extent you are able before you dismiss or discard them.

1.  Everything is connected to everything else energetically - everything.  All of life is sacred for this reason.  Nothing is inherently separate from any other part at this level.  Separation is a created illusion.

2.  All thought energy  (arising from emotions and experiences ) is creative of your experience(s) individually and collectively.

3.  What you focus on grows because thoughts drive energy; if to fear the result will be experiences of violence, wars and anger,  if to love, compassion and kindness the result will be experiences of peace, joy and fulfillment.

4.  Love, compassion, kindness and similar emotions are high frequency positive energies (vibrations) of unity and balance.  They have the inherent power to drive out or transform lower frequency energies.  None are more powerful, nothing can overcome them.  They are sacrificial by their nature.

5.  Hate, fear, anger and similar are negative, low frequency energies of separation, alienation and imbalance - flee them.  See 3. 

6.  Our True Nature or essence is life energy or consciousness - eternal Love in our limited understanding.

7.  We are from the unmanifest of many names;  God, Allah, Source, Buddha Nature, Creator, Universe, All That Is and more manifesting and experiencing itself in a myriad of form one of which is human kind.

8.  The Way to Peace on Earth and Peace with Earth remains eternally the same,  Love as manifest in the lives and teachings of spiritual masters (men and women) through the ages.  Some would argue the Christ called Jesus was the most highly evolved of these, a shower of The Way through his life and teachings.

9.  When you give of yourself in service to the greater good of all without expectation of reward it is impossible to not receive in some way. Thus "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

10.  The Way (Love) is narrow but not impossible (see 3).  It takes humility, prayer, practice, denial of self and an open mind and heart. 

11.  There are unavoidable consequences for every choice whether of action or doing nothing (also a choice), see 1. 

12.  Because everything is  interconnected (see #1) the means and ends are one.  For example when the means is violence the result will be the same.  And when love and compassion are the means the end will also the same. 

13.  Intention is more important than unattainable perfection.  Love and forgive yourself when you fall short in some way even as you would love and forgive others.


PS  Remember to have fun in the process "All the world's a stage..." Shakespeare. 

Peace Rider

The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.  Albert Schweitzer

Note:  Since originally posting this from Cuba I have made a few minor changes for clarity.

Cuba Adieu, from Holquin 3/20/14

Dear Friends,

This may be my last post before returning to Miami.  Time with friends and travel will keep me busy and away from a terminal. 

Raman Gonzalez and family isn't back yet.  If it works out I will see them in Gibara the 22 to 24th and return by bicycle here.  I will take a detour to check out Marina Vita near Guavalavaca. 

If I were to summarise my experience here in just a few words it would be tranquillo and blessed.  I heard the former spoken often.  Cubans have achieved what we have not, something that can't be bought - peace.  There are no guns on the streets, and very little violent negative energies coming through the media that children might have access to. 

Young children, dressed in neat, clean, purple and white uniforms are taken to school by their moms in places.  There is no fear of violence in the schools or on the streets at night.  It is one of the safest and most welcoming countries I have travelled in.  Like any society of human beings it is not problem free.

I'll be back.

Peace Rider

Special Moments on the Road from Holquin, Cuba 3/19/14

I stopped at a municipal museum in San Antonio del Sur on the south coast en route to Guantanamo.  It was a rest break and ended up meeting the Director and two other women.  At the end I decided to gift them with small pins Chris and Jim H. had given me of the Alaska Flag, Walrus and State outline.  Forget I had them until then actually.

They were shirt pins but all three women decided to try them on as earrings.  They all had pierced ears and they worked.   Joy and laughter on the road.  Have some photos I will share later. 

Earlier in Baracoa on the far east coast I was returning to my Casa after a folkloric performance by the Barrumba dance group.  It was late and dark with few people on the street.  The streets are safe to walk at night.  A van stopped me to ask directions out of town.  He thought I was a local and started speaking English after he heard my Spanish.  I thought he was a foreigner but asked. He was Cuban.  Another smile. 

I had a very enjoyable visit with Amigos in Puerto Padre to the northwest of here about 35 miles.  A scenic spot in a large bay but the economy is in decline.  I have one other shorter bike ride to Gibara in the offing to revisit Ramon and Rosario the pastors there before I leave.  They are in Havana at the moment not returning until the 20th.

My last day in Holquin, the Provincial Capital will be 26 March.  Will head southeast to Bayamo to catch an overnight train to Havana the 27th.  Have to be there a day ahead of time to buy tickets the morning the train leaves.  Into Havana the 28th in the AM, fly to Miami 29 March.

There is a being wonderful perfect.  It existed before heaven and earth.

How quiet it is.

How spiritual it is.

It stands alone and it does not change.

It moves around and around but on this account does not suffer.

All life comes from it.

It wraps everything with its love as in a garment and yet claims no honor. It does   not demand to be called Lord.

I do not know its name and so I call it Tao (pronounced Dao) The Way.

by Lao Tzu before the time of the Christ by Huston Smith in World Religions.

"The Tao" is within"  Huston Smith.

Peace Rider

On the Road from Holquin, Cuba 10 March 2014

Dear Friends,

A quick update to let you know I´m alive and well taken good care of by Friends in the Iglesia Evangelica de Los Amigos here. 

After Guantanamo City I realized my purpose in going that far was completed and decided to return to the Provinciaal Capitol to rest and visit more Friends or Quakeros.

When I finish this will ride to Puerto Padre northwest with a light load and spend a few days with other Amigos.  They are without a pastor at present.

My route of travel and a few highlights from Baracoa and back are in order.

After climbing the first hill enroute to Boca del Tumeri further east and seeing only more ahead I bagged it to save my energy for the Viaducto de la Farola, a serpentine dangerous stretch of road over the mountains to the south coast. 

Spent a night camped in a bamboo thicket and next day made it over to the drier south side.  Camped by the Rio JoJo, turned out behind the local cemetary.  But a welcome bath in the AM.

Hit the coast near Cajobabo where met a Norwegian couple, he married to a Cuban.  Rested at their new home and had a wonderful visit.  They met when she went to Norway to visit an aunt and later married. They had returned for a brief vacation with her family.

Stayed at first Campismo a Yacobabo del Sur.  Loud music and vibration kept me awake until into early AM.  A long days ride to Guantanamo from there.

From Guantanamo connected with the autopista to Santiago, turned off to go through Boniato then on to El Cobre, a beautiful Catholic Church in the hills with a long history although rebuilt to present state in 1927.

Next day on north through Palma Soriano as far as Pinalato.  At this point headed back to Mayari to again visit friends who had helped me earlier.  Went through Mella to get there.

Befriended again by a local couple and camped in their back yard.  Ate roast pig that night.

A long uphill grade over the mountains to Mayari the next day over a sometimes very rough forest road.  Some grades more than 8 percent.  Walked several of the steepest stretches early on that fortunately were paved and gave some traction.

Arrived friends place outside Mayari just at dark soaked after a passing rain shower and really beat!

Stayed several days to rest and recuperate before returning to Holquin about 50 miles to the northwest.  Fewer high hills and a lighter load by this time and made it before dark.  Now staying a a room in the church.

In and out of here until near leaving 29 March for Miami.

Peace Rider

Words from Guantanamo City, Cuba, 1 March 2014

Late the date before yesterday and very tired I arrived here and checked in to a Casa Familiar.  More of that later.   I may leave here today yet, west bound through Santiago. 

The US Navy base is only moments away by air.  It is enough for an American to be nearby on the other side of the razor wire and mine fields.

A side bar on the map of Cuba I carry says in part, two Marines were killed at Guantanamo at the beginning of the Spanish American War in 1898.  Afterward President Theodore Roosevelt signed an agreement with the new Cuban government leasing the bay indefinitely for 2000 gold coins per year.  The agreement was forced on the new government through the Platt amendment.  "Since 2002 the base has included a detainment camp for captured al-Queda personnel deemed to be a risk to US national security."

We know from recent reports over 100 people are still held more than 10 years later without trial or hope of release.  Some could argue this is a form of psychological torture more severe than the physical torture some are reported to have suffered at our hands.  And what of those who must tend this facility?   They too suffer on our behalf?

You would be surprised to know my father Charles came to Gitmo as it was called then and perhaps still.  He retired from the US Navy Reserve at the onset of Parkinson's disease.  He passed 10 years later.  Both he and my mother Anne are at rest in Arlington National Cemetery.  He worked nearby as a civilian in a US Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks office later torn down to expand the cemetery.

I wondered what he might have to say to all that has happened at Guantanamo from another vantage point?  This is what came to me.

This is a mere snapshot in time of some of your history.  It is the past, it cannot be changed.  I make no judgment about it.  What will you choose to create from this point forward? 

You are not masters of the technologies you have created.  Many of you remain unaware that all things are connected energetically.  If you continue down the same path you will destroy yourselves.  There are unavoidable consequences for everything you think and do.  You are powerful creators or your experiences individually and collectively.  Doing nothing is doing something. 

Climate change still in in its early stages is upon you.  Your children will suffer the consequences if you allow contamination of your atmosphere to continue unchecked.

For those of you coming to these words for the first time do not give up in despair.  Before a new day breaks there is always a time of darkness.  It is worth repeating the only thing you can change is yourself.  It takes determination, persistence and discipline to overcome years of cultural conditioning.  The choice is yours as in all things.  Put another way your True Nature (Love and Light) will not blossom until you water the garden. Know too in your hour of greatest need help is always available from the Source many of you call God.  But you have to ask. 

For those of you already high on the ladder of expanding consciousness your work remains to hold love, joy and peace in your hearts.  Go where the greatest need of the moment takes you.  Do there what is called for with love and compassion.  You make a contribution to the well being of the whole by giving of yourself in service to others.  When you stumble remember to love and forgive yourself.  Your intention matters more than an unattainable state of perfection.

Live the high ideals of your founding fathers not your worst fears and doubts.  Let your acts of love and compassion speak for themselves.

End the embargo of Cuba.  Close the Guantanamo Bay carcel/jail.  Return you part of Guantanamo Bay to the Cuban people.  It is the right time.  It is the right thing to do. 

Peace Rider for Charles, Commander, US Navy Reserve, at rest. 

On the Road Again from Baracoa, Cuba Feb. 23, 2014

Dear Friends,

With the challenges of health insurance and a visa extension behind me head down the road later today.   Will not get too far with a late start but should be able to reach to Yumuri east of here then decide whether what may be called a road is passable from there or retrace steps and bike back and head up over the serpentine Farola. 

From there to Guantanamo and Santiago.  A lovely place here.  Enjoyed a Cuban folkloric performance last night and managed a few contortions on the dance floor.  Wonderful experience of being here with all the challenges of being in another culture and using another language.. 

Talleyrand " You can do everything with bayonets except sit on them."

Confucious " It is the moral culture of a neighborhood that constitutes its excellence.

The Tao "An army's harvest is a wast of thorns.  Even the finest of arms are an instrument of evil."

Peace Rider

On the Road from Baracoa 2/21/2014

From Banes to Baracoa there are lots of lomas as the locals call the hills hereabouts.  The first day out of Banes past Mayari late in the day I shifted into low gear only to find the chain catching.  I pushed the bike a ways uphill to a place I could work on it off the road.  I found the problem.  A woman came up to me and wanted to know where I was headed.. You don't have a place to stay and you can't make Moa before dark why don't you stay here.  Another woman and her daughter came and watched while I finished tightening the bolt that had come loose.  They then showed me several places I could put my tent.  The second woman showed me half of her house she was not using.  I could stay there if I wanted. 

I went to the teacher's humble house first.  Her husband had been drinking, an alcoholic, I learned later.  He asked me if I was CIA or FBI.  The seven year old came later,  took my hand and carried my helmet to her divided home of plain concrete.  I stayed the night there.  Kindness to a stranger on the road the openness and generosity of the Cuban people I'm experiencing.  Love not just in words.

Looks like I'm in Baracoa until Monday now.  I need to extend my visa beyond 30 days and must buy additional health insurance to do it.  Moments ago learned the agent that sells the insurance won't be in the office until Monday AM - go with the flow, don't push the river.  The Universe is here to support you.

I'm in a Casa Familiar (110 years old)  for my time here and being well taken care of.  A lingering cough from a cold persists and need the down time off the road.  .

I met a Cacao farmer yesterday and we may hike El Yunque tomorrow.  Its a flat top mesa just west of town. 

The bookmarks I carry that say Love is the Way in Spanish have turned out

to be a nice way to say thanks with a small gift.

All the now.

Peace Rider

. 

On the Road from Banes, Cuba Feb 14, 2014

Dear Friends,

A brief update.  My cold of several weeks is better and will likely leave here tomorrow morning for Mayari, then Moa and Baracoa.  Have heard the roads east are not the greatest with lomas or hills in places.  So little by little will be able to make some progress ahead.

A little more difficult is arranging a place to stay.  Foreigners are restricted from staying in private homes although with a religious visa which I don't have it is possible.  And I have been able to stay in Friends churches but Banes is the last of them headed east.

Met a Canadian cyclist from Vancouver Island on my way here and we had fun talking boats.  He's building a 35 foot sail boat from steel and hopes to have it in the water this year.  He's been at it awhile.  Leaves his bike in Holquin with a friend and was out for a day trip.  He made the eastern circuit I'm on last year.

All for the moment,

Peace Rider

On the Road from Banes, Cuba 11Feb 2014

Dear Friends,

I have been out of touch for about week. The date posted for this should have been 13 Feb. but not sure how to change that in the title.  From Holquin, the provincial capital I biked north the Gibara.  I had not been able to contact Ramon Gonzalez before hand although I had been in touch with him by email before leaving the States.

Gibara is a small town on the coast.  When I rode in two men who had a place for me to stay if I wanted it helped me find Ramon.  As it turns out Ramon and the Iglesia de los Amigos is well known.  I received a very gracious welcome from he and his wife Rosario and her mother Lily and stayed with them a week.  By the time I left I felt like one of the family.  I was also still recovering from a cold and needed more rest and down time. 

I came with a tourist visa and not a religious one.  With the latter one is able to stay in the homes of those in the church without receiving a fine for doing so.  Some allowance was made for my circumstances and what I was doing so I was able to stay with Ramon and his family.

Ramon is a very busy guy wearing many hats, pastor of the Friends Church in Gibara, Director of the Peace Institute and clerk, I believe of their annual meeting and several others that my Spanish was not up to translating.  In short a lot of demands on his time in addition to helping me try to sort out the visa. 

In the end I will extend the tourist visa I have when the time comes.  Friends in Holquin were very kind to helped me with that also. 

Yesterday I left Gibara about 0800 and made it to Banes around 1830.  I took a break near Guadlavaca during the heat of the day and continued on later in the afternoon over the hills. The sun is quite intense at mid-day and guess the temps. are close to 90 F. 

I may stay here another day and leave Saturday morning.  Candido is the young pastor in the Friends Church here.  Heredio, the retired pastor of the church, is also living here for now but will be moving soon to a house in Gibara.  It is a real blessing to be so warmly welcomed where ever I have stopped for a time.

That's about it in brief for now.  From here I will continue east toward Moa, and Baracoa then Santiago and west along the south coast.  I'm told Santiago is hotter than here. 

Peace Rider

Off the road (temporarily) in Holquin

Arrived here yesterday feeling the effects of having not ridden a bicycle for nearly a month. I got off at Cacocum in the early AM Monday.  Developìng cold symptoms were not helped by an all nighter on a train without sleep.

I also had some difficulty putting the bike together on the train platform.  Augustino who was watching along with others worked came to my rescue and helped me sort them out, the derailer cable twisted the wrong way around the frame: of my own doing when I disassembled the bike. 

By the time I arrived here in mid-afternoon during the heat of the day I was pretty whipped.  From a biking Cuba book I had the address of a Casa Familiar here.  With the help of two young men I found Antonio´s Casa at 199 Morales and Lemus.  Antonio recommended I try a herbal remedy for a cold and I set off to find the pharmacy selling homeopathic remedies he suggested. Taking that now and feeling a bit better this AM but decided to lay over another day still not feeling like getting on my bike right away. . 

Will head for Gibara tomorrow most likely.  I have been unable so far to contact Friends here or in Gibara from the telephone numbers I was given.  Antonio told me many numbers have been changed.

To Angel, I look forward to catching up with you again somewhere down the road.  

Peace Rider

On the road from La Habana Feb. 2, 2014

Didn´t quite finish yesterday.  I´m on a local red eye special train No. 3 leaving this afternoon bound for Santiago.  I get off at Cacocum station not far south of Holquin.  Should arrive there in the early AM Monday.  From there put the pieces of my bicycle together and head north, check on Friends in Holquin then on to Gibara,  from there east to Banes and a circuit through Baracoa over the mountains to Santiago.  That´s the plan of the moment subject to change as things unfold.

I met a couple day before yesterday that in the course of the conversation indicated there were three things I needed to do while in Cuba, drink a Mojita, smoke a Cuban cigar and there was a third, much like the three things you need to do to qualify as an Alaskan sourdough.  The two I´ve done, but after the second wonder why I ever took up smoking in the first place - a repeat performance not in the offing.

More down the road,

Peace Rider

On the Road from La Habana Feb. 1, 14

A brief note since I´m on a limited budget of time at this ¨cafe¨.  Alice, me,  fell into the rabbit hole and arrived in another reality the day before yesterday.  But all is well, being well taken care of in the Casa Familiar of Carlos and Neida. 

Yesterday, walked my legs off ending up not so directly at the Le Coubre train station.  Carlos called two places ahead of time and was told I needed to make train reservations five days in advance.  Off I headed for the station to see what was possible.  I had read one could make reservations there.  That turned out to be the case.

Tomorrow I´m out a here on a 4 PM train headed east.  I´ll get off at Cacocum station a ways south of Holquin in the Oriente.  Have-bicycle-will-travel.  Have to show up ahead of time for the train but no problem doing that. 

Impressions:  diversity is the spice of life, in people, buildings, points of view and the natural world.  Sameness equals monotony and boredom.  I have been neither here.  A fascinating place free the kinds of violence, especially with guns, that rob the streets of peace and and a feeling of tranquility.  There is good energy here.  I have been welcomed by strangers on the street asking where I´m from.  Fifties era Plymouths, Desotos, Cadillacs, Fords, Cheverolets, Studebakers and Chryslers ply the streets as taxis. Without emission controls you can smell the carbon in the air.  But hey, no place is perfect.  Far less trash on the streets than I expected with fewer plastic encased goods available.

Today I stopped at two very busy farmers markets where fruit and vegetables are plentiful and inexpensive.

Something to consider:  religious dogma of all kinds is like buying a step ladder in a hardware store.  It is inherently limited and will stunt your growth if you become self-satisfied that that is all there is to it.  The ladder of evolving consciousness we are all climbing has an unlimited number of extension.  The discovery of your True Natureawaits. 

Peace Rider

Pa´lante

On the road from Boquete, Panama 1/27/2014

Note:  I leave for Panama, City by bus on Wednesday the 29th and on to Havana mid-day the 30th.  More on the road from Cuba as time and opportunity allow.  

 Why Is Love the Way

Eskimo Nebula - NASA

 A simple answer is nothing else has worked.   Wars, violence and suffering of all kinds are still with us.   It is time to look at it anew,  "with the eyes of the heart. "   The good news, many are.   There is hope.  


Peace Pilgrim who walked penniless across America for years was my inspiration for riding a bicycle for peace. .  She had a very simple message:   The Way of Peace is the way of love:  overcome evil with good, hatred with love, and falsehood with truth.   It is an old and timeless message.  It is what Jesus taught.  We have tried everything else but its consistent application.

I have found it helpful to think of  Love as energy,  powerful, self giving, sacrificial,  beyond words to ultimately describe from a finite perspective.  Yet it is knowable intuitively through the heart reinforced by experience.   It is the stuff of the mundane and poetic.

  "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.  Rumi
 

Love is Divine power.

Carolyn Myss - Anatomy of the Spirit

Love is one of,  if not the most powerful energies in the Universe.

Tom Kenyan

Love does not insist on its own way.  It bears all things, endures all things, it never ends.

The Bible

Love impels it does not compel.  There is nothing that can overcome it.

Love conquers all things:  let us surrender to love.

 Virgil

Love is the energy of unity - coherent, positive, high frequency vibration or energy.

Love has the power to drive out or transform incoherent, low frequency, negative energies that alienate and separate us from ourselves - fear, hate, anger, envy and the like.  Nothing else can.

 Tom Kenyan .

Love is heart centered energy, not of the ego dominated consciousness.

Love is the way to enlightenment through the heart.

Love is the Divine essence interpenetrating all things, making all things sacred. Various

Love is our True Nature, the essence of who we are,

Anam Thubten

Love in its perfection casts out fear.

The Bible

Love is the way to inner peace and joy.
 

When your chest is free of your limiting ego. Then you will see the ageless beloved.  You cannot see yourself without a mirror.  Look at the Beloved, He is the brightest mirror.

 Everything in the Universe is within you.  Ask all from yourself.  Rumi

If you do not go within you go without.  Victor Frankl

 Wine Throated Hummingbird 
by Pixdaus.com

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. John Keats

Love and beauty intertwine and speak to me of things Divine.  Peace Rider  

GAIA

A Story

Once there was a beautiful lady young, virginal, vibrant and full of life.  Time past.  She gave birth to many children.  The children grew and prospered. They took care of their Mother.  They understood that the one depended on the other for their well being.  They were One.

These children bore more children. They scattered to the four winds.  In time they lost touch with where they had come from and what sustained them.   The link was broken, they were separated from their Mother.  No longer did they see their welfare and that of every living thing around them as intertwined.  This understanding was lost to them.

More children came.  Instead of sharing the bounty of the land as before they hoarded it each to themselves.  They fought among themselves over trivial things.  They cooperated only if it was in their best interests.  Many had more than what they needed to survive.  They believed the more things they had the happier they would be.  They lived off the fat of the land while many more had much less than what they needed.  They and their children lived in poverty and died of disease and malnutrition.   This was accepted as just the way things were. 

In time their Mother's health began to decline.  She became worn and haggard not vibrant like of old.  The air she breathed was fouled by pollutants her children produced.  So long had this been going on that her disposition changed.  Her mood swings and behavior became more violent.  Some were alarmed at what they were witnessing.  There were naysayers who denied it was their fault.  They did not realized her heart was failing for this alone was not all they had done.  In fact, their Mother was slowly dying.  They did nothing to stop it.  Most could not see it.  They believed there was plenty of time, when time was running out. 

Peace Rider