Sea shores, swamps, sand dunes, mountain tops, riversides, railroad tracks and back alleys; there are majestic places to run in Virginia.
I went on an amazing trip with my Dad to the Southwest Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains to run/hike/bike. Spending time in the mountains and running the Creeper Trail were things I wanted to do while back in Virginia. The trail was once a timber railway and is 34 miles long, gradually descending through farm lands, pastures, creeks, rivers and small towns. My dad biked and I ran, the miles floated by effortlessly.
It was a journey back into the land of dreams, Halape. The 8 mile trail winds through a landscape defined by earthquakes, explosions, and tsunamis. Halape is a coastal oasis set below towering cliffs and in between two pools of lava (Kilauea and Pu’u O’o.) All of those elements make it a magical place to be. Patrick and myself arrived to an empty beach, the ghosts of yesterday and tomorrow were there dancing in the wind. The dramatic sparseness and lushness that encompass the landscape reminded me of the kind of place that angels and devils would whisper about.
At night the stars were out, falling across the sky and spinning circles around my mind weaving dreams as I slept. There were no waves on the first day, but plenty of other things to do and sights to see. Tide pool swimming, drinking rum from coconuts, napping, and running.
I set out for a run along the coastal trail and soon realized there was no one around for miles. I stripped off my shorts and ran to the rhythm of the ocean on one side and felt the pulse of Kilauea on the other. A feeling of true freedom, soul running wild. The following morning we woke up to the sound of breaking waves and I went from sound slumber to paddling out in about two minutes. Still half asleep, the first few waves I went for I ended up getting tossed and flipped underwater from being too slow. Not a bad way to wake up! The wind stayed down all morning and both of us were drunk with joy from riding waves in such a unique and tranquil setting. The first time I camped there over two years ago it felt like a sort of coming of age trip. There is still nothing like it for gaining clarity, perspective, and feelings of reaffirmation. Halape is a special place for me, a journey I need to make more often.
(Cool shot of stars and fronds from Patrick)
Presence of stars marching in Shining over my dreams and Pushing my boat As it leaves Alcatraz Now a breeze is blowing in Saying "Just live, love, and be gone....” Like roots by the river I’m drinking in.. Roots by the river Seeds in the wind Looking for a home I’m a seed in the wind Already home
The fountains mingle with the river And the rivers with the ocean, The winds of heaven mix for ever With a sweet emotion; Nothing in the world is single, All things by a law divine In one another's being mingle— Why not I with thine?
See the mountains kiss high heaven, And the waves clasp one another; No sister-flower would be forgiven If it disdain'd its brother; And the sunlight clasps the earth, And the moonbeams kiss the sea— What is all this sweet work worth If thou kiss not me?
This summer I am back in the field working at the therapeutic program I spent nearly two years as an instructor at. In those two years I grew and expanded, compressed and extended as a person. The process of working with others inevitably leads to pushing yourself causing personal growth. That element is what is drew me back for another go. One of the biggest things I learned was how to channel my energy into o areas other than physical outlets. I am ok with not being able to run or surf as long as I am pouring energy into something else that I enjoy and is challenging/positive. Through that realization I have been able to enjoy myself in the moment more and be content with whatever I am doing.
Three main components of the program are gardening, rites of passage, and wellness. All three of those aspects I try to incorporate into my daily life and it’s awesome to teach non conventional ideas and practices that contribute to a better world. In the rights of passage aspect, the concept of the Threshold is brought up when students go on their vision fasts. I started thinking about the many ways the Threshold relates to my life. I have experienced the magic of mindfully crossing a threshold when going on a fast a few years ago.
When physically walking through the threshold there was a mental shift. A door within was daringly opened and mindfulness of self was of most importance. How can this be applied to everyday life? How do I get to that in-between place where thoughts and ideas are combined with moments of magic and mind body and emotion are working together fully aware of one another? Running is a practice where all of the above can occur. It’s not every day that running or riding waves elicits such a state but it does often happen and there is no better feeling in the world when it does. There are smaller simpler things that can bring about feelings of magic and clarity on a daily basis. The smell of a lime, honey in coffee, a song that resonates, peeing while looking up at the stars, running up a steep trail, rocking in a chair in the early morning light….. There are so many simple things that can be momentary transcending and a threshold into that in-between state of complete awareness.
An inspirational part of working with the kids is hearing their intents. They develop an intent before going on their fasts. It is composed of words or a phrase that describes how they want to live and who they want to be. A few years ago I had an intent and I feel like I have lived up to it and put to good practice. I felt the urge to create something new and I came up with “I live a wholesome life full of passion.” To me it means living pure with quality, soul, and awareness; doing things that give me joy and fulfillment. I challenge you to come up with an intent about who you want to be and how you want to live. I guess in the end things and situations are what you make of them. I choose to get excited and draw meaning and inspiration from small and simple things and it’s those things that give shape and meaning to my life.
Kalalau valley is one of my favorite places on earth. I get a similar feeling when I am in Yosemite or the Redwoods, but some quality about Kalalau goes a step further and produces a state of manic joy. A feeling of bliss is radiated throughout the valley. The whole coast is visually stunning and reverberates amazing energy. I could feel the pulse of the valley walls, the waterfalls, and the salty air. Feel it from the inside. I made the journey with friends Patrick and Will who were both as elated as I.
(Patrick on a dose of Bliss)
(Getting the day started at Will's farm. Sometimes coffee is hard to pass up.)
The fuse had been burning for a while; it was time to let it explode into a point to point long run down Mana Road. The dirt road meanders about 50 miles through the upper elevations around Mauna Kea, traveling through old Koa forests and wildlife refuge lands. I had a friend drop me off the night before on the Saddle road end, where the elevation is higher and the air resonates mana (the life force.) It was a relief to be in solitude amongst the clouds and listen to nothing but the silence of Mauna Kea singing in the twilight.
I woke up shivering at 4am feeling grumpy and cursing the cold. I was surprised that my tent was covered in ice, I wasn’t expecting it to be that cold. The grumpiness quickly faded as soon as I climbed out of my tent and was greeted with the howling moon falling and the sun slowly climbing up. I couldn’t help laughing hysterically as I heated up some water for mate', excited about running all day long. The night before I came across this quote which became inspiration for the day: “For the first time the sun kissed my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love, and I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, "Blessed, blessed are the thieves who stole my masks." Thus I became a madman.”
I decided I’d rather drink untreated water than carry a pack. I stashed my tent and sleeping bag and set out down the road with two water bottles and 6 gels, unprepared as usual. I was in awe of the morning ambiance from the light particles floating through clouds and the sound the damp gravel made as I ran along deeper into the heart of Mauna Kea. The miles came and went without much thought.
Towards the Waimea end, the climate zone changes. Along with mist and fog came a heavy feeling of introspection. Objects popped out through the fog only as I came upon them. For some reason there was an old rusty WW2 army truck up there, it wasn't very settling when that suddenly appeared before me. My first thought was "Ahhh ambush!!" I knew it was time to take a GU then, for my mind was starting to become a little more creative than I wanted it to be.
(Mermaid?)
The only rough patch came around 35 miles when it hit me that nothing was at the other end, I was running to nowhere and would be hitch hiking home. A real demoralizing thought. I pulled myself out of the despair and tried to allow myself to really enjoy the feeling, the feeling of being in the present and enjoying the moment. I guess if comfort was what I wanted I would never have left home. Soon enough I was laughing at myself and continued on. By the time I made it to the highway I was feeling a little loopy. I just wanted to be in my bed curled up and sleeping. Instead I was standing in the rain with my thumb out trying to get a ride. Not what I wanted to be doing after running 50 miles but I put myself in the situation. Luckily after 20 minutes I was picked up and the next thing I knew I was laying down on my floor dosing off to the sounds of old records. I just got a record player along with a bunch of old country and Bob Dylan albums. Hearing the crackling sounds and watching the notes float through the air was a perfect ending to a day full of running one of the most scenic stretches in Hawaii.
