Author: Tim

I'm a skier, a climber, and an agrarian. I enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and sharing them with my wonderful partner Liz.
Posted on

Zion – A Sanctuary of Space

There’s something different about Zion National Park, something obvious and fundamental, something so simple that when you first encounter it you might not even notice.  Like a magician’s trick your eye is drawn to the canyon’s towering walls and breathtaking beauty, while right under your nose hides a difference that shapes your experience of this sacred space more than the natural beauty ever could.  Crowded into a shuttle with 50 other tourists, you might not be able to pick out exactly what it is that makes this place so special, but when a small group of cyclists cruises past as you step out to take in the awesomeness of the Big Bend, there’s a twinge of recognition. The difference?  There are no cars.

Continue reading “Zion – A Sanctuary of Space”

Posted on

The Longest Driveway.

Little Cottonwood Canyon. Highway 210. Alta.

The road climbs slowly at first, to a small bench above the valley floor.  For a moment the trees and houses drop away and you can turn and soak in the sea of humanity.  More often than not a dark haze obscures your view, the result of the transportation and industry of some 2.2 million people inhabiting the valley.  Ahead, the road turns into the canyon, disappearing between the gleaming granite walls.

Continue reading “The Longest Driveway.”

Posted on

Departures

Sometimes you have weeks to plan, others you’ve just got minutes to pack.  No matter what, when the time comes, the hammer falls, and you’re out the door.  As ready as I thought I was leaving Leavenworth was still a shock.  Amos made the journey down by plane and showed up with his bike, the lease was up, and a hard frost stifled any attempts at gleaning a last few days with the families that made Washington feel like home.  The road sucked us in and knocked me off my feet before I knew what hit me.

As much as we all want to leave a room in tears of laughter, departures are a hard art to master.  In my short life I’ve had a lot of practice leaving, but it still feels fresh and awkward every time.  We’re here in Boise, resting with friends and preparing to set off on the next leg.  I’d like to think I’ve got a few words of introspection to share with you after the experience of leaving Washington and our week of travel but if you’re short on time I’ll cut to the chase – it might just boil down to this: Welp – Big Gulps huh?  See ya later! Continue reading “Departures”

Posted on

Fishing

Perfection is an illusion, and no outcome is ever really certain. At the beginning, there always exists a degree of ambiguity as to the expected results of most every endeavor.  We’re never truly finished, and looking back at any outcome in terms of success or failure is mostly a misconception, and a waste of time. We’d be better off to examine our achievements and attempts through their degree of awareness, their shade of illumination. How much did we learn – how much did we grow? Did I get hurt – or hurt another? No matter what we’re doing, it seems self evident that we should be striving to do it well, after all – half-assed never really sounded that respectable. To approach our lives with this idea of accomplishment takes time and patience, skill, practice, and dedication.

It’s why they call it fishing – not catching, it’s why they call it climbing – not summiting, and why I call it riding – not arriving.

Posted on

Action, Disruption and The Climate March

This weekend, in advance of a landmark U.N. climate meeting, thousands of people are expected to gather in New York City to attend the worlds largest ever demonstration in support of action against Climate Change.  This event is going to be monumental and has the power to change the public policy of nations across the globe.  Although i’m not going to be there, I want to say that Nature of Motion stands with those taking part in the People’s Climate March and we will be doing our part to celebrate in Washington State.  Over the last few years, the Environmental Movement has evolved to become an extremity of the Human Rights Movement, and while this has been a bit of a confusing road, this reality reflects the truth – Clean air, clean water, a healthy and stable environment: they’re all basic rights shared not only by humans, but by every plant and animal with whom we share our Earth.  While the march aims to be something of a turning point, if we’ve learned anything from past marches and Human Rights initiatives, it will really be something of a beginning.  The true watershed will be when we adopt the values and morals of an ecologically minded society into our own lives.  Now, I’m not saying that world leaders and government officials can’t make a difference, like I said, the People’s Climate march has the potential to shift public policy worldwide, what I’m saying is the march doesn’t end with them making choices and taking actions, it ends with us.  There will be supporting marches in major cities around the country, and indeed around the globe, but if you can’t take part in one of these, or the march in NYC, don’t despair, I’ve gathered here a few resources and pieces of encouragement to help you keep the march going every day.  Here’s How. Continue reading “Action, Disruption and The Climate March”