Friday, September 1, 2017

Carson City, Nevada

A Biker Pulled Over

A biker pulled over on Highway 50.  Seeing my drooping dhoti, he could not see my feet while walking, and thought I was barefoot, so he stopped out of concern.

“I’m Freddy, Fast Freddy.  Some call me FF. I’ve also been called FFF.  Guess what the extra F stands for? I’m a musician, originally from New York.  I thought you might need some help.”

From those opening lines of introduction, we chatted and became friends.  I also came in contact with a local.  Wolf is his name.  He offered a ride, but as usual, I had to decline.  With both new friends, we got to talking about spirituality and humility.

“Spirituality is what the ego likes the least,” said FF.

Also a lovely, young blond lady stopped, when we were in the thick of traffic, and presented me with some water.  “It’s great what you’re doin’! Jesus. I love you. Amen!”

Some nurses, from the University of Nevada School of Nursing, saw me in my robes, walking along with Marshall.  “Can we interview you?”  There by the roadside, the question came.  “What are you doing?” 

“Promoting the walking culture; the culture of introspective walking—prayer, meditation on the feet…”

At the Dayton Senior’s Centre, our team met with visitors during their lunch.  Great company!  Teri Vance, from the Nevada Appeal news, was there to interview us as well.  Conveniently, I invited her to tomorrow’s dog blessing for noon at Fuji Park in Carson City.        https://www.facebook.com/dogtownrescue/posts/10155674362259337  https://www.facebook.com/groups/218848094884152/permalink/1173521062750179/

It appears that Adam Robertson’s article came out in the Lahontan Valley News.  That’s why the blond lady came by on the road earlier.  http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/lahontan-valley/simple-living-and-high-thinking-through-walking/#

Another bright spot, in the day, was timing it so that my dear old buddy, Adi Yajna, a tour bus driver, stopped in town for an hour’s break.  I hadn’t seen him in years.  It was a sweet exchange, and it’s always a high point in the life of devotion, when you have some moments with a bhakti-yogi

http://www.elynews.com/2017/09/01/the-walking-monk/

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Thursday, August 31st, 2017

Dayton, Nevada

A Fort, A Lady and Some Heroes

I veered off the hectic Hwy 50 for a slightly divergent, more peaceful stroll along a parallel Fort Churchill Road.  Much to my surprise, I came upon the historic old fort, now looking like ancient Roman ruins.  I was intrigued to see this wonder at the side of an old dirt, meandering road, beside the Carson River.

The fort, like a number of American structures, was built—this one in the 1860s—to protect operations from so-called “Indian” raids.  I have a hard time with that one.

Nevertheless, I found peace on this road.  I also had the pleasure to plod along on some parallel roads in the Dayton suburbs where wild horses roam free.  You can say I was, in one sense, following the horse-poop trail, and then, there they were, grazing at a nearby open lot—stallions, mares—a whole community of them.  Their tails were just lovely, shooing flies off their beautiful bodies.

Then, I had no choice but to hit that crazy Highway 50 with my umbrella—for protection from the sun—to accompany me.  And as a relief, I had an appointment with Carol from the Comstock Chronicle  at the Black Coffee Shop.  I had juice.  I didn’t really have a formal interview with her.  It was more of a conversation that seemed to have no end.  We spoke about issues upon which we most definitely agree, and almost forgot about the walking purpose.  However, we stuck to the general topic of dharma, basics of life.  It was most gratifying.  Reporters, broadcasters, policemen—I love them.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

Stagecoach, Nevada

Not Exactly Galloping to Stagecoach

Highway 50 splits.  Our route is 50 proper, also known as Carson Express (check Kit Carson).  The Lincoln Highway and Pony Express also merge into this one.  I passed a major lake, Lahontan, on my left, and entered an area as dry as a bone.  A sign warns traffic—and walkers I suppose—“Dust Hazard, Next 4 Miles.”

Okay!  Let’s see!

With less sleep last night, at times, I feel like I'm dragging myself.  The early rise is for following the motto: “Beat the heat!”  Also, I was booked for a talk at the Silver Springs Senior Centre for 10:30 a.m.  Lovely people!  Good listening and good sharing!

It doesn’t always go totally smoothly in places.  When the three of us came to the centre in Fallon, after an okay to come and mingle, a supervisory person denied us, saying, “You may not call it soliciting, but we do!”  Of course, that was not our intent at all.  Speaking on “Tales from Trails” was our sole agenda.

And there’s more of that kind of rejection at times.  When Hayagriva made a personal visit to KVLV AM radio station, which is located in a private older home, seven barking and growling dogs cornered him in the foyer. The broadcaster interrupted his weather report on air to tell him, “We don’t do interviews.”

The greatest reception comes, by far, from the motorists.  For instance, when I was trekking at a busy hour, I was thinking, Few younger folks care for the notion of pilgrimage, what to speak of Eastern thought.  Just then a sprightly young man pulled over and expressed his personal interest in Eastern philosophies. 

And there was Loraine, who participates in dog rescue, and who was moved to tears of joy when she met me on the side of the road.  “It’s rare to meet someone spreading peace in our troubled world,” she said.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/teri-vance-swami-to-bless-dogs-at-fuji-park-on-saturday/

May the Source be with you!

20 miles