"If I can collect enough silver from these stars, maybe the moon will let me buy the sky."
It occurred to me at some point on this trip that the clear night sky is like a big black bowl with holes in it. I am asleep underneath it. Someone has trapped me under this bowl like an insect for examination. Sometimes it feels that way.
Welcome! This is a blog created and written by me, Marc Bubar. The name Brightpath comes to me through my family tree and I like it so I've taken it on for a while.
This is beginning because I am moving from Portland Oregon, my home for the past 4.someodd years, back to Maryland, my birthplace. Its a way for those that wish to follow the pace of my journey to follow the pace of my journey to follow the pace of my journey. My photo is of Phillip K Dick.
Here is the planned route:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Portland -> The Steens mountains -> SLC Utah -> Moab, Utah -> Sedona, Arizona -> Taos, New Mexico -> Boiling Springs State Park, Oklahoma -> Buffalo River, Arkansas -> Chickasaw State Park, Tennesee -> Asheville, North Carolina -> Wolf Mountain, Virginia -> Gaithersburg, Maryland!
You'll notice on that list that Utah has more stops than any other state. Let me just say that is unfortunate. It was just too long to drive all the way through and only stop once. I am writing this from Taos, NM and Utah was the weirdest part so far. From my journal:
Oct 14th, Spanish Fork, Utah. South of Salt Lake City.
Wow. Its 11:52 pm. I drove for 14hours today. Way longer than the planned 8. I'm sitting in Burger King, hiding from the surveillance cameras. Yes its "after hours" for most BK's, this one included. I'm sleeping on Krystal's couch tonight. I'm waiting for her shift to end. She is the manager on duty. We make small talk across the counter and eventually she tells me about her current and past dating situations while I help her by putting tomorrow's Breakfast BK paper place mats onto the plastic food trays. The trays are wet so I wipe them a bit first with a paper towel. I'm exhausted and extremely grateful for Krystal's generosity. I hit her couch and I'm out until 9:30am.
Well, it took me a lot longer to get to SLC than I thought. Mostly because I drive slower than the speed limit (which is how GoogleMaps calculates travel time). Plus stopping for gas and food. I finally get to SLC after driving through the Great Salt Desert! - very flat and straight...see my accompanying music video - where I got the best gas mileage so far. 30 mpg!! and with my truck loaded to the max with everything I own!
Ok so I get to the 1st campsite I staked out online. Its outside SLC, way up a steep canyon road with lots of Forest Service cops prowling around on it. Sign at the gate says Closed For Winter. Hmm. Its October and I'm wearing shorts, but alright. Next campsite is over an hour south in Mapleton. I drive through late evening traffic to get there, find the campground and it doesn't say its closed but it should be. Mom, you'll be glad to read this: This place felt NOT SAFE and so I left it. It was deserted. no camp host. signage was covered in black plastic, plus it was about a mile up a quiet canyon road outside of a sleepy mountain town. No one to hear you ... well, yeah. I listened to that creepy feeling saying "GET OUT" and headed back to Burger King.
Luckily I had stopped for some GMO french fries with my gasoline (across the street). If I hadn't I might not have struck up a conversation with Krystal! I had told her where I was headed and she offered her couch for me to sleep on if the campsite didn't work out. Phew!
Well on to Moab, Utah and the plot thickens and it gives me the Dickens...
Oct 15th. Friday. SHIT! I forgot its an autumn weekend at the greatest busternuck of National Parks and tourist hotspots in the country - Southwest Utah. I was NOT chill today. I scrambled around in my truck all afternoon worriedly looking for a camping spot in or outside Moab. All were filled. Many times I checked myself and heard the inner Brightpath saying, "You know Marc, everything will be provided for. It always is." And yet I still freaked out. No wonder I have adrenal fatigue.
I finally got a campsite @ Ken's Lake south of Moab. It ended up being, of course, very pleasant and just right. I was the first site in on the loop, so my view south (for autumn sunset, sunrise, and moon travels) was unrestricted by all the other RV's. After I set up my tent and paid the reservation fee ($12...) I went into town and had some enchiladas, then ice cream and then decaf coffee and did internet stuff. It was my first non-snack meal of the trip and I kind of over-did it.
So Moab, Utah. Its kind of like Disneyland for outdoor enthusiasts. 'Nuff said.
I've been practicing Qi Gong as much as I can on this trip and it feels great in these beautiful natural areas. I wake up with the sunrise, just when I notice that light blue peeking over the hills or canyon walls, and that feels good too. I sleep outside of my tent under the stars every chance I get and my soul is at ease. The moon has been waxing for this first half of my trip and it has served as a good night-time clock. (Hence the title of the blog)
What occurred to me later as I pondered Utah was this: If I could put a feeling to my encounters with the people in Utah it would be "resigned to a facade of happiness covering desperation." I gathered this from my interactions with Krystal, the faces on the kids whose jeep was being searched by Forest Service cops in the canyon as I drove by, the guy who served me my enchiladas, and the coffee shop girl. They are reflections of the Beehive State. Could that be a reflection of the nature of the hive inhabitants? I dunno. Maybe I am trying too hard to label something. Maybe all the people of this country are wishing to create happiness with their faces when others are watching. But alone we are all in touch with a quiet desperation.
Or maybe the faces I saw in Utah only reflect my own.
closer than it appears.
