Recently I took on a project with my Subaru. There were some parts that needed replacing, one of which was the tires. For about two years I have wanted to put a bit lift under it and some beefier tires. In the perfect timing, a wrecked Subaru Forester had gone up for sale on Craigslist to be parted out. If I could get my hands on the suspension parts, that would be a fairly simple upgrade and lift to start out. This was about a month ago now. But, for about 150 bucks and a camping trip over the weekend the suspension parts were mine. Next was some beefy all-terrain tires and new control arms. Took a few days to get it done, but it was definitely worth it.
Up until this last weekend, the car hadn’t been offroad. So Saturday I jumped in the car and drove North with the dog to a place in Hawi. There’s a lighthouse and a mostly vacant bay area. Setting up the hammock and having a cigar, there was a much needed time of rest. For reflection and release. Nothing but the windy breeze, crashing of ocean water at the cliff sides below me. The dog sits chewing on a coconut husk staring out at the ocean. My hammock floats like a sail in the wind. Ocean salt and cigar smoke. The day marks nearly a month of not drinking alcohol. Something that I had been personally holding onto for entertainment and distraction. Keeping thoughts of mistakes and failures on replay. But, when you wake up and don’t like where you are in life or who you have become it’s time to make a choice. It was time to shut it off… Hit the switch, swing the hammer and surrender. That’s that… time to move on and move forward. There is a healing that needs to happen and that takes time.
There was an airplane that continuously was doing runs over the spot I was relaxing at. Seafoam green and white with twin props. My guitar in hand, I searched for a new progression or sound that was unfamiliar. Something will arrive. I was considering camping out overnight, but some stuff came up so decided to head home around sunset. Decided to clean my camera gear in the evening.
The next morning I finished cleaning and organizing my camera gear for the good of habit. Annika and I decided to go take on another adventure in the Subaru. Once again heading North, this time towards Waimea. There is a road that leads to the middle of nowhere, where cattle guards and numerous gates are to be passed through. The end of the road is at the base of Mauna Kea, wide grassy fields with cattle roaming and horses too. It’s about an hour and a half journey on the rocky road. Some steep drops and inclines. The Subaru did great. Stopping to take a few photos along the way, the dog posed while I set up the shots. The scenery and feel of driving on the vacant dirt road reminded me of my time living in Utah. There was a spot that I would regularly drive to in order to get away from the city and watch the sunsets. To write and read. Reminiscing my time in Utah always brings good thoughts. I felt I was on target. Pursuing good things. It’s always a good reminder.
There is a large mud pit close to the end of the road. Today it was dried out from lack of rain. But still offered an entertaining playground to thrash on the car a bit. The car was filled with dirt both inside and out, just as any good adventure ride should be.
More adventures to come, more to go.
-ArrowAhead-
