BLOG 56—Death of the van in Death Valley
Sorry this is a day late, we ran into some problems and had to delay, you will learn more later in this blog. Hoping to get these words to you each Sunday.
Still in Las Vegas, I do like it here, the weather is superb, but, still, too much traffic and people. Last night we went to dinner with the excellent juggler Wally Eastwood and his lovely wife, Heidi. We talked about old juggling days and plans for the future, a good talk. They have two daughters, twins, who are successful and away at college.
As you see from photos, my beard is growing longer and longer. Don’t know when I might shave again, I will let you know. I had a beard once before, but never this long. Do you think I should shave, or keep going with it?
Oct 11–Today I could not find my wallet–anywhere. I keep minimal stuff in the wallet, and keep a record of what is in it. I have not lost my wallet in years, feeling terrible. Normally I keep no more than $40 cash in the wallet, keeping the rest in the van. I had about $100, so I feel bad about that.
Really though, through my life I have had so many losses, and have lost much. So, losing money or “stuff” does not really affect me. I’ve had to start my life anew a number of times, so, I am not bothered. Life will go on, things will get reestablished and back to happy again.
It ended up that I had left the wallet in some long pants I was wearing the night before, so, much relief. I learned to make sure I keep no more than $40 cash in the wallet.
Oct 12–Today we had lunch with Michael Goudeau, another good juggler and someone I have not seen in years. We first met in the 70’s when he juggled in San Francisco with three others, calling themselves, The Fly-By-Night Jugglers. Here is Mike >>
Then, tonight we went to see Wally Eastwood perform, and what a fun/good show we saw. On warming up backstage, I saw Wally do very tight triple flips with 3 clubs, below the height of his head. 5 club triple flips, low, and next, clubs thrown behind the back with the 5. He says he really does not need to do the warm up; he has done the routines so many times.
In the show, he did fantastic comedy with juggling, including, 3 top hats, 3 and 5 pongs out of the mouth, and club juggling. He also did a routine bouncing balls off a small musical keyboard on the stage as it played a song. This routine I have seen before, but Wally personalized it and has a great rapport with the audience while performing. Here’s Wally:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U-Vwr6BziM
This is really the first time, I think, that Wally and I have met in person, although we had heard about each other. He did not even know of my book, Juggling with Finesse, I gave him a copy.
Coming from a six-generation circus family, he had learned all circus events—trapeze, wire, etc. He focused on juggling and got quite good. And, his comedy and humor are so natural—he had the audience in the palm of his hand.
Oct 14–Before we left Vegas we went to see Albert Lucas’ parents. His dad is about to turn 100, his mom is in her late 70’s. Amazing to see this age of people doing so well, Albert’s mom is taking care of some properties and also Albert’s dad, his dad’s memory, and mind are slipping a little, but we saw a fantastic smile.
Albert’s father also named Albert, trained Albert starting at the age of three on juggling and performing. Albert has taken off with juggling and is currently working on juggling 14 rings, which would be a world-record in the juggling world.
Leaving Las Vegas
Oct 15–On the way out, we went from about 2500 to about 7500 feet. Ears popped and felt the change. The weather and foliage turned, too. We drove to Pahrump, Nevada, and spent the night in a Walmart parking lot. The photos below do now do Death Valley justice, things look much more colorful.
And, into the Valley of Death we went (actually, we drove into Death Valley.) We stopped at a few overlooks and saw tremendous lands. Also, as before, we heard Japanese, Russian, Italian, French, even some people singing the Happy Birthday song in French to someone (a first for me.) Foreign people seeing the majestic views of the USA, but, where are the Americans?
The only wildlife we saw was one bird and one butterfly; this is Death Valley, after all. The lands here look like Mars might look. The winds were blowing strong, also.
Now, we did see a lot of human life (too much?) All the different nationalities were quite interesting.
Yesterday we were up above 8500 feet in height, today we are down to -300 feet in height, below sea level, that is.
Yes, we did witness a death in Death Valley–the van. We drove up to see Natural Bridge on a long dirt road and then hiked up some ways toward it. We did not go all the way (knowing we can always see the area later on YouTube) and decided to walk back to the van. When we arrived, we saw on the ground what looked to be water from the engine—yikes.
Being some miles away from anywhere we could get help, we started the drive to find assistance. GPS told us there was a garage type place about ten miles away, so off we went, scared of what “might” happen.
Stuck in the desert?
At first, it was alright, then the temperature gauge started going up, higher and higher. We had gotten within five miles and the gauge went to red. We pulled over to the side to sit for a time and let the engine cool down. Then it got to the point where we had to do this more and more often.
Finally arriving at farabeesjeeprentals.com, they were a tremendous help. Tina’s phone could not connect out here, so Teresa allowed us to use their phone. We then waited three hours for the tow truck to arrive. We are waiting now; I will continue the story when there is more to write.
And, while all this is occurring, the winds have been blowing very strong and nonstop.
When bad things do happen, I don’t panic, in my mind, I say to myself, “The story continues”, and move to find ways to find solutions to the problem at hand. I think of the worst of what could happen, and also the least of the worries. Once I think toward both ends, I develop strategies for making things good once again.
We were told that we may have to wait three hours for the tow truck to arrive; typing this gives me something to do. And, this problem gives me more material to write to you about in this blog, so it’s a good thing, yes? As you know, I am hoping these travel stories will one day turn into a future book. Have you been reading words on my blog that would make a good book?
When you run into problems, think toward solutions first.
In fact, I am typing this while we await the tow truck; I am not wallowing in sorrow and worry. If this van does not work any longer, Tina has a car back in Pennsylvania which we could use. This car of hers is quite small; we will find a way to make it work, though.
The truck finally did arrive and our van was put up onto the flatbed. He came from Pahrump, where we had slept the night before. In fact, we were dropped off at the same Walmart we slept at before, knowing we can drive the van the short distance to get the repair done on Monday when they are open.
The tow driver had a flatbed truck and put the rig up top.
It ended up that this driver, who is from Pahrump, drove about 65 miles to get us, then 65 back, a long ride. I helped how I could with loading the van onboard, then there was the unload upon arrival.
So, this problem with the van happened last Saturday, we were delivered to the Walmart we stayed at before that same day. The repair place is not open until Monday, so we had an entire day to fix up and repair van stuff, clean ourselves at Walmart, and do what we needed to do.
You will find out more about the story in the next blog post.
Will they continue, or . . . ?
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Here are words from my third book in the series I am writing. If you would like me to email you the entire book, send me your email address and I will do just that.
Beyond Your Potential
The Comeback Kit, From Coma to Comedy
BOOK THREE—FINDING SUCCESS!
A Series of Books to Change Your Life
By Kit Summers
PREFACE
What you are holding now is the third in a series of books that will add to and expand your life. I developed these books after I went through a number of tragic life changes. I have included strategies that helped me to take my life to a higher level, and then higher.
As these help me, these strategies can do the same for you.
- These books are written in a way that will help you find the success that you desire for yourself.
- In book one you learned how I came back from various accidents and how you can make it back, too.
- Book two taught you about your brain, its potential, and how to tap into that potential.
- In this book you will learn various ways I have found success through change and lessons on how you can find a variety of successes for yourself.
- Book four, “Life Changing”, will help guide you toward changes to take your life beyond fantastic.
- In the final book in the series the subject of God and belief will be addressed. Are you a believer, or non-believer like me? Open your mind to the idea that your beliefs could be changed. In reading this book you may bring on a stronger faith, or the alternative.
As I was recovering from a series of life altering experiences, I gathered a lot of knowledge that helped me to recover. I’m passing this knowledge on to you to help you in your life. This series of books is designed for you to change your life for an even better future than you could imagine.
As we live our lives, we all go through many changes. As you might know, it is how we face these changes and how we learn to change with the changes that will help us to get ahead in life.
As you know, I have gone through a number of incidents and accidents. I’ve basically had to learn to build my life over again—again and again. In seeing life through the eyes of an open mind, I saw and learned many techniques to making life better and advance towards my goals.
The techniques I discovered are described in this series of books.
Could you imagine being hit by a truck, and then many years later being hit by another truck? As if those incidents weren’t bad enough, now imagine only eight months after being hit by that second truck you have to spend a month in jail on a false charge?
Changes – we all experience them.
I am sure that you too have gone through many changes in your life. We all have. In my recoveries, I have gained many ideas of how to move through the changes, obstacles, and walls that life presents in order to move toward success.
Everyone is recovering from something. It is how we face our recovery and the direction we take ourselves in that will matter toward our happiness. I hope this book helps you to understand the potential you possess and use that potential to drive your life forward and achieve greatness.
You have the ability and potential to attract success and happiness.
Happiness is always there and waiting for you, you just have to build the right road to your success. More than just helping you through difficulties in your life, this series of books is packed full of ideas to help you attract and achieve a better future.
Your future is up to you. Are you content with remaining in a pleasant but mundane life, or will you upgrade to a better life for you and for others around you? Continuing to better our lives is a choice we make.
The attitude you hold toward your future will determine your life.
Your income is directly related to your attitude and the approach you take toward your future. A positive attitude will take you far. A pessimistic approach to life will hinder you.
If you expect to be successful, then there is a good chance you will do just that. If you expect failure, then you are on your way. Use the ideas in the Beyond Your Potential books to become more interactive with and in charge of your life.
If you expect to fail, that’s where you will end up.
This book is interactive in the sense that it will help you to think about your attitude and your life. As you know, you will find yourself analyzing exactly where you are now in your life versus where you would like to be. Read these words, take them to heart, and change your life.
Each paragraph that you read will help you to discover more about who you are and what true success really means to you. Like I have done, study successful people around you to see how they accomplished the great things that they have achieved.
Over the years, I have watched and listened to a number of successful people to learn ideas they have used. As I followed them, I analyzed the path they took to gain their success. I have discovered a common trait:
“They know why they’re here in their life”
Success is knowing your purpose in life. But there’s more to it than that. I know people who know their purpose in life but they’re not thriving.
You need a growth plan to help you reach your top potential. It’s not only knowing what you should do, it’s also about growing in that area to maximize and highlight the things that you do well. Growth is an ongoing progression.
Development is not an automatic process. If you’re going to grow, you need to do so intentionally and with purpose. Basically, you need a reason for your growth.
That’s continual growth.
Knowing your purpose in life gives you stability. While things might get hard and shaky for others, you can use this assurance to steady the boat and to ride out the storm because you know where you want to go.
This direction becomes an anchor in life—a confidence based upon the knowledge of one’s purpose. Someone once said there are two great days in life—the day you are born and the day you discover why you’re here.
Remember this—highly successful people have discovered why they are here.
Join me as I help move my life forward and higher. See your future and see that you can change, that you will change. Don’t remain in that easy or ordinary life—jump up to that higher life that is awaiting you.
INTRODUCTION
Look at your life, see the past, see the now, see your future, and see your passions:
- What are you truly passionate about?
- What do you really care about?
- Who do you hold in high esteem?
- What are you living for?
- What would you die for?
- What is most important to you?
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? The answers we are looking for are important issues that each of us should meditate on and keep in the backs of our minds. Each of us must take the time to examine our own life, posing these questions to ourselves.
Many successful people have answered these questions and have taken time for self-reflection.
A lot of highly successful people have a continual thirst for knowledge and are always asking questions such as those above. These successful people first think and ask the questions that will provide answers to advance. These people know that it is the people who ask the better questions who get a better life.
Remember, it is often the people who ask the most and the best questions who succeed.
When you start to answer these questions you will produce great energy within your life. Zealous people usually have a lot of energy to pursue what they do.
Passionate people are doing what they love and loving what they do.
We’ve all known people who do not resonate with this passion. A lackluster life at best is how they live. They do just enough to get by and meander through the time they have on earth. This book will teach you how to find this love, apply it to your own life, and achieve the excellence that you desire.
Often, people who find the desire are highly successful and they love their journey toward the end result. Along the way, even though they have not yet arrived at their goal, they constantly fuel themselves with this driving passion.
More importantly, they often bring others up with them.
We have to work together in the world and find success for all of us. Yes, we can all be at the top – it will work. Help others to move up and you shift forward and up.
Generating this passion from the bottom of your mind and the bottom of your heart will keep you driving forward. When you develop this love, it will help to build your life, I guarantee it. You can go from average to more than you would ever think.
Sorry to say, it seems to me that many of the people in America have settled with being “average” and living ordinary lives. We all should aim higher (and then higher and higher) to be (as they say in The Marines) all that we can be.
This is about going beyond being normal to becoming more and more. Being average never caught anyone’s attention or found them the excellence that they may crave. No one ever says, “I want to grow up to be average” when they are a youth, yet so many people end up there.
At any age, you can make the change and aim your life anew.
As you live your life, develop a purpose for living and understand why you want to be alive. Once you discover and understand your purpose, muster up an intense passion toward the end result.
This will give you stability in your life and help to make things more solid for you. People without a passion in their life lack energy and will often go nowhere–quickly.
Having passion will give you energy. In your life, you must love the journey as much as you love the destination you are aiming toward. Find your purpose, bring on your passion, and you will live the life that you want.
Start today to make your life the masterpiece that you desire!
January 9, 2017BLOG 55—The Grand Canyon is quite Grand
Awakening in a Walmart parking lot is not always the best of things, waking up in the wilderness is so much better on the mind, but sometimes a different place has to be where we lay our head. Actually, as I wrote before, when you’re asleep your eyes are closed and you have no idea where you are, so it is alright.
I know, I know, I was going to get this out to you every Sunday, two days late, whoops. I will try and plan better. I had wanted to wait until we saw Vladik’s show, which we saw last night.
There are so many impressive things to see in this area of the world (the four corners) that it will be difficult to get to all, I expect we will return (again and again.)
I’ve been writing this blog for you for more than a year; it is a joy to have you on this trip with us. In recounting these events by writing about them makes my brain happy. Also, I hope these words I script are inspiring you to do better in your life. That’s my mine aim with this text, to inspire and entertain.
Monday, October 3, 2016—In driving toward the east we are moving into Monument Valley, still in Utah. What we are seeing as “monuments” are huge buttes that just stick up out of the desert floor, so debonair they are.
There are so many impressive things to see in this area of the world that it will be difficult to get to all, I expect we will return.
Here is a video of Monument Valley, these lands are rather unique, enjoy >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKN70tgSfLk
These areas we are going through now are tribal lands; they stuck these native people out in the barren/desert land many years ago, so sad to me. Now the government is trying to put a stupid gas pipeline through more of their land, what is with these American’s, don’t they see the harm they are doing? It just makes me so angry that these people were desecrated by the American government now and in the years past.
And, now these rich people, the elite of the world, are doing the same thing to the people in the Middle East.
THIS MUST STOP!!
I just want to go to The Dakotas and help them get their land back, in any way I can.
I wrote before about how I do not like using the word, Indian. You see, when Christopher Columbus first came over to America (he was not the first, by the way), he thought he had sailed the back way from Europe and gotten to India, so he named these native people, “Indian”, and the name stuck, a bad thing, to me.
I call these wonderful people “tribal” or “native” or best by their chosen name for their group, such as, “Apache.”
I just came upon this article, please help how you can >>
http://www.care2.com/care2blog/lessons-from-standing-rock.html
Next, we took a 17-mile drive on a dirt road through Monument Valley, a tourist destination; yes, many people here. For a twenty dollar fee, you can drive through and see this astonishing land features up close; some of the tremendous natural structures created by erosion.
I think that many people who go through there do not know it is Navajo tribe who run things.
The welcome sign for Monument Valley has a statue of a man, women, and child in front of the sign. These people on the statue seem to be of the European look, what an insult to the people who were first here. The statue should be of Navajo peoples. Also, the white man (I guess I am one of, how embarrassing) named this area, “Monument Valley.” I am sure Navajo people have a special name for the area—this fabulous place should be called by that Navajo name!
In Arizona now and I heard of some canyon, that, I am told, is quite grand, so, we had to take a look. This same day we were at Monument Valley we drove into the southern rim of The Grand Canyon.
The sites we saw were hard to believe. So wide, so deep, this canyon is a treasure (I guess that is why it is a national park.)
Last night the temperature got down to about -1.6c (29f), with plenty of blankets we lived through the night happily in the van. I parked right next to the Grand Canyon Lodge; open all night, which, once again, had free wifi available. So, because I wake early (3am today), I was able to go right into the lodge, get on the computer, and let Tina sleep.
Once again, we heard many accents from people who were not from this country. And, so many people here, surprising, this being a Monday afternoon/evening with a strong and cold wind blowing. I can’t imagine the amount of people here on a sunny summer weekend.
As we drove along the south rim road we had peeks to our right to the amazing canyon below. At various points, there were lookout points where you could drive into and walk out for a better view. Hope you like the photos I took.
And, here is a video of the south rim of The Grand Canyon for you to get pleasure from >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh_5Pnv39cY
This one, taken from a helicopter >>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT3hQlY4oek
We took one of the buses that run about every 15 minutes out to see the canyon views. Cars are not allowed to take this drive, only buses, which is a good thing. There were nine lookout points where you could get off the bus to see and then get back on a later bus. This, being a Tuesday and early, the crowds were small, but on our way out we saw a big line of cars waiting to get in.
Vegas here we come!
Oct 5–We are at Costco in Las Vegas buying tires, a big expense for us right now, but we have to. I am finding, once again, so many people are not friendly, at all. In walking around, I am not discovering anyone who makes eye contact or smiles. I’ve written about this in the past.
I try and make eye contact and have a friendly smile for everyone I see; I am not finding others doing that, at all, currently. It is so easy to be friendly and it makes such a better world for all of us–why are so many people unfriendly? (I hope you are not one of the unfriendlies.)
If fact, take dogs for example. Most every dog will, at least, go up and sniff another dog’s butt and also wag their tail. I am not saying to sniff my butt, but (how about that wording–butt, but) at least acknowledge the other person in a gracious way.
Vegas has grown much. Like most all big cities, it has all the same business establishments and traffic and such. So, of course, this being a city, we will be out of here and back to the wilderness as soon as we can.
Las Vegas is so very different now. I first started coming to this town in the 1970’s to see top jugglers. Back then this was mainly just a casino town with some restaurants and hotels mixed in. Now it is “everything”, with some casinos mixed in. In driving down Las Vegas Blvd (The Strip), and to see McDonalds and CVS and other places was so different,
The reason we had come to Las Vegas at this point is because Tina saw an advertisement that the movie “Young Frankenstein” was being re-released and was showing here, so we had to. We saw the movie yesterday, a joy to see once again. You may know, Gene Wilder died recently, a sad thing, but that is why the re-release. Have you seen the flick?
Death is a creepy thing to think about. We all know we are going to die some day, but seldom think or talk about it. I am prepared; the thought does not irk me. I try to have a good life and help as many people along the way as I can.
And, as you might know, I think that when you die, you are just gone forever—no heaven—heaven is a good hope for some.
The huge movie theater multiplex is part of a casino, so strange. Tina and I each gambled a dollar each; the casino is $2 ahead because of us (we also bought two good margaritas for only a dollar each, so we are ahead, really.) Have you have to remember, some people lose $200,000 in a single night, we will never be part of that group.
What is so strange is to watch the gamblers faces—they lose, no expression change, they win, no change. Not one person on the gambling floor seemed to be having fun—this was very bizarre to me.
Oct 6—Spent the morning working on the van and cleaning. One thing I do constantly make small improvements how I can to the van, my life, and mine and Tina’s life together. Today I worked on the window covers, now no light will go into or out of the van when these are on the windows. You can always find simple ways to improve things.
You see, all the little things add up and will make your life enhanced. Of course, it is much easier to run things as they have always been and not make any changes, but, try doing one or two small improvements, daily, they will add up to make your life enhanced.
Sure, it will take some effort, but the payoff will be a better life.
Then we went to the 6pm gathering of local jugglers for the weekly get together. Some great juggling tonight was seen. Someone I have known for some time, who is an excellent juggler and was there is Doug Sayers. Take a look at Doug>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUi3zn2FBVI
Oct 7—On awakening, we were parked at the place where we juggled last night, a quiet and calm night of sleep. Then today we went to The Circus Circus Casino to see what jugglers might be performing. We saw on the list, Raul Cubillos, who I do not know, but we will be seeing him later and you will hear more.
We did return to the stage later and enjoyed Raul’s juggling act. He is from Argentina and has a very fast style, good to see. He had not heard of my book, Juggling with Finesse, so I gave him a copy.
Here is Raul >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL2z7-E6ajI
I do get pleasure from writing these posts for you. My writing seems to be improving; you will have to let me know. I’ve found that the key to good writing is in editing. I go over the material many times with an analytical eye and make improvements, often.
And, for writing, you just have to start, once you do things come to mind. That can be quite hard, finding the initial terminology and will to start.
Oct 8–Someone I have not seen for years took Tina and me to a superb lunch today. John McPeak is 70 years old, but looks and acts in his 30’s, and still performing; great to see him and his wife, Bern. Take a look:
Being itchy to get back to the wilderness, Tina and I drove 15 miles out of Vegas to http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/redrockcanyon/camping-at-red-rock-canyon/. Turned out to have no trees and, being out in the desert, was barren and hot. We read many good reviews, did not see the pleasure here.
As I wrote, Vegas is growing, much.
On the way out to Red Rock Canyon, we passed many many condos in a housing complex. What was outlandish was there looked to be only 3 or 4 feet between each. I know that the more they can pack em in the more money they make, so they made sure things were tight.
For sleep tonight, back to a Walmart we stayed at in the past. Wifi here, so I will be able to get this email out to you tomorrow, Sunday, my new deadline for getting these words to you.
Sunday, October 9, 2016—Woke very early today, 2:30am, and could not get back to sleep. So, into Walmart, I went to plug in and use to put together words for you.
Today we got together with Vladik Miagkostoupov, his wife Anna, and two young daughters. I first met Vladik’s dad many years ago, also a great juggler. With his dad’s training, Vladik has become the incredible juggler he is today. Here is Vladik:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypzxkvn8eiA
Tonight we went to see Jeff Civillico at The Flamingo Hotel. Jeff took my juggling/performance workshop many years ago, a great guy. We witnessed a superb juggling/comedy show for about an hour and a half.
Here is Jeff >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXV_HZW5SYM
Last night we went to Vladik at Planet Hollywood. What a fantastic show we saw.
As usual, we do not know where we are going next or when, but we will get there and I will let you know. Right now, though, in Las Vegas, in a nice park typing offline, beautiful weather, cannot ask for much better.
Hope you will be able to help us out each month with a contribution to help keep us going.
LOVE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kit
January 9, 2017BLOG 54—Zion on my mind . . .
Deep in Utah . . .
And yet another post from Kit, every time I start this I wonder what to write and where to go with the words. Then things just develop in our travels and in my mind. So, have you ever had a blank sheet of paper and had to get something down? It really is not difficult to write, things develop and come together—but you just have to start—How about this, create your book(s) now! I know you can do it.
As I am enjoying writing these words to you, I hope you are getting inspired by what I script. Let me know and I will send you any of the books I have written attached to an email. And, please let me know what you think of these words I am jotting down for you, send me an email at kitsummers@gmail.com
Hoping these blogs I am writing will be one day turned into a book one day, to inspire others, along with you.
Speaking of “book”, at the end of my blog is another chapter from one of my books from the series, “Beyond Your Potential.” By including sections from my books I am hoping to inspire you to find more in life and add to your success. And, I do hope the words I write in my blog inspire you, as well. And, our recent outings in Utah could be a book in itself.
Driving into Utah, many more splendors for our eyes awaited us. As I had written about Colorado in a past blog, I thought you could not get any better than what we saw there, but then there’s Utah.
The state of Utah holds so many stunning and elegant places. I have been through here a number of times, and, of course, there will be return visits. When I went through before I did not take the time to really see the lands, “just passing through”, as they say. Glad Tina and I are doing that now. What a perfect season to drive through here, as well.
Because the time is fall, it’s an ideal time to be in this area. The colors on the leaves are ever changing now, as well the temperature and weather. The temperature is getting colder, about time to head south, which we are planning.
So nice not to have to face the cold and snow, to be able to go where we want–when we want—makes life quite comfortable.
Vincent Van Gogh once wrote:
“It is not the language of painters,
but the language of nature,
which one should listen to . . .”
Sunday, September 25, 2016—As we are driving out of Canyonlands Park into Capital Reef National Park, we are seeing more spender of American Wilderness. The road goes through somewhat of a desert land, with cliffs and buttes on both sides of the road. There are hardly any homes along these 100 miles; although we did see a motel—in the middle of nowhere—how do they stay in business?
All along the route, we are meeting people from other countries, almost more than we are seeing (hearing) Americans, I’d say more than half are foreign peoples. This is America’s backyard, why aren’t there more Americanish here to see these wondrous sites? Seems that many from this country like to vacation in foreign lands, when, right here, it is incredible! (have you been to this area yet?)
As we are driving along Tina looked to our left and we saw eight mountain goats having lunch along the side of the road. We pulled over for a time to watch them. There must have been 15 cars that passed by and did not even see this astonishing site. Then, they got spooked by a vehicle and they climbed almost straight up the face of a rock cliff—it was amazing to see.
We just took a path and came upon petroglyphs on the side of the canyon walls from thousands of years ago. These ancient carvings in the rock were simple but so very old.
Petroglyphs are rock carvings (rock paintings are called pictographs) made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammerstone. When the desert varnish (or patina) on the surface of the rock is chipped off, the lighter rock underneath was exposed, creating the petroglyph.
Archaeologists have estimated there may be over 25,000 petroglyph images along the 17 miles of escarpment within this area.
It is estimated 90% of the areas petroglyphs were created by the ancestors of today’s Pueblo people. Puebloans have lived in the Rio Grande Valley since before 500 A.D., but a population increase around 1300 A.D. resulted in numerous new settlements. It is believed that the majority of the petroglyphs were carved from about 1300 through the late 1680s.
So good to see this ancient drawing and carving in the rock, and, great to see the animals in the area, such as deer.
Next up, a herd of Mule Deer eating grass, a pleasure for my eyes, seeing them with their big ears; out for the evening, they were as lawnmowers. These guys and gals are quite used to humans, I almost was able to go up, climb on and ride one, they wouldn’t have been bothered, it seemed.
This park has only one road going through it, east/west, and no other way through. For that reason, there is no fee to drive the distance. And, such a nice drive it is.
I had asked a ranger about the name of the park, Capital Reef National Park, he said it is called this because there is a white dome of rock that, as early explorers thought, looked like the capital building in Washington, DC. Then, because it was so hard to negotiate through in the old days, the cliffs are like a barrier reef.
Sep 26—We stayed in a Broken Spur Inn last night, well, we were parked in a motel parking lot and slept in the van. Motel lots are good to park in overnight, being quiet, no one with bother you and quite still most often; we sleep well.
The drive today is so majestic. Going by way of route 12 down to Escalante, we are seeing more amazing canyons and lands of the earth.
We just passed a guy, working for the township, who was mowing the shoulder of the road, a little grass sticking up. To me, this is such a waste of time and money. So what if the grass grows a few centimeters more. I am seeing about three meters wide on each side of the road that would need mowing, There are so many better things a person can do with their time.
And, we just passed another cemetery, there are so many. To me, this is another big waste–of land this time–sorry if you don’t think the same. For me, after death, I want to be planted in the ground, naked and in a National Park, so that my leftovers will go to bugs and back to the earth and my available energies will not be wasted.
We’ve moved into the Grand Staircase National Park region, looking forward to seeing more magnificence of the earth. This was named “Grand Staircase” because of the more than 6,000 vertical feet of cliffs, terraces, and plateaus that make up the area.
I am finding different and superior landscapes as we go.
Now into Bryce Canyon National Park, this being a Monday, I would not think many people would be here—this place is packed.
What’s strange, as I wrote before, seems that more than half of the people are from out of this country. So many languages, so many accents, so many looks–so good to see.
Sep 27—As we were on our drive to see more of Bryce Canyon we were driving down the top of a windy road and came upon a heard of Elk crossing in front of us. One we saw was a huge buck with a big rack of antlers. So very close they were.
Being that there is so much see here, it is hard take it all in. We just saw a huge lake that was down below us, with pine trees and aspen trees all around us. All these natural wonders, then you have the people and the cars, that’s another thing.
We found the Bryce Canyon Lodge, with room in the lot, so we parked for the night. There is a place to shower and a place to wash clothes, so we did both. At the lodge, there is free wifi with no password, so I have been. The lodge is open all night, so I was also there while Tina was finishing up on her sleep in the morning.
On our drive out we saw that there is a bike path following the road all the way out—such a good thing–I wish there were more bike paths all over America.
We just passed this huge motorhome, towing a car, with a bike on the back of the car. Very nice, but way too big for our tastes, we are more comfortable with smaller and only necessary things.
As you have seen, every week I send you photos of our journey. You have to know, what you are seeing is just a brief glimpse of what is coming before our eyes. For that reason, I am seeing that you will have to take this drive yourself, to really witness this wonderland.
Looking for somewhere to park the van and sleep, then we found one in the national park. This is a beautiful and clean campsite way out in the wilderness.
Big fire last night, and also this morning, warm and cozy it was.
Although it was more difficult in this area to find dead/dry wood for the fire, we did, and it kept us warm.
Sep 30—Last night we parked right next to a lake and slept well; nice to wake up to see a big stunning lake out your front door.
Yesterday we moved into Zion National Park, where took a short drive in on Kolob Canyon Road. On this five-mile scenic drive we went past the spectacular canyons and red rocks of the Kolob Canyons area and ended up at the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint before we drove on to the main Zion Park.
Zion is full of steep cliffs, narrow canyons, and unpredictable weather to add challenge and adventure to our visit.
We found Lava Point Campground, where we spent the night. This free campsite is incredible! Plenty of wood for the fire, not many people, and” free”, we want to live here all next summer.
One strange thing we are finding, a high percentage of cars in this area are colored white, a bizarre occurrence. Our van is white, so we feel part of the party.
As evening is dropping I built a big fire. We ate a delicious meal of fettuccine, a good sauce on angel hair pasta. We are eating well, at low cost.
And, that evening, we played cards. I taught Tina to play cribbage, a game I learned when I was a youth. She has gotten good, we are about 50/50 on wins—we have fun with this game. Do you play?
The morning of October 1—As usual, I was up before the sun. The gentle rain came down now and then; I stayed under a tree to avoid the drops. Jennifer and Alyssa were passing by the campsite and stopped by for a chat. They live fairly close and come to the campground often. I told them how Tina and I travel around the country and of this blog I write. They wanted to get on the list to receive my postings, so welcome, Jennifer and Alyssa.
For breakfast it was potatoes and onions, cooked directly over the fire, we both ate well once again. Last night there was a gentle rain, so everything looks shiny and clean.
The air feels so clean here to breathe, I love it.
On the morning drive, we went back into a different part of Zion Park. As we go back on the same road we came out on, we are seeing a totally different view, a new perspective. Two deer were passing on the road in front of us, reminding us that we are out in the wilderness, the place I like to be.
Here is about Zion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fci4ylynQwI&spfreload=10
So excellent to traveling through this majestic park again, although we are noticing whole hillsides with dead trees, must have been a deadly beetle bug that took them out.
As we were driving along, Tina suddenly said, “Look, a bighorn sheep!” Up on the hillside, he was standing proud. We pulled over, stopped for a time, and let others know what we were seeing. So many people would have simply driven by and missed this astonishing site of the sheep on the hill. Zion has so much to offer.
We found out that the name “Zion” has a religious background, meaning “Quiet Sanctuary”. Much of the park has religious overtones, in that the Mormon’s discovered much here.
Someone at the visitor’s center said that there will be a large population of Chinese coming to the park soon. They are heavily advertising Zion, and, because many Chinese have gobs of money now, they will be here in force. Just today there are so many people here (and, you know how I don’t like a lot of tourists), I can’t imagine how it will be after the Chinese invasion.
We drove up and took the bus that goes through Zion; this is the only way, besides walking or biking, that you can see the body of Zion Park. Around every turn was more out of this world scenery. The cliffs, the foliage, the incredible views, it was hard to take it all in. I am hoping the photos are going to come great so you can see the splendor of Zion.
While riding the tour bus people noticed climbers way up on the walls of the canyon free climbing. I’ve done some climbing, but nothing like this. We saw at least eight climbers on the wall of the canyon, way up there. It looked quite scary to be up like that.
The time is 5pm now, and what an incredible day!
So much more to see, I am sad we are leaving this majestic area of the earth, and can’t wait to return to see more in the future.
Oct 2—We stayed at a Walmart last night, comfortable, but I would so rather wake-up in a park somewhere in the wilderness. Last night Tina took me to dinner at a place she ate at before. Her son Mark lived in this area and she loved to visit. We ate at Xetava Gardens Café, a superb eatery.
The night before we left the temperature was c, about 35F. Last night it Was about c, 63f. A big change coming down
I must say, I am surprised more people are not taking advantage of the internet and travel. You, yes, you, could be out here traveling and having the time of your life. We purchased the van for only $3,000 and then I put in about $1,000 to turn the van into our home.
YOU COULD DO THE SAME!
There are numerous ways to earn money while on the road, too, check out YouTube for ideas.
Down to Vegas soon, you will hear more . . .
You will find my book below the attachments.
Here is another chapter from the series of books I am writing:
Beyond Your Potential
The Comeback Kit, From Coma to Comedy
BOOK FOUR—LIFE CHANGING
A Series of Books to Change Your Life
By Kit Summers
Chapter 28–Joyful Experiences of Travel, and Tina Comes into My Life
“The World is a Book,
and those who don’t travel,
only read a page.”
Saint Augustine
Once I had been home for a bit and was able to breathe again, I decided I had had enough. I was hit by a truck, twice, I had been put in jail on a false charge, where I had to spend a month, and my love life was going nowhere. I had to get away!
I had to get my mind away from the mess:
- 2009–Going through a divorce, after a 23 year marriage.
- 2010–Being hit by a truck, the second time, much of my body broken.
- 2011–Spending a month in jail on a false charge.
In the past, I had traveled across the United States to present my juggling workshop to help other jugglers advance their skills and performances. I had been able to set up workshops in various parts of Europe on three different occasions, and I also traveled to Japan three different times to present workshops.
Even though I can’t juggle like I used to prior to my first accident in Atlantic City, my experience and knowledge of juggling and performing are deep and extensive and I have been able to use that to help others improve.
As I debated on where I wanted to go, I pondered that I had never been to Australia or New Zealand. I knew there had to be jugglers in those countries.
I HAD TO GO!
This was my new goal, what a lofty goal it was. I wanted to run away from all the pain I had been in during the recent years of my life and start creating some new memories and experiences helping people.
I started contacting juggling groups and circus schools in Australia and New Zealand to set up workshops. I knew that our winter was their summer since they are south of the equator so I scheduled to be there in their spring and summer time while it was cold back home. The warmth and light of the sun make for a more enjoyable vacation.
Beyond this book, you can read about details of my trip in my blog atwww.kitsummers.com/blog.
Things came together well, and I was able to set up four workshops in New Zealand and four in Australia. I found it was much less expensive to fly out of San Diego, my home town, so that was my plan. Before flying to the down under, I had to drive across the country.
I left my home on August 10, 2011 for the five month trip. I decided to make the most out of my cross-country drive by presenting workshops to jugglers in the United States in several cities between Philadelphia and San Diego.
I was able to set up workshops in Chicago, Kansas City, and in Boulder, Colorado.
The workshop at Boulder Circus Center was excellent. I felt accomplished as the participants learned lots of new juggling skills and performance tips. I made quite a few friends at that workshop.
In combination with the workshops and getting to know some new people, I also decided it would be good therapy for me to enjoy some of the beautiful scenery across the states, so I visited quite a few national parks and wilderness areas. My mind felt free and light. At times, I camped in my van, away from the world in quite, scenic areas with not a person around for miles. Getting back to nature was an incredibly healing and uplifting experience.
While reviewing the map for my journey and deciding which route to take, the road from Boulder to Salida, Colorado looked somewhat barren and boring, but it turned out to be a fantastic drive. There were mountains, forests, streams, small quaint villages, all of which reminded me of scenes from trip to Southern Germany.
I thoroughly love to drink fresh clean water from mountain creeks, something I have not been able to do in years because of where I was living. The taste of the water in the streams in Colorado was so refreshing. I was also able to drink fresh water from streams in New Zealand which was absolutely delightful.
As I continued my drive through Colorado, I had seen a dirt road with a sign declaring that a National Forest was just ahead. After driving a distance down the dirt road, I wound up in a scenic area and decided to park my car under some trees. I saw no other people for two days, I had no cell phone reception, and I couldn’t get any clear radio stations in my van. I enjoyed the solitude. I hiked, read, and just rested. I was truly pleasant.
After the excellent and therapeutic drive across the country, I was able to spend three weeks with my mom in San Diego before my flight. It was quite a treat to visit the city where I spent my youth. I rode a bike around Ocean Beach, the place where I grew up. Everything there was different, but so was I. I cruised down streets where I used to play, passing a recreation center where I used to practice unicycling and juggling. Then I got to Newport Street, the main street where I grew up.
When I got to Newport Street, the main street where I grew up, fond memories flashed through my mind of when I would ride my seven foot unicycle up and down the street. It was hard to envision myself doing that now. I took some time to talk to some of the shop owners on the street who remembered me and my unicycles, especially the fourteen foot one that I had built in high school metal shop and rode in the area.
After my time in San Diego, I flew to Melbourne, Australia. I was so excited that I didn’t sleep a wink during the sixteen hour overnight flight. When I left the states, winter was beginning, so naturally summer was just beginning in Australia and New Zealand. Spring was in the air. Melbourne was a great city to land in first. I presented a workshop to a large group and then attended the Melbourne Juggling Convention the following week.
It was quite a joy!
The workshops I had scheduled were set up and planned prior to me leaving Philadelphia, but I had no idea where I would be staying in Australia and New Zealand, what I would eat, or how I would be getting around.
I usually don’t concern myself with these things when I go somewhere.
I have found that these matters will always fall into place, and when they don’t, it just makes the experience that much more exciting and memorable. In both countries, I met friendly and caring people who allowed me to stay with them. I also spent some nights in hostels which are very cheap, and I found other people willing to allow travelers to stay in their homes on a website called Cough Surfing (www.couchsurging.org).
I was even able to haggle with one of the hostels for a cheaper rate. I offered to perform a juggling show and to provide some juggling lessons to other people staying at the hostel if I were allowed to stay there for ten dollars a night. The owner agreed.
After Melbourne, I went to Brisbane. This stunning city was one of the cleanest and nicest places I have ever seen. The workshop at Flipside Circus School was a lot of fun, again I met some really great people.
On to Sydney, and what a lovely city it is. It still strikes me as amazing that both Australia and New Zealand were such clean and tidy places and that all the roads and parks were well maintained. I never saw litter or trash all over the place and I didn’t see any graffiti.
The public parks and even the private yards were well kept and contained beautiful scenery. In my mind, the landscape was in stark contrast to the dilapidated and crumbling infrastructure of Philadelphia with its litter laden streets and alleys.
I spent quite a bit of time in Sydney. I found it to be a friendly and beautiful city. While I was there, I tried the Australian delicacy of kangaroo meat. Although I was mostly vegetarian at the time, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity.
I had the experience of eating horse in Japan which is almost taboo in the states so I knew this opportunity too would probably be my last. I like to try things native to the culture I’m experiencing. It makes the experience much more authentic and memorable.
After my enjoyable time in Australia, I was off to Wellington, New Zealand for the next portion of my trip. Once I arrived in New Zealand, which was only a short trip from Australia, I quickly realized that even though the two countries are so close together, they are quite different. The people even spoke with slightly different accents. Every day of my trip was a new adventure with new insights and experience – I loved it!
In Wellington, I presented another workshop to help jugglers perform better in their art. There was a woman in Wellington named Alice who helped me set up the workshop. She allowed me to stay in her home for a week while I was in the city. She and I are still great friends.
Wellington is on the north island of New Zealand, and from there I took a boat ride to the south island. There is a big ship that takes people regularly from one island to the other. The huge ship holds about sixteen hundred people and three hundred and sixty cars. It’s a beautiful three and a half hour trip on the warm sea.
Before taking the boat ride, I had contacted the management of the ship company to ask if I could do a juggling show during the ride. They liked the idea and allowed me to take the trip at no charge. There was a group of school-aged children on the boat that day that loved it and I got to spend some time with them teaching them how to juggle. I even got to teach some of the employees on the ship to juggle and, to their surprise, by the time we landed, they too could juggle!
After my arrival on the south island, I made my way to a facility called Jugglers Rest Backpackers in Picton. Picton is a small town with a wonderful character. Jugglers Rest is a small hostel owned by a woman named Nikki. It was squeaky clean, well organized, and very comfortable. Nikki was a wonderful woman, and I must admit, I fell in love with her during my short stay.
Nikki originally lived in a town in the middle of England. She at one time had taken a trip to Picton herself and she had stayed at the hostel she now manages. She liked the hostel so much and her experience there that she returned to Picton to work for the hostel and after some time, decided to purchase it.
The historic villa has wonderful plants and gardens surrounding it and the interior is quite beautiful. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the hostel’s theme is that of juggling. You can find juggling toys scattered all around and you can take juggling lessons during your stay. When in New Zealand, you must stay at the Jugglers Rest hostel.
While on the south island of New Zealand, I went to the wilderness as much as I could. There was one day where I decided a nice hike on a mountain sounded like a wonderful idea. I asked around and learned of a great hiking trail through the woods near Jugglers Rest.
The trail climbed back and forth up a mountain through trees and bushes on both sides. It felt like what I thought being in a rainforest would feel like. The mountain is only accessible by foot which I thought sounded adventurous. The sun was bright, the temperature was cool, the view was fabulous, and the setting was perfect.
Up and up I climbed. I passed by a couple of people who were on their way down the mountain and laughed as the trail was barely wide enough to allow more than two or three people to pass at a time. Once I reached the top of the mountain, I was glad to see a bench where I could take a break. After taking in some of the beautiful scenery and basking in the cool air, I started making my way back down the mountain.
The trail was narrow, and the hill on my right side was quite steep. On the left side, the landscape just dropped off. My balance and my eyesight are far from perfect, and my knee at times was still wobbly and weak even with the pins in it.
I took an accidental step too close to the left edge of the path and down the slope I slipped. I must have fallen at least five meters – laughing at myself the whole way down.
At that point in my life, I had endured so much physical pain already that injuring myself didn’t faze me. As long as I don’t die, my body will mend and my life will go on. When my body had finally come to a stop, I just sat there for a time wondering what to do.
I turned and looked up the hill to assess where I needed to go. The hill looked very steep. I attempted to climb back up, but down I slide again. Even further down the hill this time.
I just sat there and thought for a time. I thought to myself, “I could just stay here and eat the plants, or any bugs and animals that might wander by. This could be my new life.” Then I said to myself, “Nope, I like ice cream way too much. I have to find a way out of here.”
I got up again and started hiking parallel to the trail for a few meters and eventually saw another way up the hill. I grabbed any trees or shrubs I could to help maintain my balance and made my way back to the trail chasing an imaginary bowel of ice cream. I was much more careful during the rest of the hike. I finally made my way back to the hostel.
After Picton, I made my way to Dunedin which was a special pleasure. I traveled by bus and by foot exploring the fine city.
Dunedin has a rich history and enjoyed learning about it. It just so happened that near to Dunedin was a festival called Circulation. This festival is an annual event that occurs from Friday through Tuesday with nonstop juggling and fun for the hundreds of people who join. I had to attend!
The setting of the place was stunning. Beautiful green landscapes with lush trees all around and a few nice buildings hidden away in the background. I was in a paradise. There is no internet connection there which was quite strange. It felt like the old days. I was running a number of classes and workshops and so the festival coordinators provided me with a bed and meals. The building I stayed in was all wood. It was quite different, but nice.
The meals were all vegan, meaning they contained no animal derived ingredients. They were delicious. I ate a curry vegetable mix on rice one of the nights – it was amazing. One morning it was an organic seed and oat cereal along with an excellent bread and tea. The meals alone were worth the visit.
The Circulation event felt kind of like the hippy gatherings I used to see in California when I was growing up. There were lots of people with long hair, piercings, and tattoos, and many of the events and workshops occurred outside in big tents.
One of the classes during the event was a hula hoop class which many people participated in. I saw one woman swirling the hula hoop around her waist while she had a baby strapped to her chest. She even had enough talent to breast feed while hula hooping. I saw a lot of hooping in Australia and New Zealand.
After the first night, I woke up to the sound of birds in the trees and the sight of a mist over the valley through the vegetation. It was a beautiful and memorable morning. As usual, I was up with the sun, and slowly and quietly slipped out of the room so I would not wake my two bunkmates.
After I ate lunch that day, I noticed someone eating alone at a table. I could tell that he was having trouble getting food to his mouth. I went over to his table and introduced myself, asking if I could sit with him and help him.
The man said his name was Dunkin. He explained that the he had been involved in an accident sixteen years ago that had put him in a coma for two and a half months. Since the accident, he hasn’t regained very good control of his muscles and limbs. His left arm didn’t work so well and his speech had been affected. I told Dunkin about my similar experience and showed him my book, Juggling with Finesse. After spending time with Dunkin, who had a brain injury very similar to mine, I still feel fortunate to be able to do all the things I can do.
For the last night of Circulation, there was a traditional Maori dinner. The ritual took place in the woods among the trees. Food was prepared underground on hot rocks where a fire had been extinguished earlier.
First a hole is dug in the ground and then rocks are put into the hole. A big fire is built and hot coals are allowed to build under the fire. Food is wrapped in foil and then put on the fire, and the whole thing is covered in dirt again. The meal and gathering was called Hangi. The food was so delicious I ate way too much.
To celebrate the last night of the festival, there was a huge fire, about three meters across. The flames kept everyone very warm after the sun went down. After dinner, there was a performance of belly dancing – some of the best I have ever seen. Five percussionists on bongo type drums made a wonderful beat and the three dancers synchronized their body movements precisely to the beat. It was fabulous.
The night was a magnificent end to the five day even. I’m hopeful to return some day and do it all again.
The next morning when it was time to leave, there wasn’t a cloud in the bright blue sky. After the sun was fully up, I looked through the trees – the area is truly magnificent. I made many new friends there and it felt like a big family get-together.
After Circulation, I went to see Milford Sound – the loveliest part of my trip. It was paradise on Earth. I had met a juggler named Clinton at Circulation and him and I rented a car to travel through the Sound. One moment we were juggling snowballs in the mountains, next we were at the warm sea. After that we were in a forest drinking from a stream. The land had so much to offer.
We were traveling together for five glorious days. New Zealand was truly a wondrous place – I’m looking forward to returning as soon as possible.
While traveling between workshops and cities, I had time to see a lot of landscape. What a breathtaking place these countries are. The mountains of New Zealand are especially spectacular.
When my time abroad was up, I flew back to San Diego. I immediately drove to Portland, Oregon to visit friends and family. I was born in Portland, but had not been there in about forty-five years. I was surprised at how much of the city I remembered.
I traveled east from Oregon, visiting more friends and family and also was able to hold several more workshops across the country until I arrived back home in Philadelphia on January 17, 2012.
I learned a great deal while traveling. I can’t stress how important it is to learn from everything you go through in your life, good and bad. At times, it is tempting to think that if we could hit the fast forward button, everything we go through is a lesson to be used for later in order to manifest our dreams and turn them into reality. We must live through the hard lessons and embrace them and keep moving ahead, knowing that good times will meet us.
Always keep in mind that in a special way, the journey is as important as the destination. This was definitely the case on my trip to Australia and New Zealand. Without the wisdom you gain on the journey, you may not be ready to fully embrace and enjoy your end result—the destination.
So keep enduring, my friend. Your destination is on the way in perfect timing. Until you finally arrive, please know that even while you are still traveling, you have really already arrived.
What a magnificent time I had away for five months. The journey I took healed me in many ways. In fact, I can’t wait to return to New Zealand and Australia, and this time, I would be taking the love of my life with me.
TINA
As rewarding as my trip had been, it didn’t take long for me to feel quite lonely again once I got home. I had spent so much time with other people during my travels; I don’t think I had felt lonely even once while I was away. Now that I was home, I had to reach out and meet that special someone. I met a few women on a dating website, but nothing developed into anything special.
Eventually, the website introduced me to Tina. The relationship was slow building at first, but we hit it off quite well. Tina told me when we were started seeing each other that she thought we were both old enough to know what we truly want in life. We have both found just that. It’s like we were meant for each other.
We talk about our future together with wonderful hope. Our love is always just beginning. It feels new every day. Such a love doesn’t just happen though – we make it happen that way. You see, in a good relationship you both have control of where things are going.
For Tina and I, the sky’s the limit.
January 9, 2017
