Weekly Photo Challenge: Water
Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River, North Carolina
My first image for the Weekly Photo Challenge: Water, is a photograph of a 2009 whitewater rafting tour on the Nantahala River in North Carolina. A great tour indeed, which featured all categories of rapids. We dared all but the 5th category rapid.
I really loved this experience on the river and all watersports as well.
A Day Like No Other to Find New Memories
Morning in Charleston SC
My first visit to Charleston was in 2005 during my two-person
exhibit at the North Charleston City Gallery. It was my first time visiting the
city, and my first major exhibit in the state of South Carolina. The previous
year I had been awarded a week long artist residency at Barnwell State Park via
the South Carolina State Parks’ Artists Fellowship Program. This series created in the year
2010 is a reflection of the timeless and imaginary moments, found in the beauty of
morning, afternoon, and evening. As in my
previous posts, I am attempting to examine the relationship we have with memory
and place. I loved my visit to Charleston. I found it to be a beautiful, warm city
with great food, ambience and culture.
Afternoon in Charleston SC
A beautiful day in a new place is always an exciting moment of
exploration and renewal, and of recollection in an artist’s mind. Here as the
bright sun of the afternoon beckoned, there were shops, galleries, music halls, and
restaurants to meander lazily through. The South I found, can joyously bring out the
leisurely feeling in one’s step. But the highlight of
Charleston is the bay. Most of the area is filled with historic monuments. The
bay is expansive and walking next to the waves crashing on the sea wall was
exhilarating. It can be a beautiful afternoon of discovery indeed.
Evening in Charleston SC
As the afternoon turned to dusk, evening slowly approached. And in
that serene backdrop of the setting sun, there were floating memories of
friends, family and beautiful times gone by. The memories moved through the
color of evening and I found the night full of waking dreams.
Then and now I trust in the mystery of the day.
Where are the places that you visited for the first time
that has left lasting memories? What do you love about exploring new places? Do
you associate certain moments in your life, or loved ones with those places? If
so, please do share.
Into the Blue Imagination
Into the blue imagination / A Self Portrait
After working for a few hours on the digital collage for this post
entitled “Into the Blue Imagination”, I finally embraced its finality. It took some
patience, experimentation and moments of trial and error so to speak, to feel
totally satisfied. Immediately after the completion of the piece, and while meditating
on its content, I found myself asking the question, what exactly in the name of art have I produced?
Sometimes you find the meaning to a work of art that
you created only after it is completed. During the process of creating there is
a desire to control its outcome. We as artists, at times want to have it all so
neatly packaged. We like to think that our pre-determined concepts and their
fulfillment in the piece is what make it successful. However, we also realize
there can be beauty in the unknown and an exhilarating joy in discovering it.
In reference to the joy of discovering the unknown, and simultaneously feeling complete, let me make
this observation….
The last element incorporated into the piece is the
portrait of me. It is a photograph taken over a decade ago when I had
dreadlocks. I am also facing the portrait as the shadowy figure in black. I am observing myself. This
prompted the question, what do we discover when we face ourselves? What do we see?
I did not attempt to instill any answers to this
question in this particular piece. How could I? The piece as I stated was
complete. The question, “what do we discover when we face ourselves” and the
possible answer or answers will have to wait until another time.
In conclusion….
Sometimes that is all that art is; a question that begs an answer, or our imagination seeking clarity.
Like a work of art, are you sometimes complete, even though there are questions to be answered?
Post Canvas and Paint 02: in the lightness of being blue
As an artist, I am sometimes feeling a little blue and uncertain about to which idea I need to explore. It is then that I find the process of creating which I use in my ongoing Post Canvas and Paint series liberating. That ambiguity found “in the lightness of being blue” is washed away amid the beauty of finding an intuitive way of moving from one image to another.
In this particular Post Canvas and Paint series, I start with numerous paused video images of works from my past installations and performances. They are photographed or captured digitally and remixed for this series.
The color blue dominates the vision and feeling of the series. It is the starting element that embodies each image. While the color blue sets the mood for this particular Post Canvas and Paint series, what is consistent throughout all of them is the organic and the patterned designs. As I have stated in previous writings (artist summary @ website: newdigitalscapes.com) on the methodology of the series, it is my intent to remain true to the digital process i.e. recognizing and imploring the intricate, microtonal possibilities inherent to the computer. I take this approach by allowing the computer to contribute its infinite source of geometric abstractions, digital glitches, visual drones, disintegrating loops of color and focus, underlying beats and rhythms, and tonal variations.
The most important thing I would like to achieve in this process is establishing a rhythm in my own inner intuition—feeling the next step and incorporating it into the another image. This is the objective of the series i.e. for each image to move effortlessly to the next….
It is adding while becoming, and finally, being no different from the previous as a whole.
The Pier and the Flower in Meditation
Above the shifting tides we stand upon the pier
This past week I have been seeing an image in my mind’s eye.
It is a beautiful, contemplative piece by artist and fellow blogger Leslee
Hare. The title of the work is Inner and Outer Tornadoes. I do recommend you
check out her blog and all of her posts. Needless to say, the atmospheric feeling
in the digital filtering of blue layers, along with her prose, were so
inspiring that it led me to this piece….
The Pier and the Flower in Meditation
I wanted to convey something that was similar to Leslee’s
piece. I wanted soft layering and an organic feeling, if not totally atmospheric.
But more importantly I wanted to reflect on the “cleansing” process that she
spoke of in reference to tornadoes. In my work, I see the pier as an opportunity
to step out into the unknown—above the waters of our fears and shifting emotional
tides.
What elemental forces or structural constructs give you
pause? What questions arise, what “pier” do you stand upon in meditation as you
face the reflection of your thoughts and emotions?
The Conscious Light that Illuminates the Darkness of the Mind
Sunrise and the pier 2009
Waking up early during the summer of 2009, there was a
pervading need to see the sunrise. It was still dark, as the consciousness in
waking slowly came into being. In anticipation of a beautiful moment in time, I
found myself rushing to meet the light. Standing upon the pier, I witnessed the
beginning of a new day.
The mind has an opportunity to wake to a new consciousness
as well. Every day the mind finds itself surrounded in thinking and perpetual
thought. As I stood on the edge of the pier, watching the darkness fade away, I
was reminded of the beauty that is the Light that takes away all darkness. In
that moment, my mind felt the Light of Awareness as it responded to the ever
approaching rays of sunshine.
I stood quietly in a meditative state.
Sunrise and meditation 2009
Ever increasing awareness is obtained as the illumination in
the power of light over shadows the darkness of the mind.
Do you find moments in nature that like a sunrise brings a
greater sense of awareness? Does it provide a greater feeling of peace with
oneself and of knowing who you really are? Many of the great gurus of our time
have taught how important it is to find the path to greater self awareness and
knowing….
“Through the mind and intellect, consciousness is divided
into I and other. I am on one side, and
the world is on the other. Light is on this side and the other side is dark”.
The Direct Experience of Truth
From the Discourses of Swami Parmanandji Maharaj
Final meditation 2009
In the Reflective Mirror / Various Artistic Influences 01: The Park
The Park 1997
Lately, I have been feeling rather nostalgic and reflective.
The essence of being an artist, or just human, I presume. Because of this there
certainly has been a sense of longing for things past, their presence
resounding in the influence of various people, periods in time, and artistic
disciplines.
Presently, while writing this post, I am listening to a 10
hour playlist I created of four unique ambient sound artists: Chihei
Hatakeyama, Alva Noto, Sawako, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, all of whom weave found
organic sound samples and electronics to produce dreamlike soundscapes. I
mention these artists because they are currently what I find compelling in new music.
I will share excerpts from reviews about
their music in future posts. This brings to mind that half a lifetime ago in
the year 1977, while driving from NYC to Philadelphia at 4am, I came across the
WXPN’s (University of PA) Starsend electronic music program. Listening to the
surreal sounds of Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schultz was the start of many
journeys into experimental music and avant-garde arts in general.
All of this became a reflective thought and ideas for
posting this past week when I saw the film “Smithereens” by Susan Seidelman. I
have not seen this film in years. I remember first seeing it in the early 80’s
when it was first released in NYC. I was excited about coming across the film, and the opportunity of stepping back in time.
But I have been thinking about other influences of the past
as well. How perhaps music, film, festivals, theatre, family, friends travel, exhibits
and art etc., have conceptually developed the artistic vision I have. I hope to explore this phenomenon in future
posts as well. For this posting, I am including a work of art from 1997. It is
one of my all time favorite collages. It is a large 42 x 48 inch composition
depicting the remaining memories of family reunions, during Fourth of July
picnics at the park and in Glenside, PA in the 1960’s. The title of the piece
is “The Park” and my first major showing of the work was in NYC at Agora Gallery
in Soho in 1997.
So I would like to introduce you, my blog buddies and
readers to “In the Reflective Mirror / Various Artistic Influences.
Let me know what you think of the various postings, and
include your creative influences that stand out and reflect your life’s
history.
And up next a musical playlist….
Go Out and See
There is so much beauty that surrounds us. It is a beauty
that can bring us joy when we take the time to “Go Out and See”. This past week, I had the pleasure of being
part of a beautiful day and a challenging bike ride. It provided an opportunity
to see the lovely landscape of farms, rivers and mountains that form parts of
western Haywood County, North Carolina.
It is that time of year when the leaves are coming back as the green
foliage slowly progresses up the mountainside. Winter is being left behind and the
memory of the cold distant mountain is replaced by soft layers of life and
biological growth.
Our journey begins at the town of Crabtree, where we head
west on Riverside Road. Here we bike for several miles next to the Pigeon River
until we reach the town of Riverside. It is here that we start our first
serious mountain ascent. It is approximately 1.5 miles of winding switchback
climbs. Our fast and perilous descent takes us to the town of Panther Creek,
where we begin the long sweeping terrain of hills and straights. Halfway
through our journey we merge onto Fines Creek Rd. In the town of Fines Creek is
the only gas station in more than 15 miles in any direction. We fuel up on
nuts, fluids and protein, and encourage each other for the mammoth climb to come.
One man, who is fueling his tractor,
asks us are we going up the mountain, in which we reply…yep that’s the plan. He
smiles and laughs and says “good luck”. He obviously knows something about the
mountain we don’t. But we know it is a 1.5 mile climb with a 5% gradient. It is
straight up with one or two slight curves. It is intimidating. We start the
climb and there are times when I look up and all I can see is the road horizon
in the sky. There are times when I want to stop, my will in question, my legs
in pain, but realize how difficult it would be to start uphill without momentum.
The descent at speeds nearing 40 mph is
a test of skill and nerve to say the least, but liberating. For nearly 2 miles,
one can only hold on aerodynamically and hope that no unforeseen problems
arise. Finally, after 18 miles, our return to Crabtree is a quick flowing pace
that allows for some reprieve and scenic viewing.
After the bike ride, the best part of the day is the drive
afterwards. We retrace our journey via the car and take photographs. Eighteen of
two hundred have been digitally retouched and included in the slideshow.
So what do we gain when we “Go Out and See”? For me, there
is the liberating feeling of joy that can stay with you a lifetime. There is also the possibility of discovering things
once unknown in my surroundings and in my soul.
What motivates you to take time out of your busy schedule to
“Get Out and See”? What would you like to discover in nature or local history? What
would it mean, and how would it enrich your life?
Take a moment and think about the last time you made the
extra effort to get out and discover. Let me know what you found.
Race Day April 3rd 2011
Mountain biking race day at Tsali Recreational Park, North Carolina
It is Race Day
Take what life gives us
Let us meet under the great pavilion
Where the sounds of aspirations
Are heard in the ballet of bikes
It is race day
Clutching our forged carbon loves
Sinewy muscles tense with sweat
We dream the dance
The dance of the mountain
It is race day
There is life in every breath
Let us meet silently at the starting gate
The noise of wind and sky to shatter our thoughts
While colors merge
A kaleidoscope forms
A kinetic fleeing pursuing blur
Rotating wheels and quick descents
Gorges rivers trees and falls
Pick yourself back up
Your pain body calls
And look up into the crying sky
To a transformative end
Finding yourself deep inside
It is race day
Transcending our weekday life
We are here to meet in joyous celebration
The sound of Kopeland
The sound of music
Victory for one
Pleasure for all
While arms and smiles embrace
Here at Tsali North Carolina
Its sure to be
A great race
A Mysterious Thing … The Photograph of a Place in Time
Biking around Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, North Carolina
It was a golden morning and a beautiful start to the day. It was a Monday and there was a
chill in the air as the cold wind made its way down the mountain and across the
lake. I’ve always been mesmerized by beautiful seascapes and landscapes—where
water, mountain and sky meet. Drawn to their spiritual vastness, I sometimes
find (if it’s a good day) revelation and beauty, hidden…deep inside the
soul. When transfixed by such a mysterious place—we question its magnitude.
In-turn, we can at times find our very own inadequacies. We come to know our fears and our doubts. Usually
if I attempt to elevate myself, with pride—by thinking: I can do this…or I can do that—whatever the
thoughts may be, I then know I am no longer centered.
It is a golden morning and a beautiful start to the day. It is early April 2011 and spring is
on its way. There is anticipation and a longing for the discovery of beauty and
the Self in recollection. I am still mesmerized by beautiful seascapes and
landscapes—where water, mountain and sky meet. There is a planetary energy, a
Consciousness that lifts my Spirit. Transfixed I find it is a mysterious thing—the
photograph of a place in time. I remember the beauty of the moment and my
present fears and doubts are washed away. I will elevate myself today, with joy—by
thinking: I can do this…and I can do that—whatever the dreams may be.
It is April and it is spring and all the growth of my soul and Spirit is before me.
If you have a photograph of a place in time that transcends your life experience, embrace it and share it with others.
Namaste
Last Night a Dream and a Celebrated Life Deeply Loved.
A dream can be like a blooming rose touching all our senses.
Several nights, in the last two weeks, I have dreamt of loved ones whom have passed on. And still their love remains. My daughter and my mother came to me and shared their life energy and love with me. They brought moments that had been forgotten and weaved them with the essence of my own thoughts, perceptions, and desires. Dreams always seem to be about people, places and life’s moments intertwined. There are waves of reality, sometimes in a surrealistic manner, merging us with the floods of memories, emotions and deep aspirations. We at times never want to wake up, as we reach across the void to touch and hold on just a moment longer.
What does a dream mean to you? How does one interpret those dreams? These are questions that we have, on many occasions, asked ourselves. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a dream as; a series of images, ideas etc., occurring in certain stages of sleep.
There is always a deeply hidden, yet revealing message in a dream. The nature of a dream is its ambiguity. When we sleep with a dream, we see and feel the unknown, and when we wake, there is the longing for connectivity, revelation and a glimpse into the meaning of our lives.
This post is an invitation for you to describe what a dream means to you, or share a dream that has given you a sense of a life celebrated and deeply loved.
In Celebration of a Life Deeply Loved 01
Dionanna Lady McFadden-Smith
In Celebration of a Life Deeply Loved 01
A Rose
A long slender Rose represents my life
The Rose is sensitive, elegant, delicate…
But Vicious
Harsh to the touch
Manipulating…Deceiving
She makes you want to touch but
You may not touch
Sharp thorns protect her
The Rose is peace, love, beauty
Her red petals speak of love,
Passion, deep down feelings
The Rose needs care
Lots of care
Water, water…constantly
Soil…Rich soil nurtures her mind
Makes her beautiful
The ground is her home
Hard, solid, tough
Nature is her world
By
Lady McFadden
February 10th 1992
At the Summit, the Tree of Life Love Art and Faith
The Blue Ridge Mountains at the Summit of Waterrock Knob
At the Summit, the Tree of Life Love Art and Faith
“Just as the sun shines equally on the cedar and the little flower, so the Divine Sun shines equally on everyone, great and small”.
“Love can accomplish all things. Things that are most impossible become easy where love is at work”.
“Faith and hope give way to love; we had found already the One we were seeking”.
Quotations from:
Sermon in a Sentence: A Treasury of Quotations on the Spiritual Life
ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX
Trees have always presented themselves as being unique and mysterious to me. When I began drawing years ago the most interesting structure in a landscape was the tree. There are so many forms in the roots, trunks, and branches that can create beautiful art and design. As an abstract and surrealist artist, trees seemed to embody a great mystery. And for me, sitting under a tree provides a place of rest, visions for creative thought, and spiritual recollection.
Walter W. Smith
Faith and Choice that Move Mountains
Faith and Choice that Moves Mountains
When it comes to faith as a guiding light, and planting a seed, it is true that the smallest of gestures can produce a life altering experience. At the heart of these moments in life—there is a decision. It is a decision born almost overwhelmingly, of fear, doubt and hope. In these overwhelming moments we can be distracted by our emotions, by our circumstances. And find that there is beauty in madness and in faith, and sometimes they exist in us simultaneously.
I can remember looking back at the moments in my life wherein decisions had to be made that would change my life dramatically. Those moments were so intense that only faith or fear could move me—could move the mountains in front of me. In one instance, I remember looking up to the sky, on a cold Wisconsin night, knowing that speaking, declaring, just a few words would concretely change the course of my life for years to come.
And I spoke those few words….
And in days my life changed….
Was I acting on faith or fear? Do we really understand the mysteries of our decisions? Are they our own? And what is the value of the question, will I regret this moment this decision? As life goes on, it all becomes the past. Looking back, into that past for answers to the present is ultimately meaningless. Life is only the present moment with many paths leading to it. Yes we can learn from the past, but ultimately, it cannot change this present moment, this opportunity for awareness, nor to move forward in faith. Each present moment has its own decision, its distinct opportunity to exhibit faith and trust in the mystery of life.
We do “move mountains” with faith, with the words we speak, with our alignment with Source.
And we also “move mountains” with self reliance, accountability and knowledge…
Choice.
That decision that day did change my life for years to come. And at times, I still question did I do the right thing. But as the years have come and gone, I’ve learned to train my mind, to live closer to this present moment and the life, that decision, in part has given me.
Transcending the Ambiguities of the Heart (at sea remix 2011)
Transcending the Ambiguities of the Heart (at sea remix 2011)
Transcending the Ambiguities of the Heart
Prologue from Miles Ahead / Everything But the Girl / From Life and Stolen Innocence by Walter Smith
“Life on the oceans of the world is sustained by the luck of the draw—same as on land. At times it is called, (in recent history) the ‘American Dream’—the need to discover, possess and to be miles ahead. We find ourselves by looking beyond the impending realization, (everything but the girl) —reaching for it with fervent desperation. At other times it’s a sighting too late and the course not taken. Drifting for what seems like the duration of timelessness on the empty sea of lost love. For centuries man has sailed the seven seas and oceans of the world—in search of…”
He paused, smiled and then continued, “A couple of good stories to tell a young seafarer.”
Maybe Tomorrow a Similar Question a Different Answer 04
The Backyard in Meditation 04 2011 remix
Hi Liz
I woke up today, far away, in The Backyard of Meditation…
Thinking and Imagining…
Art.
Major effects for The Backyard in Meditation 04: Multiple layers, Displacement Map @ 48 % blur, Displacement Properties @ 2D offsets, intensity 24.00, and edge mode: wrap. Artistic Effect: Chrome @ 4 % flaw, and 50 % brightness.
The Backyard in Meditation 2004 Digital Collage / Multiple layers and photographs a urban / nature transformation
Maybe Tomorrow a Similar Question a Different Answer 03
The Backyard in Meditation 03 2011 remix
Hi Liz
The question is the method in which one creates art… Sometimes in the waking I have a kinetic dream… I love the mystery of art, and find the meaning in the process of creating.
A series of posts in fragments explore the possibilities. And as John Cage the avant-garde artist and composer would see it; art by random chance—whatever the computer dictates.
A series of effects upon the landscape the Backyard in Meditation 03, a soft focus and a repeating of the displacement map—finding oneself, losing oneself—melting into the process.
Abstract Art and Surrealism are early influences: Jackson Pollack and Salvador Dali fuel the fire and stroke the process.
The meaning, the how, and the essence is in the process.
Major effects for The Backyard in Meditation 03: Multiple layers, Displacement Map Repeat (3) @ 48 % blur, Displacement Properties @ 2D offsets, intensity 24.00, and edge mode: wrap. Soft Focus @ 90 % softness, 100 @ edge importance (Focus), 80 % amount, 50% halo size, 90% halo visibility (Halo). Edge Effect, Erode.
Maybe Tomorrow a Similar Question a Different Answer 02
The Backyard in Meditation 02 2011 remix
Hi Liz,
You asked about the process of creating my work. That question is perhaps leading me to think about this as a series of posts that in fragments will convey the answers visually and instructional. So with that in mind, here is a collection of answers highlighted in large type. I have a large inventory of images from over the years. And as I have said on my website, the computer allows for what seems like infinite possibilities of creative choice and energy. I have certain steps that are basic such as photo correction (done first and throughout the image manipulation). I then create a series of effects, which are based on the photo style itself (portrait, landscape, abstract, etc) and in which direction I want the image to go (sharp or soft, but always rich in color and form). I love to layer my images when creating large conceptual pieces. However for the posts I am usually looking at more simplistic imaging to correspond with the immediacy of the posting. I find this to be like “sketching”. Sometimes I can complete an image for a post in 30 minutes or less. The internet and social networking provides a new art medium in-of-itself. It can dictate how an artist approaches his own work. It also forms a new way of communicating with large exposure. In the past the concentration was on gallery exhibitions, and producing hard copies, (prints) etc. But now, I can also hope to find various internet vehicles to promote, and to create, new visual processes for the future.
Major effects for The Backyard in Meditation 02: Multiple layers, Glowing Edges @ 3% intensity, 20% sharpness.
Maybe Tomorrow a Similar Question a Different Answer 01
The Backyard in Meditation 01 detail 2011 remix
Hi Liz,
Thank you for the wonderful comments on the series entitled “Biking to a Place Inside and Out”. In this four part series entitled “Maybe Tomorrow a Similar Question a Different Answer, I will be using the element of repetition (the heart of my work is in repetition) both in prose and image to answer the question… How do I create my art? For this series the piece I will be reconstructing is a detail from the 2004 collage “The Backyard in Meditation”. My goal is not to convey a step-by-step explanation of the process, but to hint at the intuitiveness that is inherent to the process.
First, I have a large collection of photographs and remixed images that I can use. I have been creating digital art since 1985. I always start a piece with photo correction techniques before creating effects. Depending on the image (portrait, landscape, abstract) determines where I want to go in relation to effects (soft, sharp organic, geometric, opaque, transparent etc). I always let the computer contribute its own “ideas” as well. It is important to note that for my posts, I usually utilize a single frame image and not a multi-layered, multi photo, image that I produce for my more conceptual collages. The images for the posts are similar to “sketches” which are quickly created… unless it is a previous image already found in my portfolio. One of the things that I am discovering in this process is the immediacy of the internet and social networking i.e. YouTube, Facebook, blogging etc. I want these various internet mediums themselves to become the vehicle for art, individual and collectively. That is why blogging is exciting. It provides a challenge to produce regularly and also provides tools for creativity and a diverse audience. I recently thought of the idea of creating an avatar of me, as an artist, and a real-time internet gallery space to create work in and interact with visitors who come to the gallery.
Major imaging effect for The Backyard in Meditation 01: Multiple layers, Displacement Map @ 48 % blur, Displacement Properties @ 2D offsets, intensity 24.00, and edge mode: wrap.
Biking to a Place Inside and Out / 07
In addition to challenging biking opportunities there are hundreds of trail to hike as well
One of the best places to road bike is along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The BRP stretches for hundreds of miles (approximately 470) through North Carolina and Virginia. It is one of the most beautiful scenic rides in the country. The parkway follows the Appalachian Mountain chain. From Shenandoah National Park the parkway follows the Blue Ridge, eastern rampart of the Appalachians. It then skirts the southern end of the massive Black Mountains, named for the dark green spruce and fir that cover them. Then it weaves through the Craggies, the Pisgahs, the Balsams to end up in the Great Smokies. I had the pleasure of staying at the famous Pisgah Inn located on the southern end of the parkway, at Mount Pisgah about 30 miles from Asheville, NC. You can marvel at the forest-clad mountain peaks, mist filled coves, and the slopes of fragrant balsams, rhododendrons, mountain laurel and flame azalea. It was a great week of biking, hiking (Graveyard fields to the Upper Falls), art galleries (Blue Spiral and galleries in the River Arts District), independent films (La Vie En Rose, the story of French singer Edith Piaf) and fine dining (organic, Thai and Indian). But I must say that for a spectacular view, and good food, the restaurant at the Pisgah Inn with its panoramic view overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains is unsurpassed. And finally, a perfect end to an evening is sitting on your private back porch watching the sun set beyond the mountains.
Stopping to take in the view from another vantage point along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Biking to a Place Inside and Out / 06
Sometimes on the bike the reality of life and the beautiful dream become one
I am very fortunate that were I live, I can immediately access miles of rural back roads to immerse myself on my road bike. I spoke earlier about the sense of transformation that is achieved while biking. Here on these winding roads and gently sloping hills, I pass by farm lands, historic areas, woods and beautiful estates. What enhances a great ride is the right music. There is a distinct difference in the selection of music for road and mountain. On the road there is a need to be able to hear your surroundings for safety measures. Hence, my selection is always, soft, slow dancing ambient. My favorite band for a ride is the neo-classical ambient band from Austin Texas, Stars of the Lid. In fact, this has been the most prolific band for me in the past two years. This is aural mastery of the highest order. In contrast, when mountain biking, there really is no need to be conscious of your surroundings. Now your music can flow anyway you like. For the mountain, I prefer long flowing electronic sounds from bands like AES Dana, Bombay Dub Orchestra and Near the Parenthesis, or French Pop artists like Etienne Daho, France Gall, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Alizee to name a few. It is here on the mountain when you need that extra aural drive to push your rhythm to its fullest—to make that climb.
Music plays a significant part in creating the aural soundscape in which to find transformation in physical movement
Biking to a Place Inside and Out / 05
Biking @ 5000 ft on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Pisgah Inn to Water Rock Knob
And to achieve a great ride you’ve got to know and trust your bike. I ride a Trek 4300 on the mountain and a Giant OCR on the road. Both bikes have served me well and have maintained their riding integrity in spite of the miles and punishment I have put them through.
When climbing the mountains of life we come face to face with many obstacles
Biking to a Place Inside and Out / 04
Road biking at high elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
But here in the South biking takes on a whole new dimension. It explodes with energy and beauty. Both road biking and mountain biking provide a means to an enriching and trans-formative end. This post entitled “Biking to a Place Inside and Out” includes a gallery of images that records visually that magnificent end. And it is an attempt to express the color, beauty, emotional, and physical essence of biking. It is difficult to say what I enjoy most–road or mountain biking. They both provide their own unique challenges. The mountains of Western North Carolina, and the forest areas of South Carolina harbor great recreational parks such as Tsali, DuPont State Forest, Bent Creek, and Laurel River in NC and Paris Mountain, Southside and FATS (Forks Area Trail System (named one of the top 10 machine-made trail systems in the country)) in SC. These are moderate and difficult level trails with hundreds of feet in elevation changes. They are comprised of single track, access roads, and some, like the Left and Right Loops at Tsali, a single track that the rider navigates around a large man-made lake (Fontana Lake). In a recent conversation with a fellow rider, we discussed the horrible consequence of making a riding error and going over the edge into the lake (not good). In the winter the lake is drained and in the summer it is at full capacity. Until then, it had not occurred to me that the prospect of losing one’s bike to the lake could become a reality. But a challenge is a challenge, and in mountain biking especially, there can be no room for fear. Both the Left and Right Loops are each approximately 12 miles in length, and any lapse in concentration could be costly. In contrast to the obvious hazards, Tsali is a very beautiful recreational park located on the borders of Swain and Graham counties with the Great Smokey Mountains as its magnificent playground. One can only marvel at the beautiful surroundings that become infused with every fiber of your being as you push, pedal and commit yourself to go one yard farther—to make that climb. Throughout most of these parks are rivers, gorges, tree roots, rocks, creek crossings, ravines, dead drops, imposing trees everywhere, and some that provide mountains summits that climb to 5000 feet. Expect to fall, expect to get hurt. These and numerous other challenges test the will, the level of oxygen deprivation to the muscles, balance, hand/eye coordination, timely decision making, and your overall physical stamina.
The tree obstacle on the trail at Laurel River, North Carolina
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