IN THIS ISSUE: CURIOSITY DIDN'T KILL THE CAT
WISDOM: "Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for any reason, turn his back on life." Eleanor Roosevelt
COACH'S CHALLENGE: WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY THAT IS OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOX?
SOUL TRAVEL: RAFTING THE GREEN RIVER
2003 RIVER TRIP
CURIOSITY DIDN'T KILL THE CAT
Adventure is a basic human need. The more curious one is, the more adventure one seeks. Being adventurous feeds all of our senses as well as our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs. Most of us are curious creatures. Engaging that curiosity contributes to our FEELING ALIVE.
You can make just about anything an adventure. No need to hang glide or free fall out of an airplane. Reading a book, cooking, learning, travel, falling in love (which may be closely related to free falling out of an airplane) are only just a few sources of adventure. Whatever the source of the adventure, curiosity is a large part of why the adventure began. Even if an adventure is happy or sad, curiosity is being nourished and the feelings that arise from it let you know you are still kicking. It also provides you with an experience and an opportunity for growth.
So what stops us! For some it is FEAR. FEAR can inhibit curiosity. Less curiosity = less adventure = less LIVING. Some fears are sensible but I am talking about the kind of fear that causes people to lament their lives as boring, and keeps them from seldom, if ever, getting out of their boxes or looking for a safe way to shed their cocoons and turn into butterflies. For others, it may be a lack of motivation or perhaps not feeling deserving. Workaholics often fall into the later category. Other people just need a catalyst and/or encouragement.
This Museletter is one of my adventures. It is my way of reaching out to other butterflies and sending encouragement and support to wanna-be butterflies and soon-to-be butterflies. Because travel adventures are a tremendous source of nourishment for my curiosity, one of my goals is to offer a travel adventure each year for those who embrace adventure and in order to create an opportunity for others to make the stretch and shed their cocoons. Curiosity didn't kill the cat; it is why a cat has nine lives!
"WILL YOU, WON'T YOU, WILL YOU, WON'T YOU, WILL YOU JOIN THE DANCE?" "Alice in Wonderland", Lewis Carroll
SOUL TRAVEL: RAFTING THE GREEN RIVER - (UTAH/COLORADO)
"My blood type is H2O positive", announced Brian, our head river guide. His comment sums up his devotion to the rivers, his savvy as a boatman, his love for the outdoors and his desire to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with the guests. The river lived up to its reputation as being one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the U.S. Deep green in color (although this is not the source of its name), it runs through deep canyons etched with color and marked by dramatic formations and sandy beaches. The weather was beautiful, insects minimal, water rather chilly but delicious for a quick dip to cool off and rapids very mild. The oldest rafter was 77and the youngest 6.
A wilderness experience such as this totally shuts away the hustle and bustle of daily life. No phones, no TV, no newspapers, no radios, no portable CD players. The only noises were the sound of the river, bird calls, the splash of the oars in the water, and voices from our fellow travelers which rose to an excited pitch upon occasion as the boat sliced through a rapid. The sound of a jet broke the solitude only a few times. I was so mellow that watching a mosquito drown in the syrup on my french toast seemed mildly entertaining.
We all saw deer, big horned sheep, Canada geese, ducks, swallows and other birds. Some spotted a golden eagle, a golden marmot and a beaver. One hike took us 300 feet above the river to a spectacular view of the canyon and river below. Brian and my brother shared their extensive knowledge of the geology of the area -- much of it cataclysmic in nature with dramatic faults and shifts.
Only slightly disappointing was the fact we could not build any fires. One of the pleasures of such a trip like this are the evening bonfires. It also meant they could not serve any grilled food. But those who hadn't been on such a trip before didn't really notice. It was the first river rafting experience for two of the people in the group that came with me. They will be back for more, as I hope, will the others.
How the Groover got its name: The Groover is the toilet. Today's Groover has a regular toilet seat on it. Yesterday's Groover was an ammo can. Hence, when you sat on it, it left an imprint (grooves) on your rear. Made perfect sense to call it a Groover. I am not sure whom you can impress with that bit of river trivia but you never know.
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2003 RIVER TRIP - I returned home from the Green River so enthusiastic that I immediately made plans for another river trip.
FLOAT THE RIO GRANDE IN BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK - TEXAS. This is a five day river float trip (no rapids) through two gorgeous canyons with an outfitter I have rafted with twice before - in Arizona and in Mexico - and can vouch for the quality of their trips. (The food is superb.) I have consistently heard people talk about these canyons and how beautiful they are. This trip has been on my list for some time. We will have live music and campfires. (Fire was no problem in Texas this year if you built it in a fire pan.) Trip on the river begins February 24 through February 28 plus a day on each side for travel to Midland, Texas and renting a car for four hour drive to Big Bend. We can share the cost of a rental car or cars. The February timing is important because of water level. It is highest at this time and will assure us (reasonably) that there will be water enough to float the choicest canyons. The water will probably be too cold for swimming for most people but the weather should be very pleasant. We will have the trip entirely to ourselves if we number at least eight people. The river trip will cost approximately $690 plus transportation to Midland and cost of rental car and two nights lodging. I will put more information on my website one of these days. This is a great place to try out your river wings. If you think you are interested, please let me know. No commitment necessary until mid-October. (Phone: 480-949-9511)
If you know anyone who would like some coaching around Having a More Adventurous Life or Stepping Up to International Travel, have them call me. I offer one-half hour free of charge. (I think I am carving out three or four coaching specialties and two are Adventure Coach and Travel Coach.)
I will be spending two weeks in August in the Northern Territories, Canada, on a photo trip -- caribou migration and Northern Lights plus. Will write about this trip for October Museletter. September's Soul Travel will be about Thailand. Until then, take care and fly high.
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I WANT TO THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE ENJOYING THE MUSELETTER AND THANKS ALSO TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN ME E MAILS OF OTHERS YOU THINK MIGHT ENJOY IT. IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO HEAR FROM YOU. YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED!
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MAILING LIST OF AT LEAST 1000 BY THE END OF THE YEAR SO PLEASE KEEP THE REFERRALS COMING.
EXPLORE MY WEBSITE AND PHOTO GALLERY AT WWW.DANCEWITHEAGLES.COM
EMAIL: allison@dancewitheagles.com
Feel free to forward this on to anyone you believe might enjoy it and encourage them to subscribe for themselves. Comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. My email is allison@dancewitheagles.com Although this material is subject to copyright, you may reprint this publication in whole or in part or use it in any way you feel it might be of benefit. Please state the following: Reprinted with permission from Allison Quattrocchi of Dance with Eagles, www.dancewitheagles.com All past museletters are posted on my website.
Names of subscribers will never be shared or sold.
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WINGS Vol. 1, No. 7, August, 2002
