6.12.2006

We Shall Not Cease

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree
Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, in the stillness
Between two waves of the sea.
Quick now, here, now, always -
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of a thing shall be well
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.
--t.s.eliot
(from 'four quartets')

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are such a good writer - when will the book be out?

Karen Vander Stoep
friend and employee of your dad

Anonymous said...

the pictures are great

Anonymous said...

I have had your card for a few weeks, given to me by your parents and I finally decided I would take the time to read about your adventure. I really enjoyed your writing and yes, it should be longer and become a book ...and a movie...and...
Keep looking at life at one long great adventure!On a Vespa or not!
Michele Van Slyke

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story! I am an experienced motorcyclist, but I really appreciate your fresh eyes. I am hoping to do a cross country trip this spring, southern route, I plan to keep a journal in an effort to be more observant. I have no hope of the beauty of your writing, but I am inspired to be more open.
Thanks, and i love your coyote blog too.
Anton

Anonymous said...

Your independent spirit and writing ability made this an unique experience for me. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Interesting that a lot of your photographs show so much sky. Beautifully done. I love the coyote and cat stories. You have a good heart. Jim Palmer

Anonymous said...

Fron Spain..........he visto tu blog y me ha encantado.....
Que fotos tan bonitas.

Un viaje precioso, quien pudiera hacerlo.......
Enhorabuena por tu viaje.

Para ser chica......no llevabas poco equipaje? jejejeje
un beso guapa

Anonymous said...

i dreamed of a trip like the one you just had. Reading your blog made me feel like i was there. I hope one day i can do something like that. Thank you

Mr Trifle said...

Your writing is as beautiful as your pictures. I am inspired to achieve something like this in the future. I am an English guy living in dusty old Texas and yearn for a long road trip with my camera and my laptop. I'll do it one day. I will.

ghreeblestaff said...

Ah, Mr. Eliot.
'Tis a wonder that the dapper old Anglophile said so much to the soul of the wanderer and seeker; I think that his words go well with what you have chosen to share here.
I know this is an ancient relic as far as your good writings are concerned, but I like what I've read from your heart, and that number five of Little Gidding is included here only makes it all even more precious to me.
Rave on, dear sister.

Anonymous said...

My heart yearns to be on the road as you have been.

I am a new proud owner of a GTS250ie Vespa. I am one day shy of two weeks having it...and i just turned 1100 miles on it. :D

Does this say anything about how much I love to ride my Vespa?!

I hope to be on a trip sometime soon. =)

John D'Angelo said...

I am reading your book, The Daily Cyote, right now and just had to drop in. You really should get the Vespa vagabond book out to us some day! When I retired in 2000, my wife and I hopped into our Subaru and drove across the US. We went from Long Island, to San Antonio, to Santa Fe, to Sheridan and back, stopping where we wanted and staying as long as we wanted. The trip took us over a month and we had the pleasure of traveling right through where you are living now. Beautiful country! Now our health precludes any more trips like that, but at least we got our trip to end all trips done! My best wishes to you, Charlie, Chole, Eli and Mike. Stay healthy,happy and warm. Here's to the snow going away and the first buds of spring! Have a great 2011.

John