In the summer of 2003, Charlotte and I decided to take a trip across the country by rental car (why a rental? Don't ask--it's complicated, dull, and annoying.), stopping at various friends along the way, seeing the sights, and culminating in our annual visit to the Burningman festival in Nevada. This is the diary we kept along the way.
| Rough Itinerary | |
|---|---|
| July | |
| 14-20 | Jamestown NY |
| 20-21 | Cleveland OH |
| 21-24 | Louisville KY |
| 24-25 | Memphis TN |
| 25-26 | Hot Springs AR |
| ? | Oklahoma City OK |
| ? | Albuquerque NM |
| 30 | Taos NM |
| 31 | Mesa Verde CO |
| August | |
| ? | Grand Canyon AZ |
| 6-8 | Tucson |
| 8-10 | Phoenix AZ |
| 10-11 | Indio CA |
| 11-13 | Los Angeles CA |
| 13-16 | Yosemite CA |
| 16-24 | San Francisco CA |
| 24 | Tahoe CA |
| Reno NV | |
| 24-Sept 1 | Black Rock City NV |
| September | |
| 2 | Salt Lake City UT |
| 3-11 | ????? |
| 12 | Louisville KY |
Charlotte writes:
Randon thoughts I had while watching some Native Americans dance, while at the Grand Canyon. The dances looked very much like they would induce a trance. The man who accompanied the dancers did make some commentary.
He said... Dance is about movements which create energy to be shared with the clouds, dancing is also about remembering our connection to the clouds and the earth.
Stirring sticks -- were made by older women in the village for the younger women's puberty ceremonies. After every use, they stand over the fire and wave the sticks in a circular motion to the sky and offer their prayers.
When one is dancing the sound vibrates within you. Your body becomes one
instrument among others, a part of the whole. Through this do we become
joined to creation, to those who have gone before and to those who are
yet to be.
Please insert many little periods between words, phrases and ideas.
I can't offer much commentary, except sound can break down those
boundaries, too. I have been considering how different forms of energy
move through the universe--some people call the energy magic...I don't
know any better vocabulary.
Inarticulately yours and wondering, Lotte