Raw Spirit Fest: Journey To

Last Monday (Sept. 20) I left from Salt Lake City, UT for the Raw Spirit Fest. I passed through Green River, UT known for their famous watermelons. Needless to say I spent a wad of $$$ on some grade A+ melons. Then spent two nights camping under a cliff outcropping in a red rock canyon (Moonflower Campground).

Moab is the desert in an epic sense. Feels very biblical there. That and every turn on a trail you expect to see Wiley Coyote chasing the Road Runner. Did some trail running in my Vibrams. Went on a full moon hike on the rim trail. A full moon in a red rock desert is a sight to experience.

On Wednesday I drove down through the Cortez, CO and visited the Anasazi ruins at Mesa Verde. Then moved on to Pagosa Springs where I have a little 1 acre piece of land and camped there for the night. Thursday it rained all day so I decided to move on and check out the Canyon de Chelly ruins.

Visiting these ruins I get the sense that the Anasazi Native Americans had a Tibetan monk-like culture. Their hidden fortress like cities were built under sand stone outcroppings that would take an experienced climber to reach. I just finished up "Born to Run". A thought comes to mind from that book. To paraphrase: "The Tarahumara have a very black-and-white view of the life. There are those in the world who cause trouble, and there are those who run from it. The Tarahumara have built long distance running into their culture to crystallize this concept." It seems to me the Anasazi were running from something -- possibly the Mayan death culture happening in Central America about 1000-1500 years ago.

I stayed the night in some inconsequential desert town on I-40. Put in a short 2 mile run during an epic desert sunset. Woke up early for the sunrise and put in another good run. Left early and got to the Raw Spirit Fest around noon.

Part two coming soon...

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Comment by Maya Papaya on October 7, 2010 at 9:07am: I'm hoping there is one next year - sounds like uncertainty as of now.

Comment by Mountain Bike Mike on October 7, 2010 at 8:51am: @Maya Papaya Ha! I think I remember you. How funny to be so close but not know each other. Darrick and I had some awesome fruit to share. Maybe next year!

Comment by Maya Papaya on October 1, 2010 at 2:23pm: @Mountain Bike Mike I felt the same way! I did not want to leave and come back. I got really cranky yesterday just being in the city. I was sitting right next to you at one point. I had on a pink sport bra with white shorts and really tan with a white baseball cap.

Comment by jesse james krebs on October 1, 2010 at 4:29am: sounds like an awesome adventure bro. would love to come to utah some time and go for an epic ride one day.

Comment by Mountain Bike Mike on October 1, 2010 at 12:56am: @Maya Papaya Yep that was me! Dan's youtube videos inspired me to transition to full on raw, so had to show him some love. Such beautiful, healthy, generous and overall loving people there. Everyone I met had an interesting story. And so many synchronicities! *sigh* It was hard to leave.

Comment by Maya Papaya on September 30, 2010 at 6:05pm: Hey Mike, I was at Raw Spirit Fest too. Sorry I missed you. After looking at your photo, I think I did see you sitting in the grass at the Meadow stage for Dan McDonald. I had a great time and met some really cool people there. The vibes were awesome.

Comment by Cassie Renee on September 30, 2010 at 5:00pm: sounds like an epic trip! i am glad you could check out the beauty of the colorado plateau area!