So here I am, sitting on a picnic table outside of a closed public library in Pentwater, talking to you. I would say that these first two days have been a pretty good beginning to a journey. Let me tell you a little bit about it.
First, I arrived to P.J. Hoffmaster and set up camp. There were three lovely ladies at the desk and one of them was helping me to get all of my information ready to go. I arrived somewhat later in the day since I waited for my dad to get out of work to say good-bye. The drive was nice since I finally acquired some old hip-hop albums (Thanks Tavio!) It was a drive filled with fear though. Traveling in the way that I am is a dream that many people want to fulfill in their life. Although the dream of having the adventure of a lifetime can often be very real...the initial experience can be filled with many difficult situations and a torrent of emotions. Anyone that travels extensively knows what I mean. It is well worth it for those who feel the need to take the first step. Anywho...the first night of sleeping was bloody cold! I am quite sure I will run into worse though. Hoffmaster state park is an absolutely beautiful park to visit. If you are out in West MI I highly recommend it. Normally, I run around in the woods and across the trees that have fallen across the small valleys (I don't know the technical names for these hills.) I took a different route this time. Instead of running about like a very loud animal in the woods, I decided to walk the beach....and walk...and walk...and walk....you get the idea. I walked FOREVER! I wasn't particularly clearing my head either. I was just noticing. At some point I sat down and began to call the spirits. This is something that I have found myself doing at a lot of national/state parks that I have visited. I will call upon my teachers first. Then I will sing songs that the spirits of the land sing to me. It is a beautiful way to honor the ground beneath my feet, the surrounding landscapes, and the animals/spirits that inhabit them.
I awoke the next morning and began my routine. Meditating, showering, eating, packing up, etc. I had to be out of the campsite by 1pm. So I packed up and headed out to the beach. Since it has been cold out here, not too many people are going to the beach. However, there was an entourage of little kids from Grand Rapids public schools taking a field trip out that way. I am pretty sure a little black kid became really scared of me for some reason...maybe it was the dreadlocks with a cowboy hat look? Usually kids like me...until I let my hair down...what follows is the kid tugging on his mommy and hiding behind her leg lol.
I didn't stay too long. I handed out cards to a few people who I thought might be interested in what I am doing and headed on my way. I drove until I came upon a big restaurant called Hobo's Tavern. I figured it would be interesting. Maybe a place for travelers to gather? Nope?...it didn't even particularly look like a place a Hobo would go to. I did happen to meet some more friendly folk though. It was pretty nice inside.
I passed through many smaller cities/towns since I told my GPS to avoid highways and it obeyed. I also changed the car to shoes. Travelin' Man! ;)
Not a very informative blog on the shamanism end. However, I do have a ceremony in Pentwater tomorrow at Shared Space Studio. I am excited to meet this group and start doing some work. I used to vacation here with my mom when I was younger. Since I don't have anything planned for the following Saturday, I think I will be rooting here for a little while so I can get some work done out of the library. So you will be hearing more from me. Stay tuned for updates about the ceremony, as well as our next discussion on Mask Shamanism and Religion.
My camera and I don't seem to be getting along very well. It will only record and save seven pictures. So I will try to work on that in the coming weeks.
Cheers!
Justin
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