Following a dream….

Memorable Automobiles from The Past:

 Not sure if this is someone's dream or nightmare!

For today:

We hear that statement a lot, “Follow your dream!” It always sounds like an adventure or challenge. dreams cost, either in sacrifice of other things, money or effort. I have an old shipmate I have mentioned here. I am from the south and Polish names were new to me. Aboard ship many men are affectionately known by a nick name. Ski (skee) was an easy going computer repairman and became a friend. 50 years later, I was pleasantly shocked that our friend Ski  is now Protodeacon Michael Malanowski of the Orthodox Church. It was great to reconnect with him.

His son is in a ‘Monastery’ and a Monk (?). Life requirements are very strict. His dream has cost him a lot, using the standards I consider normal.

 I also learned a lot in the process of reconnecting. I learned a little about the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. They are definitely different.

I had the privilege of meeting several Monks in Spain way back in the hills. I believe the port was at Alicante, Spain. In their remote monastery they produced ‘Olive Oil’ using a huge stone wheel and spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation.  I am not sure if they were Catholic or Orthodox. BUT they gave up a lot to follow a dream.

This little dream of mine (and it may just be a dream or hope) to walk the AT will take me by a Monastery in New York.

(From the internet)

The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center is a monastery that generously allows hikers to camp for free in the picnic shelter on their ball field. Come on, when else are you going to get to camp at a monastery? Do it for the experience. The monastery is about 0.4 miles off trail on Franciscan Way. Mile 1,430.8: RPH Shelter.

I have been working on stoves. I have built three alcohol stoves. They weigh less than an ounce. It takes ½ of a coke can to make one. The latest takes 11 minutes to boil 2 cups of water. Ramein noodles will be my main daily meal on the trail.

Stove stuff:

This has been our progression of stoves:

The three stoves uses this far, the one with the big black tank was too heavy. The one not real clear has a smaller tank. The flat can in front is the catfood can stove, also alcohol. the black tape just holds it together for travel.

These are the three I just built. They take 5 table spoons of denatured alcohol to boil water.

The little pancake stove fits in the screen as below:

Of course only one is used , the others will be spares if I go this way. I would still have to carry the fuel.

 

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