Posted By: Sharon
ATA Fling,Snow Angels, the Artist's Perspective - 03/17/24 11:10 PM
Some things just come together to perfection, like a well oiled machine.
Every moment from day one, has been complete enjoyment for me , since JR so kindly invited me to see the mountains of his line. The up close and personal touching of these ranges that I illustrated , along with his wolverine, for the cover of Trappers Post, is a never ending invigorating current revving high gear into all my senses. Red line.
The only other aspect that eclipses all this natural beauty , are the equally warm people I have been having the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.
It is my privilege and honor to share my life with such people.
I told JR I wanted to be a little like a tourist, but a lot helper in every place he takes me. Willing to work and help make anything that much smoother . He assured me that he will do just that . " I'll work you like a borrowed mule", he likes to tell me , well, I'm not afraid of helping
JR helped us to work out the plan . My main concern was food supplies for meals, and all that fell into place as nothing I've ever seen , and we took off the next day. I felt as in a dream from day one. I am still in that dream.
I couldn't have a better man to look forward in diving into the land , and in helping me to understand the personality of overflow . To take the edge off my fear of them , so I can calmly enjoy the magnitude of colours they have. That hollow crunch sound of the tracks , a full stop, then actually walking on the ice. With the same hollow crunch and cracking !
" JR, I hear water gurgling and creaking under me "...forgetting to breathe.
" It's ok, that ice you're on is thick and you'll be fine. Look at the colours on this area". He was good at distracting me . I became absorbed with the glacial blues and whites of ice strata .
After the first day, I was thrilled. I had conquered a huge fear of stories and photos of waters swallowing up machines and drenched riders. The next day, he found an amazing sloped ledge of overflow, had me dismount my metal steed, and quite literally led me up that slope to stand on a most beautiful wonder of ice and colour.
"Turn around, I'm gonna take a picture of you." I was fearful of sliding down the slope like an otter, but my Steger's taught me just how amazing they are on sheer ice.
My fearful smile turned to exultant jubilation.
"See? I told you that you could do it", he smiled, his camera snapping away.
There were not enough words to describe my new found courage . I was so happy walking around, I forgot that JR wanted to get going , so he reminded me to mount up ...he was smiling at my child like excitement .
Even when I said, like a child," I'm having an epiphany !"
" Just get your ----- on the ----- machine"....he said , smiling...he added a couple of words in those directions, but I'll leave those out
I am at the mid way point on my journey . As I knew, time is flying way too fast. I could explore those mountains forever.
The depth of feeling I experienced, in seeing the ranges that I spent hours drawing, colouring in, was overwhelming . We discussed the twists , turns, colour changes of the peaks , the moods they give from morning to night, even at night. Thankfully, JR wants to take me back out on the trail this next week . I will be ready to capture more images.
The re freeze really messed with a number of his traps, having to chop them out and re set them. Watching him work with such smooth professionalism , at last. I saw all the places I've only studied in one dimensional photos , to living colour, multi dimensions of observed appreciative learning.
I hadn't been told the half of the beauty I have absorbed, and still am.
I think I am redeeming myself as a happy tag along , with my cooking skills, helping with wood, cleaning, etc.
The Fling yesterday was awesome. And so fun. But with a glimpse of the immense work in preparations and cooperation required by many hands and minds to bring it all together. I don't know how many people there were that attended the events, from the fur auction, the Banquet and inside auction, to the second day today as well, but the place has been packed .
But I am getting ahead of myself. For now, in sections, here are some images of my journey , with Iron Man . Who has been patient and thoughtful of me. I think he is enjoying himself too.
I could have never kept up with him if I drove my own machine. He planned it perfectly that I ride in back with him, being able to enjoy the mountains much better , with easy communication for stopping.
JR drives snow machine like I ride race horses. We hit some dips and bumps that unseated us both , us, the machine, and sled, all airborne. Good thing I am an adept horse rider. I would have never stayed on some of those maneuvers. If that machine was a horse acting like that, I would have taken a whip to it ...
Off the trail , one afternoon, JR was showing me some great country but the going was tough with no groomed trail . The snow depth grabbed us and the next thing I knew, we were tipping over . It was as if in slow motion we tipped over, sinking into the depth of snow. I was fine, so was JR, of course. He jumped up and righted the machine with all that weight that was attached to it. Effortlessly. Strong as an ox. He was ready to go and I was still in the snow...all my clothes in the way of a graceful jump up...needless to say, however deep that snow was ! He wanted to know what I was doing down there...I just need to make some snow angels , that was my excuse , anyway ..
I had fun even doing that . We were not injured and the machine didn't fall on us. It listed like a ship. Another exciting adventure for me with nothing broke or injured. And I saw more lovely country in new dimensions. Maybe we can do that again this next week ...I'll take pics this time.
Morning glow at the cabin .
My first overflow epiphany. The slope in front was steeper than it looks in the photo. Honest...it was.... I was ecstatic.
This machine never ceased to amaze me at its power, reliability, and consistent transporting us safely through it all, no matter the temp. It was so comfortable for me. I gripped it just as I do a horse to balance, stand halfway often in leg hydraulics over the rough areas or unexpected drops.
JR drives as fast as he can on the smoother places, but slow and careful as a surgeon around rocks, trees, and open water leads. He took good care of us. Not once was I ever doubtful or frightened . I had full free abandon confidence in him.
The mountain I put so much work into , for the cover art. Sheep Mtn. It is lovely no matter how you view it , from any angle.
I forget the names of other mountains here, and I invite JR to please fill in the names if he desires.
A military chopper flew over us out on an open flat, and we waved at them. JR said he turned on the lights to get their attention . They flew straight to us . What a hoot. He said jets and choppers have a habit of flying along those areas. Fun to see them.
Closer view of our ride. I sure like this machine.
Every moment from day one, has been complete enjoyment for me , since JR so kindly invited me to see the mountains of his line. The up close and personal touching of these ranges that I illustrated , along with his wolverine, for the cover of Trappers Post, is a never ending invigorating current revving high gear into all my senses. Red line.
The only other aspect that eclipses all this natural beauty , are the equally warm people I have been having the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.
It is my privilege and honor to share my life with such people.
I told JR I wanted to be a little like a tourist, but a lot helper in every place he takes me. Willing to work and help make anything that much smoother . He assured me that he will do just that . " I'll work you like a borrowed mule", he likes to tell me , well, I'm not afraid of helping
JR helped us to work out the plan . My main concern was food supplies for meals, and all that fell into place as nothing I've ever seen , and we took off the next day. I felt as in a dream from day one. I am still in that dream.
I couldn't have a better man to look forward in diving into the land , and in helping me to understand the personality of overflow . To take the edge off my fear of them , so I can calmly enjoy the magnitude of colours they have. That hollow crunch sound of the tracks , a full stop, then actually walking on the ice. With the same hollow crunch and cracking !
" JR, I hear water gurgling and creaking under me "...forgetting to breathe.
" It's ok, that ice you're on is thick and you'll be fine. Look at the colours on this area". He was good at distracting me . I became absorbed with the glacial blues and whites of ice strata .
After the first day, I was thrilled. I had conquered a huge fear of stories and photos of waters swallowing up machines and drenched riders. The next day, he found an amazing sloped ledge of overflow, had me dismount my metal steed, and quite literally led me up that slope to stand on a most beautiful wonder of ice and colour.
"Turn around, I'm gonna take a picture of you." I was fearful of sliding down the slope like an otter, but my Steger's taught me just how amazing they are on sheer ice.
My fearful smile turned to exultant jubilation.
"See? I told you that you could do it", he smiled, his camera snapping away.
There were not enough words to describe my new found courage . I was so happy walking around, I forgot that JR wanted to get going , so he reminded me to mount up ...he was smiling at my child like excitement .
Even when I said, like a child," I'm having an epiphany !"
" Just get your ----- on the ----- machine"....he said , smiling...he added a couple of words in those directions, but I'll leave those out
I am at the mid way point on my journey . As I knew, time is flying way too fast. I could explore those mountains forever.
The depth of feeling I experienced, in seeing the ranges that I spent hours drawing, colouring in, was overwhelming . We discussed the twists , turns, colour changes of the peaks , the moods they give from morning to night, even at night. Thankfully, JR wants to take me back out on the trail this next week . I will be ready to capture more images.
The re freeze really messed with a number of his traps, having to chop them out and re set them. Watching him work with such smooth professionalism , at last. I saw all the places I've only studied in one dimensional photos , to living colour, multi dimensions of observed appreciative learning.
I hadn't been told the half of the beauty I have absorbed, and still am.
I think I am redeeming myself as a happy tag along , with my cooking skills, helping with wood, cleaning, etc.
The Fling yesterday was awesome. And so fun. But with a glimpse of the immense work in preparations and cooperation required by many hands and minds to bring it all together. I don't know how many people there were that attended the events, from the fur auction, the Banquet and inside auction, to the second day today as well, but the place has been packed .
But I am getting ahead of myself. For now, in sections, here are some images of my journey , with Iron Man . Who has been patient and thoughtful of me. I think he is enjoying himself too.
I could have never kept up with him if I drove my own machine. He planned it perfectly that I ride in back with him, being able to enjoy the mountains much better , with easy communication for stopping.
JR drives snow machine like I ride race horses. We hit some dips and bumps that unseated us both , us, the machine, and sled, all airborne. Good thing I am an adept horse rider. I would have never stayed on some of those maneuvers. If that machine was a horse acting like that, I would have taken a whip to it ...
Off the trail , one afternoon, JR was showing me some great country but the going was tough with no groomed trail . The snow depth grabbed us and the next thing I knew, we were tipping over . It was as if in slow motion we tipped over, sinking into the depth of snow. I was fine, so was JR, of course. He jumped up and righted the machine with all that weight that was attached to it. Effortlessly. Strong as an ox. He was ready to go and I was still in the snow...all my clothes in the way of a graceful jump up...needless to say, however deep that snow was ! He wanted to know what I was doing down there...I just need to make some snow angels , that was my excuse , anyway ..
I had fun even doing that . We were not injured and the machine didn't fall on us. It listed like a ship. Another exciting adventure for me with nothing broke or injured. And I saw more lovely country in new dimensions. Maybe we can do that again this next week ...I'll take pics this time.
Morning glow at the cabin .
My first overflow epiphany. The slope in front was steeper than it looks in the photo. Honest...it was.... I was ecstatic.
This machine never ceased to amaze me at its power, reliability, and consistent transporting us safely through it all, no matter the temp. It was so comfortable for me. I gripped it just as I do a horse to balance, stand halfway often in leg hydraulics over the rough areas or unexpected drops.
JR drives as fast as he can on the smoother places, but slow and careful as a surgeon around rocks, trees, and open water leads. He took good care of us. Not once was I ever doubtful or frightened . I had full free abandon confidence in him.
The mountain I put so much work into , for the cover art. Sheep Mtn. It is lovely no matter how you view it , from any angle.
I forget the names of other mountains here, and I invite JR to please fill in the names if he desires.
A military chopper flew over us out on an open flat, and we waved at them. JR said he turned on the lights to get their attention . They flew straight to us . What a hoot. He said jets and choppers have a habit of flying along those areas. Fun to see them.
Closer view of our ride. I sure like this machine.