Baja Chorbel

Chorbel??? What does that word mean? Well right now it means Baja, no job,  no time schedule, no alarm clock, no plan, just good living, that is what "Chorbel" means. Chorbel, chorbeling, chorbish all very silly words for most, but it is more than a word, it is an act of chilling. Chorbeling is not being lazy by any point, even though many may view  it as this way. I tend to find it healthy to spend time for yourself, whether it is that slow morning with a few cups of coffee and maybe a walk along the beach or that need to get out and paddle around in the ocean with some friends. I feel like in life we need to just stop and look around and notice the beauty that surrounds us.

The Tour de Suenos is slowly preparing for the depature to Mainland Mexico, and by preparing I mean mostly Chorbel time in la casa en Baja. Example of life is shown in the photos.

 

 

 

 

The Sea has set me adrift

It moves me like the weed in a great river.

Earth and the great weather

Move me

Have carried me away

And move my inward parts with joy.

-Inuit

 

Suenos on the Kaweah

East Fork of Kaweah

Photo: Gareth Tate

When the Tour de Suenos came to a shift from the PNW to a last visit to Idaho, I found my way back to Cali in mid-May. After a Wilderness First Responder course at Humbolt University I headed on a straight shot south to the Kaweah river drainage for an imprompt Kaweah fest with about 35 boaters camping out at the Hideaway. Planning on only paddleing for a couple days, I got sucked into the terminal eddy of the Kaweah for about a week and a half. This is an easy place to get stuck in because of such easy access to some high quality California granite runs, good people and easy livin. Days were spent on Hospital Rock and The East Fork trying to get our shred on and not get beat downs. Life on the Kaweah is always a good way to go into river season, I finished my time on the Kaweah and made a quick stop for a low water Forks of the Kern run and then to a working man on the Toulumne.

Some photo highlights of the Goodness of the River, thanks Kevin Smith for the sweet pics

 

 

Video Highlight of the Kaweah

Highlights of the Pacific Northwest tour this past spring

 Its coming to the end of the river season here in Cali, and I have had some great times up here on the Toulumne River. I found myself looking through some good photos of spring time road tripping and wanted to share some of the good times. This spring the Tour de Suenos started itself off in Idaho and then headed west to the good old PNW. It was cold at times, always wet, great whitewater and new friends and hanging with old buddies along the way. The Toyota Tercel (AKA starship alfa) did a great job of taking at least 3 dirtbags from river to river and providing us with plenty of storage for all our wet gear. The trip was full of new training experiences, honing in all our crucial skills and getting ready for whatever came our way. Living the dream in the PNW with Kyle Smith, Will Long and Andrew Matthews

Starship Alfa with her pilot, Will Long.

Buddy boating in Oregon, thanks Jenni Chaffin for the photos and hospitality.

Farmlands, on the White Salmon.

 Herman the giant Sturgeon, making visits to the local famous is always worth a stop.

Lifestyle of the dirtbag in the PNW, constant fire for 3 days, beers and a disco. But all worthwhile for some good whitewater and for living your dreams with good friends.

Always Training!!!

One reason why I love where I live

http://vimeo.com/46069543

http://vimeo.com/46069543

Some footage of the suenos this past year in Zambia

It is getting close to Zambezi season and this year I wont be making it back to that beautiful country but life is heading in a good direction. California is amazing and soon to come will be the journey southward. http://vimeo.com/41300409


The Rapid I will miss most, good old number 9, the days when she would make my heart race. Always happy when I got on that green highway to freedom:)

 Tour de Suenos was born on the idea that we should live out our dreams. We  are people who are constantly on a journey, sometimes to far away places sometimes just right around the corner. We thrive on sights of open oceans and vast valleys, we long to spend time in Nature and to be among the energy she produces. We call no one place our home because we have found friends and have community in more than one place. There are days when we hang out together and there are those we walk alone, trying to be still, listening and absorbing the beauty around us. Life is glorious, we truly are the lucky ones... La Buena Vida

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