In the summer of 1989, Hibble, Pibble, and Sibble (names we’d given ourselves) made what was then an epic journey across the country to explore the west coast. The journey was a playful and exhilarating adventure for us, and a true bonding experience. We hiked and camped in remote regions of the Great Northwest so as to get a true flavor of the land.
The picture above is from my sketch book of the journey. The three of us are huddled under the boughs of a tree which provided a cold, muddy refuge from the soggy and claustrophobic confines of the tent, our home for three wet days. We found it infuriatingly impossible to start a fire to stay warm in the ceasless rain, and we attempted to distract ouselves at night by telling stories and playing cards by the dim light of a candle lantern. On the second rainy night, we all agreed that this was by far the most miserable night of the entire jouney thus far.
Hibble had brought along a flask of fine whiskey, given to him before we left by an old college professor with these wise words: “Save this for the worst night of the trip”. We all agreed that that was the night to open the flask. We offered words of gratitude to the professor as we passed the flask around, taking healthy sips, savoring every drop. Our moods brightened, and we lay in our sleeping bags laughing and telling stories in the dark, until each of us fell asleep to the sound of the rain in the damp fog of Mt. Rainier.
Yes Sibble, I remember that night well. The whiskey was a gift from Edgar Whan. Your sketchbook survives as a magnificent witness to that epic trip.
I’m really glad you remember that night, Pibble. There are so many stories I want to tell from our epic trip. (By the way, that map of Turtle Island I drew of our trip together, is in a current gallery show in Athens, “A Secret Map”.. Also on display is the map I drew of Robinson Hole, Nevada (the national rainbow gathering)……that’s a map of you and me.
I wish I could see your exhibit Steve! I remember our trip quite well, but I’m sure that your sketches contain all sorts of details that I have forgotten.
I’ve enjoyed hearing Hibble recall many amusing stories from the epic adventure – fun to see a scene from your sketchbook. Hope you plan on posting more of these! xDawn
I’ll do that, Dawn!
So many good stories from that trip, it’s daunting to know where to start.
I might start with The Story of How Hibble Saved Pibble from the River in Arapaho Canyon.