April 2, 2011
Colorado Springs, Colorado

After the farewell celebrations the night before, I slept in late on Saturday, April 2, 2011. The previous evening had stretched long into the night, beginning with dinner and drinks with my colleagues from Fort Carson and continuing into a Burner gathering at the Inkq3btr warehouse in Colorado Springs. It had been an emotional night filled with laughter, hugs, and the realization that I was truly about to leave.

The morning felt quiet in comparison.

This was one of those in-between days. No formal events. No scheduled gatherings. Just time to reflect and prepare.

I spent most of the day with Allison, my best friend and what we often jokingly referred to as my platonic twin flame. Over the previous five years, we had grown extremely close. She had been one of the most important people in my life during that time, someone who understood me deeply and shared many of the same values, dreams, and outlooks.

For the past month, I had been staying at her place, renting her couch while preparing for my departure. My life had already begun transitioning. Most of my belongings were packed away. My RV was parked in a storage lot, and additional items were stored in a storage unit. I had intentionally simplified everything in preparation for the journey ahead.

It felt strange living in this transitional state, between the life I had known and the adventure that was about to begin.

Allison and I went out to dinner together that evening. It was quiet, heartfelt, and meaningful. We talked about Australia, sailing aboard the HMB Endeavour, and what lay ahead. Beneath the conversation was the shared understanding that this was a major turning point. I knew I would miss her deeply. Over the years, she had become more than just a friend. She had become family.

After dinner, I returned and began packing more deliberately. Travel gear, clothing, documents, and essentials for the trip Down Under. Each item I packed made the journey feel more real.

I could feel my life shifting.

This was more than a vacation. It was the beginning of a life-changing journey. Australia would be the first destination, followed by Cornwall, archaeological field school work, building an Iron Age roundhouse, attending the Three Wishes Fairy Festival, and then exploring sacred sites, holy wells, and folklore traditions across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

It was a big step.

As the evening wound down, the reality of departure settled in further. I knew I would miss Allison more than most people in my life. Five years of close friendship is not something easily stepped away from, even for adventure.

April 2, 2011, became a quiet but meaningful day. A day of reflection, preparation, and heartfelt connection before the journey truly began.

The adventure was drawing closer.

[ Day 1: Farewells – April 1, 2011 ] [ HOME ] [ Day 3: Family – April 3, 2011 ]

Sir Thomas Leif Sails South [ version 1 ] [ version 2 ]
a Viking / Pirate departure for Sir Thomas Leif as he bids farewell to family and friends, Absinthe Alli and Astranna as he heads Down Under to sail the HMB Endeavour …. Days 2-7, April 2-, 2011. https://technotink.net/chronicles/04-02-11-quiet-between-worlds/ By Rowan ai | Thomas Rhymer | Techno Tink Media | Suno ai.

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Steel-gray dawn on Academy
Boxes stacked like sentry lines
Snow-dust ghosts on Carson’s fences
Breath of frost
Farewell signs
He folds his worn-out camo jacket
Traces sand in every seam
Leaves his boots by the back-door step Like a shed-off skin
Old dream

[Chorus]
Raise the black wing
Sir Thomas Leif
From Colorado’s bones to the boiling reef
From Pike’s white crown to the roaring thunder
You sail
Down Under on the edge of wonder
Oh The wind will carve your name in foam
But your heart stays home
With Absinthe Alli and Astranna’s laughter
In every wave you’ll chase them after

[Verse 2]
Alli pours the bitter-green glass
“Just a taste ” she says “for the road”
Emerald flame in a kitchen tumbler
Tiny altar to the unknown
Astranna draws a crooked tall ship
Stars and kangaroos in the sky
“Bring this back when you’re a pirate Tom”
He tucks it close
Tries not to cry

[Chorus]
Raise the black wing
Sir Thomas Leif
From Colorado’s bones to the boiling reef
From Pike’s white crown to the roaring thunder
You sail Down Under on the edge of wonder
Oh The wind will carve your name in foam
But your heart stays home
With Absinthe Alli and Astranna’s laughter
In every wave you’ll chase them after

[Bridge]
[Drums build Low chant under lead vocal]
Salt in your blood
Frost in your past
Mountain man
Seafaring at last
Pagan prayers in a southern star
Old gods listen from afar
On the HMB
Ghost of Cook
You grip the rail
The sky unhooked
Every swell
You hear her say
“Come back someday
Come back someday”

[Chorus]
Raise the black wing
Sir Thomas Leif
From Colorado’s bones to the boiling reef
From Pike’s white crown to the roaring thunder
You sail Down Under
on the edge of wonder
Oh The wind will carve your name in foam
But your heart stays home
With Absinthe Alli and Astranna’s laughter
In every wave you’ll chase them after

[Outro]
[Instruments fade Almost a capella]
So drink the storm and sing the deep
Let the southern shadows keep
But when the mast cuts through the moon
Think of them
You’re coming soon

Down Under Day 2 to 7: April 2-7, 2011: Sir Thomas Leif prepares for his journey down under to Australia. Farewells to friends and family. https://technotink.net/chronicles/04-02-11-quiet-between-worlds/ Tribal/Pirate/Viking music video by Rowan ai | Suno ai | ChatGPT | Grok | Techno Tink Media | Oisin Rhymour | Tom Baurley.