Day 7

Thursday, April 7, 2011
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Fort Carson Military Reservation

I awoke early, knowing this would be one of the most significant days of my life. The air carried that strange mix of finality and anticipation … the feeling that comes when one chapter is ending, and another is about to begin. My gear was already mostly packed, but I moved slowly and deliberately, double-checking everything as I gathered my belongings from my stay with Captain Relief’s infamous Booty Girl, Absinthe Alli (Allison).

Piece by piece, I loaded my belongings into the Isis Adventure Thru Time vardo.

Isis had become more than just a vehicle. She was a companion now … a rolling symbol of freedom and adventure. A Volkswagen van with a hippie soul, gifted to me by my friend Kyndra at Breitenbush Hot Springs after my Matrix had died on the road to Faerieworlds the previous year. Like many things in my life, Isis had appeared at just the right moment, a gift from the road itself.

Soon enough, I was driving toward Fort Carson for the last time.

My last drive onto the base.

My last day as a military scientist.

My last day as a curator.

The realization sat heavily in my chest.

As I passed through the familiar gates, I felt waves of emotion washing over me … anxiety, stress, glee, joy, and excitement all tangled together. I had spent years building this life, this career, this identity. Now I was stepping away from it all.

Inside the lab, I focused on finishing my final task.

The Manual.

For weeks, I had been pouring my knowledge into this guide … a practical handbook on GIS, curation, and data management. A way of leaving something meaningful behind. A final act of stewardship.

That morning, I worked steadily, polishing sections, reviewing maps, checking formatting, and refining language. By late morning, I realized I had reached a natural stopping point. The manual was nearly complete, though still missing chapters on barcoding and accessioning. I debated pushing forward to finish it, but time was no longer on my side.

It would have to do.

Sometimes, departure does not allow perfection.

At lunchtime, my crew surprised me with a going-away lunch at Little Nepal.

We gathered around the buffet, loading plates high with curry, naan, rice, and spicy delights. The warmth of the food matched the warmth of the moment. Conversation flowed easily, filled with memories, jokes, and shared stories from projects past.

Stuffed to the brim, I sat back contentedly as I received my final Bon Voyage.

Sir Walkenhorst.

Lady Kendra.

Sir Kacey.

Lady Nancielee.

Lady Diane.

Lady Linda.

Each farewell carried weight. These were not just colleagues … but family … they were companions on a shared journey through archaeology, curation, and preservation; people who understood the strange calling of those who dedicate their lives to protecting the past.

It was harder to say goodbye than I had expected.

The afternoon passed quickly.

I turned in my wildland fire protection gear and pack; tools that had accompanied me into rugged landscapes and remote sites. Next went the satellite radio, charger, and clip. Then my military CAC card. Facility keys. Vehicle certificate. Each item surrendered felt symbolic, like shedding layers of my identity.

One by one, I signed out.

With each signature, I stepped further away from the curator.

Finally, I returned to my office for one last cleanup. I gathered stray papers, cleared shelves, wiped down surfaces, and paused for a moment in the quiet space. The room felt empty now, but also peaceful.

I took one last look around.

Then I walked out.

Outside, Isis waited.

I loaded the final items and drove off base, no longer as a staff curator, but as something else entirely; an adventurer in transition.

I made one more stop at my RV to drop off additional gear for long-term storage. The practicalities of departure still demanded attention, even as my mind drifted toward the horizon.

Then I was on the road.

The drive to Denver marked the first long-distance journey for Isis since her recent repairs. I listened closely to the engine, feeling every vibration, every hum, hoping she would carry me faithfully into the next chapter.

In Castle Rock, I pulled off for gas, an energy drink, and a brief escape from aggressive truckers thundering along the interstate. The stop felt like a moment of grounding; a pause between past and future.

By evening, I arrived in Denver.

I stopped first at Absinthe Alli’s parents’ house to borrow their luggage scale. My bags needed to be weighed for the long journey ahead. It was a small but important detail in preparing for an expedition across the world.

Then Alli and I met for one last dinner at Kokoro. Sake. Miso soup. Seaweed salad. A spider roll. Soybeans. Simple food, but deeply meaningful. A quiet farewell between friends before a long separation. We talked, laughed, and reflected, knowing that the next time we saw each other, I would be returning from a completely different life experience. Eventually, it was time. Sweet farewells were exchanged. Alli headed back toward Colorado Springs, while I made my way to Sir Guy and Rockbear’s house.

It felt good to see Sir Guy again. We caught up, sharing stories and excitement about the journey ahead. Sir Rockbear coordinated airport arrangements, ensuring everything was ready for the morning departure. A hot shower washed away the fatigue of the day. I lay down to sleep, feeling both exhausted and energized at the same time.

Tomorrow, I would leave the continent. Tomorrow, I would begin my walkabout. Tomorrow, the adventure truly began.

[ April 6, 2011: Ponderings / Life Choices ] [ Home ] [ Day 8: April 8, 2011: Last Day as Curator ]

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.