Leaving the Lab & Military Science:
Last Days and Packing

April 1 – 3, 2011

* The Rocky Mountains, The Nacerima Empire *

Friday, 1st April 2011 * The Springs Where the Red Silt is Brought From the Mountains

Sir Thomas Leaf went back across the boundary of the Royal Army as he met the guards overlooking the boundary and his “Burner” van “Isis Adventure Thru Time.” They gave him the look-over as he handed them his military scientist ID Card and then waved him on in. Sir Thomas Leaf pondered: “Seven More Days … and I won’t be dealing with this any longer.” Of course over the last 6 years in employ as a cartographer and royal curator for the archaeology and protection of the environmental and cultural resources in the lands where the Red silt flows by the River from the Mountains where the armed forces train. It really has only been the last three years in this position that this modern “Vardo” was a vehicle that many would mistaken as a “hippie van”. His fellow archaeologists would often mock him in playful jest about that said “Hippie Van” or as that Sir Thomas Leaf looked like a biker and as pranks would plaster Harley Davidson motorcycle stickers periodically on the Burner Van/Vardo. He reminesced about various comments the gate guards used on him often when reporting to work at the lab on base such as “You just can’t drive this amount of class onto Fort Carson like this every day” (mocked with a smile) or the eye-scrutiny delays when the guard would even after seeing the paperwork match with the ID and vehicle card would still look him over and check the front and back plates with hesitation before waving him on through. Sir Thomas’ favorite incident was one of those types looking him over innocently asking “What do you do for us?” to which Sir Thomas replied “Ever see Indiana Jones?” The guard would respond “Yes” to which Sir Thomas would state “I’m one of those.” and the Guard confusedly would reply “Oh … I didn’t know we had any of those…”

On this date though, our world explorer would be wrapping up cartography projects and attend a farewell gathering held in his honor by his co-workers at the “Biker Bar” downtown known as “Southside Johnnies”. For his lunch break he jolted off for a “All you can eat” Chinese Buffet at the “China Doll” in Colorado Springs with the lab scribe Linda and one of his fellow Explorer’s of the Crown … Kendra. The team had a most fulfilling feast at the buffet. That afternoon, after work, many of the Environmental Science Directorate met together in the back room of Southside Johnnies. As fire fighters, adventurers, scribes, scientists, and warriors gathered together – food and grog was imbibed in a Pirate way as a handful of them were dressed in “Pirate” Maritime garb in honor of Sir Thomas. Drinking and revelry ensued.

Gifts were given to Sir Thomas for him to remember his time with the science squad such as a Harley Davidson Biker shirt inscribed with blessings of Bon Voyage Down Under, A framed photo of the Sacred Rock Art from The Hogback he spent many hours at, and a gift card for the Adventurer gear shopping (with which he bought a travel hammock and waterproof gear bags). Sir Thomas was sad to say goodbye but knew the Adventure of a lifetime awaited him. After much debauchery instigated by the Adventurer/Explorer Nancielee, the Explorer Sir Kacey of the Windy Lands escorted Sir Thomas Leaf the Cartography, the Royal Explorer Lady Kendra of the Purgatory, and the Earth Guardian Lady Sarah to a grog merchant down the road for spirits and then on to the Inkqb8tr warehouse for more revelry.

Photos and videos below the cut:

Meeting up with many friends who were celebrating the memory of the Trickster “Timber” who passed away years prior. Exciting beats and tunes were danced to, many spirits imbibed, and much merriment followed. Some pretty harsh spirits of moonshine was introduced by Sir Thomas Leaf’s arch-enemy, the wicked mischievious prankster of a Pooka that Sir Thomas Leaf could no longer stand the company of. But he was easily distracted with frolick and flirtations, and became enthralled by a particular Lady that evening. He contemplated and reminesced how that always happens to him just before a journey of departure to other realms. Always wondering if she be the Lady Niamh he so hopes to find once again. Back home by the wee hours of the morn, Sir Thomas Leaf passed out for the night – good times had by all with no known “foolery” damage by the Pooka which was good.

Saturday, 2 April 2011: The Springs where the red colored silt flows by the river from the mountains

Awakened with a harsh hangover, Sir Thomas Leaf and the Booty Girl Lady Absinthe Alli wound up cancelling their camping trip due to being overrun by catching up on sleep, recovery from a hangover (Sir Leaf, not the Booty Girl), and hours worth of chores to accomplish. That evening they had a night in watching “The Chosen” and “127 Days” until they passed out.

Sunday, 3 April 2011: The Springs where the Red silt flows by the River flowing from the Mountains

Haunting and devestating winds struck the region of the Garden of the Gods hellaciously throughout the evening and wee hours of the morning. Trees had fallen upon houses and cluttered streets. Sir Thomas Leaf awoke to another day of chores as he moved the remainder of his belongings, wares, art, and faunal comparative collections to his large caravan for storage to await his return after his “Walkabout“. That afternoon he went into the lab on the Warrior training grounds to wrap up cartographic maps, analysis and records of archaeological sites, and paperwork still pending completion. Late into the night he worked with the only soul to see was the Explorer Kendra dropping into the lab to retrieve some of her research. He finished up the recording of the Wiccan Ceremonial Site and completed its photo compilation sheets, ready for it to be sent and recorded with the State Archives of Historical Sites.

Monday, 4 April 2011: The Springs where the Red Silt Flows in the River from the Mountains

Exhausted and overwhelmed our brave Explorer, Sir Thomas Leaf stumbled on into work early for a long day of research. Much snowfall greeted him on the roads during the drive to the warrior proving grounds. He finished his records and final processed data on the Lakota Sioux Inipi Lodge that had been destroyed in 2008 by a wild land fire and rebuilt the following years. Records for the State Archives of Historical Sites prepared. He ran through his works and paperwork with a final wrap up with the lead explorer, Sir Mark of the Stone Tool Makers. From there, Sir Thomas headed off to the young princess Astranna’s school to see her presentation and report on “Joan of Arc”. He felt Princess Astranna succeeded beyond amazement with her research and acting. The chain mail that Sir Mark of Zeezo’s lent her, was a phenomenal touch for the education of this fine princess on Knights and warfare. Her fellow classmates all had fantastic research and findings to collaborate on as well as some of the most creative artistic outfits. That evening was completed when Lady Absinthe Alli and Princess Astranna took Sir Thomas Leaf out for a feast of Pineapple Curry Duck and Thai Ice teas to bid farewell and Bon Voyage.

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