Stamps 1

Tracks of the StoneBear ROF 
Ring of Fire journey Stamps 1 circa 1962 

 The start of a thousand mile journey starts with a 6" step. The journey started early. Sometimes you look around and realize you are already on the path, the curiosity pulled you in to make a subconcious choice. At age 12 in the Scouts a merit badge in stamp collecting seemed interesting.

 
A $3 stamp collecting book and a $1 bag of cancelled stamps and I was started. Sorting through the bag... there are international stamps from countries around the world. Stamps of all countries are distinct, very detailed, interesting. Get the encyclopedia and read about this country. 

Get the world atlas; ?where is this place? ?What is it about this country that makes it unique? ... the geography, the culture, their raw materials/ resources. ?What is it like there? ?How is it different from what little I know of the world while in a small Alabama town? The journey of adventure begins. Reaching into the well of curiosity at 12, actually I am lost and exploring. As usual, by myself, on my own, no help, no moral support, no resources, start on a shoestring... big on curiosity and adventure. One day i'll travel to these countries, but for now I could study and learn about them with every stamp. Stamps helped develop a good imagination too. ... the wonder of what it was like there. Or who, or what event the stamp was about. So the Tracks of the StoneBear journey goes way back and it's primary of the enthusiasm for exploration that developed at an early age. Stamp collecting was a catalyst for studying anthropology, archaeology, and geology in college. Searching a stamp for information was like cracking open a rock and seeing my 1st fossil; I was hooked as a 9 year old archaeologist. I was exploring and adventuring long before there was an Indiana Jones character. The introduction into stamps triggered a lifelong journey that has taken me to the 4 corners of the world. I've traveled the back roads and witnessed many cultures / subcultures. Talked and made friends with many people from some 30+ countries; ALL interesting! I have stamps from countries that are no longer countries,... ie... Republic of Dahomey, USSR/ Soviet Union. 

One of my favorites is the Hitler stamp with the postmark date of August 20, 1943 mailed in Germany with "stadt" on the postmark; I would have liked to have read what that letter said from Germany during WWII. I like the Ghandi stamp; Ghandi stood up to the British empire for sovereignty and won. ... and

won the respect of the world. I've traveled to urban crossroads of continents, and back country ghost towns. Been on board ship at night in the North Sea in a storm, hiked into the eye of volcanoes, hiked through snowpack to dance around the sacred Medicine Wheel,... hiked into and have seen places that white men never returned from. I don't know where the thirst for exploration came from; the early search about stamps had a lot of influence. I see the kids today with cell phones and texting. I've yet to overhear any useful conversation / information on a cell phone. I have 2 Nephews and if I died today they wouldn't notice as they'd be texting while playing gameboy Xbox zircon 960. Stamps don't translate today, as in letter writing doesn't translate today. People used to write letters, with actuall real emotion and inflection in the letter. A couple of letters got me through the Marines. The Stamps on the letters were important. On a personal letter it meant that someone cared about you enough to take time to write you... and get stamps to make sure it was mailed/ delivered to you. I like the technology of email, but ?when was the last time you got a letter from someone that loves you? ... a hand written letter that ends with "I love you". Yeah,... that era is gone. 50 years later, I still have the stamp collection. It's not worth any real amount of money,... but I wouldn't take a million dollars for it. ... or the enthusiasm to explore it taught a kid. The next best thing was to get a postcard. A postcard from a friend showed you were important enough for someone to stop and think about you.... and send you a note. Also see the Postcard post: http://marsbt.blogspot.com/2011/12/227.html Snail mail is almost gone. ?Who likes to receive only bills in the mailbox? Letters and postcards from friends were/ still are great moments in your life/ journey. Send them often. You never drink twice from the same stream.