Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered. – Dalai Lama
I get a kick out of being an outsider constantly. It allows me to be creative. – Bill Hicks
The status quo sucks. – George Carlin
“If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” – William Blake
In this Survival Bros vlog I visit a gym to use a free trial membership. Really, I just wanted to use the sauna and shower at no cost. I encourage you to ask more, and see what you can get in life.
Using an infrared sauna will get rid of toxins, open pores, and relax tense muscles. It was hot as Vegas, but I loved IT. I lasted 25 minutes. No idea what the temperature was! After this I drove my new Mustang to Portland to hustle at pawn shops and thrift stores. I forget what I found…but I’ll find it again. ha
I love meeting new friends at Terwilliger aka Cougar Hot Spring in Oregon. It’s located in the Willamette National Forest, East of Eugene near the McKenzie River. The cost is now $12 per day pass. You’ll take a moderate walk 1/2 a mile in from the small parking lot, before getting to the meditative area. Accommodations include a covered changing area, and updated self-composting outdoor restrooms. Also, keep in mind this is a day use area only. You could face a fat fine if you’re not leaving the parking lot when darkness falls.
Change temperatures in a shallow creek skirting the cascading blue pools. Cool down, and drink the fresh water from Source. Previously, I dug clay out of the Earth here for facials, but we need to leave this space as it is. Clothing is optional, so come as you are and be respectful, or leave. Guests may want to remain clothed. Don’t ask them why they aren’t naked. This popular recreational area can be very busy during the Summer. Go in the morning, or during the week for more seclusion. Pools are cleaned every Thursday in the AM, so expect closure until late afternoon. Smile, and bring your positive energy. We need more natural people on Earth. Forget you phone, bills, and ex-girlfriend, and soak in the healing waters. I hope to see you there. I will continue to update this post with new pictures, and 4K videos.
Chill out on the North Fork of the McKenzie River with Cam from #SurvivalBros and Papilio Oregonius butterflies. This is the official insect of Oregon State. Filmed near Terwilliger/Cougar Hot Spring, in the Willamette National Forest.
Survival Bros at the McMinnville COOP’s Labyrinth and Gardens. Presented by Parkview Community Center. Here’s the address: 325 NE Burnett Rd McMinnville, OR 97128
A labyrinth is reflective space where you can notice changes in your thinking. Perhaps you can look at a situation, and see it in a new light. Find a labyrinth using this locator website. Tell #SurvivalBros what you think about these amazing works of Art. Combining both the best of Philosophy and Nature.
Cameron McKirdy takes another selfie
A deer eats and apple under a tree in the park
Please comment, like, share, and SUBSCRIBE! Thanks for watching our HD video productions. Have a peaceful day. More on http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com
I challenge you to carry a water container wherever you go on the daily! You’ll be healthier, and happier. I do this to stay hydrated, and make sure I’m not too over caffeinated.
BONUS CHALLENGE: DRINK 125 OUNCES OF AGUA EACH DAY.
Plus, try adding lemon juice to your beverage to stimulate your metabolism, improve your digestion, and aid in the detoxification process.
Did you know drinking cold water will burn extra calories for you too? It’s true. Just don’t drink a ton of water at once, because you can die from too much liquid intake.
Thanks for supporting the blog! Make the most of today. Take care of yourself, and each other. Peace, love, and big hugs to you.
I was gifted tree resin fit for a King today. Pictured is a fat handful of Frankincense and Myrrh gum bled from a plant. My buddy Gypsy Hugh got the aromatic harvest burning on a hot hookah charcoal. Next, we place the purifying fragrance in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon. The pleasant odor filled my bus with smoke, and the scent should linger for days. It smells like incense, only more pure, and natural to me. It was a kind gesture to hot box my vehicle like that, and very appropriate on Christmas Day. Enjoy the pictures below. I’d never seen these hardened resins in person, called tears.
One of my favorite activities do to for myself is taking a trip to an isolation chamber, or flotation tank in PDX. The two spas Survival Bros have checked out are Float On, and Common Ground. Both are open to the public, just call ahead before you try this form of alternative medicine. There’s many benefits to floating, but in general it’s excellent for meditation, and relaxation. Specifically, I use this type of therapy for an improvement in circulation, and to enhance creativity.
So how does it work? Well, the video interview featuring Joe Rogan is a good place to start your journey. But since I have experience, here’s how it went when I stopped by Common Ground at the Everett House Healing Center and Spa. They are located at 5010 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211. First, I reserved a floating session by phone (503-238-1065), which cost $65 for 90 minutes. If you call them, and ask for a promotion, you may be able to get a better rate. There’s two tanks here. Common Ground is a wellness co-operative, so consider becoming a member for more savings. It’s a wonderful environment, bursting with plant life outside, and welcoming people all around. The reception area is cozy. Shop, explore other services, such as massage, or you can help yourself to a beverage like hot tea. Check in for your float, then grab an over-sized towel and hit the showers and sauna. Beware, locker room may be coed at times, so you may see some boobies.
After loosening up in the sauna, and breaking a sweat, I rinsed off again, and took off my bath towel. I slipped into the dark tank, and got settled in. Using earplugs is recommended, so one more bodily sense is cut off from The World. That’s the idea. You use an isolation chamber to go inside yourself, work through issues, and make discoveries. A floating air pillow supports your head and neck. Then you simply lay there in darkness, mostly submerged in salty water. The Epsom solution is ideally the same temperature as your skin, at 93.5-95 degrees. So as you relax, you begin to lose a sense of where your body ends, and where the The Universe begins. It’s like being thrown back into the womb. Finally, you’re alone with yourself again, and can process life better.
Follow the links provided to find out more benefits of flotation tanks. You’ll begin to discover how it changes your brain. If you try out an isolation tank, you may feel your mind bending. According to Common Ground in Portland, OR this “stimulates left/right brain synchronization; shifts brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Alpha, Theta and even Delta; creates mental clarity, alertness; increases creativity, problem solving; heightens visualization; deepens meditation; expands awareness, intensifies acuteness of all the senses, accelerates learning.” Sign yourself up. If you try this, you won’t be disappointed. It is not a waste of time. It’s something new to most, and good for you on many levels. Leave a comment if you have additional questions, and I will do my best to answer them. I will explore this topic further, and blog more about floating soon. Cheers.
I’m all about my freebies. Maybe you remember all of the product samples I’ve scored, and blogged about in the past. You can get free stuff easily by requesting trials online, and they will be delivered to you by mail. When I’m not filling out forms like that, I’m in shops trying to get hook ups. In Starbucks this week they were sampling out pasteries. They weren’t on display yet. The stash was sitting off into the corner on the counter, with a Manager’s note saying “Sample these.” I politely asked an employee if I could have one of the items. There was all sorts of muffins, bars, and scones to pick from. On day one I took the pink cake filled lolly pops with sprinkles. I didn’t eat them in public.
I went back to the coffee shop for more samples the next day, just in case they were still available. Really, I just needed the WiFi to upload my previous video. I scored the squishy coffee cake that day, but didn’t stop there. I requested 3 honey packets too, since they don’t put those out at all Starbucks locations. I swiped a few raw sugar packets as well. Plus, I saw another sign saying I can request a free sample beverage using their coffee pods if I asked. When I mentioned it, the worker said they haven’t used that set up to brew complimentary cups of fresh java lately, even though the machine, and sample pods where still on the front counter. I didn’t have time for them to pretend to look for an extension cord, so I took samples for later consumption.
I like to visit the health food store weekly, and my last trip was really worth it. They always have free tablets of Vitamin C to help yourself to, but there was more. I found packets of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, Natural Calm magnesium mixes in three flavors, Barlean’s Greens, one DHA pill, and a bag of tea. These individually wrapped servings are perfect for my backpacking trips, and the small emergency caches I like to build to prepare for tsunamis. If I can swoop up all of these freebies, than so can you. Ask for a nibble when you’re in the food court, or browsing the deli counter at the grocery store. It’s fun to see what you can get for asking. Happy hunting Survival Bros.
These cake pops were amazing!
Free coffee cake went well with peanut butter and strawberry jelly
Cameron McKirdy of Survival Bros gets naked, and films the Terwilliger Hot Springs near Cougar Reservoir in Oregon by Blue River. Check out the four natural pools, and the wooden structures. The top pool is now under construction. The natural cave, which was a sauna, and the source of the hot springs is being remodeled by experts. They want it to remain as natural looking as possible. Word on the street is that the first pool will reopen as soon as it’s safe, and stable.
Certified yoga instructor Sarah Whisler guides you through an easy warm up, workout, and cool down in this HD video production. We filmed our “flow” in Seaside, Oregon. Our hope is that you use this video, and create more joy and peace in your life daily. Stay tuned to Survival Bros, because we will be creating even better instructional routines soon. Make yoga a part of your practice, and glow in all the benefits. If you like the video, please share this workout with a friend. Positive comments are also welcome. Thanks!
Two of my close friends have shot themselves in the head in separate recent tragedies. Another failed in his suicide attempt. Not good. Not cool. If you need help, get some. Talk to your friends, family, or call prevention experts like The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. People are available 24/7. You can work through your problems. You are LOVED! Please like and share this post if you agree. Thanks.
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 