Message from the Mountain

October 2025/Issue #16

Patterns

The definition of the word pattern, a recurring or predictable arrangement of elements found in nature, human-made designs, or abstract ideas, can be applied to a number of things in this world. I used to think that there were ten, or maybe twelve different face styles for humans. I was wrong, there are exactly eight.

In this quest for land that will host Mobility Mountain, I have seen a lot of patterns. Land is being grabbed up, stripped of trees, developed, and offered as a home site, with a neighbor less than 20 feet away. That is one pattern that seems to be prevalent. Another pattern is clear-cutting the land, then planting trees and shrubs to the owner's liking. That pattern is awful funny to see. Natural patterns are fun to witness in their unique forms. Snowflakes, animal colors, and unique designs in feathers, all lead to a pattern that works, for whatever purpose.

Some structural patterns offer strength while providing a visual melody. Most of our structural design for strength comes from patterns found in nature. Lattice work on bridges is a direct relation using biomimicry, the best selection over time, for patterns in nature. Sometimes the best patterns are right in front of us, yet we never see them.

Someone asked me the other day, "Are you getting anywhere with the campground thing?" I smiled and replied, yes. Repetition is what it takes to get good at something. A US Navy SEAL, or a Recon Marine, even an Airborne Ranger, has to perform reps to become efficient at their trade craft. Doing the same thing over and over helps scope down the routine for efficiency, and effectiveness. Writing the newsletters, and creating social media posts, has always been fun for me. I like to see the outreach, the likes, the clicks, and I can see my numbers slowly climb. That means more people are getting the message and those people will remember us, when the time is right.

I feel like we are closer than ever to obtaining property. The pattern of turning down "offers" to focus on what we need to fulfill our mission is frustrating, but it is there for a reason. The shiny thing (remember that newsletter article?) isn't always what it is cracked up to be. The reps are making it easier to focus and aim in the right direction. I appreciate the lesson in patience, and I cannot wait to begin Making Nature Accessible.

Happy Halloween!

By Jeffrey W Pryor

I recall the first time that I ordered an 8 ounce cappuccino with a little bit of caramel sauce in it, while working in France. There was a cool little sugar factory on la Rue des Frères, in Strasbourg, and they made crêpes, ice cream, and every thing else that you could imagine, that would instantly rot your teeth away to nubs.

It was called Banette, and you could smell the fresh bread baking in the early mornings. I had been bouncing from place to place, looking for a good cappuccino, for a while. It seems like much of our Western ideology permeated the area, as everything came in 12 ounces and up. I strolled into the store, and ordered. It went something like this, "Bonjour Madame! Je voudrais un cappuccino avec une petite quantité du caramel, s'il vous plaît." The barista smiled and giggled. She slowly crafted my drink to perfection. She then made one for herself and tried it. She approved and added it to the menu. Henceforth, a legend was born. Some say that Johnny Depp and Lenny Kravitz swing by the Banette to this day, and order caramel cappuccinos.

The caramel capp pictured is from the best little coffee shack in Martinsville, VA, the Ground Floor. They are one of the very few coffee shops that offer an 8 ounce cappuccino. Most shops are 12 ounces and up, and always in paper cups. I tend to just skip those places altogether, as I am particular about my coffee. How does this relate to Mobility Mountain, you ask? Great question.

If you have perused the website, you might have seen the Amenities section. In that section, you will see the Mobility Mall. That will be our tentative store name, unless something better comes to mind. We plan on having camping gear, merch, and the check in check out procedure for adaptive equipment will take place here. Alongside that, we will have snacks, food, ice cream, and of course coffee, including caramel cappuccinos. See, that all ties together now, doesn't it? I have big plans, but they are actually very simple. Good food, good coffee, and lots of reps to get it right. I know this story has nothing to do with Halloween, but it fits. Thanks for reading and enjoy the holiday.