Goodyear, AZ

Yes, I did make it to Goodyear, AZ, but only for a week's stay versus a month's stay, which feels really good:). Noone is out and about, which is odd because there are so many RVs here, but I am hoping it is because of the weather which has been cool and rainy.

I decided to rest for a week before moving on and becoming employed, and the weather in Boulevard, CA still looks a bit cool with the lows in the 30s. I will need to decide on Monday or Tuesday what my next route will be but I do KNOW that I want the job in Mt. Hood, OR for the summer. I have been offered several jobs through Workamper but this one seems to feel the best and so I have declined all the others, other than Sacred Rocks Retreat in Boulevard, Ca. Am still waiting to see how that feels...

Today was a good day to reconnect with my friend Vicky who is currently living in Florida. She recently finished several years as the right hand for Malidoma, an African shaman, and at the age of 62 is now in the process of possibly becoming a Peace Corp volunteer. So amazing and inspiring the surrender and willingness to serve her soul's path. I am honored to have met and known her these last few years and have loved every minute we spent together.

Vicky, wishing you well on your journey.

A Few of my Favorite Things

I have been spending some time doing things that are no longer as available and compatible with my current lifestyle. I went to a movie for the first time in a very long time (Avatar in 3D), got rid of some hair from my legs and my head, watched TV (glad to be able to watch some of the Olympics), ate at several restaurants, went to a Whole Foods grocery store (the smells made me homesick for Eugene:)) and had to take a walk through Trader Joe's. Strange the things we seem to miss.

I was able to reconnect with my new friend, Kat, while in Phoenix. We met while at the Grandmother's Council in early December and are in awe how our paths continue to join up in such a unique way. Kat lives in Asheville, NC but when the winter weather started to be so bad, she abandoned her house and drove to Arizona and rented a condo. Her world has been considerably altered since arriving in Arizona in ways she never could have anticipated. So we spent a day together sharing and laughing about our journeys, surrendering, being available to whatever our Higher Self sets before us. It is wonderful to have another Traveler to connect with, there are so few of us. We live on the fringes of society, never quite fitting in, weaving back and forth between different realms and dimensions, always hoping we will find *home* within some group, and the best we ever do is find another Traveler. And when we do meet another Traveler, we fully understand and support one another completely, even though our orbits are not the same. Only a Traveler really understands this language.

Kat is also a wonderful artist. Check out her website at: http://www.katmciver.com/home

Messing with Winnie

While in Phoenix, I have been parked across the street from my mother's house, in a fairly secluded neighborhood. In November I stayed for several weeks in the same spot and never had any trouble. Not this time.

I go back and forth between my mother's house and Winnie at least daily, bringing things in, taking things back. The other day I noticed a condom wrapper on the sidewalk next to Winnie. Picked it up, threw it away, no big deal. Today, there was a condom, I believe used, on Winnie's antenna. I didn't notice that the other day, so it may have been overlooked and it was only the one incident, or maybe there were in fact two incidences. In any event, the whole thing has given me pause and I have now moved Winnie into my mother's driveway. Winnie sticks out a bit so it is not the best solution, but good as a temporary measure. Wondering if I shouldn't move to a park for a week, return to my mom's as needed, big hassle. Hoping divorce papers will show up soon so I can move on down the road.

Learning the practice of patience and surrender continue to be part of my daily diet.

Odd energy

It has been a very strange and odd couple of days and it makes me wonder what is going on with the solar flares and Gaia. Things are feeling a bit topsy-turvy and I hope things will begin to realign as the equinox grows nearer. Teeter-totter, teeter-totter, teeter-totter.

I woke up yesterday feeling very weepy, not sure if what I was feeling was coming from me or if I was sensing some other sadness occurring elsewhere. Later in the day I received a call from my friends Sherida and Greg, my neighbors from Navarre, and they have lost another dog. That makes two within a month's time and has deeply shaken their world. I wish I were there, to hug Sherida, listen to her, do whatever I could. Mickey had been with Sherida for seven years and was the King of the household. And now they are down to just one dog, Patty, who was the newcomer to the pack. I cannot imagine the adjustments such losses create when you are still adapting to an RV lifestyle and have already given up so much. Their family of five has shrunk to three in the blink of an eye.

I also received several other calls from friends, all experiencing some type of "odd"
energy.

Teeter-totter.

Phoenix

I am very thankful to be with my mom and Dan, as the energies have certainly been giving me a whallop! So much going on, plans being re-visited, re-organized, how fleet of foot can I be...

The plans to stay at Goodyear, AZ for a month have come and gone, all for the best, and potential employment has shown up. I will spend the next week helping my mom and then travel to Boulevard, CA, in the mountains outside of San Diego. Sacred Rocks Reserves seems to be a good fit and it is wonderful to be able to drive there and actually check out the energy before committing. We'll see...

My 23rd wedding anniversary is next week, and it looks like divorce papers will be arriving around that same time. The closing of this particular chapter brings great sadness, but at the same time I know there is no other alternative.

Doors opening, doors closing, winds of change blowing through.

Picacho, AZ

I am in my first 55+ RV park, Picacho Peak RV Resort. It felt very strange, having Winnie checked out because she is older than 10 years, and me, to make sure I was older than 55. I guess I should feel complimented that the guard thought I was younger than 55? Somehow, it didn't feel very complimentary. But I did take full advantage of the outdoor heated pool, jacuzzi and shower and am glad I am only here for the one night.

It was tough leaving the park in Benson. First, a man I had never met decided to have conversation as I was disconnecting the water hose, even had to have a tour of Winnie, so that slowed me down a bit. Then, as I turned the key in the ignition, another person had to come by and say farewell, so I turned off Winnie and got out to say our good-byes. Which led another person to come over to say good-bye. Jeez! It was really one of the friendliest, nicest parks I have been in. I have told the manager, Gary, that I am interested in workamping at this park come November so hopefully he will keep me in mind. He calls me Suzy-Q and is a mixture of Jack Lalane and Frank Sinatra. The characters in that park were just the best.

So tomorrow I am off to Phoenix for a little over a week. It will be good to see my mom and Dan, and sad not to see their dog Lizzie. They had to put Lizzie to sleep the day after my friend Sherida had to put Lilly the Licker to sleep. Strange coincidence.

Benson - Day Three

Yep, still here, haven't been able to leave. Tomorrow, I gotta get out of here! And, it feels like the energy has shifted and I am feeling the urge to get back on the road.

Part of my hesitation has been because it has felt so good here, and part of it is because the thought of civilization, going into a big city, sleeping in a bed in a house, has no allure. I have become accustomed to this lifestyle and the community of other gypsies which soothes my soul. It is a world unto its own, we vagabonds. And I wonder if I will ever be able to reenter a stationary life style.

And today I received my first offer of potential employment through workamper. It is at a resort north of Kansas City, MO. Do I really want to spend a summer in the midwest with the summer heat and humidity???? Probably not.

Julia Child and Emory

So, this woman across from me walks over wearing a Pampered Chef apron and carrying a glass of red wine. She is in the process of making beef bourguignon, a Julia Child recipe. I continue to be amazed how much cooking people living in RVs actually do, and the challenges this presents and the lengths they must go to in pursuit of mastering a fine meal.

She and her husband are living in a Chariot, which I have never seen nor heard of, but it looks like a semi-truck front motorhome. I had to take a tour, which was very interesting, and then of course, she had to send over a plate of the beef bourguignon when it was completed. Once again, no need for me to cook as I am the recipient of a fabulous meal. Love how that continues to manifest for me:).

Completely stuffed, I decided to take a walk around the park and met up with Emory, the most eccentric Aquarian I have ever met, and I have met a few. He used to be a "suit", has been a gambler in Vegas and Mississippi, was a re-enactor of the Civil War, wears a plastic Donald Duck figure around his neck, has more animal skins in his RV than you can count, has a flyswatter that looks a bit like a homemade tomahawk, and the list goes on and on. When I met him yesterday he was reading a book on Egyptology. He has amazing stories that fill a life time and I enjoy hanging out with him for brief periods of time.

I continue to find the people in this park fascinating. Such a wide array of characters.

I think I have to stay another day.

Benson - Day Two

My body absolutely would not let me travel today, 6 days on the road seems to have been enough, so have opted to stay another day in Benson. I do like the energy of this park and am looking forward to a much needed shower. Soon......

I also spent the morning talking to a couple from Oregon and started the process of looking for a workamper job. Workamper jobs are for people like me, on the road, looking to make some extra money, or at least get a month's rent (full hook-up) paid. It is interesting and exciting with all the possibilities so I have filled out a resume, posted some pictures, and will see what shows up. So far, I have had two potential employers take a look at my application. Have home, will travel! And, I would love to release some of this anxiety over finances. Spiritual work has never been a big income producer:). I even turned down my client from Texas because I couldn't figure out how to put my cell phone on speaker phone. And, some days, I am just too tired to be available.

But, put me in your office, and I will brighten your day!! Or, I can really make your toilets *sparkle*:).

Benson, Arizona

I had most of today's blog done, and then erroneously pushed some button which deleted everything, and am too tired to retype the whole thing.

So, briefly, I am in Benson, Arizona at a great park (Benson I-10 RV Park) with lots of friendly people and very clean facilities. So much better than last night's park!
Walked across the street to Denny's and got 10% off my meal. It is not often that I can walk somewhere to eat, so I take advantage of it when I can.

That's all folks....

High

I was connected to my Light Pyramid today and was High, High, HIGH!! 224 miles felt like 20.

It is the kind of high I felt while bicycling and a surge of energy would flow through me and I couldn't pedal fast enough, flying by people I normally could not keep up with, climbing hills and passing other bikers as if they were standing still...*flying*!

It is the kind of high I felt while drumming, a beautiful African djembe tucked between my legs, my brain leaving and my hands taking over with a rhythm and beat beyond my usual sense...*soaring*!

It is the kind of high I felt while being the dancer instead of the drummer, circling around a fire until the sun came up, not being aware of dancing non stop for five hours until the rhythmic energy finally left...*weightless*!

It is the kind of high were I am totally absorbed within the bliss and the magic and the vessel that is Susan is filled with unimaginable splendor and joy.

So, Jan, Rita, Donna, Nicole and Betty, today was a great day to tap into Susan's Electrical Healing. I was running enough energy to light up 200 cities!

Las Cruces, NM

The original "plan" had been to sleep late, drive a couple of hours, and stay at a park in Van Horn, TX that I had stayed at before. Upon checking the weather, I saw a strong wind was coming in and night time temperatures were going to be in the 20s so had to revamp the plans. Was up in time to watch the sun rise and on the road by 8:00 AM, giving myself plenty of time to stay ahead of the wind.

So, I am now in Las Cruces at the Siesta RV Park, instead of the Fiesta RV Park, my intended destination. Thought I was going to a luxury park, and ended up instead in a very run down park. Oh well, doesn't really matter, just an overnight stay. The day has simply had its way with me.

Should be in Arizona tomorrow, getting back one of those hours I lost such a long time ago. It will be nice to sleep in and still get in early.

Unless, of course, the plans have to be revamped again....

Fort Stockton, Texas

Didn't want to leave this morning, could have happily lazed in bed all day, read, whatever, but the signs were such that it was time to move. Always best not to go against the energy flow.

This is from the Visitor's Guide for Fredericksburg, TX:

"..."Lasting Friendship" bronze by J. Hester depicting Fredericksburg founder John O. Meusebach sharing a peace pipe with Comanche Chief Santana. The ceremony of May 9, 1847, between Fredericksburg pioneers and the Comanche Nation marked the only known peace treaty with Native Americans in U.S. history thought never to be broken".

And maybe that is why I find that Land to be so incredible. Not necessarily the town itself, which is block after block of shops and stores filled with tourists (didn't even go there), but the energy of the Land itself is really quite amazing. I found myself falling into it and lots of lucid dreaming. Almost like being enchanted.
Same type of feeling I got from Needles, CA. Maybe it is best I don't stay in those places too long:).

Fabulous day driving across west Texas. I can appreciate why Texans are so proud of their state. Spectacular scenery, wide open roads, sunshine, good tunes, full tank of gas, smile on my face:)

I am at a new RV park situated on a hillside outside of Fort Stockton (Hilltop RV Park). It is very clean and the $25 price is right and I was starting to smell pretty rank. You wouldn't think driving would make you so stinky! Maybe I should rethink my shower schedule of every 3-4 days....Nah:).

It isn't often you get to watch the sunset from your back window and that was the real bonus of being situated on top of the hill. Also, right after I pulled in another RV came in with Oregon license plates. Haven't seen that in awhile. New moon tonight so should be some good star gazing.

All in all, a very good day.

My Son

This is for you Benny,

My nostalgia for Louisiana continued and then I started to remember some of the history I have with that State, the many years I traveled from Nebraska to reconnect with family and friends for the holidays. And so much of those memories were about my son Ben.

The time we inadvertently locked you in the car and while your parents were in an absolute frenzy, you sat in your car seat and laughed at us as if it were the best amusement of the day. You were maybe a year old at the time.

When you were seven, you lost one of your teeth eating a shrimp po-boy and the meal was on the house:).

How many times did you go to the men's restroom, only to come back and ask for a quarter so you could buy whatever they were selling in those machines:)))! You stockpiled those for quite some time...

Pictures of you as a baby, riding the streetcar, or as an older child down in the French Quarter...pictures of you with your grandma and Dan, naked as usual, washing their car....

And my favorite memory, you purchasing a voodoo doll and taking it back to Nebraska and sharing it with your friends. Your friend's catholic mother calling me to ask what "playing voodoo" was all about!

Here's to you Benny, and the 10 shrimp po-boys you ate while you were in the South this past Christmas!

Fredericksburg, Texas

I was up and on the road today by 1:30 AM so by the time I checked in, I had already done a full seven hours on the road, most of it in the dark. Houston is a breeze at 3:00 AM:). I also had the opportunity to stop by a bakery that was up and running at 5:00 AM so got a pig-in-a-blanket and a cherry turnover. So good...

Weary, weary from my travels I checked in and had a good nap and then a good laugh with my brother about the snow that fell outside of Baton Rouge. It also looks like it might snow in Navarre, Florida! In case we humans have any doubts who is running the show, it would be Mother Nature. Making snow for the Olympics with the weather we have had???? I'm a believer.

I love this park in Fredericksburg and am so glad for the return trip. Spent most of the day cleaning the mud inside and out, washing dishes, chatting with new neighbors and enjoying the sun and warmer weather. Big decision of the day is Van Horn, TX or Ft. Stockton, TX for tomorrow, both parks look appealing. See how it all feels tomorrow....

Texas

Can hardly believe I am back in Texas. Doesn't seem that long ago that I was here, and I guess maybe it wasn't, but it feels like many years ago. Tried to avoid another mud pit Texas RV park by choosing one with paved sites, but have arrived at a park with paved sites, and water ankle deep and plenty of good ole Texas mud:). Lots of rain today so was glad to at least get of the road and happy to be in Beaumont for a brief rest. The "plan" is to be up and out by 3:00 AM to get me through Houston before the traffic hits. Am going back through Fredericksburg which keeps me north of San Antonio and just a bit south of Austin which worked really well the last time as I completely bypassed San Antonio. I have also reserved at the same park I stayed last time because it was one of my favorite spots. It is all looking pretty good at this point.

Had a bit of nostalgia leaving Louisiana. The radio station was full of Super Bowl and Mardi Gras news and lots of zydeco music. One of the stops I made sold shrimp po-boys so had to have just one last po-boy for the road. Ahh, Louisiana, don't know when I will see you again. I have been traveling in and out of you since the late 60s and we have shared a lot of history.

Now, Texas, I certainly like the western section much better than the east. Wonder how many days it will take me to be out of Texas...?

On the Road Again...

Back on the road today.

Arrived at a wonderful park between Hammond, LA and Baton Rouge, LA. It is Lakeside RV Park in Livingston, LA and it is just fabulous. It is the largest park I have been in yet, almost 150 sites, and it sits on an 18 acre lake that is stocked with fish and offers free fishing. There are also two swans!! I have not seen swans since England and was amazed that the white one, Snowflake, came out of the water and walked up to me. It is very clean, paved and the spots are totally huge compared to the park in Navarre. And all for the price of less than $28 for the night. Wow.

Weather continues to be a bit iffy; rain, snow, sleet making its way toward this area. Will keep checking the weather and the interstate before making any "plans", but for now, what a wonderful place to spend the evening.

Wind

The wind has been ferocious, rocking the trees and Winnie back and forth. And the temperature has dropped at least 20 degrees since this morning. If I didn't know better, I would think snow was on the way.

I have an RV park picked out for the next leg of the trip, but at this point am rethinking leaving tomorrow since the forecast is for the wind to continue. Wind is now one of my least favorite conditions for traveling, too much tension gripping the wheel to keep from blowing out of my lane.

May just have to stay another night.....

Back in Navarre

I am back in Navarre, "there's no place like home...".

Arrived back in time to attend a Super Bowl party in the pavilion and reconnect with old friends and made some new ones. I am also back in my original spot that I landed in December 31st. It is an end spot which is so spectacular, view of the Santa Rosa Sound and no neighbors on either side. Heaven....

Getting prepared for moving on and hope to leave on Wednesday, if the weather cooperates. Not sure I want to drive through Texas in the rain and cold weather but surely any place has better internet connection than here! My main complaint.

But, I ask myself, why am I staying in Florida when the weather is cold and rainy???? From all the people I have talked to, this has been the worst winter anyone can remember. Is it better anywhere else? We'll see.

Tires

I have to buy six new tires. I didn't realize my tires are 10 years old and at this point am feeling very blessed to have driven all the way from Oregon. However, the last time I bought tires was......never!

So this morning that was the main topic of conversation as six men gathered around Minnie and discussed her tire situation. Nothing like a group of men gathering with their years of knowledge and experience and providing all that input:). Like women getting together and discussing child rearing.

I feel much better now that I have been reassured that I am getting good tires at a reasonable price. And I am feeling a bit excited about it - like getting a whole new wardrobe.

Lesson

I have learned such a valuable lesson....NEVER commit to staying any one place until you have actually arrived at the place and checked it out!

I long to move on but because I have already paid for the week, I am feeling totally stuck. Not a very good feeling. The best alternative I could come up with is that I am leaving on Sunday instead of Monday, which will actually work much better for me. It will cost me an extra day's rate, but I am willing to pay that price and consider it well worth it to have learned from this experience.

Went to the Tiki Bar yesterday. The bar itself was not open but there were people sitting at a table who had brought their own beverages and asked me to join them. One of the couples was from Lincoln, Nebraska, the first Nebraska folks I have met since being on the road. Sat with them for a few hours and it became even clearer this desire to move on:).

Time to saddle up and get on down the road~~~~~

Swimming

My original intent was to stay in Mexico Beach through February 13, possibly longer, but the longer I stay here, the more it doesn't feel like a very good fit. The people are friendly enough, yet I still feel like an out-sider. Am so happy I decided to stay in Navarre for the month of January instead of my original plan to stay that month in Mexico Beach.

Today I checked to see if I could leave tomorrow, but they are holding me to at least a week's stay so I have paid for my week and will be here until February 8th. Glad I don't have to stay the two weeks!

The blessing in all this is that I discovered there is a heated outdoor pool at the hotel across the street so spent a wonderful hour playing porpoise, diving in and out of the waters. I have not been in a pool since Canyonville, OR and oh how my body was loving it. Spent time talking to a woman about the Alaska Highway and it is definitely on my "bucket list".

Before my life was turned upside down, I felt there was nothing I had not seen or done, other than maybe a trip to New Zealand, but it seems that on the underside of this upside down world there are all sorts of things I want to see and experience; Orcas Island, deserts, shooting stars, the aura borealis....

Looks like maybe I will be sticking around for awhile.

Imbolc

It is peaceful here in Mexico Beach, far from the cement pavement, wooden fences and rules that applied at the Navarre park. They don't even have a credit card on file for me, trusting me to be who I am.

I am backed up to Pampas Grass, trees and swampy water with birds and squirrels as my neighbors. From the sign that reads "Do Not Feed the Alligators", there is also the possibility of a small gator in those waters.

Across the road is the Ocean, white sand beaches and shells, shells and more shells. There are also swinging benches and miles to walk with few people in sight.

It is an adjustment, this solitude. It is also Imbolc, and a time of replenishment, a time to "recharge our psychic batteries as the entire Universe begins to quiver and pulse its cosmic rhythm".

I am burning candles this day, an outer reflection of the inner intent.