Hitting the Road!

it’s been with me since childhood, this unstoppable urge to explore. we had a huge (or so it seemed!) open space behind our house and, afternoons and evenings, that’s where i’d be. looking at rocks, trees, bushes and bugs, and always hoping to find that special “secret hideout”. sometimes i’d explore with a friend, but i’d often head out alone.

the same exploratory instinct seems to have followed me into adulthood. here’s how a typical trip goes:

we pull out the atlas and start looking for interesting-looking places that we haven’t yet seen – the more “undiscovered”, the better. typically they are national and state forests and parks. we do a little research and if we like what we find, we gather some resources. i’ll go to amazon and check out hiking and camping books and maps for the area. then we’ll pack up the motorhome with everything we can think of and take off. that’s it – no reservations, no agenda, no schedule. we allow a specified chunk of time, but we both know when we’re done it’s time to come home.

we especially like the national forest campgrounds – rustic and inexpensive, you can often have the most amazing view at your doorstep, as well as access to fabulous trails. we hike, read, write (me) and bask in the glory of it all.

we rarely have cell phone service, but it’s easy to get used to. we move a lot, rarely spending more than two nights in a site. we enjoy visiting small towns, especially historic ones, but don’t often spend the night there.

our routines and chores are pretty well established at this point (we’ve been at it over 20 years, once for a whole year), not much to think about there.

so that’s what works for us. not luxurious, not everyone’s cup of tea to be sure, but oh. the places i’ve seen….. all of them etched in my memory and many of them in my photos.

(all photos taken in Idaho, 7/2010, oh, except the backyard one!)

P.S.  just realized i have now surpassed 100 posts - totally can't believe this!!

Spellbound

once again i have fallen prey

to the spell of nature

bewitched by its stunning visual beauty

my soul is sucked in

smitten

like a cork bobbing on the surface

but held captive by the throes

of a mighty whitewater rapids

it’s my source, my balm, my healer

i cave in to its demands

i am weak, i let go

melting into a pool

of liquid crimson wax

helpless beside the heat of the flame

i am putty in its hands.

(all photos taken on the glacier hike,

great basin national park,

eastern nevada)

yes, we are back and i have lots to share....

little by little.

i hope to catch up with all of the blogs very soon -

can't wait to see what you have all been up to!!

meantime, i will also be going back into retreat-planning mode,

details HERE.

Idaho Sneak Peak

just a quick post to let you know i am still alive and kicking and basking in the beauties of the idaho mountain summer.

we are pretty much out in the wilds and there is not a lot of service of any kind.  honestly, it's a nice change, but i do think that when we are back to civilization, i will be ready.  look forward to catching up with you then and hope your summer is providing you with beauty and rest as well!!

Purple and Unplugging

"i think it pisses god off if you walk by the color purple

 in a field somewhere and don't notice it"

alice walker

Personally, I think the same principle applies to the color yellow....

...or pink...

...or orange...

well, you get the idea!

bottom line.... PAY ATTENTION!!

i'll leave you with that thought.  i'll be on the road and unplugging for a while.  a little scary, but i'm looking forward to it.  i will miss you guys, oh yes i will.  but i know you'll be here on the other side!!

new updates on fall retreat here

happy 4th to you and happy birthday america!!!