About JanetA

I am a nomad and adventurer. I used to travel for work now I travel for curiosity and fun. I started this blog when my husband of 21 years, Jim died of cancer on his 60th birthday. I started it because I wanted to have an easy way for my friends and family to follow me as I started a new adventure living in a small B class RV. I have a delightful little Roadtrek that I live in full time. It continues to be quite an adventure.

How I am Spending My Summer

Posted on July 25, 2023 by JanetA

Traveling is fun, traveling is hard, traveling is everything. The good, The bad, and everything in between.

I have been “on the road” since the second week in July. Shortly after my sister’s birthday I packed up EmmyLou, left New Jersey, and began to travel to my next destination. After a visit with a long-time friend, Diane in Vermont I started moving north through Maine. Destination Nova Scotia.

I love traveling through the backroads and discovering the unusual, unique, and different. I never know what is going to show up and catch my interest. Lubec, Maine is a small town that boasts it is the furthermost east town in the United States. It sits on the water at the end of the road. There were unique sculptures, lobster rolls, and picturesque buildings.

I have been to Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, Canada. They are the famous Sea Stacks in the Bay of Fundy. The best time to go is at low tide because one can walk on the ocean floor for miles as long as you don’t mind the gooey mud.

Last evening I reached Halifax. I was planning to go out and explore today but here I am instead writing this. Why? I needed a day off. I like traveling. I love exploring. Some days I just need a day off. So today is my day off. The laundry is done. I have had a shower and the rig is getting cleaned up. And I am taking some time to rest and read. It also gives Halifax another day to clean up from the torrential rains that poured into this community over the weekend.

Is this age-related? Maybe. Is this road weariness? Maybe. I have to remind myself that if I had a “Sticks & Bricks” house I would have days like this, days where I would relax in the house or yard. Days where I would catch up on chores. I have a site right on a river about a half hour outside of Halifax. It is quiet and shaded. The young mallards come to visit. Last night I was able to launch my kayak and see a couple beavers on the river. Nice. I am enjoying a summer day off.

I will be in Nova Scotia until early August. This coming weekend is a Roadtrek Rally or gathering. We will talk shop. Others will catch up on their lives and I hope to make a few new friends who I can meet “on the road”.

My logistical plan for the summer in Canada is changing. I love photography. I love learning about my craft. I have the opportunity to go to a three-night/four-day photography workshop on the north shore of the St Lawrence Seaway. Instead of traveling to New Foundland, I am going to continue to travel through New Brunswick and Labrador, traveling by ferry to the north shore of the Seaway, and will move east along the river to the Mingan Archipelago. I am spending three nights on one of the islands and taking photos of Puffins, Razorbacks, and whoever else shows up with Christopher Dodd, photographer and seven other photographers. Puffins!!!

I am looking forward to learning more about my camera and lenses. With knowledge comes creativity and a distinctive view of how I see and take photos.

Am I going to New Foundland? Yes, just a few weeks later. I am told it is good to travel there until the end of September. The plan can change again. I like the freedom to choose change. It is important to be flexible and grab the opportunity when it arrives whispering or screaming at my doorstep.

Please join me on my summer journey. And if you are anywhere close come on by and have a seat. Take a day off. Enjoy life.

Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them. If you click on the bold and different color print, it will take you to websites so you can learn more about my destinations or the professionals that I am involved with.

Trees of the Amazon

Posted on July 12, 2023 by JanetA

“The Amazon rainforest, covering much of northwestern Brazil and extending into Colombia, Peru and other South American countries, is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, famed for its biodiversity. It’s crisscrossed by thousands of rivers, including the powerful Amazon.” (Google)

Though they are one of the main features of the Amazon rainforest, the trees that cover vast swathes of the region are often overlooked, viewed as a mere backdrop to the animals and creatures that call the Amazon home. These tall trees play an essential role in jungle life, producing around 20% of the earth’s oxygen and providing a home for some of the rarest and most beautiful creatures in the world.

Two to three times a day we went exploring in the tenders, the smaller boats. As we searched for animals and vertebrae and birds we encountered trees. Most of them were rather large and stately. They supported an incredible amount of life from insects to plants. Some animals spend most of their lives living in the trees.

Sloths spend most of their lives traveling from tree to tree. They travel slowly, less than 40 yards a day. Sloths spend the majority of their time up in the canopy, coming down only one time per week to relieve themselves. The trees provide natural protection from predators. It is safer for sloths to remain motionless and camouflaged off the ground. They will, however, venture down on rare occasions to find more food or a mate or to take a swim.

Deforestation in the tropical forests of South and Central America threatens the trees sloths and many other living entities that call the canopy home. Organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund have supported efforts to protect the canopy in the Amazon Rainforest.

Many bird species also exist in the tree canopy. We had the opportunity while we traveled the Rio Negro a tributary of the Amazon, to see the Harpy Eagle twice.

Harpy eagles are the largest, most powerful predatory birds to be found in rainforests around the globe. They are among the largest species of eagles on planet Earth. Their wingspan can reach up to 7 feet and 4 inches. Their legs are the size of a person’s arm and their talons are three to four inches long.

Harpy Eagles in the Amazon

These powerful eagles are at the top of the rainforest food chain and have no natural predators. They prey on tree-dwelling mammals including sloths, monkeys, and opossums; large birds such as macaws and curassows; and reptiles like iguanas and snakes.

They occupy huge territories that can exceed 10,000 acres. Pairs build a stick nest — six feet wide and more than a foot deep — high in the jungle canopy. The birds mate for life and reproduce slowly, raising a chick every two to four years.

Large areas of land with big, healthy trees are needed to conserve viable populations of Harpy Eagles. Conservation is required by many environmental organizations to continue to support this large and rare eagle.

Trees are essential to our lives. It felt good to be among the trees for twelve days of my life. I have climbed trees, hugged trees, listened to them, and honored them in my life. I am glad I got to experience the large and impressive trees of the Amazon Rainforest. It was an honor to feel so small in their massive presence.

Today I am thankful for all the amazing wild places out there waiting for me to explore and know. Today I am thankful for the mighty tree that helps me be able to live and breathe on this planet Earth. Today I am thankful.

And…please remember to click on the photos. They will be shown in full size if you click on them.

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Everyday Small & Powerful Magical Moments

Posted on July 5, 2023 by JanetA

Small magical moments occur every day of our lives. Big moments are ones we remember often, for the rest of our lives. The birth of a child, getting married, buying your first house, falling in love…well you get the idea.

Small magic moments happen at any time, sometimes several times daily. We experience an aha moment and then go back to our day. Maybe we remember them and well, maybe not. No matter what, those moments are stored in our memory bank and help us to grow and become more.

Magic is part of travel. Travel is magic. And so it was on the Amazon trip. There were two moments that will move ahead with me, hopefully for the rest of my life.

People on the Amazon River live above the water. The houses are often built on stilts and stairs go down to the river. There are no cars. Everyone owns a boat. We visited a village later in the trip, by boat. There was a store and private homes. It was a last-minute decision to take our group in the tenders to visit the village. We were given fifteen minutes to get ready and climb aboard the tenders.

After collecting my camera I came down to the tenders and two full tenders were already gone. No one else was planning to go except for me. Moments like these don’t always bring out the best in me. My inner child surfaced and I felt forgotten and left out. Oh, the poor young girl. Two of the guides offered to take me in the third boat. At first, I refused but they insisted.

And then the magic happened. The guides were kind. Knowing that I loved birds, they took me off the beaten path to see birds. We explored the village by boat our way. As the other two boats were having their experience, I was having my own experience.

As we drifted downriver past the homes, a Festive Parrot landed on my tender. Wait, what? I had been trying to photograph these parrots for most of the trip without success. Well wasn’t this a special moment? And then, a second parrot landed. They rode with us (the guides and me) for quite some time. One walked towards the front of the tender where I was sitting. It was a very personal moment and a special moment. Finally, they lifted off. They flew a wide circle right over my head. Then they headed back towards the village. Breathtaking.

It is not unusual for these villages to have tame or semi-tame wild birds. We saw one family that had a tame Toucan. I am sure these parrots were semi-tame. This didn’t matter.

This moment in time was special for me. If I had been on the other tenders would this have happened? Maybe. Or was it because there were only three of us on the tender that the parrots felt more comfortable landing. Maybe. I shared a very personal moment with two little parrots. I was accompanied by two kind and wonderful guides. I felt special and happy and glad in my soul.

Late one afternoon as most of us were resting or socializing on the deck something changed with the boat. I told Mary that I was going out to see what the crew was doing. I went up to the bridge to see what the crew was seeing. The ship was facing the side of the river and there in front of me were two Scarlet Macaws. Yes, they were wild and amazingly beautiful. I ran back to the room to let my roommate know to grab her camera and run.

When I returned the birds took flight. As they flew off one of them dropped a feather. The crew was quickly on it and took out a tender to try to find the feather. The feather was found. It was obvious that this feather was no longer needed. The colors were still there. The captain presented it to me, as a gift. It was such a kind gesture and one that touched me. It was definitely a small and wonderful magical moment. And…yes I did safely transport it back to the United States. It now rides above the driver’s seat in EmmyLou, my RV. Each time I look up it reminds me of a magical twelve days in Brazil.

I like to be treated special. I like to feel and experience magic in my life. It makes the ordinary feel extraordinary. Small magic moments brighten my world as I am sure they brighten yours. The important thing is to take the time to notice these magical moments in life.

What are your small magic moments?

Today I am thankful for the magic in my life. Today I am thankful for the magic in your life. Today I am thankful for magic.

Into the Amazon

Posted on July 1, 2023 by JanetA

Yesterday I received an email from a good friend wondering where I was. She had not heard from me in a while. No Posts, nothing. I have been feeling overwhelmed and a bit stuck.

My two weeks on the Amazon were amazing. Mixed in with that trip was the notification right before and right after the trip that two good friends had died. And during the trip half of the group became positive for Covid, including me. I am preparing for the next part of my journey to New England and the Maritimes while recovering from two weeks in the Amazon.

Where do I start? I decided that the Amazon River trip is a good place to begin.

I spent two wonderful weeks exploring the Amazon River and the Rio Negro a major tributary to the Amazon River in Brazil. It was everything I expected and more. There were surprises along the way. None of them are bad, just interesting.

I traveled with eighteen other people from all over the United States and Canada. There were couples and singles, men and women. Some of us knew each other and others were new friends waiting to be made. My roommate, Mary, and I have been friends for a number of years. When she was looking for a roommate she thought of me. We got along well. After twelve days of traveling together, I am glad to say we are still friends. I look forward to more adventures with her.

I like adventure travel and I really like soft adventure travel. Soft adventure travel includes good food and a place to stay. Even better is when someone takes care of all my needs so I can focus on exploring the world I am in and taking photographs, of course.

Our Boat & Faithful Staff

Amazônia Expeditions did a superb job of meeting my needs.

Comfortable and air-conditioned bedrooms.
Food, really good food. Fresh fruit, fish from the river, vegetables from the market, and amazing desserts.
Knowledgeable and kind guides and staff. They even did our laundry. If there was something that any of us needed all we had to do was ask and the staff made it happen.
Our days were busy and well planned with a variety of experiences that kept everyone interested.
Swimming on the warm afternoons.

Each day we disembarked our floating hotel the Dorhina and explored the river and the jungle in smaller boats that held eight people and two guides. The river was high, really high. The area we saw was often in the tree canopy. I wonder what it looks like in the dry season, although they say there are both the rainy and very rainy seasons. I realized that for some of the cutter ants and other little bugs, their whole migration can be up and down one tree. The trees are very tall.

As we bushwacked our way through the canopy, yes our guides had machetes to keep us comfortable as we explored, I saw monkeys (Howler, Squirrel, and White-faced), sloths (two and three-toed), a few snakes, flowers, interesting and unique trees, and birds galore.

Brindisi

On a typical day, the boat would go quiet around five a.m. There would be a half hour of quiet time and then all were awakened by Pavoratti singing “Brindisi” from the opera La Traviata. Some of the passengers tolerated the music but for us opera buffs, it was a delight. There would be a half hour for coffee and light snacks then we would board the tenders to leave and explore the River.

We went out on the tenders two to three times each day. Each day was a little different. It made my anticipation stay active. I was ready for each boat ride. I was ready to see what each trip would bring. My camera was by my side because, as you may know, I love photography.

At the end of the day, our tours on the tenders were not over. We often would leave on two-hour night tours. After dark it was quieter except for the frogs. The guides actually caught Caimans. I even held one. By watching for the sparkle of eyes in the lights our guides held we found Great Potoos in the trees. At night we did not see as much, yet it did not seem to matter. It was often cool and quiet on the river and very relaxing.

Here are some of the unique things we did.

Swimming with the freshwater Pink Dolphins on the Rio Negro
Swimming in a waterfall. It actually was the top of what would have been a major waterfall in the low river season.
Fishing for Pirranahs.
Spending a morning in the large city of Manaus exploring the Fish, Vegetable, and Craft Markets. We also got to see the Grand Opera House. What a beautiful place.
We visited two Native tribes, watched dances, tried native foods and, of course, bought mementos. One tribe even invited our group to dance with them.
Experience the full moon over the river.
Fed Squirrel Monkeys and enjoyed their antics as they climbed all over me.
We had dinner one night at a beautiful hotel and enjoyed their swimming pool.
One night we went on a Tarantula hike. I did not hold one of them.

It was a grand trip and the telling is not over yet. Over the next month, I will dedicate a few posts of mostly photos to share more of this trip with you. Once my website is completely updated I will share the site with you.

I hope you will come along for the journey.

And remember…Click on the photos to enlarge them and click on Brindisi to listen to our morning wake up call.

An Amazon River Adventure is Ready to Begin

Posted on May 28, 2023 by JanetA

After traveling to the east coast, visiting friends along the way, and having some exciting adventures I am at the precipice of a part of the spring and summer travel plan. In two days I will be flying to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to meet up with a small group of people to fly to the Amazon River in Brazil.

Wait a minute did I just say I am going to the Amazon, the River, Brazil? Yes, that is exactly what I said. I will be spending twelve days aboard the Dorinha. I will be traveling with Amazonia Expeditions on a privately arranged trip. Some of the passengers I know and some I will get to know shortly. In two days.

Two to three times each day we leave our home boat and explore different areas in skiffs or canoes. The flora and fauna are all new. Everything will be exciting and different and new. That is the fun of international travel.

Here are some interesting facts about this mighty river.

The Amazon River Once Flowed in the Opposite Direction Between 65 and 145 million years ago, the Amazon River flowed towards the Pacific Ocean, in the opposite direction it flows today. Where the Amazon River’s mouth sits today, there was once a highland that allowed for this westerly flow. The rise of the Andes Mountains in the west forced the Amazon River to reverse course.
It’s the Largest River in the World by Volume. The Amazon River has the largest volume of freshwater of any river in the world. The River releases around 200,000 liters of freshwater into the ocean every second. Together, this freshwater flow accounts for nearly 20% of all river water that enters the sea.
It is the Second Longest River on Earth. At about 4,000 miles long, the Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world. The Amazon’s impressive length is exceeded by the 4,132-mile-long Nile River.
It’s Home to the Amazon River Dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin, and is one of just four species of “true” river dolphins.
It’s Named After a Greek Myth. According to Greek mythology, the “Amazons” were a group of nomadic female warriors that roamed around the Black Sea.
A Family Canoed to the Amazon River from Canada. In 1980, Don Starkell and his two sons, Dana and Jeff, left Winnipeg on a canoe towards the Amazon River. Jeff abandoned the trip when they reached Mexico, but Don and Dana ventured on. Nearly two years later, the father-son duo reached the Amazon. By the end of the trip, they had canoed over 12,000 miles.
It Has Over 100 Dams
The Amazon River has no Bridges. All 10 million people who live on the banks of the Amazon River can only cross the freshwater flow by boat. The lack of bridges is due, in part, to the seasonal changes in the Amazon River bed. During the rainy season, the Amazon River can rise over 30 feet, tripling the width of the River in some places.
It Crosses Through Four Countries. The Amazon River passes through Brazil, Columbia, Peru, and Venezuela, with Brazil holding by far the largest portion of the River.
It’s Where 40% of All Water in South America Ends Up. The Amazon River’s height rises substantially in the rainy season because around 40% of all of South America’s water ends up in the River.

This river will be my home for 12 days. I am excited and a bit anxious all at the same time. Excited most people can understand. Why anxious? I love to travel. It was my job for thirteen years. I was an International Tour Manager, taking people on tours to Mexico, the Panama Canal, and throughout the United States and Canada.

The unknown makes me a bit anxious. Have I packed the right things? Are my flights all status quo? What if I miss the boat? (that is almost guaranteed not to happen on this trip. What if I get sick? What will travel post Covid be like? What if other members of the group don’t like me? What if, What if, What if….????

I am thankful that I can find things to keep myself busy. It helps keep the anxiousness at bay. I breathe often, deep and slow and relaxing. I take the kayak out. I go on a bike ride. Tonight I went over to the dam and watched a female duck try to convince the last of the babies to come up over the dam. It didn’t work but it was entertaining to watch. Diversion helps get rid of being anxious.

Monday I check my list. I make sure that everything is ready to go – I am ready to go and my stuff is ready to travel with me.

And then…I take a deep breath and head off into the unknown.

The River-A Cell Phones Nemesis

Posted on May 10, 2023 by JanetA

In 2015 I stepped into the smartphone world. Since I already had other Apple products, it seemed like a natural progression to continue with another product. I purchased an iPhone 6 and began my education in Smartphone technology.

I love adventure. I like to explore parts of my world that are sometimes hard to get to. I love the Southwest. I really like Zion National Park. I am so fortunate to have good friends that live outside the park. There is a section of the park called the Subway. From the top down one needs ropes and knowledge that there is rappeling into cold river water, more than once.

One can also hike the Subway from the bottom up. This trail also presents its own set of challenges. There really is no trail, it is a set of social trails that progresses down a steep slope to the river. Then you follow the river for three miles to arrive at the beginning of the subway. It is not an easy hike. It is a great visual hike.

In 2017 I hiked the Subway from the bottom up. I just arrived at the Subway part of the hike, when I fell off a log into the river along with my day pack that held my iPhone 6. Oh no, what was I to do. The phone was wet and I was a long way from help. I dried the phone off the best I could and continued with my hike. Nine hours later I returned to my friends exhausted and happy. I took my phone apart, yep you could do that, and dried it out. The next day it worked although it had developed a dark side. The right upper side of the phone was black, it worked and so I kept it for a few more years until the dark side began to cover more of the screen. I decided to upgrade to an iPhone 8.

I was happily using my new phone with no issues until…..I met another River. 2021-I was kayaking on the Provo River near Utah Lake in the state of Utah. It is a very silty river and a beautiful place to kayak. I stopped to fix something on my kayak and before I could stop it my phone in its waterproof container disappeared into the river. That river is definitely deeper than it looked. I tried for over an hour to rescue my iPhone 8 without success. Each time I tried to reach it with my kayak paddle the silt would stir up and I would lose sight of it. Other kayakers tried their hand at rescuing it, without success. I had to admit defeat and off I went to the Verizon Store to ask for help. I also called a good friend, Melissa, to mourn my loss. It is good to have friends.

My iPhone 12 stayed with me until two weeks ago when I met another river up close and personal. On my current trip to the east coast of the United States, I spent three weeks with friends in Florida. We camped and biked and kayaked on the rivers and springs of northern Florida. The last river was the Juniper River. It was a quick, shallow river through a beautiful area. There were alligators, one giant one, and one rapid.

As you may know, I am a photographer. After I am safely on the water I often take my cell phone out of its waterproof case so I can take photos. After successfully managing the rapid, I got caught in an eddy. As I tried to push off the kayak tipped and there went cell phone number three. I got wet, it got wet and the kayak had its first experience of flipping. I worried about my cell phone. My friend Missy was concerned about my camera that was safely inside a dry bag. I kept thinking about that giant alligator up the river. Needless to say, I got out of that river in record time.

Initially, the phone worked fine and I thought all was good. The next morning the phone would not wake up. Oh sigh. Once again the river won. I am now an owner of an iPhone 14.

When one does not lead a dull life these things happen. When one leads any kind of life these things happen. I feel personally responsible for my phone so I have mourned the passing of each one. I have to talk myself out of deciding I am a bad phone owner and recognize that these things happen not just to me but to many others as well. I am sure we all have phone stories to tell.

In three weeks I am flying to the Amazon in Brazil for two weeks. Oh no, another river! A mighty river. Hopefully, I will be able to keep hold of my new phone so the river does not take it away. No matter what me and my phone will venture south to enjoy an adventure on the Amazon.

Today I am grateful for coming clean and admitting to my cell phone debacle. I have always wanted to be truthful in these blog posts. I want to show my humanity. Today I am grateful for truth and for revealing my humanness.

Today I am grateful.

Oh No, The Check Engine Light is On!!!

Posted on April 24, 2023 by JanetA

One thing that, I believe, every camper rues is when the “check engine” light lights up on the dashboard. What? Why is this happening? Oh no, can I make it somewhere to have it fixed? Oh no, what about my current trip? Oh no!!!

After spending two relaxing and fun weeks with friends in Florida, the check engine light lit up as we traveled north to another hot spring, to camp, bike, and kayak. OH NO! What to do?

Breathe, I must first and foremost remember to take a few deep breaths and relax. Life is not over as I know it and it will work out.
Coachnet is my Roadside Assist. After breathing I called them and once they made sure I was somewhere safe they began to help me figure out the best course of action. In this case, they gave me some excellent information. If the check engine light is solid yellow, I can drive on it and it will not automatically go into limp mode after so many starts. Well, that is good to know. They also would call me back the following morning to tell me who they found to look at the rig. Thank you Mercedes Benz of Jacksonville. Whew.
Call my friends and tell them I am delayed due to all of the above. It is good to know that they would have come back to help me out if I had needed assistance. It helps to know someone has my back.
Go to Auto Zone and ask them to check the codes. Did you know they do that for free? I did not know this. Now I do.
Notify my sister, who I would be seeing at the end of the camping week, that there is a glitch in the plans. Ruth was willing to come to pick me up in Jacksonville if necessary. That is very helpful and it is what family does for each other.
Drive carefully to the campground and park EmmyLou for the five days we are there.
Have fun with my friends.
Breathe.

Today, Monday I am at Mercedes Benz waiting patiently. The diagnosis? I need to replace the particulate filter. Don’t ask me too much about this. I do know it is part of the emissions and because it is under an extended warranty, I do not have to pay for it, Yay!!!

Mercedes treats its customers very well. This particular service center has a complimentary breakfast and lunch cafe. How cool is that? After I checked in I had a made-to-order omelet and began to wait. The staff here is helpful and knowledgeable. I am in good hands.

Here I am, breathing and writing and waiting. I will be out of Mercedes in a few hours and continue on my way north. I am grateful that EmmyLou is in good hands. I am thankful it is an easy fix.

I am overly thankful for Missy and Dan and my sister, Ruth and Joe, who were so helpful and supportive. I am also thankful for Tissa and Ed (extended family), who let me park my rig in their driveway for the weekend. It is so good to have so many people that love me and support me.

Today I am thankful.

Florida On My Mind

Posted on April 11, 2023 by JanetA

A week ago I arrived in Florida. I have never spent much time in this state. I am enjoying exploring a new area of the United States. with good friends. I have moved out of my rig for a few weeks to visit with Missy and Dan. I have a bed and my own private refrigerator. Mostly though I have company. I am enjoying that to the utmost.

2017 was the last year Missy and I met in person. I stay west and she stays east in this very large country. We have “zoomed”, texted, and talked on the phone. Oh, and there has also been the occasional e-mail. In this modern world, there are many ways to stay in touch and maintain long-distance friendships. Yet, there is still nothing better than being physically present with a friend.

And…I have my own personal tour guide showing me Florida. We have camped at Myakka State Park, biked (rather hot and hard mountain biking through sand), and walked. Still in the plans are kayaking and more. I am enjoying getting to know this state.

The other great joy of being with Missy is that we are both photographers so we are exploring the natural places in this part of the state, the southwest area of Florida with our cameras. It is fun to be with another photographer. It helps me to learn and grow in this craft that I enjoy so much. Missy, being a professional photographer, has much wisdom to share. Click Here to view her website. Her photos are amazing. She also sells Photo Art. Yes indeed, I have a lot to learn from her.

The main attraction is a new addition to their household. A week ago Missy and Dan adopted a Ringed Neck Parrot. Tiki is the fascination of the house. We laugh at its antics and celebrate each new step it takes. Any time we are around Tiki the cell phone cameras get busy taking photos. It is no different than having a new baby in the house. Who knew a bird could be so entertaining. And oh my what a pretty bird it is, blues and greens dominate with a pretty red beak.

Endurance-The act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress.

Englewood and the surrounding areas were hit hard by Hurricane Ian. This area remains in recovery mode. My friends and Missy’s parents’ houses were damaged in the storm, although not as bad as others in the community where they live. It is interesting to be here and see the damage that was done. Nature is powerful. It is also interesting to experience the endurance of people. Slowly people are rebuilding. Some have sold their homes. Some are removing the damaged units and replacing them with new homes. Some are repairing. People have lost a lot yet they endure and come back stronger.

After the devastation occurred people in this community showed their caring for each other. They helped each other out. Missy’s brother arrived from Maine to help get his parent’s house back up and in running order. Other people in the community, locally have offered services, supplies, and more. Organizations arrived to offer food, all three meals, while people were without services and busy cleaning up. Others arrived offering drinks. In diversity, the best sides of others often come forward. Humankind wants to help others. I believe that is an inherent trait.

I will remain here for at least another week before I begin the slow trek north to the mid-Atlantic states. It is good for my soul to finally see my east coast family after four years away due to Covid.

Today I am thankful for my friends who love me from a distance and close up. Today I am thankful for friendships that endure. Today I am thankful.

Heading East

Posted on March 29, 2023 by JanetA

I am on the move. Slowly and steadily I am driving across the southern United States, heading due east.

After spending three days in Carpenteria, near Santa Barbara, my rig and I were ready to head east. On a rainy California day, I headed east into the desert and the sun. I spent two nights at the Fountain of Youth Spa & RV Resort east of the Salton Sea in the California Desert. It was good to have a few nights to visit with friends and regroup for the long journey east.

The desert is pretty happy at the moment. There has been a lot of water all over the western United States. The flowers were abundant along the roadsides as I traveled to Tucson, Arizona. I am a member of Harvest Hosts and am taking advantage of unique or different places to stay as I progress to Florida. In Tucson I stayed at Envision Wellness, a holistic center offering many different services. I chose to have a half-hour Reiki Treatment. It was nice to have this at the end of a long driving day. And all I had to do was walk to the parking lot to spend the night.

It took me more than two days to drive across Texas. The western half of the state consisted of wide open spaces. The scenery was repetitive and not too interesting. I was thankful to arrive in the Texas Hill Country around Austin. Everything turned green and the wildflowers popped along the roadsides. It was a beautiful drive.

I am asked what I do to occupy my time while I am driving.

A good book helps a lot. Currently, I am listening to Anne Hillerman’s books. I get my books from the Library. If I don’t like one I can quickly send it back and try again. A book has to be quite captivating to hold my interest while I am driving.
I ponder, I think about life and all its mysteries. What is next in my life? What is next in everyone’s life? I ponder magic often.
Oooh, flowers. I have been pulling over often to enjoy the wildflowers that are growing along the highways.
I get out of my rig every few hours, take a walk, do some stretches, and then go to the next spot.
If I see a sign that might offer a diversion I will venture off onto the side roads to see what unexpected thing I might see.
If I am tired I stop and enjoy the afternoon.
And if I am really bored, this doesn’t happen often, I ask Siri to tell me a story or a joke.

Tonight I have reached Louisiana and am tucked into another Harvest Host site. The Vermillionville Living History Center is next to the Bayou Vermillion. The river and the center are my view tonight from the parking lot. It is shaded and quiet. There are about a half dozen RVs parked in the large parking area.

Tomorrow I continue east. I am in new territory for me. I have spent little to no time in these southern States. My first impression? Where the heck did all this water come from? I have lived in the western United States for close to forty years. With the exception of this year, water in the west is scarce. It is often described as the true gold of the west. Along the Gulf Coast there is water. Water in the rivers, water in the fields, water behind levees. I have seen ponds and lakes and rivers and more. There is so much water.

In a few more days I will be in Florida, visiting with good friends and exploring new territory. I was a little concerned about this long drive. The flowers have created a good diversion. Such beauty brings me joy.

Today I am thankful for moments of joy and finding interesting places to camp.

A Wake Up Call

Posted on March 13, 2023 by JanetA

I return to San Diego once a year to visit friends and get all my medical and dental appointments for the year completed. I push everything into a two-month period so I can venture off to the desert or other warm places for the winter.

This year in early December I had my routine lab work completed. It was one of the last things I needed to finish, and I thought I was good to go. My A1C was high, diabetically high when the lab results were in. Oh no, that is not supposed to happen! After a moment of panic and thinking about dying (very normal for me), I took a deep breath and began to approach this news more gently.

My Internist wanted me to go on a low carbohydrate, no-sugar-added diet and then repeat my labs in three months. I took this on with a vengeance. I cut all refined sugar out of my life and immediately started on a low-carbohydrate diet. I was faithful to this plan. I followed it in Mexico, and I followed it upon my return.

My A1C at the end of February was in the normal range and the vision of having to give myself insulin injections is fading from the foreground of my mind. Whew.

When I discussed the results with the doctor he asked me what I had been doing differently between December 2021 and December of 2022. My reply was that I was eating a lot of refined sugar.

Sugar is a part of all our lives. It is in many foods we eat. It is addicting. I know all this but it tastes good and I ate it anyway. I love chocolate, donuts, cake, cookies, pies, etc. I believe in eating in moderation yet sugar is sugar and it was time to readdress its presence in my life.

Here is what I have experienced since I stopped being influenced by sugar and started on a low-carb lifestyle.

I am losing weight and I feel really good.
Vegetables taste different. They are sweeter and yummier. I have always been a big fan of veggies but I believe my tastebuds can taste more now.
It is fun to experiment with food, so my cooking habits have changed a little.
I now read labels.
The American Diabetes Association suggests that you take a nine-inch plate and divide it in half. Half of the plate is vegetables. The other half is divided again, half of which is carbs and the other half meat (if you are a meat eater). I like it when these organizations make my life easier. I don’t have to count carbs or calories.
Eating is a lifestyle choice not a diet.

Why was this a wake-up call? I turned seventy this past year. I ponder how I plan to live the rest of my life. I want to be one of those ninety-plus people who is still exercising and living life to its fullest. Part of being one of these people is taking care of my aging body. Eating correctly and exercising and challenging my mind is a part of the process of choosing to age in health. Eating sugar and gaining weight are not part of this challenge. That is why one test became a wake-up call.

Will I be faithful to this lifestyle change? I am going to give it my all. It doesn’t mean that I won’t have a sweet from time to time. I am human. I like how I feel and I am motivated so yes I believe I will continue to incorporate this lifestyle change into my daily routine.

Today I am thankful for an important wake-up call.

Journeys of Thankfulness

Embracing Life, Traveling in my RV, Feeling Grateful

Author Archives: JanetA

About JanetA

How I am Spending My Summer

Trees of the Amazon

Everyday Small & Powerful Magical Moments

Into the Amazon

An Amazon River Adventure is Ready to Begin

The River-A Cell Phones Nemesis

Oh No, The Check Engine Light is On!!!

Florida On My Mind

Heading East

A Wake Up Call

About JanetA

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