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.

Breezes of the Desert

Posted on February 6, 2017 by JanetA

Early this morning I awoke around 1:30 am, windows open in my Roadtrek and the gentlest of breezes was beginning to blow. I love the desert. When the night breezes begin, the desert is beginning to cool down from the heat of the day. My RV begins to cool off and now it is a time where snuggling into the blankets begins to feel really good.

Coyotes are howling out in the countryside. Despite how I worry about coyotes and Elsie the cat, I love them. They remind me of the wild country before we had big cities. They remind me of Jim, (one of his major spirit animals) and they give me comfort. I embrace the wild-around me and in me. It gives me the will and desire to wander into uncharted territory.

Instead of worrying about not being able to sleep through the night, I accept the waking and explore the dark, welcoming the moon and the moonless nights. I listen to the wind. Reaching over I open another window so I can get a cross-breeze. I love the feel of the coolness on my face, arms and hands.

Sonoran Desert

Before I arrived on the outskirts of Tucson, where I am for the next few days, I was in the desert north of Ajo, AZ. I was boondocking(dry camping). I had driven about a half mile off the main road into the desert. Each day I would go on my own short walk-about, exploring my temporary home. For two days I sat in silence. My only conversation was with Elsie the cat. In the distance I could hear the occasional braying of the local wild burro population and the occasional coyote. Silence is hard to get used to at first. Then it becomes familiar. Then I embrace it. It is hard to let it go, when I go back into the city or even the small town. I hope that some of the silence follows me back into the noise of the everyday world.

Wild Burros

In the quiet I can begin to hear and feel in a deeper and clearer way. I feel the gentlest of breezes and welcome it’s whisper, quieting my heart and mind. The sky becomes clearer and the world around me brightens. Sitting out after dark I begin to hear the scurrying of little critters and have a passing hope that a pack rat is not setting up home in my engine, they do that.

When I first moved west I thought I was going to see sand and dirt and nothing. The desert is so alive. There are plants big and small and so many different cactus. The birds and wildlife are varied. In Suguarjo National Park there are over 200 species of birds. They all have their own unique way of surviving in the hot summer months and cold winter months.

Late Afternoon Hike, near Gilbert Ray Campground

I would like to consider that I may also have my own unique way of surviving. This is why I sold my home last July. This is why I moved into my RT. This is why I accept my questioning spirit. This is why I know it is OK to grieve. This is why I know it is OK to roam and wonder what is next. Maybe just maybe when the wind whispers, I will hear the answer I am seeking.

Posted on September 6, 2016 by JanetA

Hi everyone, Miss Elsie the Cat here. I finally got Janet’s permission to post to my fan club.

This little house on wheels must be a permanent thing. Janet doesn’t mention going home. This must be home. I am still adjusting to this. I miss my outdoor space. Janet tries hard to give me time out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I also have to be on a leash. What’s with that? I remember last summer I had to be on one. It really isn’t that bad, I just don’t want Janet to know it.😏

Have I told you that there is are two dogs traveling with us? They seem OK but I am keeping my eye on them both. I don’t think any cat should trust dogs too much. When they ride in the Roadtrek with me they are either in a small green thing called a Playhouse or up front. So far this has worked out. I still keep my eye on them because I have to be ready.

One morning I was outside on my leash and the dogs came by. I ran for the bushes. Thank goodness for those big green things. I blew my tail up larger than it has ever been before. I was ready to “mean business” if I had to. Thankfully Janet and Cat kept us apart.

Cat, another human, keeps coming in and out of my new home. I am not sure about her. She smells like those two dogs. She keeps trying to be friends, my eyes get big and I am not quite sure about her. I did celebrate our arrival into Oregon with the two humans. They had champagne, I took one sniff of it and decided the it wasn’t for me. Now if it had smelled like fish….

Rolling

I have done some traveling, for a little kitty. I will have to make a list sometime of all the places I have been. As long as Janet is around I am pretty good with that. I like when I go outside and smell interesting things in the grass. I think it must be like catnip because I get down and roll and roll. I also like the dirt and sand to roll in, too.

Birds fighting over fish

I am still not sure of all the water and the people and the animals around. I like watching the birds. They are quick and it makes them fun to watch. One day I saw some seagulls fighting over something in the water. Janet says it was food. They were squawking and fighting.

Janet and I seem to spend more quality time together in this small house on wheels. I like that. I like it when she sprays my scratching pad with cat nip. At night while she sleeps I play with the small super balls she bought for me. I would like to say, I hope I don’t keep her up but, I am a cat, so I really don’t care too much. Maybe if she is up, we can play.🙃

Time to get back to what is important. I think it is time for a nap under the sheepskin, after I check on those two dogs.

To the Sheepskin

Elsie’s Animals & Birds

Posted on August 28, 2015 by JanetA

Hey everyone, Elsie the cat here. I took the computer from Janet when she was taking a shower. She says we are on our way home. I’ll believe it when I see it. She keeps finding interesting things to see and do. We keep stopping. Of course she goes off and does things and I sleep under my sheepskin. I like my idea of fun.

Janet says we are in Iowa. I am not sure what that is but when I ride on the dashboard I am now seeing lots of farms. Cows are interesting. They are big and colorful.

There is still a lot of water everywhere. The lakes have gotten smaller and the rivers are a bit bigger. I like that we try to camp in places where I can feel good about going outside. Too many people and a lot of noise does not make me happy and I have to go to the sheepskin to feel safe.

I have been seeing some animals and birds that are interesting. I wish they would get a little closer but they always seem to know where the end of the leash is. Sigh.

I have seen a lot of these birds, everywhere we have been. Janet tells me they are seagulls. I would like to get to know them better but all they do is scream and fly away. they are kind of noisy. I bet if they got too close I would go to the sheepskin.

And, speaking of getting to know someone better, several days ago I saw this little guy. I am told by the all knowing one that it is a red squirrel. I would have really like to get to know him and his buddies better. They moved fast and were often just out of my range. Why do they do that? They chirped and yelled at me and I thought they would be a lot of fun to play with. Hmmm, maybe even a snack.

Janet tells me this is a Kildeer. I don’t know the name and I guess I really don’t care. What I like is that they were just outside my little house on wheels. They ran up and down the beach really fast. I wanted to run with them but Janet said no. Sigh. She says they were fishing. What is that I wonder and would I like it?

These little birds were covering the bushes outside our RT yesterday morning. They were everywhere. they fly really fast and even soar. I would like to try that soaring thing, it looked fun. I am told by Janet that I don’t have the equipment to do that. I would love to have been right there with them. I bet I could have jumped off the ground and caught at least one of these little buggers. Janet says no and there is the leash issue as well.

I have seen a lot of these. They seem to be at every lake I have been to from New Jersey to Minnesota. They are ducks. They seem like they would be fun to play with too. But when the squawk I get scared and run away. They are loud. I wonder if ducks could be my friends.

A few days ago we were camped on one of the really big lakes. There were trees all around my campsite. these little birds were yelling at me. Why do they yell? Janet says that they must have babies close by. Mmmm, interesting. Would I like babies? I bet I would. A snack maybe? These are chickadees, I am told.

Last night we camped near the Upper Iowa River. In the middle of the night right next to the Roadtrek I heard a loud noise. A big hoot. Janet says it was an owl. It was really close and it was kind of eerie. It was followed by a howl which Janet says was a coyote. It is wild out there at night. I am glad I am safe and snuggled up next to Janet.

We are off for new adventures today. It is raining. Janet has the awning out and it makes it nice for me. I can sit outside and not get wet. The best of all worlds.

I gotta go. She is back and I must pretend I have not been on the computer. Oh look breakfast.

Journeys of Thankfulness

Embracing Life, Traveling in my RV, Feeling Grateful

Tag Archives: birds

Everyday Small & Powerful Magical Moments

Into the Amazon

Breezes of the Desert

Elsie’s Animals & Birds

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: