Moving On With Elsie and the Roadtrek

Posted on June 15, 2015 by JanetA

Elsie directing traffic

I just realized that it has been a while since I have posted. I think I was a bit jealous of the responses Elsie got to her post. Heh Heh.

I have been traveling. I left North Carolina about a week ago and had been steadily moving north to Kitchener, Ontario. I am here today. Yay. All issues Roadtrek are hopefully being addressed.

Before I tell you where I have been I want to tell you where I am. I am at the Roadtrek factory this morning. I have been taken on a tour and met Leo who is helping me with the issues concerning my RT. I am so happy.

This is a family run business and they are treating me well. Each concern I have they have taken seriously. I like being respected and honored for who I am, the owner of a Roadtrek.

While I am here Miss Elsie is hiding under the bed at the Radisson Hotel. At least she is safe and happy. The do not disturb sign is on the door, along with a Cat in the Room sign. She is back in the dark. Poor baby. It does make her feel safe.

After leaving North Carolina I began to travel first west and then north. I spent a night on the Pigeon River in TN. It would have been a nice place except that the traffic noise was pretty heavy.

Camping at The Horse Farm

I have had a lot of favorite places to stay on this trip and I found another one outside Lexington, KT. It is called The Horse Farm. It is a beautiful place with beautiful horses and a bit of money. It does give one the flavor of the Bluegrass Country. Being a horsey (meaning I love horses not that I am horsey) kind of girl I really enjoyed the chance to tour the farm. I camped at the Horse Farm Campground and was able to ride my bike on beautifully kept trails over to the barns. I even watched a dressage competition. Have I told you yet that I love horses? If it hadn’t been for the heat (93 degrees) and the humidity (75%) I would have stayed longer but I have to admit that by that day the heat and humidity was becoming old and I was ready to move on.

Dressage at The Horse Farm

Camping at William Sterling State Park, Monroe, MI

Next stop was William Sterling State Park, on the edge of Lake Erie, south of Detroit. After the oppressive heat further south, it was nice to be back where it was still humid but the temperature had dropped by 20 degrees.

Elsie and I were camped on the edge of the campground and El felt brave enough to come out and sniff along the edges of the tall grasses.

It was at this state park that I noticed the feeling of vacationing in my RV left me. I began to feel like I was living in my RT rather than just being on vacation. One afternoon Elsie and I laid in the back and she napped while I read. All the doors and windows were open, a breeze was blowing and the book was good. Sweet

Eating May Flies. If you look close you can see them in the gulls mouths.

Have you ever heard of Mayflies? Neither had I but there was a hatching of May Flies while I was at the Park. They were everywhere. They look a little like eeny teeny tiny reptiles. I guess they are good for the fish. The seagulls loved them. It was interesting to observe the gulls behavior. I have never thought of gulls as being a group kind of bird. These gulls worked together. Every morning I would hear them calling. They would almost methodically work together in the same section of the campground eating many flies in the grass and then would fly en-mass to the next section. It was fascinating to watch. It reminds me how when almost any species works in a group, collectively, they are smart. Hmm is there something we humans can learn from this?

flying to the next section

Sunday morning I drove north of Detroit and drove along Lake St Clair in the mist and fog to Marine City. I crossed over to Canada on a little ferry with 3 other cars. There was no wait time at that border crossing. A look at my passport, a few questions and I was on my way. I rode across a river that connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie. Cool country up here.

Waiting for the Ferry

On The Ferry

The Ferry

I am in Kitchener for a few days before I head toward Niagara Falls and New Jersey.

Where my cute RT came into being.

I am feeling grateful to my friends, today who are so lovingly watching my home. Without them being there it would be much harder for me to be here.

Feeling thankful. Really thankful.

Being Thankful

Posted on May 29, 2015 by JanetA

I have not once forgotten the theme of this blog. Every day I am grateful and thankful for at least one thing or person. I believe that I will remember to do this for the rest of my life. Without all of the people who have entered my life be it for a moment or for a long time I would certainly be alone. I value everyone in my life and am thankful.

Two days ago I, physically thought I was doing well. After breaking up camp I started to get in the drivers seat and something went kablooie in my lower back. OUCH!!!!!! All of a sudden I could not stand up straight and I could not sit down comfortably. After taking a motrin, I got on-the-road.

I was about two hours out of Spearfish, SD. I remembered this chiropractor I had seen two years ago when I came through this area. He has moved on but Kari has moved in. I made an appointment to see her later that day. I limped into her office and she began to work with me. After several adjustments I walked out standing straight and remained sore.

hs_logo

She sent me out with an ice pack and I decided to spend the night so I could see her the next morning. I did not see much of Spearfish. I did see a lot of the KOA where I stayed. Every hour, on went the ice pack. After 20 minutes I took it off and walked the park. I did this until it got dark and I went to bed.

The next morning I was feeling a bit better. Back I went for one more adjustment and sports tape to my back. As I drove into Nebraska yesterday, I was on the same routine, ice pack to my back, while I was driving and then stopping and take a walk. This morning I am better, not great but better.

Dr Kari Bennett

I am so thankful for Dr Kari. She was kind and very professional. Because of her I am still on-the-road. The second day I saw her she usually doesn’t see patients in the morning, but she put me in at 8 a.m. so that I could get on my way. Now that is nice. Would I return to her when I am in the area again? In a minute. Today I am thankful for all the chiropractors that have ever treated me. Because of them I am able to go out and stretch my limits.

Now I am in Bassette, NE. I spent the night last night in the Rock County Fair Grounds. I was tired and sore and there was a camping sign but I couldn’t quite figure it out. I saw another RV and the man told me that it is open for camping when not in use. What a great place to stay. I had an electric hook-up and a great view. Elsie loved it because it was quiet and she felt safe to explore.

If you have never been to northern NE, and I bet many of my friends have not, it should go on your list. What pretty country. There are rolling hills and wide open prairies and plenty of water. They have been getting a lot of rain here. I even got to see a bald eagle at one of the small lakes. I felt blessed.

I am ready to roll soon. I am taking my time. Well right now I am laying on an ice pack. Oh Lord!!!! This morning I am standing straight, though. That is an improvement.

Thank you chiropractors everywhere. Today I am grateful.

I think you all probably already know but just in case, if you click on the pictures they will enlarge.

Getting Ready To Roll

Posted on May 7, 2015 by JanetA

Two summers ago I began a new adventure in travel. I bought my cute little Roadtrek RV and traveled the United States for two and a half months. I felt a strong pull to visit as many of the people that supported Jim and myself through three plus years of struggle. I wanted to thank those people for their support and have fun and some adventure along the way. It was a marvelous summer.

Little did I know that this journey would contine on past my travels that summer in my RV. I have been overwhelmed at times and continuously grateful for the ongoing support of all those friends, near and far, older and newer that have continued to love and support me as I have traveled through the uncharted territory of grief. I am blessed.

In two weeks I am packing up my RV and traveling to the east coast and beyond. I am planning to be on-the-road for about three months. Where am I going this time?

I have a date to ride in the Hells A’Roaring Horse Round-up in Gardiner, MT May 21-23. I am so excited about this. I love to ride horses and you know even though Jim was not fond of horses, he would have done this. Oh my, he did try so hard when it came to horses, yet I know that he was not fond of this activity. It did not stop him from trying. Hmm…there might be a lesson here somewhere.

After spending time in Yellowstone National Park and Montana, I am driving east. When I began to plan my departure, I knew I was attending the wedding of my niece, in July, in Connecticut. Now good friends are getting married in June in North Carolina. If you have been following my blog you may remember my visit to Zoe and Kay in North Carolina in 2013. In early June they are getting married. I am ready for a grand celebration. Does anyone else want to get married while I am traveling? Terry?

In between do I know where I am going? Well kind of, and kind of not. I like the idea of planning my touring from day to day. I want to be spontaneous and let adventure take me where it will. I am hoping to connect with many of my friends and family along the way. Heads up all you northern United States people. The journey of thanking others continues.

Elsie

This year I am not traveling alone. Miss Elsie, the cat is going to join the adventure. So far I have had her on two short trips and she did OK. I really did not want to leave her home this time. I will need to consider her needs a bit. I have decided to stay in one place for more than one night. This way she gets adjusted and you know I don’t need to be in a rush. I can enjoy different places and enjoy relaxing and exploring along the way.

I am already so thankful for those friends (6 of them) who are going to love and support my home while I am away. My neighbors are also going to help. For the first time since I have lived here I now have the most marvelous neighbors. There is so much I feel thankful for on a daily basis.

A week from Sunday this new adventure begins. I am opening my heart and mind and am ready to find the expected and unexpected. Please join me as I blog my way through the summer. It will be fun to meet up with some of you along the way.

Miss Elsie the Cat Takes a Ride

Posted on March 10, 2015 by JanetA

Elsie in the desert

If you have been reading my blog from the beginning of my journey in 2013, you know I was suppose to be traveling with my cat, Elsie. That first summer she opted out and stayed in San Diego with my house sitter and friend Raquel.

This coming May I am planning on taking to the road for three months. More to come on that adventure. This time I decided that Miss Elsie is traveling with me.

How do I get Elsie (one of the original scaredy cats) and myself ready to travel together in my RV? I have for the past several months taken her out to the Roadtrek, made it comfy and spent the afternoon or evening reading while she explored and got used to the movements of my neighborhood. I wanted to make it feel like her home.

Once she was comfortable with this I then started the engine and took her for short rides. The short rides became longer with destinations in mind where we spent time inside the RV looking out. A few times over the course of last summer I would take her to the bay, open all the doors and windows and have dinner while she first hid under the bed and then gradually made her way to peer out the side door. Any noise or person would send her scooting under the bed again.

Miss E looking out the back screened door

Elsie rolling in the desert

Early in February we did our first overnight. We went out to the desert and boondocked. It was just her me and the desert. There was no one close by. First she laid on the bed and peered out the back screened window. Eventually she made it to the screened side door. With great timidness she stepped outside and discovered the desert floor is covered with dirt and sand. This cat has always loved to roll. Well she took off for one of the most major rolls of her life. By the time she was done she looked the color of the desert. When the night sky was in it’s full glory she and I went out and laid on the desert and looked at the heavens.

hiking and rolling in the wash

The following day on the way home we found a place up in a canyon and I took her hiking up the wash with me. I admit this makes me nervous as there are coyotes out there. She was on a short leash so she could not wander far. She again loved exploring and rolling on the desert floor.

Elsie in Patagonia

Trip two occured about two weeks ago when she and I headed to Patagonia, Arizona. Although timid in campgrounds she did come out from under the covers and look around. I took her for short walks late in the evening when everyone was inside their RV’s. We stayed there for 4 nights. The more we were there the more curious she became. And her world began to open a little at a time.

Here is what I have done so far to ensure the safety and happiness of Miss Elsie.

She has a halter on at all times except when we are sleeping.
She is chipped with ID information on all her halters.
I am going to add a locator to her collar so if she does get away I might be able to find her.
She always goes out with a leash on. I have a short one and a long leash.
She has a kitty playpen that I can put her in if she shows interest.
I have all doors screened and I can add screens to the front windows when camped.
All her vet records will travel with me and her immunizations will be up to date.
I am putting a sign on my RV letting people know she is on board.
I have favorite toys and sheepskins that she uses in the house with her in the RV.
The litter pan is easily accessible and will be cleaned immediately after use.
I have a designated place for her food and water.
Several years ago Jim and I taught her commands. Clap 3 times means come in the house, and she does. Collar, means stop let me put your collar on or take it off. My latest one I started when I first introduced her to the RV and that one is Wait and she does.

This summer when we leave I will travel differently. We will stay in one place for more than a day. I think that will ease her nervousness and I will get to know a place better. I will need to pay attention to someone elses needs and that is not a bad thing to consider.

Elsie was Jim’s kitty. It took her about five months to decide he was not coming back and she changed her allegiance to me. Over these past few years she has been a good friend and a constant in my life when everything else is changing. I am glad to have her along for the ride this summer.

Go Miss Elsie.

Birding in Patagonia….Arizona

Posted on March 3, 2015 by JanetA

Have you ever been to Patagonia??? Arizona??? I just returned from a week in southern Arizona visiting my friend Cat. Remember her…she was biking across the United States with her two dogs. She got as far as east of Tucson and had to change her goals once again.

Cat’s home

Cat’s doctors informed her that the “Bike across America” would need to go on an indefinite hold. She was without a home and wasn’t sure what to do. Cat fell in love with my small Roadtrek RV. Thinking that an RV would give her a home anywhere she wanted to be…she bought a 5th wheel (much bigger than mine) and moved in.

For the foreseeable future Cat is making Patagonia home. I decided that seeing her new RV was worth the drive and the visit. It was a great re-connection. When I arrived Dory the dog, came running out and up to the door of my RV and waited for it to magically open. She really likes me and my home on wheels. You might remember a previous post where I met up with Cat and the pups in Yuma.

What a fun 5 days that was. I have learned that people go to Patagonia to bird watch. I mean these are serious birders, folks. For a 5 day stretch I became a birder too, and, it was fun. There are a lot of birds there, of all kinds. We hiked the Nature Conservancy Reserve with binoculars in hand. We went back to the Paton House, managed by the Audubon Society three times while I was there. For five days my binoculars were around my neck and my camera was close at hand.It was so relaxing and fun.

Violet Crowned Humming Bird

Gambles Quail

Yellow Rumped Warbler

When I was young I was in the 4-H. One of my projects was bird watching. I remember it as a time when I had a close connection to my mom, as she helped me with this project. I have never lost the interest in wild life. I have found that since Jim’s death, I have become interested in birds again. There is something soothing about watching birds. And…they are such pretty colors. Being outside also is another bonus for me. It is a challenge to photograph them.

Cat & Janet at Paton’s

Spending time with Cat was also special. She and I mutually inspire each other. Our friendship is new so we are still learning about each other. I love our conversations. They are so easy and natural. Her sense of adventure exceeds mine, although I could be right behind her. She is an example of taking one day, one hour, one minute at a time and never, ever giving up. This is a reminder to me as I age, gracefully, I hope, to be willing to accept the changes that occur in life and if need be, change course. I don’t need to stop just change course.

Friendships are important. Each one is of such great value to me. I would have been very alone without my friends to support me and helping me to keep looking forward. Mostly I am happy they are more than willing to come along with me and have fun and explore our world. Each trip I take reminds me again of the value of good friends. And…I am thankful.

Cat & Janet

For those of you who are reading my blog you will notice something new. On the left side bar is now a button that says Go Fund Me. This is something new I have started at the suggestion of friends to help raise money for the Jim Fenningham Memorial Scholarship. This is a scholarship honoring my husband’s dedication to education. It is a quick and easy way to donate anything from $1 on up.

Who Knew???

Posted on February 19, 2015 by JanetA

Approximately two weeks ago I was interviewed by Caitlin Kiernan for Yahoo Travel. At first I was going to be included in a larger article about RV’ing. Then her boss and she decided that my journey in my cute and new little RV that started this blog would be good as a feature article.

She interviewed me and some of the people I met along my travels and soon the article was finished. It appeared in this weeks Yahoo Travel on the web. It was a good article and I felt that she had done a good job. And I thought it was done.

Oh my goodness, the past few days have been amazing. I have recieved e-mails from people commenting on the article and their own personal journeys. Several people are now following this blog.

I am overwhelmed. So what did I do? I left town. When all else fails, run away (sic). I am now in Patagonia, Arizona visiting a friend and taking time out to digest what happened with this article. I am also going bird watching and hiking and generally enjoying my time out.

I started this blog as a way to keep friends and fellow adventureers up to date with where I was as I moved across the country. Very quickly it became something more. All any of us can do is help each other out. I hope that through these posts that maybe just maybe it can touch someone else’s life and help make their struggle just a wee bit easier and if not at least it is a good read. These posts have certainly helped me become clearer about life and my own personal journey.

I have continued to post because people did not want me to stop. My own journey is not over yet. Each time that I go somewhere whether it is for a day or a week or much longer it is part of my own personal journey of healing and wholeness.

So welcome aboard all of you who decided to start following my blog. Welcome to those who have been following this blog since it’s inception. I am honored and grateful for each of your visible or invisible presence in my life. Let the journey continue.

Here is a link to the article in Yahoo travel. Driving Through Grief

To the Center of the World and Back Again

Posted on December 24, 2014 by JanetA

Last week my friend, Leslie, from Alaska came to visit. It has been quite some time since I have seen her and we had a great week together. Lots of walking and talking and catching up.

There is a trend happening with my visitors now. They come to visit and the next thing I know we are off in my cute little Roadtrek (RV) and traveling and camping. I bet you guessed it, Leslie and I took a couple of days and headed east of San Diego for a mini-adventure.

Church on the Hill, Felicity

I know that I mentioned the town of Felicity, CA in a previous post. On the north side of interstate 8 approximately 10 miles west of Yuma, AZ sits a small church on a man-made hill. I have noticed this church every time I have driven that section of highway. With Leslie and myself up for adventure we drove the 3 hours to the town of Felicity. It was the beginning of a fun three days in the desert.

Felicity is an unincorporated town with approximately 9 part time residents. Jacques-Andres Instal owns thousands of acres from interstate 8 north to the Chocolate Mountains. He loved this section of barren desert so he decided that he wanted to create a town and make it legally the Center of the World. In 1985 he was able to have the Imperial County set a law that Felicity is the Official Center of the World. To support this claim Instal wrote a children’s book Coe the Magic Dragon. This law was recognized by the Institut Geographic National of the Government of France in 1989. Jacques is also the mayor of his town.

There is a small bronzed plaque that stands within a 21 foot pyramid. I stood inside the pyramid on the bronze plaque and made a wish and was given a certificate declaring I had stood at the Center of the World. Leslie followed so now we can say we have been there and back.

Center of The World

Janet & Leslie at the Center of the World

Standing at the Center of the World

North of the pyramid, when completed, will be over 400 granite walls with history of the world engraved on each side. Some of them are completed now. Because Instal served in the Korean War there is also a Korean War Memorial. Another wall is dedicated to the History of the French Foreign Legion. Yes, you guessed it, Instal was also part of the French Foreign Legion. All of this history is according to the Mayor. Another wall that is not completed yet will supply the names of anyone who wants to pay $300. You too can be immortalized.

Beyond all of this is a man-made, earthquake-proof hill. They moved 150,000 tons of earth to create this hill. No town is complete without a church. On top of the hill stands a non-denominational chapel. It is very mediterranean in design and feel. People come here to get married.

Janet, Leslie and Jacques

All of this was created by Jacques. When we started to ask Felicia, Instal’s wife, questions she told us not to question just believe. At the end of our visit we met the Mayor of Felicity, Jacques Instal. He was a delightful older gentleman, maybe a bit eccentric yet he has created quite a place. And not everyone can say they have been to the Center of the World and back.

If you want to explore Felicity in more depth click on Felicity to go to the official web site. Felicity

After spending the night in a small RV park in Brawley, CA (I mean, really, who camps in Brawley)we moved on north to the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea region was part of the Gulf of California until about 4.4 million years ago. The Colorado River silt eventually blocked off the gulf and separated the region from the Pacific Ocean. The Salton Sea was created between 1905 and 1907 when the Colorado River broke through diversion canals in the irrigation system in Imperial County. It is a dead sea and is dependent on the river and rain. What is really interesting and good for bird watchers are the millions of birds that winter on this lake. Leslie and I found a great spot to watch all the activity. It was a great morning.

Photos of the Salton Sea

Hiking in the Wash

Celebrating Hanukkah

From there we moved on in to the Anza Borrego Desert, one of my favorite deserts. It is so alive. We boondocked at one of my favorite back country campsites. After a day of rain on our first day, the washes were clean and fun to hike. Leslie and I celebrated Hanukkah in my RT in the Desert. I learned a lot this week and I was honored to celebrate this event with Les.

On our last day we drove into Borrego Springs and I was able to show Leslie the Galleta Meadows Sculptures that are scattered around the town.The late Dennis Avery, owner of the Meadows envisioned the idea of adding free-standing art to his property with original steel welded sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda. These sculptures are amazing and fun to look at.

Galletta Meadows

We ended our few days in Descanso visiting friends of Leslie’s. It was a good dinner and great conversation in a beautiful adobe home in the mountains east of San Diego.

You may think that we covered some territory in three days, and we did. The nicest part was that it never felt rushed. I am frequently asked how it is to travel with someone else in my small very cute RT. It has been a good experience every time I have traveled with a friend. Usually when I am traveling with someone we have a conversation before we leave so both of us are aware of the limited space we will live in/ I enjoy other people’s company. It is a time where we can connect and talk and share each other’s lives and enjoy the beauty of nature and the unique places along the way.

Each friend, each person I meet continue to help me find my way into my new life. And…it is often fun. I am very glad that I went to the Center of the World and back.

To view all photos from this trip click below.

Center of the World

Marking Year Two-Off on an Adventure

Posted on October 27, 2014 by JanetA

October seventeenth marked the second anniversary of Jim’s death. Sigh.

The first year was hard yet I kept myself busy and that year seemed to move quickly. All of a sudden he was gone a year. Now I don’t mean to imply that it was easy because it wasn’t. I missed him in a large all encompassing way.

This second year has gone by slower. I have had a much tougher time finding the energy to stay positive and delightful. This year I have missed him in the small ways.

A touch.
His voice.
His kisses.
His help around the house, for sure.
Kayaking solo because my buddy isn’t here.
Bicycling solo because….
Conversation. I think I miss this most of all. He was a very intelligent person and we had conversations in depth. Now I find that when I meet someone, like Silver Hooligan (Kat), and we have that kind of conversation I pull it in to my brain, my heart, my soul, through the pores of my skin.
Where is my waltz and polka partner?
Goofing around the house and being silly.
Laughing at the Simpsons.
Getting Ready to Raft the Grand Canyon

Planning marvelous adventure trips together.

This gives you an idea of the small things. The list could go on and on.

This past year I struggled. I met new people to help me out, my acupuncturist, Gayle, a new therapist, Heidi (my other one retired, sigh). I chose to meet this grief and sadness head on this year and you know, I feel better. I am not done yet but I feel better. I feel better, about me, about life, about others, about my house and more. It feels good to feel better. There are times that I still curl up in my house and that is OK, as long as I come out again.

I have found that work helps. I work part time locally as a tour guide. I love my job and I truly enjoy the other guides I work with. I go to some mundane places (the airport) and some lovely places (La Jolla Shores). Mostly I enjoy being out and catching up with others. It is fun to see people have a wonderful time. I meet interesting people in this job.

I worry that others will forget Jim and yet when I speak with his close friends I realize they will always remember him in their hearts. I find I am now starting to tell Jim stories and others share theirs with me. This is a new development and I find I enjoy it and it feels light.

Kat and her pups. Bicycling to the east coast

Travel also helps. Tomorrow I am going to head out in my RV, the cute little Roadtrek. I am traveling through the deserts of southern California and Arizona, where I will meet up with Kat (Silver Hooligan-see my last post) for a night. Next will be Flagstaff where I hopefully, will be seeing a much different Sharon than I did a year ago in July. For those of you who have been following my blog, she was the one who ended up in the hospital while I was there.

On Friday I am going to a private ranch, Kane Ranch, on the north rim of the Grand Canyon to take a water color workshop. This is a big step for me. I have tried a few times since Jim left to paint. It has never worked out. I decided to go where I might get some inspiration. The Kane Ranch is owned by the Grand Canyon Trust. I support their cause and they are the organization that is sponsoring this workshop. If I can’t paint I can always pick up my camera and just enjoy being there.

full moon over Zion National Park

Lastly I will be on my way to Zion National Park and a visit with my dear friend Sharon. You can scroll back to September of 2013 to read about this very special family. Since that time David has gone on to join Jim. We have a lot to talk about.

Adventuring off on my own takes a bit of courage for me. I have at times been anxious and stressed in preparation for this trip. Yet I persevere. I know that once I get behind that wheel I will be happy and ready to explore where I am going. I take all my friends with me. I feel everyone’s love and support and encouragement. Thank you for getting me through year two.

On to year three.

Serendipity

Posted on August 12, 2014 by JanetA

Serendipity – the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. I have been contemplating this word and it’s meaning for the past couple of months.

In late June of this year my friend, Nancy and I traveled to northern California to camp in my class B RV for a week. I don’t remember what brought this word into play on this trip, yet it was a discussion that came up in conversation several time over that week. I like the sound of this word. There is a bit of a mystery in it and it makes me think of magic in my everyday life.

On the drive out to the coast we drove through the town of Booneville and there was an International Music Festival in process. Nancy made the comment “this is serendipity”. We debated whether to stop and because of the lateness of the hour we decided to keep driving. This makes me realize that I don’t have to act on a moment in time and maybe it is more important to acknowledge it and know that I can act upon it if I want to.

The other 2 moments that occurred on this holiday had to do with people.

We spent a day with the Nature Conservancy hiking on a private ranch. By word of mouth we discovered that one of the couples that hiked with us own the Westport Hotel and Old Ablaone Bar, in the very small town of Westport, CA. They have stated a tradition of having Saturday afternoon high tea. Serendipity happened and we went for tea. There were five of us who met at the pub and had a delightful tea and afternoon conversing with very interesting folks. And the pub and hotel were just charming. So if you ever find yourself north of Mendocino on a Saturday afternoon. Stop for tea at the Old Abalone Bar. I guarantee you will enjoy it.

Tea with Friends

Tea at the Old Abalone Pub

Westport Hotel

The last night we were on the northern coast we stayed at Gualala Point Regional Park. As we drove into the campground I looked off to my right and thought that the person setting up their camp looked familiar. A short time later, Nancy I met up with Mary and John. Mary worked with Jim and I have know her for many years. It was so good to see them. John was abalone diving. I had my first guests for dinner in my cute little RT. Nancy I made salad and soup and Mary and John brought the abalone and wine. it was such a delightful evening. For me it was one of the highlights of the trip.

Hiking back into Gualala Point regional park.

Serendipity adds just that little something extra to a special moment in time. Would I have still said that I had a great trip if the two events noted above had not occurred? Certainly. Did these two events add to the magic of the trip? Certainly.

I believe that serendipitous moments happen almost every day of our lives, whether we are in our own backyard or on holiday. I need to take the time to notice them and acknowledge them. Last weekend Nancy and I put the kayaks in the water for the first time since Jim’s death. Although we managed fine, with the help of a step ladder, to get the kayaks on the roof when we arrived at our put-in spot, a man just showed up to help us get them off the roof. Serendipitous? I think so, and it was a lovely encounter with another human being, who had a very good handshake.

I am now paying a bit more attention to those moments when they arise. I look forward to them and find my life is just a wee bit better because of them. I think I would like to start a serendipity movement, asking people to wake up and notice those moments that make our lives a bit more exciting and valuable.

Our kayaks, not on the bay but I wanted to share a photo of them with you. Jim & I made them.

What are some of your serendipitous moments? I would love to hear about them.

Delighting in the day.

Alaska Follow-up, Glaciers & Mountains & Ice Caves

Posted on March 31, 2014 by JanetA

Mount Rainier, WA from the plane

If you have been following this blog, you know, that about 2 weeks ago I went to Alaska. It was great. As I reflect back on this trip, it was kind of a gutsy thing to do. I flew there on a whim, to meet a woman I had never met, and travel with her for a week. This could have turned out three ways; 1. We meet and click and have a terrific time. 2. We meet and get along OK but we will never be in touch again. 3. We meet, dislike each other on site and wonder how the heck we are going to get through the week. I am happy to report it was #1.

Machu Pichu

Jane and I had more things in common than we knew. We knew we had the deaths of our husbands in common (though each adventure into this arena is very different) and we both own small, very cute Roadtrek Agile SS’s (RV’s) and we love to travel. What we found out is that the last trip that Jim and I did together, May 2012, was a 15 day tour of Peru. Jane is going on the same trip, with the same company, this May. Small world.

Chena Hot Springs

We traveled together for a week, starting our trip in Fairbanks, AK at Chena Hot Springs. There are no bad hot springs in this world. Some are just better than others. This one was terrific. We had a very short walk from our room to these very nice outdoor springs. And since we were there we could use them any time we wanted. Not bad. It also did not hurt that the rest of the resort was exceptionally nice as well. Nice rooms, good dining and many trails to get lost on. I was hoping for a good Aurora Borealis sighting but it was just so-so. Now that being said, since I never see one in southern CA, it was great. I was expecting colors and waving lines across the sky and that just did not happen. I did, however, see them.

Ice Sculpture

The adventure continued to Fairbanks to see the International Ice Carving Competition. It was so warm that day (42 degrees F) that the sculptures were beginning to melt and the organizers were praying for colder weather. It was really interesting and amazing to see these sculptures. How do they do that? I am not sure. The sculptures came from all over the world to compete in this competition. It was a marvelous thing to see.

Dall Sheep

The next part of the adventure was by rail. We boarded the Alaska RR in the morning and traveled for 12 hours south to Anchorage. It was a beautiful day and the scenery was breath-taking at times. This RR travels down through the Mountains along the edge of Denali National Park. I love mountains. One of the fun facts about this train is that if they see Dall Sheep or Caribou they stop the train so we can get our pictures and observe the wildlife. They did twice on this trip and it was to see the animals mentioned above. Now that is my kind of trip. I just love nature.

Ice Cave

We spent a part of a day in Anchorage, and then flew to Juneau, AK. This is Jane’s home. It is the capital of AK and one of its larger cities. The one full day I spent there I went with one of her renters, Marshall to see the Ice Cave under Mendenhall Glacier. This was the culminating event of the trip. We hiked across a frozen, glacial lake over a section of the Mendenhall Glacier and into the ice cave. It was as if I was in a National Geographic special. I have never seen anything like it. It was even made more special because Marshall and I and one other person were the only ones there. It was one of those unique moment’s in time. It was snowing like crazy which only added to the mystery of it all. I would encourage anyone to go and see an ice cave. It was amazing.

Baby Glacier

Janet With Mendenhall Glacier

Jane was a great tour guide. She had planned the whole trip and it ran like clock work. This is the kind of guide anyone needs. I enjoyed her company and we talked a lot because we had a lot to learn about each other in a short time. It was not forced, just very natural and easy. I hope that we continue being long distance friends and if she is ever traveling the lower 48, I would be delighted to meet up with her and go camping in those cute little RV’s.

Ice Cave

If you would like to view all the photos from this trip click this link.

Alaska Photos

One of the hardest things when traveling is getting sick. I came home with a whopper of a cold. After a week of sniffling around the house I am back to a level of normal. I am not always sure what normal is but I am in there somewhere. I love going away. It helps me get out of my normal life and open up to adventure and experience. I find that in the grief process this helps me so much to lighten up and not have to make decisions, even if it is just for a week. I continue to feel my heart very close to the surface of my life. I am glad it has remained there although that presents its own challenges at times.

I thank all of you for your continuing support. I love that if I don’t post for a while I start getting Facebook or e-mail messages asking about my adventures. It makes me feel cared about. For all of you I am grateful that you are in my life, every moment of the day.

Journeys of Thankfulness

Embracing Life, Traveling in my RV, Feeling Grateful

Tag Archives: Roadtrek

Moving On With Elsie and the Roadtrek

Being Thankful

Getting Ready To Roll

Miss Elsie the Cat Takes a Ride

Birding in Patagonia….Arizona

Who Knew???

To the Center of the World and Back Again

Marking Year Two-Off on an Adventure

Serendipity

Alaska Follow-up, Glaciers & Mountains & Ice Caves

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: