The smell of fresh rubber is pungent in my nostrils. I’m writing this post from the lobby of a tire store while I wait for new tires to be installed on my travel weary car.
Chihuly Museum, Seattle
I’m recording another magical night and shaking my head in disbelief. When I am in Seattle, it is home, it is returning, it is my daughters. I spend as much time with them as possible, both together, each separately, whatever I can get of their busy lives, I grab and treasure. Continue reading
Looking up the skirts of ancient redwoods
In August I made the acquaintance of trees older than Shakespeare’s words. I went to Redwood National Park in northern California. After a LONG, curvy drive, the experience of standing, looking up at trees 15 feet in diameter and not being able to see to their tops, was unforgettable. The reverence I wanted to give these living creatures consumed my thought. The forest felt sacred, holy, church-like. There was an awe and hush and even the leather-clad, boisterous biker clan that was on the trail couldn’t dispel the magic. There was a family with kids that made me angry though. Continue reading
The beauty of autumn in Lenox, MA
I have been neglectful of my blog for very good reason, but the guilt of leaving you in silence has been weighing on me. I have so many wonderful experiences to share from my last travel escapades, but they will have to wait a bit longer. Continue reading
My life goes in themes. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, this was the trip of family, and the ghosts of family.
Driving into Westport, CA
The roads from Napa to Mendocino, California are some of the windiest that I know, and driving them brought back memories of being horribly carsick on our way camping. I also remember being a helpless passenger in my brother’s blue Chevy truck. We would come speeding toward a hairpin turn, where we would see the quickly approaching 30-35 mph speed limit sign ahead. He would look over and shout out to me “Double it? Or triple it?” I would scream “DOUBLE IT, DOUBLE IT!” as I closed my eyes and held on. He laughs a wicked, older brother laugh to this day when I mention it. Continue reading
At Donner Lake
After spending a fabulous few days in Reno, NV, I met my sister and mom at Donner Lake, California. We spent the day kayaking and soaking in the sunshine lakeside. Our reservation was messed up so we ended up in this large two level room where we each had our own bed and probably could have housed a boy scout troop as well! Pretty wonderful. Continue reading
I have spent a lot of time with family on this leg of the trip. Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota were all speckled with visits and catching up. I am blessed with a colorful heritage that I was born into and family that I married into. Seeing them all within a few months time has been enriching and eye-opening. My roots shape who I am, like it or not.
Phyllis, my mother-in-law
I knew I was a long way from home when I passed a pickup truck filled with carcasses. The enormous elk horns were sticking way over the side and the driver had to keep far to the right of the lane in order not to skewer something. It rather sickened me to see the beautiful head distorted at a weird angle and the pile-o-antlers in the white truck bed. Continue reading
I need to get back to trusting my intuition. I seem to be missing it by seconds or hours and being disappointed. I should have stayed in Montrose one more night and enjoyed the company of my new friends at the fair and rodeo rather than rushing off to Moab, UT. Continue reading
“What’s the difference between a National Monument and a National Park?” was my first question to the ranger at the Visitor’s Center. Her reply… “A monument is designated by the President and a park is voted in by Congress.” Simple. President Taft established the Colorado National Monument in 1911. It is gorgeous. I was on my way to Moab from Montrose, sadly leaving the cute cowboy behind on the eve of the weekend rodeo. He recommended a visit to the Colorado National Monument, a short veering off the path and it was well worth the leisurely meander. Continue reading
I think this may just be the longest I have gone without writing a post. I have been busy spending time with my daughters and blogging has been put on the long list of things to do. I do miss sharing and I have a few posts started just not ready to go yet! So for those of you that keep up with my journey, I wanted to say that I am here, hold on, I’ll get a post to you soon! I have some more great people to introduce you to and a couple more National Parks for you to explore.
Meandering Lori
meanderest 