Kansas... Crops, windmills, AND hiking trails???

Although we have been in Colorado for several days, I must share the wonderful experience that was our one night in the state of Kansas. I had never been to Kansas and had no expectations other than what I have seen in the Wizard of Oz. However, it seemed Oz, I mean Kansas, had much more to offer. 
After about a 420 mile day, we pulled off at one of the numerous rest stops to take a break. As it turns out at this particular one, they let you camp for one night only, and have these secluded picnic areas along these winding side roads. We found a great place to camp for the night and of course the building had bathrooms complete with hot water. This rest area even had a zig-zaggy hiking trail that I have to say was much steeper than anything I would have thought existed in a place renown for being so flat. It ended at the top at a giant windmill sculpture surrounded by huge cottonwood trees. It was quite lovely. Kansas thank you for a most enjoyable experience. 
The universe always provides exactly what you need at the exact moment you need it. 
In gratitude...

Kansas isn't as flat as I thought...

St. Louis!

First stop...Nashville!

After spending two lovely days with friends in Nashville, we have moved on down the road. The house we were staying in is a wonderful, historic home from the 30's filled with several generations of antiques, collectibles, and plenty of memories to go along with them. The house would not have been complete without the giant 10' tree, covered with orange lights and autumn themed decorations proudly standing in the living room. Thank you Marky & Amanda for a delightful visit and a great beginning to our grand adventure!  
So where did we land today?  The fun and exciting state of Illinois of course... One of the few states I personally have never been to...until today. The only person we have spoken to in this state was a super kind and hospitable park ranger in the park where we are camped. Thank you and good night friends. 

Heading westerly...

Today is the day we pack up the car and head west.  Drew and I are taking the next couple of months to travel other parts of the country in search of the adventure of now.  Our destination today is only a few hours away, but in the past few weeks it seemed to be a distant place in the future.  We will be visiting some friends in Nashville first and ending up in Colorado by next weekend. 
We are very grateful to have kind family looking after our two fuzzy children (these would be cats and not freaky deranged Halloween-ready-offspring being abandoned by parents). You will all be missed!
So long for now, there is still packing to be done.....

"Balance"

It is the purest form of moderation...

It is the world spinning harmoniously

with all her children

peacefully coexisting

the balance within is that which we seek

as the night equals day

and the frozen tundra meets the rivers of volcanic lava

From each perception we must jump ahead

and peer behind

as if to see

we are still standing tall

"I am"

i am
i am surrender
i am acceptance
i am balance
i am pure energy
i am the flow of the universe
i am the light within
and so are you.

"Tireless Joy"

"Tireless Joy"

This is a print from an original drawing of a Hummingbird with tree, moon, and flowing hills. Hummingbird brings us the message of tireless joy as she hums along between the trees and hills to lands far away.
I was in the garden the other day and was visited by several hummingbirds.  One landed on the tomato plant about a foot in front of me as I watered it.  She was the most beautiful sight and instantly filled me with joy.  Now I share this with you.  Pass it on...

Art shows us the spirit inside...

This blog is dedicated to all the hard working, talented artists I saw last Saturday at the Atlanta Arts Festival.  It was a truly inspiring day filled with art that spoke to me.  There was even art that moved me to tears.  Twice. 
There was every kind of art you can imagine….and several mediums I have never seen before. 
I dreamed of art Saturday night and was flung out of bed at 4:30am by my urge to go draw or paint.  As the sun came up I still had the pen in hand. 
So, THANK YOU artists… out there showing the world your work.  We all need to see it, experience it, and see life through your window. 

One year ago today...

One year ago today, my journey of one day less than six months on the Appalachian Trail was completed.  Lately, I have been having literally, well, I don’t know any other way to describe them other than, flashbacks.  At the end of a powerful kundalini yoga class last night, I had a wondrous moment.  I was magically transported back to the top of one of the endless wet and rainy, blowing winds, rock covered mountains in southern Maine.  I am not sure how long I was mesmerized by this occurrence while supposedly trying to meditate, but when I awoke from my awake dreaming, I was for  a moment, still in Maine.  For those that are unfamiliar with my tales along this adventure, Maine, while encompassing only 280 something miles of the entire trail, was the only point where I considered myself nearly defeated by this apparent beast.  Fortunately, this period of time was brief, with the help of several angels guiding me along my path. 
 
By the time I had reached southern Maine, I had endured many emotional states… From the good, to the bad, and certainly the ugly….as well as everything in between.  When recalling moments from my long journey and speaking to others, I am usually fairly vague about particulars because there really is no definitive way to relate all that happens to one while hiking the trail.  It was so much more than transporting myself 2,179 miles.  I find myself not talking about it because there is simply too much to tell. 

So why would I transport myself back to one of the most terrifying moments of the entire epic journey while peacefully meditating? 

In a way, you leave a part of your “self” behind.  You leave behind your fears and grow stronger as you realize there is nothing you cannot do if you believe it to be so.