Skip to main content

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions - Dalai Lama

Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota!


Another "never been here" before state.

After NY I headed to Ohio.  A friend from my group fo motorcycle driver awesome women friend found me a safe spot to park in Cleveland.  I spent some time in lake Erie -  took a nice little walk and then I headed to Illinois.








OHH yes - I found Historic Rt 20!!  I kept on it all th way through Michigan but it is taking way too long so I am going to cheat and jump on the highways from here to Yellowstone . .








A friend from church procured for me a safe spot to park overnight in Chicago!! It was raining and I felt like I would need a kayak before the night was over. Now have an uncle Jim! :)










While driving through Wisconsin I stumbled into the "Cheese box" .... Bought some cheese to bring to my host's but half it was "gone" by the time I made it into Minnesota. It evaporated ... that is my story and I am sticking with it.










While staying at my friends, enjoying her hospitality we talked about many things.  One of the wonderful realizations of the evening is that this trip has already taught me many things.  It is also reminding me how incredibly blessed my life is.  I am choosing to live out of my car.  I am choosing to lead this nomadic life.  Many others do not have an option.  They are not able to enjoy a friend's hospitality or the pleasure of a hot long shower, a comfortable bed to sleep and a safe space to be at.  I pray for those people and remind you my dear friends that we all are but a paycheck away from such hardship. Let us all be thankful for what we enjoy in our everyday life.  Let us be more appreciative and be kind to others.














On to South Dakota!




Comments

Unknown said…
Wow! I love your adventure. Such freedom to stop when you want, just to do it. It is a freedom. Happy for you and good thoughts continuing for you:-) Hugs
Unknown said…
Wow! I love your adventure. Such freedom to stop when you want, just to do it. It is a freedom. Happy for you and good thoughts continuing for you:-) Hugs
Chinita Chapina said…
Yes!!! Every day is "Go and do as I want" day ;)

Popular posts from this blog

"Best ... bartender from Timbuktu to Portland, Maine - or Portland, Oregon...” -Jack Torrance

My own westward expansion is accomplished! Portland to Portland! All 4000K miles of the journey! DONE! "… You were always the best of 'em. Best ... bartender from Timbuktu to Portland, Maine - or Portland, Oregon for that matter.” -Jack Torrance, in The Shining.  T he exterior of the 'Overlook Hotel' is the  Timberline Lodge ,  Mount Hood  in the Hood River area of Northern Oregon. One of my "Wander List" Items that I am proud to check off is coming to Portland Oregon. The idea of all those explorers making it “out west” and crossing the vastness of the continent to “see what is out there” has always been appealing. Perhaps because I am the child of immigrants.   I am an immigrant.   The image of all those people taking the chance and picking up all that they could to make it “all the way” to Portland… Leaving everything behind and carving a life in a new place.   I identify with all of that… the sense of adventure, the search for something...

Links

Shortcuts! Here are shortcuts to the posts by the park or city:  September 29:  Sleepy Hallow New York  , Tapan Zee Bridge. October 1: Maine   Visited a dear friend and enjoy a trip to the lake! October 2: More of New England and Hyde Park in New York October 4:   Letchworth State Park   in New York the "Grand Canyon for the East" October 7: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota  - Driving fast so I had to skip a lot but it was a nice drive October 9: South Dakota, Black Hills, Wyoming    Dead presidents, Alien Ships rest areas and SNOW! October 10,12 and 13: Yellowstone!  , Yellowstone , and one more Yellowstone October 14: Arches National Park  in Utah - Beauty beyond compare October 16: Portland to Portland ! From Portland Maine to Portland Oregon in one piece! mostly. October 19: Oregon, Crater Lake and I learned about "trail magic" October 21:  Lava Fields, Redwoods and ma...

Virginia Beach- Being a tourist in your own backyard

Visiting my own back yard! I am also going to try to visit Shenandoah to complete the loop. Visited a friend in Virginia Beach and she was kind to drive me around and making sure I visited Mount Trashmore to complete my experience.

Small Steps.. Moving Forward... Relentlessly Reaching Out for your Goals

Every day I try to take little steps towards prepping me for the road trip. Small completed tasks become completed projects. The belongings are packed and in storage bins.  I am happy to report that most of the clutter was donated, re gifted, etc.  There will be more decluttering when I come back in January. The more "stuff" I hold on to, the more anchored I feel.  Less stuff less worry! On the prepping front, I have now invested in "Reflectix" material to create heat reflectors for the car windows and privacy during nap times. I used liquid fabric glue and fabric from the $ Store and created these!! My home economics teacher must be spinning in her grave - I didn't use any measuring tools or templates... just eyeballs and a sharpy. In the food supply area, I am going to "try" on keeping it "low carb".  I found out that Costco has a sale on "premier protein" shakes - so I am hoardi...

Whatever the mind of [wom]man can conceive and believe, it can achieve - Napoleon Hill

So, now what? What do you do when your world gets turned upside down?  You look for the tequila bottle and put those lemons to good use. I have unexpectedly been giving time off to wander, so wander I will. Starting September 27, 2018 I am going to jump in my car and drive in a big loop around the USA.  I am starting in the Mid-Atlantic area and then head up to Maine.  From Maine I start my westward expansion towards Oregon.  I know October is already winter up in the north. I am going to be smart about it and stick to lower passes.  Even if that means I'll end up driving longer.  I also know that I've never gone camping voluntarily. I do know that the road is long and dangerous, and yet it beckons. I know I am going to get lost, a lot. I think I have some gypsy genes floating around in my DNA (some day I'll take the test, but I am afraid it will be 0% and there goes the myth). I also know that if I don't do this now, I will regret it latter. I...