Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days...

Waking up with the sunrise ...

This life is hard!

Yes! I KNOW, allow me to bring out the smallest violin in the world...

I know, but hear me out. I know I am choosing to travel this way. I am choosing to experience each day. The fact that I am choosing this nomad lifestyle does not negate the fact thar this life is hard. Everyday requires planning and consideration. Do I have enough water? Will I find restroom along the way? Where is the next gas station? Is it safe to park my car here overnight? Is it legal? Will I get in trouble for loitering while updating my blog at the parking lot of the coffee place?

The rewards are immeasurable and the satisfaction I am getting in return will supply me with good will and energy for years to come! Still my admiration and respect goes out to all who do this full time. Either by choice or by circumstances - you deserve lots of respect for all the little daily accomplishments that allow you to survive the nomad lifestyle.

Now, to share some of those fruits of my labor!

North West Oregon - the coast where Lewis and Clark finally got to "lands end"

(Made coffee in the woods!! Using my stove and handy camping mug)

Crater Lake - I met two guys at the overlook here. They had been walking for FIVE weeks! It jus so happens that earlier that day I was craving fresh fruit and I stopped at a grocery store. Got four oranges and four bananas to bring with me and a pound of grapes. I saw these guys eating protein bars and talking about their plans for the day. The place they were heading for the night is closed for the season... so being the busy body that I am, I told them about the place being closed. I also figured, if after 15 days in the road I was ready for real food, they would too... so I offered them the oranges and bananas - also some cheese crackers... they call it "trail magic" when something nice happens if by magic. My fresh fruit was "trail magic" for them! I also gave them some of my Maine - fresh spring water supply since they were running low. I wish them good luck and exchanged our "insta" info. I do hope they are safe and accomplish their journey successfully!

This place was suggested by a friend from Facebook ... as I am working my way down to Cali, let me know if you have any suggestions like this!!

On to California! I am visiting Lava fields national monument and going caving!! I just asked google for "national parks" near me and found it... :)

Comments

"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...

Life is not a Dressed Rehearsal

"Life is not a Dressed Rehearsal " Life may not be a dressed rehearsal, but it helps to have rehearsals before weddings, big presentations, interviews, dating, and life changing road trips... Yesterday I had a "packing the car" dressed rehearsal. I am packing up my entire household so I have plenty of empty containers of the same size and shape. I took the empty versions of the containers and packed the car. Tested the windows and sunroof mosquito net contraptions too. This is the list of items: Goal Zero Yeti 150 power bank Clothing container - I need clothing for both winter and warmer climate. Misc equipment container - lamps, batteries, toiletries, charges, coloring pens, books, pepper spray, etc Carry-on suitcases - half way through the trip I am flying out to Mexico for a wedding so I need "wedding-going-clothing". I put the warm climate clothing items in the suitcase for storage until I switch them. Yes, I am a girly girl woman. Two...

"I'll like to stop there some day...."

How many times have you thought of stopping somewhere and just look around? Well, for me, "someday" is NOW! I am trying to make it into Yellowstone National Park before it shuts down for the season. Each time I say that I imagen the rangers shutting down the water flow into "Old Faithful" and cooling down the springs at "Thermopolis" - But having that goal in mind doesn't mean I can have a little fun along the way. Day one and Two: Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rode Island and Massachusetts. Left VA at 6:00 on a raining day - what was I thinking! Made into into Jersey by 2:00 am and I learned a new lesson: Stop ahead of the overnight destination at a restroom and put PJs under whatever I am wearing. Once I get to destination, I don't want to be changing in the middle of nowhere, or, what if it is pouring rain? and I don't feel like taking a natural shower before bed.... ...

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...

Chinita's WanderList

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