So much has sped by since writing “Arrive Alive” but I wanted to let you know I eventually reached my destination, very much alive. But before I drop you right into the thick of a new adventure, I’ll bring you up to speed. When we last met, I had just emerged, crinkly and new, from … Continue reading My Rearview Mirror
Tag: Vanlife
Day 31: Arriving Alive (the final instalment)
I begin this last day of writing a month in a minivan in a state of art-pray, thinking about snakes. As a young girl, I often caught garter snakes to play with for short times. Other than foul-smelling pee, they were harmless. You could find them under hay bales at harvest time, and every old … Continue reading Day 31: Arriving Alive (the final instalment)
Day 29: Nature Speaks
Words aren’t working today, so I’m going with images. Apparently, I’ve used up my word quota for the week, and I remind myself that communication isn’t restricted to words. So, I’ll take you on a visual journey instead. This first collection of photos were taken up a very night mountain in Cave Creek Canyon; 8,500 … Continue reading Day 29: Nature Speaks
Day 27: Portals
I’ve been fascinated by doorways since I was a child, so finding myself in a placed called “Portal” doesn’t come as any surprise. I was the kid that wanted to fall into Alice in Wonderland’s Rabbit Hole, climb behind the dresser in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and was first in line to … Continue reading Day 27: Portals
Day 25: A Foot.
There are times I’m prepared to pay $52 for the luxury of having 24 hours to take two baths, a hot shower, do three loads of laundry, update my iPad and phone, take a swim, buy water, make important phone calls, clean the inside of the van, wash out my fridge, download music and be … Continue reading Day 25: A Foot.
Day 23: My Outside World
My time in Arizona is coming to a close, but I want to visit one more area before heading to New Mexico. It’s not easy to leave Indian Breadrocks; it’s been a deeply restful time deep in nature with a dear friend who loves nature as much as I do. There has been very little … Continue reading Day 23: My Outside World
Day 22: Close Encounter
We sat on one ridge, and the bobcat on the other. Kim had his binoculars, and I, my camera with zoom. Pippa lies beside me; as of yet, oblivious to our growing excitement. It is in a picture-perfect location for a photo. Something right out of a National Geographic. A sculptured rock overhang, sunshine … Continue reading Day 22: Close Encounter
Day 20: A Balancing Act
Today’s cosmic performance presents the much-anticipated Spring Equinox and an emerging super-moon all in one over-stuffed celestial piñata, featuring a super-sized moon rising in the east exactly as the sun sets in the west. How is that for a sweet harmonic convergence? Splitting the day exactly in half for us, to the very minute. A … Continue reading Day 20: A Balancing Act
Day 19: Today’s Traffic
I don’t ever have to be convinced to sit in a hot spring, but there is something particularly sweet about a natural hot springs pool in the middle of the desert. The water in the two concrete pools circulates continually. It drains each night and refills each morning when sun hits the solar panels, keeping … Continue reading Day 19: Today’s Traffic
Day 18: Notes from the Field
We were visited three times last night by a Great Horned Owl, and once alerted to the presence of a nearby human by the screeching of a car alarm. Although the second sound definitely brings out the worst in me (there is a reason they call it a panic button) I no longer imagine the … Continue reading Day 18: Notes from the Field