Sunday, September 23, 2018

Change Is The Only Constant


I'm on Day 25 of this roadie.  Tonight I'm staying in my first low budget hotel on this trip.  $47 including tax at The American Inn in Elko, Nevada (ironically run by a lovely, little Indian woman). $47 gets me fresh towels, WiFi, a mini fridge, a microwave, a tv and Gideon's Bible. Oh, and a built in bottle opener in the bathroom door frame.

I was commenting to a friend about how many trips to my car I have to make at all the different places I go to gather stuff I need.  He said, "you will be so dialed in by the time you are done with this trip."  True, but the reality is, every place that I go is different and requires different stuff.  I am exceedingly organized in my car set-up though, and that helps tremendously.  In fact, I don't know how someone messy or disorganized could attempt a trip like this, living out of one's car and staying in different places most nights.  Change is indeed status quo for me right now and my organizational skills help me accept this new, temporary reality.  Ah, but is change ever temporary?

Since my last post, the Fall Equinox occurred, ushering in the first day of autumn, a change of season. How fitting that I'm in such a state of flux right now, during these travels.

Highlights from the last ten days!

Days 13-14 - Ashland, OR

 
Willow-Witt ranch outside of Ashland, OR

I felt like a bad ass because I was completely alone in this campground and I had to get over the fear at night of utter darkness.  It was also really cold in the mornings and at night, in the 40s (elevation 5000 feet) and why do we tend to feel more afraid when it's cold?  Shoulders tense, body tightens.  Had to breathe and repeat the mantra, "What would you do, Kerry, if you weren't afraid?"  And then I told myself I would relax and get a good night's sleep.

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Saw Henry V and played Pickleball in Ashland, OR

Days 15-16 - Trinidad, CA

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Trinidad, CA with Teacher Isobel, Talon, Cayenne & Andy Pruter
Got to organize their fridge AND play Pickleball in Eureka, it was a perfect day

Day 17 - 18 - Willits & Ft. Bragg, CA

   

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Willits KOA & Ft. Bragg Glass Beach, CA with my BFF Jamie

Days 19 - 23 - Emandal Art Stay Camp, outside of Willits, CA on the Eel River, no WiFi or cell coverage.  I experienced both FOMO and JOMO. (Fear of Missing Out and Joy of Missing Out) 

  
 Watercolor camp with Tracy and The Ostrich

 
Eva Nichols, our amazing and talented watercolor teacher, check out her YouTube channel

The five watercolor and ink projects we completed:

       


Days 24 - 25 - Reno to Elko, NV


Winnemucca, Ridley's Market

After a wonderful break from the connected world at Emandal, I returned to Reno to regroup for two nights before heading east to Salt Lake City.  I was a guest in my own home!  I stayed in my guest room for these two nights because I'm renting out my house to a friend while I'm away.  I have a really nice guest room, I should stay in it more often.  And, my house is WAY bigger than my car.

I have been a hostess for so many years, especially in my former, married life.  It's a nice change of pace for me to be a guest in other people's homes for a while.  It's not in my nature to ask for things, so it is good practice for me to call or email a friend and say, "hey may I crash on your couch for a night?"  So far everyone has said YES!  And that's so sweet.

Today I lit out of Reno, for the second time on this trip, and headed to Elko, Nevada.  I had a pit stop in Winnemucca at Ridley's because I know where the bathrooms are.  And here I am, at The American Inn, in Elko, Nevada, looking forward to a warm, sleepy night on a soft, lumpy mattress.

Monday, September 10, 2018

Couch, Tent & Kid's Bed Surfing

Kid's bed surfing

What happens when a totally organized, admittedly anal retentive, fastidious and not very spontaneous middle-aged woman takes a two-month long road trip that requires living out of her car and very little planning?

Well, I guess I'm finding out.

I'm on Day 12 of this road trip and have put 1700 miles on my car.  I've been to Boise, ID, Portland, OR, Washougal and Seattle, WA and Ashland, OR so far.  I've done one load of laundry.

Things I'm trying to do on this trip:

-not overplan
-go with the flow
 
Seattle Storm WNBA finals game one and Ravenna neighborhood alley party

-be ok with less than sparkling, squeaky clean bathrooms
-be ok with small spaces
-be ok with severe quiet
-be ok with lots of commotion
-try not to severely startle when the gas station attendant creeps up to my driver's side window in Oregon and insists on filling my tank and washing my windshield (full service state)
-explore new places
-be prepared to change whatever plan I have for the day
-be confident when solo
-make new friends (especially with ducks)
Dana, Vern, Clever & Wellington

-reconnect with old friends
Nicole and Jim from my UM and HighScope days

-invite friends from home on the trip
 
With Jeff in Portland and Jennifer Jo in Boise

-write everyday, or most days
-read books and articles on PAPER
-stretch, roll and do yoga everyday
-take lots of breaks while driving
-hike, hike,  hike
-pause and enjoy the scenery
Columbia River Gorge, Washougal WA

-find new places to play pickleball
Pickleball in Gladstone, OR

-spend one hour (or more) a day in quiet (no screens, no music, no talking)
-try not to be too connected (via texting, emails, etc)
-not be afraid of bears while in my tent
Tent site in Willow-Witt Ranch

I've slept in my tent, in guest bedrooms, in basements (complete with rifles, chaps and a typewriter hanging on the wall), in a little girl's bedroom, on couches and in a hotel.  I'm trying to get a really great night's sleep.  It has happened only once so far, in a friend's guest room.  Fingers crossed it happens tonight.

Reflecting here on Day Twelve, I'm very pleased with the way this trip is unfolding.

Friday, September 7, 2018

Welcome to Portland

Polaris Hall, Portland, OR

Enjoyed the quick, 4-hour, gorgeous drive along the Columbia River from La Grande, OR to the Portland airport gabbing with my friend Jennifer Jo nonstop. JJ and I have been friends for about 15 years and have hiked together every Friday morning at 8am for most of those years.  Even when I moved from Danville, CA to Reno, NV, we have kept our standing Friday morning call and hike.  Instead of in person, we just do it now with headsets on as we hike the trails separately, but still together.  It just wouldn't feel right if we ever let that go.

Having this rare travel time with her was a real treat.  We both appreciated how precious this was as we said our goodbyes at the airport. 

Hood River, OR

After saying goodbye to JJ, I headed to my friend Jim's farm in Washougal, WA.  Met up with old friends (Nicole and Andy) I used to work with at HighScope Educational Research Foundation in Ypsilanti, Michigan in the early 1990's.  Nicole and Andy live in Seattle, but were camping out on the farm with their kids on this last weekend of summer.

Nicole, Andy and Zoe on Jim's farm

Caught a gorgeous, country sunset from Jim's, as he calls it, Gentleman's Farm. This is a non-working 12-acre farm complete with horses, ducks, chickens, a pole barn, a real barn, an amazing garden, an orchard, a tiny guest house, music studio and neighborly neighbors.  

 

Jim's farm in Washougal, Washington

Just when I thought this land couldn't get any more serene or gorgeous, Jim took me one-half mile up the road to this overlook.  Ahhhh... 

Columbia Gorge at sunset

Jim and I went to the University of Michigan together in the late 1980s.  We were dear friends and I asked him to be my Maid of Honor in 1990.

Jim and all my maids of honor, 1990

Present day Jim and his 9-year-old twin girls, Dana & Vern

I got an insider's tour of Portland from Jim, mostly centered around the studios he co-owns in town.  One is opening soon, Polaris Hall. The other two venues are Revolution Hall and Mississippi Studios.  I'm super inspired by and impressed with his work in the community.  I love seeing someone do what he is meant to do, living his dharma.  

Working like a dog at Polaris Hall

Polaris Hall, Portland, OR

Jim asked, what is the purpose of my big road trip?  I think my answer is multidimensional and evolving.  

Adventure 
Reconnecting with old friends
Gaining perspective
Fun
Excitement
Seeing this beautiful country
Spontaneity
Stepping outside my comfort zone
Having an excuse to write
Feeling inspired to do more art
Gratitude


Days five and six!