Mt. Rubidoux – Riverside CA

My friend Sharon knows the truth about me. She knows that I will go hiking and that I have the ability to do a strenuous hike but she also knows that I don’t really LIKE hiking. I love getting to see the view from the top. I love the camaraderie of hiking with a group of friends and I also love what hiking does for my body. But for some reason it’s just not my “go to” form of exercise.

I am first and foremost a yogi. I practice yoga for about an hour each morning at home. It helps me be more flexible, it gets my blood flowing and my brain active and it also helps me be in a positive mood. After my yoga practice I like to do something else that is complementary to a healthy/happy lifestyle. Sometimes I ride my bike or paddle board. Sometimes I swim or go to a Zumba class. Today I hiked Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside, CA.

I guess it’s not really fair to call what I did today “hiking.” That word brings forth images of climbing over rocks and roots, needing to use my hands to pull myself up higher and I certainly didn’t need to do that! The trail at Mt. Rubidoux is a gentle up hill walk. The 3 mile trail is wide, flat and paved. I was there at 8am and already there was a steady stream of people. I saw folks running, moms pushing strollers, groups of ladies visiting and even a guy walking his gorgeous Iguana!!!!!! That was a first for me!

Mt. Rubidoux is just short of 1400 feet in altitude but from its peak you are awarded a 360 degree view of the surrounding neighborhoods, downtown Riverside and the mountains nearby. The terrain on the mountain is very different from what I am used to in the Pacific Northwest. Here it is very dry and brown. Big rocks poke out of the earth or stack on top of each other. Small scrubby bushes cling to every centimeter of earth in search of water.

The thing that I loved the most about my walk today was how happy everyone was! Many people said hello or morning as we passed. One of the stroller moms gave me directions about how the trail worked. I gave and received exuberant high fives from several people running down from the summit and another person even stopped to help me pick trash out of the bushes! It was definitely a peaceful community feeling.

This is what exercise and being in nature does for us humans. It gives us a chance to remember that we all have a hard time walking up hill! That we are all on this planet together. That we are trying to be healthy and fit. That this is our community, our park and we should work together to keep it clean. And that it’s a good thing to cheer each other on!

I hope you are able to find a little peace in your life today.

Gypsy Comes Home

It’s strange coming back home. During the last 9 months I have been to all four corners of the U.S. with a short trip to Europe thrown in for good measure! People walk up to me with a far-away expression on their face as though I’ve done something incomprehensible! They seem to have a romantic notion of what a nomadic lifestyle is like and they want me to tell them how dreamy it was! When they ask “Did you love it?” I have to pause because the answer isn’t simple.

Traveling is fun. It’s good to explore places like the Grand Canyon, the Rock of Gibraltar, the Florida Keyes and the crystal blue water of the Bahamas. When I look through my photos it’s surprising to me how many places I’ve visited. It’s  a blast to meet new people and make friends. I even earned a new understanding of how big our country is after taking a solo road trip from Tennessee to Washington state.

But traveling is not easy. By definition you are going away from home. You carry all of your possesions with you and you stay, sleep and eat in places that are not yours. Renting a house for a few months in Georgia was the most stable time we had and that house was for sale. So every time they needed to show the house we had to skeedaddle. We loved having the house but it was very clear that it wasn’t ours.

We also stayed with family and had a boat on which we camped. But none of them were home. I missed having a place that was MINE. Where I could keep a few cherished possessions. Where I could decorate or paint or lie in bed all day and know that it was ok because it was MY place. Having a HOME to come home to is a very good thing.

The hardest thing for me was learning to let go. You have to let go of a schedule, a PLAN, a time table, stability and security. You have to be ready to turn right or left on a whim. You have to be willing to NOT KNOW what was coming next and to go with the flow!

In my old life, I was a schedule fanatic. My kids were on a schedule, my stomach was on a schedule, I had a plan for everything and if things did not go according to that plan I became agitated and frustrated and extremely uncomfortable. I just felt that life was better planned out. A day went smoother when you knew where you’d be for lunch and where you’d be that night. But I had to throw all of that out the window on this journey.

I also struggled with isolation. Many people love being out on their own for long periods of time and I have learned to like my own company more than I used to. But I still missed my people. I am very lucky in that I have a group of friends and family who love and support me in a way no one else can.

I hope you have a group like this too. People who listen to you and understand. Who will call you on your crap when you’re being selfish or seeing things unclearly. People who are really there for you when you need them. I was very lucky in that I found some new “people” along the way!

So the answer is YES, I had a great time over the last year! I saw amazing places for the first time! I had experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life. I learned a lot about myself too. I learned that I am capable, brave and strong and that I can adapt. I also learned that I like having a home and a plan and my people close by.

So if you walk up to me and ask me how my adventure went….be patient if I hesitate. I’m just trying to give you an honest answer. Adventure and Exploration are great but it’s also wonderful to come home and sit by the fire.  Would I do it again? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Mostly. Are there things I would change: Definitely Yes. Did I see amazing things? Yes. Did I meet great people? Yes. Was it easy? Hell NO.

For now, I’m glad to be back home….if only for the summer.

Namaste Y’all

Hayloft Yoga – Bow, WA

As I lay in Savasana last night, cuddled up in my blanket, I could hear the sounds of horses munching their food, birds flying under the eaves and somewhere in the distance an owl hooting soft and slow. Hay Loft Yoga was a magical experience. I had never done yoga in a barn before but somehow the smells of hay, dirt and grass made me feel right at home. The location and smells helped me let go of everything that had happened in my day and allowed me to revel in the here and now.

I met Jessie Tierney several years ago when she was organizing Free Yoga Day at the Mount Vernon Co-op. Jessie is one of those people who just makes you smile when you see her. Her energy is calm, sweet and friendly. Not only is she a great yoga teacher, she also works as a Physical Therapy Aide and is on her way to school in Virginia soon to become a Physical Therapist herself.

Jessie’s love for alignment was evident in last night’s class. She came around and made sure our hips were level and that we were continually “elongating our tail bones.” She even showed us how to use our hands to feel the position of the pelvis in Virabadrasana I. Class was slow and thoughtful and thorough. I had to modify a bit because I had taught two classes earlier in the day and I was feeling pretty exhausted but by the time class was over, I was feeling better, looser and happier.

What I love the most about visiting other yoga teachers and other studios is that as a yoga teacher I need to be fed sometimes. My body gets tired, my energy gets low and I can begin to feel like I have nothing new to share. But last night Jessie’s love for yoga and horses and her students filled me back up again and helped me remember why I do what I do.

You’ve probably witnessed something like it before. When you are around someone and they just totally love what they are doing – it’s evident. It’s like they sparkle. There is a special energy shining out of them that you can’t help but notice. It’s a beautiful thing to see and to experience!

Jessie will be teaching every Tuesday night at 7 pm at Double S Quarter Horse Ranch in Bow Washington until the beginning of August. I’m planning to go as many times as I can before she heads off to Virginia. Please join her and see how the sounds of horses nickering in their stalls, the smell of peppermint oil and the view of the sunset through the barn doors brings you a whole new understanding of what a yoga practice can be.

P.S. Here is a link to a blog about their home in Sedro Woolley called The Woolley Green House.

Breitenbush Hot Springs, Canada

I sat in the steaming hot water up to my shoulders my back against the smooth rock wall, watching the rain drip down from the pine tree and huckleberry branches overhead, making slow circle art that expanded across the surface of the rock lined pool. I could hear the river rushing below the hill and feel my worries start to melt away as my skin turned pink and my gaze became more and more unfocused and relaxed.

(The middle pool)

I had heard of Breitenbush before but I had never been here. I’ve been to nearby Bagby and Harrison hot springs up in Canada. I event stopped at some small hot springs in Wyoming. But Breitenbush hot springs is on a whole new level!

Breitenbush is located an hour east of Salem, Oregon just out of Detroit. The spring sits back off the main road about 10 miles. There is no cell service, no wifi and nothing better to do than eat some glorious food, sleep and relax and rejuvenate in the natural hot springs that flow out of the ground.

What blew me away was that the price of your stay at Breitenbush covers everything! 3 delicious vegetarian meals, as much soaking in the springs as you can handle, use of the wet sauna and also various wellness classes – FREE.! That’s right. Free. One price for everything.

(The cabin I shared for the night)

I attended a fantastic yoga class while I was at Breitenbush. Rob looked to be about 24 years old. (Young enough to be my son!) He had long wavy blonde hair pulled back into a pony tail, a very quiet and relaxed attitude and a gorgeous, muscled, slim body. He looked like he practiced a lot! He led us through a slow Ashtanga practice that incorporated long-held poses. It was slow and gentle but it was challenging! It was the kind of practice that made me want to work harder, be more focussed and be a better yogi!  It was exactly what I needed after 5 days of driving across the country!

(The sanctuary where we practiced yoga)

I had left Franklin, Tennessee five days before. I was averaging 9 hours per day behind the wheel. I wanted to make it across to the west coast as quickly as possible. I had driven through snow, over mountain passes and through long flat stretches where it was just me and the truckers. And driving a mini cooper amongst 18-wheelers affords a brand new kind of stress and awareness – let me tell you!

I really needed Breitenbush. I needed the yoga to stretch out my stiff hips and back. I needed the hot springs that made my muscles melt and my brain relax. I needed the healthy food after days of fast food. And I needed the connection with people. I had been alone for the whole trip and visiting with the other hippies made me feel right at home!

So if you’re ever driving through the middle of Oregon on the back roads take a little detour and check it out. I promise you’ll be glad you did. I’m already planning when I can go back again! Namaste Peeps!

Sailing to Windward in the Bahamas

My boyfriend and I just got back from a 10 day sail to the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas! I should really say that we survived a trip to the Abacos! Our boat is little. It’s an F27 Trimaran.  I’ve tried to explain to people that it may sound luxurious and romantic but it’s a lot like camping on the water and a whole lot of work! There were some lovely moments in the trip but the REAL story is that this trip kicked our butts, tested our relationship, taught us a lot about what we do and don’t enjoy and we were very glad to make it back in one piece!

My boyfriend tried to warn me. For about a month before we left he kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to sail over the gulf stream in our boat? Would I really be ok camping on our small boat for an undecided amount of time? He’d been to the Bahamas before in a small boat so he knew exactly what we were in for. I assured him I would be fine! I’m a rugged wilderness girl! I can handle it! I also had total faith in him and knew he wouldn’t put me in an unsafe situation. What I didn’t realize was exactly how wild and vast the passages would be!

We set out on that first day to cross the Gulf Stream from West Palm Beach to West End. The weather looked good except that the wind was coming from the exact same direction we were sailing! As anyone who sails knows, going directly into the wind is bumpy, wet and uncomfortable and for 50 miles we crashed into wave after wave covering our foul weather gear (YES we wore our foulies on the way to the Bahamas!)  in salt crystals! And it continued like that for the first 3 days!

(Day 3 of sailing into the wind!)

It was exhausting and frustrating! But there was good along with the bad. Eventually the wind and weather calmed down and we had a few enjoyable days of sailing. My favorite stop was at Manjack Cay. I had been longing to spend some time on the beach – after all that’s what you go to the Bahamas for right? We pulled our tri up onto the pristine white sandy beach just as a small nurse shark swam in front of our boat patrolling the shallows. We spent the afternoon walking the beach and checking out the marine life.

(Maravilla on the beach at Manjack Cay – soooo dreamy!)

( I imagined these Rays as a courting pair – her leading slowly and him waiting for his chance!)

(A sea slug(? )That didn’t like me touching him(?) and squirted purple ink!)

(Sand so deep and soft it felt like walking in deep snow – except warmer! There were no footprints but mine!)

Later that evening we were greeted by Brenda who was staying on a neighboring trimaran. She invited us to a full moon party that evening on another part of the island. It was at that moment that I realized what it feels like to be a part of the sailing community! It didn’t matter what kind of boat we had, how big our motor was, or if we were grumpy or kind. We belonged! We were sailors and we were welcome and invited! We spent a lovely evening meeting other sailors with all kinds of boats from big Catamarans to gaff-rigged Schooners. We visited by the fire and even howled at the full moon!

Luckily during our ten days out at sea we didn’t have any major difficulties. Having an engineer as a boyfriend is a very good thing because he can fix anything and doesn’t give up easily! Even if he has to almost hang off the boat to get to it!

I made sure to take some time for yoga as well. Yoga is how I stay fit and flexible and it helps me remain calm and focussed. It allows me to let go of any negative energy I’m holding and I had a lot of it on those long 6 or 8 hour sailing days! It was not easy on a small boat but I was able to practice on the outside nets a couple of mornings and even did a little practice in the cabin!

(Lots of time for meditation on a long passage!)

No one can talk about the Bahamas without mentioning how beautiful it is! There were portions of the ocean that were so bright that it looked like someone was shining a light from underneath the water! Sand so white and soft that it felt like baby powder, water so clear you can see all the way to the bottom!

The water is so blue that it doesn’t even look real!

(This is my favorite photo from the whole trip! Yes, it really is that lovely!)

(Water so clear you can see everything on the bottom! Looks like a Monet!)

As we began to sail back toward home from the Bahamas my mind was turning over and over thinking about my experiences out there. What had I learned? How did I feel about sailing – especially long passages with not much to do? How rugged was I? Did I feel like a success?

I had a lovely time. I am proud of myself for sailing upwind multiple days in a row and being a good sport. I’m a good partner to have on a boat. I can grind up the main, raise the jib, act as the Windlass over and over until we get a good grip on some sand. I can spend all day in the sun and wind and still smile at the end of the day. I can swim and snorkel and hike and walk beaches to explore each and every new place we see. I can cook and keep the boat clean. I can use a camp shower in an open cockpit. I am brave and adventurous and strong.

But, I also learned that I’m a little older than I used to be. Things are not as easy for me physically as they were a few years ago. I enjoy some comforts like refrigeration and a stove. I prefer shorter sailing days and more time for exploration on land. I learned that the ocean is a wild and dangerous place and that you have to be rugged to sail on those deep blue inky depths that swell and roll and push you around. And I also learned that I would like to have a boat with standing head room and maybe even an electric windlass! LOL.

Fair winds and Following Seas to all of my sailing sisters out there! Go get em and be safe out there!

 

The REAL Pirates of the Caribbean

It’s easy to tell the difference between the Pirates of St. Thomas and the Tourists. The tourists wander around in groups of three or four, they look a bit confused, are usually overweight and their skin is shiny and pink from exposure to sunshine. They wear new designer clothing and smell of sweat, sunscreen and bug spray. The Pirates on the other hand, roam around individually. They swagger slowly and confidently in an “island time” gait. Their skin is tanned and leathery from years in the sun, their hair is pulled back and their clothing is worn and faded. Pirates smell mostly of Rum.

(Cruzan Rum is made on the nearby island of St. Croix)

Latitude 18 is a pirate haven dive bar in Red Hook on the east end of St. Thomas. The bar stools are starting to come apart at the seams, the rain leaks in through the roof and the dock out back won’t last much longer as holes work their way through the plywood! But the Rum flows freely, there is live music every night and the locals love coming here!

(Red Hook Bay looking east toward St. John in the distance)

We were in St. Thomas to see if we had what it takes to become Pirates. We had the idea that maybe we could buy a charter boat company of our own, run it as Captain and First Mate and earn our living taking tourists out to the beautiful beaches of St. John.

We met our first Pirate at Latitude 18 – and by Pirate I mean those intrepid souls who love it here so much that they would do anything to live here – including work multiple jobs, put up with whiny cruise ship tourists, serve, clean and by hook or crook eke out a living.

Taylor is a 19-year-old red-headed elfin girl with a personality the size of Montana! She has a mega watt smile and the energy to accomplish everything she chooses to do in life! Taylor came to St. Thomas for a visit and loved it so much that she moved back and has now purchased her own boat for $1,000! She has at least two jobs. She works as first mate for a charter captain and she also helps with the Airbnb boats that we rented as our accommodation for the week.

(The boat next to ours. Great use for an old book huh?)

Jeremy is Taylor’s boss and he is a Pirate with a capital P! Jeremy had the genius idea to buy older, run down boats and turn them into rooms for rent! Of course, because the boats are older they tend to have a few problems – A halyard acting as mast rigging, a few holes in the deck, a rudder that flops back and forth with the tide and even a boat with no motor. But that’s ok because they’re not really boats anymore. They are rooms for rent and they are the cheapest to be had on the Island so they are rented all the time! Genius, I’m telling you! I wish I’d thought of it!

We were eating lunch on our first day and a man leaned in really close to my Boyfriend and said, “You must be Barry?!” (The Arrrggghhh was implied!) We both leaned back and took in the sight of grey hair sticking up at all angles from a tanned head, wearing only a pair of trunks,  a gravelly voice ( I might have imagined an eye patch) and a huge bleeding gash across his nose! Pirate to the bone! Captain Pat turned out to the be the broker we were supposed to meet the next day to look at the charter business. But at the time we had no idea how this stranger knew who we were! News travels fast between Pirates!

(Salomon Beach on St. John – I could live right here! It’s breathtaking!)

It’s easy to see why these folks work so hard to live here. It is unbelievably beautiful! The beaches are white and the water is the perfect shade of blue. The terrain is hilly and green and makes a wonderful contrast to the flat open ocean. It’s a dream really. Everyone wants to vacation in a place like this. It’s not a far stretch from wanting a vacation to figuring out how to live here to make it your home!

(The view from the beach bar on Tortola – Cane Garden Bay Beach)

(Two friends swimming along at Honeymoon Beach on St. John)

(Cane Garden Bay – I could walk this beach all day!)

We were able to visit St. Thomas, St. John and also Tortola in the British Virgin Islands during our short trip. They are all amazingly beautiful and fun. The people were welcoming and friendly but it turns out we don’t quite have what it takes to be Pirates yet. It was a close thing though…..We planned and schemed and tried to figure out what we could sell, trade or borrow to be able to make a living here. But in the end we realized that we still want to travel.

We’re not ready to settle down – Not even for THIS place. Wanderlust runs strong in us. We still have other places we want to see – beauty to be uncovered. We’re still tourists who want to go to The Bahamas next. But I predict that we will be back to the US Virgin Islands. It’s just too pretty a place to ignore.

(A sunburned tourist trying to look like a local!)

Set Your Course – Gibraltar!

Queens Way Quay is a neat rectangular marina on the west side of Gibraltar in the shadow of the giant Rock. The east side of the Marina is home to the restrooms, laundry and a few restaurants and the rest of the rectangle is surrounded by condos and large homes. I sat on the fly bridge last night of my home away from home – a motor yacht owned by a retired British couple – and watched the sun set between the houses while the clouds that continually blow over the Rock from East to West curled up and over into the sunset creating large pink and orange swirls. Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream. How the hell did I get HERE?

Queens Way Quay Marina

Last week I completed my Competent Crew course with Allabroad Sailing Academy. We had a full boat with two students doing Yacht Master, two Day Skippers, an instructor and me. Some of the highlights of the week included our instructor drilling us on ‘man overboard’ by throwing a fender in the ocean unexpectedly and each of us took turns at the helm attempting to retrieve our lost “crew member,” sailing Gibraltar harbor at night to study the light pattern each boat displays and how each buoy and marker flashes, sailing around the Rock and up the east coast to Duchess, Spain where our instructor took us to his favorite Tapas Bar and finally sailing with dolphins across the Straights of Gibraltar to the African continent.

Our crew & instructor making funny faces.

We spotted their sleek gray forms often shouting and pointing “Dolphins!” Everyone would freeze and look in their direction. We saw huge schools, individuals and babies. We even saw large pods of energetic dolphins arcing up out of the water in front of fast-moving tankers. My favorite moment was when a small group swam in our bow wave for about 20 minutes. I fell in love. It was just as I imagined it would be. I stood on deck hanging over the pulpit watching each dolphin dance and weave and blow – catching their breath with each breach. It was magical, dreamy and fantastic!

Sailing toward the African continent.

Moments like that make you stop and take stock of your life. They make you realize how joyous life can really be. Sailing on the ocean is peaceful and calm – as long as the weather is fair – the sun shines down on you, the wind is pushing you onward and then you get a quick glimpse of the divine. A moment that catches your breathe and makes you grin like a madman. A simple moment that catches you up in wonder and majesty and everything else just falls away.

I never imagined that I would be sailing to the African Continent. I never imagined that I would be doing sailing training to have this as a profession. I never imagined that I would travel to Gibraltar or Costa Rica or Belize or Croatia and yet I have. At some point in time I changed my course and set off for new horizons. Now it’s time to trim the sails and hold on tight – always scanning the horizon for the next big Adventure.

My wish for you is that your life has adventure, that you have someone special to love and that you are healthy and happy. Set your course and GO FOR IT!!!! Who knows where you will end up and what wonderful things you might see!!!

Duchess, Spain

Over the Sea

The last few days have been a whirl wind of travel and sightseeing. On Wednesday we flew from Jacksonville, Florida to Miami, then to Madrid and then to Malaga Spain. We left Jacksonville at 7pm and arrived in Malaga at 9pm the next day.

(Me with all my stuff. I think I brought too much. WAY too much!)

Malaga is on the southern shore of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. I was surprised by how big the city is. Previously when I thought of Spain I envisioned quaint little villages with winding streets, cobblestone roads and little old ladies not in much of hurry to get anywhere. Well, Malaga has all of those things but it’s also a bustling metropolis with huge buildings, busses and trains and cars that try to run you down when you cross the street and people everywhere! Luckily there are some streets that are just for pedestrians and it is lovely to walk on them, taking your time to peer into shop windows and look for just the right bar to get a drink.

(One of those fun little winding roads)

My favorite place in Malaga was the Cathedral. I love old buildings and old churches are the best. I am always in awe as soon as I walk in. The scale of the building is so large that I can hardly believe how big it is. And the amount of detail blows my mind. I always find myself held tilted WAY back looking up at the ceiling!

(The Awesomeness of the Cathedral!)

After a couple of days in Malaga it was time to move on to Lalinea and Gibraltar. Lalinea is in Spain and it shares a border with Gibraltar which is British. Our first border crossing was interesting as not only do these two cities share a border – but that border is also the runway for the Gibraltar airport! So, to get from one country to the other you have to walk across the runway! It’s all very safe. They close the road when a plane is imminent but it still makes me feel strange!

As we walked around Gibraltar today I notice that it is very diverse. We saw Muslim people, Jewish people on their way to Synagogue, Aussies cheering on their favorite football team and Gibraltarians going about their work day. We saw lots of historical places including the Trafalgar Cemetery and we saw lovely boats at several of the Marinas including the boats we will be using during our training at Allabroad

(Boats in Queens way Quay)

We’re getting pretty excited. We keep looking at each other and saying, “What are you doing here?” We can hardly believe that we have put this plan into action and are making our dream a reality. It’s all a bit surreal. Barry even said today that he keeps feeling like he’s going to wake up and this will all be a dream.

Well, It’s no dream. We’re really here. This is really happening and it’s going to be EPIC.

(I found a Tardis!!!!)

Boats in the Desert and Exploding Heads!

You should see the looks we get driving down the road! Double and triple takes are the norm. People can not figure out what we are towing behind our truck and there are also two paddle boards on top of the truck and bicycles on front! We are carrying our adventure with us and now we are definitely part of the Travel Tribe!

(The Truck, with Paddle boards and Bikes, Pulling the Boat)

We left Anacortes early in the morning and travelled south through Seattle. A final rain shower baptized us as we headed south reminding us why we made this choice to go south. We made a short stop in Oregon to visit family and then out east on HWY 22 looking for a place to stop for the night. As it was getting dark earlier than we thought, we stopped at Suttle Lake just before Sisters, Oregon.

(SERIOUSLY – the boat ramp to nowhere at Washoe Lake State Campground)

The question is, how do you use a camp ground when you are towing a 27 foot long Corsair Trimaran behind your vehicle? There aren’t any camp sites long enough for the whole shebang so do you separate the boat and truck and use two sites? Will the tree limbs be trimmed high enough for the boat to pass underneath? And who the hell brings a boat this far inland? Where are they going? Luckily, we were able to park in the boat trailer area next to the boat ramp. It was the perfect camp site!

(The sunset view looking aft over the mast that has been dropped)

The Captain was amazed that I was willing and even happy to sleep inside the boat. I didn’t really want to attempt unloading the truck to find the tent, set it up in the dark, etc. The boat has everything we need! It has water in the tank, nice cushy bedding, lights and even a head so I don’t have to wander around outside at night worrying about bears!

Speaking of the head……We removed the original toilet and installed a porta potty. It’s lighter and simpler. Did you know that if you take a container which is filled with air from Sea level up over a 6000 foot pass that container builds pressure inside? LOL……..I used the potty, added a little water to make sure the paper would descend properly and leaned over the bowl to watch. As I pulled the lever to flush EVERYTHING exploded up into my face, hair and all over the head compartment! Luckily there were only liquids. All I have to say is that I survived. I was shocked to say the least but I had soap and water and towels so I was able to wash thoroughly before bed. What a learning experience!

Our boat, Maravilla is certainly getting to see things that her sisters on the water do not. Long windy roads, dark green forests, mountain passes, wildfire ravaged land and rivers and lakes that are a fraction of their former size. This trip is different from any we’ve been on before. We are still trying to absorb what this trip means to us and our lives. It’s not just a road trip – It’s a trip to a new life. We are making big changes this time. We want things to be different. More nomadic, more enjoyable, more adventurous – More US

.

(Camping in our boat in Nevada)

So join us on our journey to take Maravilla across the country. We started in Anacortes, WA on September 13, 2015 and Plan to be in Brunswick, GA by October 27^th. Check back often to see exactly where Maravilla will be meandering and in the meantime take some time to find a little adventure of your own!

7 Little Lessons on Life

Did they hear me? Did I get my message across? Do they KNOW how wonderful and awesome they are? These are questions that have been running in circles in my head this last week. As I prepare to make big life changes and move away from my kids, students and friends for an unknown amount of time I find myself scurrying to put to paper all the things I want to share before I go!!!! There’s so much to say and so little time!!! So here are a few nuggets. Please take what is helpful and leave the rest.

Love Yourself – Everything else flows from this. You MUST learn to love yourself, make time for yourself, spend time with yourself and care about what happens to yourself! YOU have to be your own best advocate! You have to take care of your health – physical and mental – especially moms. I have been a mom who put herself last on the list. The list looked like this: kids, spouse, church, house, school activities, community activities, friends and then maybe me. Let me just tell you that being last on the list did not make for a healthy person. And also, what kind of example was I showing my daughter because I certainly don’t want her to grow up and feel that her place is last on the list. What I learned is that children hear your words but they copy what you DO. So, make time for you! Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Take time out. Take a class or go hiking. Do whatever it is that you miss doing B.C. (Before Children) It is not selfish to take care of yourself so that you then have energy to share with others.

Remember Life is SHORT – Live it NOW – If there is something you’ve always wanted to do start making plans to do it NOW. Write it on the calendar, plan time off work, get a sitter and go DO that thing. You do not want to come to the end of your life with a bunch of regrets. I know you’ve heard this before and it may not seem like it right now while your baby won’t sleep through the night and your toddler still isn’t potty trained but PLEASE believe me – it goes by in a flash! MY kids are 18 and 20 and it seems like 5 years ago they were entering kindergarten. Go out and live a little! Don’t wait for “someday.” Make your life Epic!

Live Simply – I used to have a big house, with three sets of silverware because you know, you must have the fancy stuff for holidays, the everyday stuff and also the camping bakelite too! At one point I event had 7 different Christmas trees – One for each room – some small, some big but HOLY Christmas! And you know what? All of that stuff I owned didn’t make me happier. It didn’t keep me from getting divorced and It didn’t define who I was a person. Have less stuff, spend more time with your kids, bake cookies, work on your relationship, go for walks instead of driving all the time, don’t use credit cards, only keep the clothes you actually wear. Donate or give away all the rest and watch how much more freedom you have! We spend WAY too much money and time buying and caring for THINGS. Keep life simple.

Breathe Deeply – Get your butt off the couch! I don’t care what you do or how you do it – just move. Whatever it is that makes you feel groovy do THAT. I love yoga, riding my bicycle, roller skating, dancing, hiking and I even just started to learn how to long board. Get outside, increase your heart rate, breathe deeply. It’s magic. It will help you think clearer. It will keep you healthier. It will help you reconnect with mother nature and your own inner joy. 

Travel Lightly – Where ever you go on this earth use only what you need. Pack it in and pack it out. Bring only a backpack. You really don’t need all that extra shit. You think you do, but you don’t. Get out and see the world! If you can’t travel around the world, travel around your country. If you can’t do that, travel around your state or city. Meet people, start conversations. Build a community. Travel will help you to learn that everyone wants LOVE and BELONGING. Everyone wants peace and happiness. Everyone longs for their children to have a better life that they had. We’re not all that much different. Travel will help you see that we all are one. 

Be Brave – Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Maybe that’s bungee jumping or sky diving? Maybe it’s just speaking your truth. Maybe it’s taking a risk to be vulnerable with someone. Maybe it’s saying those three little words “I Love You”. Maybe it’s kicking up into a handstand! There are lots of ways to be brave throughout life. Being brave is a choice and it’s something we can practice. Start small and then move up to the more difficult. The rewards in confidence and self-esteem are totally worth it, I promise!

Remember How Glorious You Are! – In yoga we have a salutation that is Namaste – which means (roughly) “The light in me bows to the light in you and recognizes that we come from the same source.” We all have a divine spark within us – a soul, a spirit, an energy that makes us WHO we are. WE are special! We are unique, broken, gifted, challenged, talented in our own wonderful combination of ways. I believe that we all are here for a reason. That we have a purpose that we are here to accomplish and that only YOU can accomplish it! YOU have a purpose, YOU are special, YOU are LOVED, YOU belong. You are ENOUGH just as you are – today, right now, in this moment.

Well, that’s all I have for now. Thanks for taking the time to read. I am so blessed to be a mother to my beautiful children, to have found the path of yoga and to have students who come to my classes. I love this life. I am so happy to share it with all of you and I look forward to many more years of travel, growing, learning and practicing with y’all. Truly, Namaste