30 Days of Indie Travel | Overland Travel Memory, Day 4

I am starting off late this morning. I have spent enough time reflecting on various overland trips, especially those with Chris M. as they were/are the spiritual hearth of overlanding for me. The best one was back in January 2000; he and I quit our jobs, packed up our belongings, loaded up his adventure-style truck (the Bajataco) so we were "self-contained," and set out for Baja Mexico.

I remember feeling like a sort of pilgrim, one who's traveling to understand the land, who's here to learn about relationships and follow queues, to learn the forgotten wisdom of the ocean, and the secret essence within nature that is the cause of all magic. Chris' patience and amazing companionship helped me to understand, let me find "my way." He probably remembers seeing me fumbling sometimes, yet never griped. He knew I wasn't searching for a specific end (other than a couple hot springs), that I was not embarked on any special quest. It was an everyday venture for me. I was traveling and escaping... well, because I was traveling and escaping. The world tottered during that time as we drove back and forth between the coast lines to find outpost after outpost, yet beside me Chris stood firm, offered me solidity, a time and space where there has always been more time and space.

This turned out to be a 4-month overland journey in all, and if Chris were here (we are on separate adventures now) we would have plenty to talk about over supper. Love, Sharon

Ten Things in June

Right now? I am reflecting this evening and feeling especially good about...

:: With more time on their hands, watching the two apprentices (Hanna and Jordan) live their passion and employ their talent for working with horses.

:: Open doors and windows.

:: The roadside wildflowers- especially the Wild Four O'clock; they're really such a fascinating flower, I love them so.

:: The memory of a lovely dinner party spent here with friends and the promise of another one, wherein I can play wine & food expert again (a favorite role of mine).

:: Heart symbols showing up somewhere every day.

:: Finding a horse nestled into its stall - as if he/she could be reading a good book.

:: The anticipation of trying a new wine with dinner tonight.

:: The promise of a book and an early bedtime this evening after I finish up the dishes.

:: The feeling of seeing that something new has grown each and every time I walk out the door.

:: The full moon Friday the 13th that I have a feeling my girlfriends and I are going to talk up, but hopefully do something (crazy event at a beach?...I'm in.) Love, Sharon

Memories, a poem about Ireland

when my mind turns to ireland

i'm going to shower in a spooky space

then rinse my smiling face early

and look out the window for faeries.

i'm going to slip each foot into the same pair of keens

and all the other clothes to shield out the cold
slip them on, over head, and around-
my love will do the same.

i'm going to wink at him and brush my polish hair

into our little euro car, maps everywhere

looking forward to a guinness moustache at lunch
cameras in hand, sheep on every hillside, a day full of sun.

we're going to bounce on the ground in and around castles

graveyards, burrens, bogs, dwellings, mossy fragrances

and i'm going to find the pubs and drink the darkness

go out for dinner and in the hostel before 11.

and i'm going to make memories from remembering

collected hordes of thoughts intertwined like celtic knots

and hugging a curvaceous coastline, wishing

i was setting off on this same journey again.

happy trails, friends
xoxo, Sharon