Twelve Days A Pilgrim

In the fall of 2019 I trekked 12 days on the Camino de Santiago from Portugal to Spain, covering 140 miles (226 km)...

IT WAS AWESOME!

My biggest concern had been how I would feel walking longer distances for multiple days in a row. I knew if needed I could catch a ride, but I really wanted to explore every inch along the way.

By day three I got into my own rhythm. Realizing that I had all day to get to the next destination, my time slowed to pedestrian speed instead of the frenetic pace of everyday life. Each moment then could be savored...

Lakeside Lookouts

Forest Bathing

Seaside Saunters

For 12 days we were pilgrims, peregrinos to the locals as they would call out "Buen Camino!" - wishing us well on our path ahead.

Passing through a village or on a country road, blue and yellow Camino markers pointed the way like a beacon in the fog. Knowing we weren't the first nor the last, they nudged us forward drawn by something bigger than ourselves. 

Whether walking this trail for a spiritual quest, a personal challenge or just to slow down and take in the experience the intention was the same -- reaching Santiago de Compostela. 

As you draw closer trekkers are arriving from all directions each with their own aura of accomplishment. And when it was me standing in the square encircled by all of the energy of kindred spirits, I knew that it was my life's journey that gave me this gift...

Wishing you all 

BUEN CAMINO!

Year After Year After Year

Each year on our way to Grand Canyon's North Rim, I ponder whether this will be the last year that we host this annual gathering. After all we have been making this drive for over 10 years.

The further north we drive from Phoenix, the valley heat is left behind. We pass through ever changing environmental zones from the cactus filled desert to forested mountains to vermillion cliffs with blue open sky. I remember how much I love this drive.

We pass through the gates of our national park and the wildflower lined road leads the way. We search for the herd of bison that graze in the green grass. Unusual to see them in the afternoon sun, but we survey the landscape anyway.

Surrounded by tall fragrant pines, I step to the canyon's rim and the majesty of the moment overcomes me once again. No matter where I travel in our big beautiful world the greatness of this wonder is both humbling and empowering.

 I know then --  I will always come back....

Year After Year After Year

 Come Walk With Me!

Searching For The Authentic

Though I have traveled some, I know many people that have filled more passports than I. For myself what I have learned, is that it is not about the number of places I go or what I can check off of a list. It's much deeper than that...

It is more about the real life encounters along the way -- the people I meet that open my eyes to their world. Other times it may be the natural world that speaks to me, like in the silent moment when day becomes night...

In designing a new adventure to Morocco, that is what I set out to capture. Authentic experiences that will give you the occasion to spark the magic of what travel can be. Genuine existence that is not reduced to a screen size shot but taking the opportunity to walk in our life size world.

Those are the memories that will last forever... 

Come Walk With Me 

One Small Thing

Traveling a very VERY long dry dusty, bumpy road across the desert landscape of Namibia, we came across this man and his son...

Wherever we go whether here at home or some far off place around the world, Gene and I look for opportunities that make a positive impact even if it is as simple as sharing a bottle of water...

 "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." 

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our guide Lukas bridges the culture gap with him being able to speak at least 5 languages -- he was so good I think he could even speak gently to the mules.

Though I don't know how to speak 5 languages, 

I do know there is a language in kindness...

just sayin'.

Finding My Voice As I Go... 

Tranquility

Silently slipping through the golden green reeds it seeps away.

I didn't notice at first.

dark blue water - bright blue sky, 

Botswana's winter sun is a gentle touch of warmth.

Awareness teases that something is missing.

the rhythmic swoosh - swoosh - swoosh pauses all outside noise

for a moment...the distraction of life is silenced

TRANQUILITY

(a capsule of my personal experience riding in a mokoro, a traditional canoe, 

on the Okavango Delta in Botswana)

Come Walk With Me!

Photos by Gene Taylor

If You Were Here...

If you were here lounging on your terrace as the sun was setting you would probably be observing a family of elephants coming in to drink at the watering hole below...

If you were here you would be a "happy camper" as you sat out on your private raised platform overlooking the banks of the Khwai River as you listened to the symphony of Africa...

If you were here you would be having a close encounter...

                                                      ...but not too close...

You could be here toasting to another great day on safari... 

 BOTSWANA 


CHEERS!!!

EAT CAKE FOR BREAKFAST...(And Other Lessons I Learned From My Mom)

Another year passes without my Mom...
but the lessons she taught me still live on.

How to take my first steps...(and then another and another and then I never stopped...)

Always say please and thank you...(Politeness will get you everywhere.)

Take your shoes off...and walk barefoot in the grass...(Enjoy the simple pleasures in life.)

Whether you are taking a hike "on top of the hill" or "down to the crick" just be home in time for supper...(Be on time, no excuses.)

Clean your plate. There are starving children in China...(Don't put too much on your plate to begin with and share what you have!)

Don't hate ANYONE. It is OK not to like someone, but do not hate...("As I walked out the door to my freedom I realized that if I did not leave all of my anger, hatred and bitterness behind I would still be in prison."  ~ Nelson Mandela)

You are never too old to hike Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon or do a marathon...(Mom did a marathon at 72. I'm always in training for something new.)

You can be anything you want to be...(Think BIG.)

Don't be afraid of the water, jump right in...(Be fearless.)

Be different...(You won't always fit in and that's OK.)

Wherever you are and whom ever you're with be nice - be kind - be generous...(Be NICE. Be KIND. Be GENEROUS.)

Be proud of who you are...(Walk into the room with your head held high)

It's OK to EAT CAKE FOR BREAKFAST!

THANKS MOM!