What a year this has been!

One year ago today Tawny and I began our adventure across this beautiful country and have continuously had one adventure after another.  Three Countries, U.S., Canada and Thailand, Eighteen State Parks, Five National Parks from Utah to Maine and Eastern Canada.  From Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon, Bozeman, MT to Santa Fe, NM to NOLA.  I feel so fortunate to have had such a fabulous year of adventure.

So many new experiences in this last year...rock climbing, sailing on a schooner,  sea kayaking, paddle boarding, awesome boyfriend, loving friends and family, great neighbors and a fabulous new job to boot.  And of course many more travel adventures await.  I know it sounds like a cliche but life really is good.  I'm so proud of myself for going after my dreams and always being true to myself.  Life is good!  

I am coming home...

Tawny and I decided that we should wrap up our summer adventure with our final  night at Silver Aspen Ranch.  With talks of selling my families land this may be our last chance to visit.

So here we are at SAR.  She welcomed us  with a moose sighting on Idaho hwy 31 between Driggs and Swan Valley and a double rainbow as we approached Alpine, WY.  The rain I have encountered on my journey back home is now forgiven as I see the lush greeness of my beloved Star Valley.

I surely have grown 12 inches over the last 36 hours.   I have risen above the trees and I can see for miles and miles.  I swear I saw Ramona Ave as I descended  from Palasades today.

4 hours from "The Hood".  Can't wait for Este pizza with the fam, SH farmers market, Bernice's wedding celebrations and my bike ride to rrmsc.  I am coming home.

We are as good as home

Today at approximately 2:45 pm I reached Bozeman,  MT.  I am no longer exploring new turf.  This is familiar territory to black beauty. 

Tawny and I met up with our old V.C. friends and finally enjoyed a warm, dry & sunny afternoon.

We are 6.5 hours from The Bungalow.  

Rain and more rain

Today's milestones:

1.  Goodbye Minnesota, adiós North Dakota,  arrivederci central time zone.
2.  Hello continental divide, mountain standard time zone and big sky Montana!
3.  End of scenic byways and beginning of interstate highways.

The scenic byways prove that American towns are still unique.  I am relieved to see that the U.S. is not as global as the interstates lead us to believe.  Each region is individual with its own architecture and food.  I love the half sun design on houses in Maine,  the pasties in the U. P., Wisconsin wild rice, sunflower farms in Minnesota and breweries in Montana.

Best part of today...Theodore Roosevelt NP.  If I did not take this long scenic route I would not have visited this beautiful park.  I was hopeful to camp in the park however, the rain forced me farther west.

Today it poured which made for a very lush drive through America's badlands.  I have spent the last 4 nights camping in the rain.  I am done.  Eastern Montana tonight, Virginia City tomorrow and SLC Tuesday!!!!!

Peace and love to my dear sweet friend J. G.  I thought of you all day.  I wish I could have had that glass of scotch with you before I left slc.  You really have had a big impact in my life and I will always remember you.  Mt heart is heavy tonight

We are out of the woods

Two milestones today:

1.  I crossed the Mississippi River today.
2.  I am officially out of the woods and in the prairies.

Almost immediately after crossing the Mississippi River I saw a Grey Wolf on hwy 200 west in Minnesota.  It must be a good omen.  Mother nature welcoming us West!

I am relived to be back in open country.  It feels so freeing to be out from under the canopy.  I love the open space and the bright sky.  Tawny feels it too.  She was so excited to run and prance in the open grasses of Buffalo River SP, MN.

Westward

After 3 nights in romantic Quebec City & 2 nights in street graffiti cool Montreal with Edward, Tawny & I have said our farewells to our east coast friends.

Finally westward bound. Back to camping for Tawny girl & I.   Spent 1 rainy night at Samuel De Champlain Provincial Park in Ontario.   Crossed the glorious USA boarder last night and camped at Brimley SP in U.P. of Michigan.  Of all of my driving thus far I enjoyed the U.P. the most. Very remote in places and easy  landscape to drive.  Love the vegetarian pasties and the mighty Lake Superior.  The leaves are already changing colors.

We are now camped at Copper Falls SP in Wisconsin.   The park ranger here grew up in my home town!  Finally have Internet access on my phone, reached four digits in elevation and have entered into a new time zone!!!  Home doesn't seem so far now.

WEST.   We are heading west Tawny.

P.S.  Tris, really depending on Saskatch tonight...

I survived summer camp!!!

I survived 8 weeks of summer camp.  It was bitter sweet saying good bye to my sweet little campers and my dear dear friends.  Many tears.

I am sitting at my usual stomping grounds, The Apple Shed Bakery having my last cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll as I decompress.

I will miss Maine and a hand full of campers will always be with me.  It's been a challenge and at times I didn't think I would make it.  But I did thanks to Miss Molly, Yasmeen and Eunie --3 of the best nurses I have had the privilege to work with.

I do love you Maine and I will visit again.  Good bye for now.

On to another chapter.  I cross the boarder to Quebec this evening.