I've been in Michigan this week; not in person but while writing my sequel memoir. In 2014, I took my Solo Journey to the northernmost point of the Lower Peninsula--Mackinac Island. My trip was in July during the busy summer season. How I loved being away from the heat and humidity of my home in … Continue reading The Nature of a Place: Northern Michigan
Solo journeys
2025: One Big Goal
Last week I ushered in 2025 with the post Intentional New Year. I described my use of a new inventory to evaluate 2024 that I'd found on the Mel Robbin's podcast. Reviewing my answers to that tool, I started thinking about what I wanted to accomplish this year. I realized that completing the Camino journey … Continue reading 2025: One Big Goal
Intentional New Year
This week has been a time of reflecting on 2024 and preparing to step into 2025. In searching for a new way to review the year and create goals for the next 12 months, I searched the internet including podcast sites I've previously found helpful. The one that appealed to me was Mel Robbins' "How … Continue reading Intentional New Year
Camino Journey: My Night in the Convent
On my Camino journey, the lodging I enjoyed the most was my first night in Spain. I'd taken the water taxi out of Portugal across the Minho River at Caminha and finished my eight miles that day in the town of A Guarda, Spain. I stopped at a cafe for tea and a slice of … Continue reading Camino Journey: My Night in the Convent
Cooking Up Zesty Travel Memories
Some of my great memories of my time in Portugal and Spain were all the meals of fresh seafood---really fresh seafood. On one of those days of walking by the Portuguese coast, I passed by a fishing village. Not long afterwards, I stopped at a restaurant where they were grilling the fresh catch. I think … Continue reading Cooking Up Zesty Travel Memories
Steinbeck and Southern Accents
I've taken many solo journeys over the years; most of my travel has been in the US, and some has been in Canada and Europe. When I leave North Carolina, my homeland in the South, I've become aware that sometimes my accent isn't easy for others to understand. Once I went home to Ohio with … Continue reading Steinbeck and Southern Accents
Camino Samaritan
Last night I went to the Country Dance at Loafer's and talked with my friend who'll soon be leaving on a cruise to Portugal and Spain. I'd gotten the information about that trip and it sent me in a different direction. I started thinking of the Camino and wondered if I could take a route … Continue reading Camino Samaritan
Appalachian Trail Interrupted: Challenges Unforeseen
It's been two months since I left for the Camino; I'm amazed that that much time has gone by. In the days before I left, when I was walking for miles at Hunter St. Park with my loaded backpack, I gradually built up muscle and strength. During that time, I was visiting at my sister, … Continue reading Appalachian Trail Interrupted: Challenges Unforeseen
Camino Garden Tour
One of the things I left behind, when I flew to Portugal to start my Camino journey, was my patio garden. I've taken great care since creating it last year to nurture the seeds and plants---mostly flowers along with basil and tomato. I was so busy those last weeks of preparing to be gone for … Continue reading Camino Garden Tour
Camino Adventure: Red Car in Ramallosa
It was my eighth day of walking and I'd need to cover 16 miles starting in Oia and ending at my night's lodging in Ramallosa, Spain. When I was preparing to leave my room in Oia, I felt restless, out of sorts, and my doubting voice asked, "Can I do it another day?" I'd looked … Continue reading Camino Adventure: Red Car in Ramallosa
Connie Rosser Riddle 