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
travel
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
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
Planning for Pilgrimage: Can I Do It?
Last week I talked with my friend, Judy about her recent trip with the Road Scholars to South Dakota. She's gone on multiple treks with that group that offers educational and recreationally challenging experiences for those over the age of 50. The last trip Judy had taken was right before the lockdown from Covid in … Continue reading Planning for Pilgrimage: Can I Do It?
Treasures from our Trips
My Facebook feed has been filled with pictures of friends and family on vacation. Some have taken trips to beach destinations, some to other spots in the US, and a few, places in Europe. There was a shot made by a friend from her beach chair-- her bare feet pointed toward the ocean as she … Continue reading Treasures from our Trips
Sit With Me for a While
That morning I headed out from the hostel on my bike, passing by the picnic table where Ruth was sitting in the sun. “Sit with me for a while, Connie,” Ruth said from her perch. I leaned the bike against the table and sat down. Ruth was eighty-three, a Canadian staying at the hostel while … Continue reading Sit With Me for a While
A Father’s Care
I’ve thought a lot about a father’s care over the past six weeks as I’ve watched my son, Brooks become a father. You can see the joy, the weight, the responsibility, the wonder of his new role as he tenderly cares for his baby boy. From the time Brooks knew they were going to be … Continue reading A Father’s Care
Connie Rosser Riddle 