One of the things I realized while boondocking in Montana was that I’ve done a lot of alone-time campering over the past few years and right now I have a unique opportunity to visit some old friends. As well, this is my “finding home tour” and that isn’t just about location – community is a giant slice of that pie chart. That’s when I decided to not continue north to Glacier National Park and instead head West to friends. On that…
I’m currently sitting outside at my friend’s ranch in Skull Valley, Arizona. I stopped in for a quick visit on Monday, and got stuck. RB Paradise Ranch is a difficult place to leave. Open arms, horsies, rock clambering, good food, Argos romping… easy to get stuck here. You see, Richard is the kind of guy who has a big heart and loves company. He is chosen family to a lot of us oddballs and I’ve been to the ranch many…
I have been remiss in my posting duties! After I left Carbondale, I headed a little north to Springfield, Illinois to visit some friends I hadn’t seen since around 2005! We had a delicious eats and indulged in The Great Negroni Debate: Vodka, Gin, Bourbon I think I liked the vodka one best, and my friend Wade liked the gin one. Or, the vodka or gin for after lunch, and the bourbon version for after dinner. I talked my friend…
Carbondale, Illinois is as close to having a ‘home’ as I’ve experienced thus far. This is the town where I made my first snow-person, learned how to drive, cut class, and found my love for romping outdoors. Home is the place where I have the deepest memories, history, and connection. I have friends here dating back to pre-school, and my mom lives here with my step-dad and a young Australian Shepherd. Would this still be home if my mom weren’t…
My friend’s next door neighbor (now deceased) bought his property in order to preserve the forest there. He created an actual Preserve, and it’s phenomenal. When walking the well-kept paths, I feel like I’m in a fairy tale complete with trolls and fairies and wood nymphs. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera in the truck during our walk, so all I had was my cell phone. I was not able to do justice to this magical place. This was actually at…
My drive up the coast from the Oregon Dunes was mystical. I got up pre-sunrise, as usual, and the light was just peeking out when I got going. Visiting old friends but one of their dogs doesn’t get along with Argos, so we are driveway campering. One thing about the coast is that it’s damp. Wet and dirty -which means the camper is constantly damp and dirty. I know not to go to close to the edge, but I didn’t…