June 24, 2013 -

 Since my last blogpost in April, my gypsy mobile has been dressed with a protective car cover enjoying a long nap after 8 months of driving cross country.

As for me, after a wonderful 2-month stay in a  cozy southwest home with a beautiful soul brother named 'Ran', he and I have taken to the road as travel companions.  He is just as much a nomad spirit as I.... imagine that.


On June 14th, we departed Abiquiu, NM (Georgia O'Keefe country) for the hot desert lands of:

 

 Mesa Verde National Park in CO - amazing cliff dwellings, stories and spirit of ancient ways

 

Arches in Moab, Utah - red rocks, arches and alcoves - the wind and water carved desert

 

... onward to the northwest....through the famous potato state of Idaho

 

into eastern Oregon of luscious green trees, waterfalls and moss ~ fairyland delight ~

 

 

 



 

I am writing this post from the Evergreen State of Washington where we arrived yesterday for a 3-week stay, after which we will meander down the pacific coast camping & visiting with wide open awe and wonder, attracting wonderful spontaneous surprises along the way. 

As much as I treasure solo travels, I am making a new discovery that when spirit hand-delivers you a  resonant free-spirited journey partner who is easy, natural and fun to be with, companion traveling offers a mutually rewarding, succulent, divine experience.  Adding to that the splendor of beholding the amazing landscapes and staggering beauty of America....we're loving every moment of this joyous living adventure.

Travel is my passion and indeed it is exactly what I've attracted into my life. My body, mind and spirit are thoroughly delighted every morning, noon and night. When I look at my face in the mirror I see a youthful glow emanating ...  called living out your dream.  From the inside out I feel grand!

There is so much more to say, of course, although my objective here is to touch in and share where I've been these last couple months.

As far as writing goes, it remains my intent to have my book of souljourn adventures completed sometime during Autumn season.  Indeed it's a challenge writing on the move, although now that I have landed in Washington for 3 weeks, this small table in the camper has become my little writing nook. Today I am focused on providing this updated blogpost and tomorrow book writing resumes.

Check out my facebook albums to view pics galore spanning from April when I landed in Abiquiu, NM ..... on thru the current traveling adventures of "Ren & Ran On The Road."

Here's to

**** being inspired along the journey! ****

April 5, 2013 ~ You may have noticed that my blog writing has been lagging behind since February.  Prior to then, blogging these last several months on the road has been quite a steady commitment. Countless nights i stayed up as late as it took, often into wee hours of the morning, to maintain this blog for more than a half year as a daily practice. The adventures of  travel, writing and photography have proved to be an awesome vehicle of discovery and expression for me.  One that I am enjoying immensely.

My dwindling desire to blog has been the result of a growing clarity that it is time for me to redirect my creative energy into a book writing project.  Just like traveling across country, it will be a step-by-step process requiring focus and perseverance.  The practice of blogging all these months have prepared me and I am eager to begin my envisioned book.

This final blog post celebrates my Wingin' It West Souljourn Adventure up to this point and it also marks the beginning of an exciting new horizon.  It is in perfect divine order and timing that I prepare myself to take yet another leap of faith where a new path, a new adventure, calls to me.... the details of which are a surprise reserved for my book.  Is your curiosity peaked?

When my book is complete, 

I will post a celebration Facebook notice there

with invitation and details

on how to order copies.

                                              

 

Thanks to all my blog readers and followers

who inspired, encouraged and assisted me

in this wonderful blog writing endeavor.

* * *

Note:

Blogs 1 and 2  

highlighting my Life on the Road 

commencing August 16, 2012

continue to be accessible for reading and/or commenting.

3/30/13 -  Where have i been since my last blog post of 2/19? Exploring the coast of California!  Four stays in Ojai ~ twice up and down the amazing pacific coast highway ~ visiting Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cambria, Big Sur ~ and at long last Santa Cruz.

It cannot go unnoticed that attending the Dances of Universal Peace was a key reason for keeping me in the central California coast area.  I am thoroughly addicted to these sacred dances.   Quite willing, I allowed them to dictate the flow and direction of my travels.  Like a groupee, I followed the Sufi Dance Caravan from Ojai to Santa Barbara to Avila and Los Osos. No matter where I go, Ojai is in my heart and I sense that our love affair is not over and I will visit here time and time again.

Mid February I attempted 4 times to depart Ojai to head for Santa Cruz.  Like an insect caught in spider's web, i couldn't move. This magical Shangri-La of Ojai just wouldn't let me go until it was good and ready to send me on my way.

Many friends told me before and during my journey that I would love the stunning drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. Even so, I was thoroughly unprepared for the rapture that i witnessed.  The splendor of sea and cliffs greeting the sky on one side of the road with mountain majesty and luscious verdant green landscapes on the other was a thoroughly ecstatic experience. One day I'd like to camp along Route 1, so I can have a more intimate experience than a driving view where i have to maintain eye contact on the road.

                                                 The rolling hills along the coast reminded me of Ireland...
                                           and to my surprise, discovered they are called the Irish Mountains

Blessings Upon Blessings

 ~ I've thoroughly enjoyed my visits in Southern and Central California, and the greatest blessing is that in such a brief time of exploring this area, I have an established traveling route and duable drive for return visits spanning from my son in southern CA in Valencia, on up the coast to Ojai, Matilija Canyon, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Cambria, and Santa Cruz. I give thanks to the Rainbow Connector in me that loves meeting and collaborating in sacred kinship... because of this joy and openness that I am,  I always seem to attract amazing connections into my life.  What a blessing!

Here are some pics along the coast

Ojai

at first sight fell in love with this Shangri-La of a place 

                                           Randee ~ Om Nama Shavaya sister ~ forever close to my heart

Matilija Canyon

                                                             Lyn, so grateful for our splendid times
                                                           in the magical mystical Matilija Canyon!
                                          and heartfull thanks for inspiring me more deeply into the Dances 
                                                                

Santa Barbara

   Christina ~ from East coast to West coast ~ our evolving goddess kinship

  thank you for the memorable touring of Santa Barbara

 

 San Luis Obispo 

(SLO) -as in slow-

 indicative of the welcoming mellow pace there)

 Hostel - walking distance to town

great Thursday night Farmer's Market

great accommodations! 

 very clean and friendly staff!

Loved staying at San Luis Obispo Hostel!

Highly Recommended!

Morro Bay and Morro Rock

 Gibraltar of the Pacific.   

Miles of unspoiled beaches, nature trails, and estuary.

January 1, 2013 - attended the annual Polar Bear Dip

(I managed to dip up to my knees - Yikes!  to cold for me!)

 

 Los Osos

Liana ~ grateful for our creative sharing, singing and dancing!

Your world travels and creative journey inspires me greatly!

 

Cambria - Hostel/Inn

sweet, cozy and clean!

Highly recommended!

Elfin Forest in Los Osos

adjacent to Morro Bay Estuary

 90-acre natural area.  Its plant communities include coastal brackish marsh, riparian woodland fringe, pygmy oak woodland with  hanging moss, maritime chaparral, coastal dune scrub, and oak and manzanita.  More than 200 species of plants, as well as 110 kinds of birds, 22 species of mammals and 13 species of reptiles and amphibians.  It is home to rare plants, butterflies, snails and birds.  Chumash middens occur throughout the park.

 Connecting with hostel mates in Cambria

for a day hike - road trip to Elfin Forest  

 

 Big Sur

  

 

 

Loved this waterfall

at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 

along the Big Sur coast

 SANTA CRUZ

Visiting my sister*friend Meredith

 husband Neil, and dog Mr. Peabody was fabulous fun!

Meredith & I

talked tirelessly

dined out like Queens

suntanned in Sun Goddess worship

eagerly spotted gulls, pelican and sea lions

Happy Hour and Sailboat Racing at Crow's Nest

countless drives along-West Cliff Drive-Steamer's Lane-surfer's paradise

the fabulous organic food bin/herb shop

 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 
...Santa Cruz sightseeing galore...
felt like i was in a 60's/70's time warp
the mermaid in me
enjoyed every moment in this beautiful, 
laid back, warm, friendly,
environmentally conscious hippy town!

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Thought I would get to San Francisco, since it was only an 1 1/2 away,

but didn't on this trip.  Look forward to that route another time. 

 

Thank you my sister

for an incredible time in Santa Cruz!

and here's to coming back another time

and another and another.....

 

California is grand!  ~ warm weather, fresh produce, mountains, desert,  meadow, rolling hills, ocean, cliffs, desert, and abundant variety of landscape terrain, flora and fauna.  It truly is paradise!  My body feels one with the beauty, energy and rhythm here. As much as I would like to stay, New Mexico is sending me a vibe to come that way.

My visit to California wouldn't be complete without seeing my son.  He's the greatest gift in my life and perhaps you can tell by these pics of us hiking and playing at the park. 

 

Living it up

through the Art of Play!

the Joy of being best friends

Mama and Son