Lori Goes to Washington...

What can I say about this day! Words and pictures don't do it justice! I hope that everyday I am on this adventure,I say: "I am eternally grateful that I am doing this and I will not to take one moment for granted."(Actually,I hope to say it everyday from now on...). I was in the middle of DC on this glorious Spring day completely blanketed by a sea of pink and white blossoms. I felt loved, protected and overwhelmed by the beauty of those trees. You know how I feel about trees and I felt like they dressed up just for me. Anyone who hasn't seen this has to make a trip down here. It is incredible!


...Let me start at the beginning....I drive to the Metro around 1pm after working a few hours. I get to the lot and don't know how to enter. I finally figure that out, get out of my car and I can't find the entrance to the train from the parking lot. Along came Angel #1, Stuart. He joked about how well they hide the entrances. Well, you know I took Stuart hostage! He first helped me buy my pass. Can you believe it costs $5 just for the privilege of obtaining a pass? Only after you obtain it can you put money on it to ride the Metro. Oh well! Stuart also showed me what to do and what trains I needed to be on. He was lovely. We talked about everything from "Where's Donald Rumsfeld" to his daughter's wedding. How is that possible in a few short stops? It is and it was great! He had a meeting which I am sure he was late for, but he was a total blessing.Stuart got off the train before me so I was on my own. I am just glad I have no shame at all about what I don't know and was ready to ask the first friendly face what the heck to do next. Knowing I had to change trains I wanted to make sure I was going the right way so when I heard Angel #2, Linda, talking about the Holocaust Museum (because she worked there and that is one place I hadn't been and wanted to go), you know I turned around and asked for help. I followed she and her friend to the next train and they explained where to go next. All good.

So I get to DC, turn the corner from the Metro and am overcome by a sea of blossoms. I cried immediately and couldn't wait to get closer. I was surrounded by people from all over the world, who like me, were here just for the pure joy of taking in our Nation's Capital during this beautiful time of year. All I could think was "I can't believe I get to be here!"


Speaking of "all over the world", I had such a propensity for asking non-English speaking passers-by for information. It was funny after a while. I was asking visitors from another country which way Lincoln's Memorial was! Oops! Gratefully, one guy pulled out his map and somehow we communicated.

I took tons of pictures. I walked everywhere. I went to all the monuments, again. I never get sick of seeing them. I had never been to the WW II memorial and it really told the story. Each of these monuments tell a story and I could feel every moment. There is so much history and it was one of those times when I felt like a grain of sand on the beach.


I stayed outside all day. I got some great pictures and finally decided to lie under the trees for a while and take it in. I realized that no picture was going to help me remember the feelings I have about this experience.
At the end of the day, after finally going to the Holocaust museum (which was intense and another must see), I went back and sat in the park for one last moment. Our capital is filled with power,history, and intensity but sitting there with all the blossoms and the huge oaks that have lived through it all, it is easy to know Who is really in charge.


All I can say is take my word for it...whenever you get a chance, GO!!

Olney, Maryland March 31,2009

Here I am in Olney, Maryland. I got here Saturday afternoon. I went over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on the way. It was long and beautiful in the mist. I couldn't see too far in front of me so it was just trusting that the next part would appear when I got to it... Just like everything on this journey.

I am visiting a friend and her family. They have been so generous with their space and time.I feel so welcomed and am very grateful to them.

I have started work this week so that is something that feels familiar. I am getting to know my way around this area. It is so funny getting to know a new community and becoming part of it for a few days; grocery stores, banks, etc. Being in the flow of a different place and no one really knowing that I am here for the experience and then I'll be gone. They'll all continue on their path and I'll continue on mine. I am so conscious and curious about what people around me are doing. I feel part of and outside at the same time.

At a meeting last night, the speaker started with: "Happiness is loving life exactly as it is".YUP...It reminds me not to just accept life on life's terms like its drudgery but learning to find peace and joy in the reality of whatever "is". How long did I try to make life live on my terms? Yikes...talk about impossible. I am happy to say that I am slowly letting go of this struggle and that is where the serenity is for me.I keep on trusting and letting go...Letting go to the next adventure, whatever that brings...

And today it brings D.C. I am going this afternoon. It will be one of the only nice days of the week and I want to see the Cherry Blossoms. It is peak season starting this week so I am excited. I've always wanted to be here this time of year. Hopefully I'll have some pictures later.

...beach today....

It wasn't exactly beach weather, 55-60 degrees, but it was sunny. I went for a really long walk, the beach didn't end. Lots of people out on the beach and some kids were swimming.. YIKES!!! They didn't seem affected at all. It amazes me that little kids, when excited, don't let anything get in their way. Another reminder... Toward the end of my walk I needed to know if I was missing out so I took off my shoes and socks and went in the water...It was cold! but I am glad I did it... I am continually being nudged to pay attention and I'm listening in those moments where my insides say, "Don't miss this"...

So tonite I'm going out for one of my favorite dinners, Catfish... Yumm! I'll pack and get prepared for my next leg. This newly developing routine includes looking at my "1000 Places to See Before I Die",book,to see if there's anything I'm interested in, filling the car, checking all stuff is charged, finding meetings and this time, doing laundry. Goodnight to all..and if I forget to say this,later, thanks for enjoying this journey with me!

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware March 27,2009

Well, I arrived in Rehoboth beach March 25th around 2pm. I went right down to the beach, before even finding a place to stay. It was amazing. The waves were huge. I walked down and had my lunch, just happy to make it safely to another destination. It looks like a great place to come for a summer vacation. It's off season now,just starting to get busy... so I am here to watch it wake up..It reminds me of a cross between P-town and Hampton Beach. Quaint with eclectic people and shops and a huge boardwalk like Hampton Beach. When it's in season I bet it is amazing.

It was rainy and gloomy yesterday and I felt pretty lonely and found myself figity and wondering why I was doing this. Needless to say, I went out in the rain and walked the boardwalk then went to a little restaurant for breakfast. I always feel better once I get out of my own way and meet people and again, people are just genuine and really open to talking. Yesterday I met a woman and we struck up a conversation so I asked her if she'd be willing to be interviewed. She took a day to think about it since I wouldn't tell her the topic,but, yes folks, I finally had my first interview. It was GREAT..story for another time, but it felt invigorating and I am never disapppointed when I listen to how people feel about the topic I'm asking about. It reminds me that I am on this trip for lots of reasons some of which I may not even know yet.
Today, it is sunny and beautiful and I am on my way down to the boardwalk. Just thought I'd soak up the atmosphere on a sunny day before leaving. I touched base with my friend at my next destination and I'll be going there tomorrow morning.

I have to tell you, this has been quite an experience. NOT for ONE SECOND do I take for granted how grateful I am to be on this trip. It is a once in a lifetime adventure. At the same time I am letting myself accept all the feelings that come up good and bad. I keep having these experiences of letting go and things working out. I am just letting go more and more of figuring out what should happen next and trust that whatever does happen is exactly what is suposed to...

Maybe I'll have a picture later.

About the Amish...

Another beautiful day! It was really cold and really sunny.Everywhere I went, people were so friendly...

As you can see I figured out how to take pictures and upload them. This is me right after I took a buggy ride through the Amish country. I met some of the Amish and it was fascinating to go on the ride and learn more about their history. The guy who took us was born Amish but made a decision to leave. He did it before being baptized (which is a decision they make as teens) so he wasn't shunned by the community. He can still visit and do business with them.
I learned more specifically about things like why they have no electricity.(Skip ahead if you know this)... and he said it comes from Mathew; the Bible verse where it says to live in the world but not of it and being connected to electricity connects them to the world and worldly things. It is funny how they work around it. For example,they're able to have cell phones because they power them with solar energy.
Needless to say I really enjoyed the day AND the landscape was so beautiful and serene. It is a very spiritual and obviously, religious, area. There are scripture verses everywhere (little reminders), on store buildings, people's lawns,and billboards,too.

ON another note: I had my own reminder this morning. I kept thinking I had to figure some things out before I went out to enjoy myself and those things never ended. I can get paralyzed trying to manage something before doing anything else. I decided to surrender and go out and wouldn't you know, some things got figured out by the act of me getting out.. So just a reminder that the answers come when I'm doing life.. I don't have to postpone life trying to "take care of everything" first. This trip is a great example of that. It's just like praying in the morning. If I think I don't have time, I just have to remember when I take the prayer time it usually reveals ways I can have more time... funny the way it all works. I also went to a GREAT meeting tonite and look forward to more along the way.

I find this GPS deal works great when trying to find things around a town and gives me that extra push to just go find a meeting.

QUOTES I saw today and wanted to share:


"Life is fragile, handle with prayer"

Every ending leads to a new beginning"

"Happiness is a decision"

"Thank you, God:
for what you have given to me
for what you have taken from me
and for what you have left to me."



Okay, so here's the thing.. The curmudgeon wasn't around to ask for an interview today, BUT, I got lost again and was turning around in a lot and it was a massage/reflexology business. I went in just to bond and they guy was great. He had just been to Delaware last weekend and gave me a route/restaurants and hotels. I decided I'd get a quick massage or treatment tomorrow morning before I leave and see if I can interview him.

It all works the way it is supposed to...Okay, I'll be in touch... OH!!! one last thing for those of you who know how much I care. When I was in the Amish area I went to one of their country stores and found 3 apples each weighing over 16.oz... SO how can you beat that!!!

Lancaster, PA March 24,2009

Hello from Lancaster, PA, pronounced "Lank-ister" by the locals. It was a beautiful drive yesterday and a beautiful day... The GPS didn't like me because I decided to ignore her and take a more scenic route. She finally gave up and recalculated to see it my way. It all worked out.
I have to say, the transition from being in a warm, loving home to ventures unknown was a little scary. I see how this journey is becoming a big lesson in letting go of outcomes. I spent some time worrying about "whatever".. yesterday, it doesn't even matter what and when I went out for a drive to find something to eat, I got lost. I ended up in a neighborhood where there was a big church that I only noticed because the sign said: "Give up worry for Lent, trust divine providence". I felt like the sea parted. It was great! I also saw a sign that said "NO Matter What". Some of you blog followers know what that meant to me... So needless to say, I am trying not to figure too much out and just let things happen...

I did, however, figure out my camera last night so I am off to Paradise today. Hoping to take a tour and get a taste of the Amish way of life.

I am also going to look for my first interview. It might be the guy at the front desk. He was such an old curmudgeon and believe me it was not the response I was looking for after driving 4 hours. It ended up okay and I think he'll be an interesting interview if he's willing. More later...

Westport, CT, March 22,2009

It is Sunday and I've been in Westport visiting a friend on my first leg of this journey. I got a late start yesterday, trying to figure out: "to bring or not to bring", torturing myself and my mom. I was reminded that I get to make up the rules because this is my trip and suddenly freed myself to bring not just what I needed but what I wanted.

I got to Westport at around 5pm. The GPS sure took the stress out of the ride! I was able to just feel the joy of finally starting something I've been planning for a long time. (Now,I just need to program my GPS to a voice a little more soothing). I have had lots of feelings already and as I write this I kind of wonder what it will feel like tomorrow. Considering I knew my first stop was to visit friends who would be welcoming and nurturing it feels different leaving tomorrow morning. I'll be arriving to places unknown with noone I know on the other end. It feels exciting, like the adventure I have looked forward to and a little scary.


Back to detail of Wesport:
When planning to visit my friend, we talked about going to a benefit concert but waited to see what the travel day looked like. As it turned out, I really wanted to go so we did. It was an amazing concert of local and not not-so-local celebs in the music business; a benefit for an organization called "Triple Gem Society" which was started by Bhante Wimala a Buddhist monk. He's received many awards including a global peace award for his humanitarian efforts and he was there! Fun, because before the concert he lead us in a guided meditation about being present and feeling free.. Yaay... The music was amazing;current hits with a mix of spiritual songs written by the woman who organized the benefit.

Needless to say, this morning we had a great breakfast and went to the beach. It was freezing but beautiful...You know how much I love the beach! We went for a walk and then they gave me a tour of Westport. We saw the homes of Imus, Martha Stewart (her old house), Paul Newman and Michael Bolton.

My hosts have been so gracious and generous. It has been a great way to start the trip. Right now I am looking up the routes and motel/hotels I'll be staying at starting tomorrow...Off to Amish Country and more to report from there!!!!!!

Getting Ready for the trip

Hi All,
I am really looking forward to posting on my new blog and letting you know where I am and the experiences I'm having. Getting ready seems more nerve-racking than being on the trip...There is so much to think about, but then again, I can plan for everything but not plan the outcome so I am learning as I get ready to just trust, trust that it is all laid out exactly as it is supposed to be. I'll be writing more soon!!!