Birmingham, AL

Birmingham,Alabama was a halfway point to my next destination and a place to stop and see 2 clients.

It was a pretty long drive to Birmingham. I've discovered, on this trip, that I really do love to drive. I arrived to Birmingham to find my hotel in a depressed neighborhood, sort of a truck stop which made for interesting hotel mates. I felt really tired and confused about how long I wanted to be there, when I arrived. I was looking for a store to buy food (which I didn't find because all buildings were boarded up) and as I drove I saw a sign at a church that said "God's timing is perfect". I immediately relaxed. I was supposed to be there and just another reminder to trust.

The second day I drove into downtown Birmingham. It seemed like a nice enough city. I didn't see much because I was going directly to the library.
I worked and met with a client there. And later that afternoon went to Bessemer, outside Birmingham to visit another client. It was great to have them show off their library and tell me about the different ways they utilize our software. What I really liked was putting faces with voices since I mostly talk to people over the phone.

One of my clients, after telling him about my travel, said "Wow, I've never met a 'you' before". I said, "I hope not". and he explained that he's done some traveling but hasn't known anyone doing what I am doing. Just another reminder about how grateful I am to be on this journey. It also feels like a reminder to continue to live "out loud".


The funny thing about Birmingham was that I had planned to leave Friday morning (4/24). I found out that in Nashville, my next destination, the equivalent of the Boston Marathon was happening over the weekend and I couldn't find a hotel. In turn, Birmingham was starting the Taledaga week (race cars)which is HUGE there. So my hotel rate went up about $50 for Friday night. I didn't know what to do. When I went to the hotel desk to ask about the total for my room he offered to let me keep the same rate if I wanted to stay another night. Yaay.. I stayed and got some rest, got organized and ready for the next trip. Inside, I knew I needed to just rest and get ready for the next leg of the journey but I was going to plunge ahead anyway. It is great to stop and listen to what I needed to do next.

I didn't see alot of Birmingham, but I was there for exactly what I needed to be there for.I am finding that whatever happens at each stop it is what is supposed to happen; I experience what I am supposed to and what I see and who I meet is exactly enough.

Off to Nashville and really looking forward to hearing some music!

Savannah, GA

I always wanted to go to Savannah. I don't even know why, maybe the book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", maybe because of the trees I've seen. I don't know. I am so glad I listened to my instincts about going. It was worth it for lots of reasons. As I've said, this journey is so much more than the things I get to see while I enter a new area. I love that while I may be expecting to see certain things,it is the unexpected adventures and the people I meet even while doing those "everyday" things like grocery shopping or going to the Laundromat that make the adventure colorful.

It was an easy 2 hour drive from Charleston. I took a coastal route and went through some more S.C. towns along the way. It was 80 degrees, I had the windows down and listened to a radio station that played alot of "blues-ee" music;lots of harmonica. It was a great soundtrack for the scenery...

As I said, I was looking forward to Savannah. Not only for the place itself but I was meeting my friend Liz from Massachusetts. She has family in Savannah and it worked out that she was able to fly down and meet me. A plan worked out to stay with two of her friends (now my friends,too), Mark and Elissa. It felt good to arrive somewhere new and see a familiar face.
I drove through the center of Savannah to get to their house. Just driving through I could see it had a uniqueness about it.

Mark and Elissa live on Tybee Island about 7 miles outside Savannah and a few miles from a beautiful beach on the other side. As I drove in, I realized I like being part of the everyday-ness in the neighborhood of an unfamiliar place. Each has its own layout and feel. The houses are designed to fit the structure and climate of the area. I like to investigate the shrubs/foliage planted in the area and see how it differs from what I am used to, and it does. Each place I've been has it's own beauty. Of course, in Savannah, those Big Oak trees with the Spanish moss were highlighted everywhere.

Well, I met Mark and Elissa who were SO great. They opened their home to me and were so gracious and generous.

Shortly after I got there we went out to eat at a place where Liz knew the owners and they served a pot roast dinner with lots of roasted veggies. Good ole home cooking!! Yaay, I really appreciated that after eating in hotels for 2 weeks; a great meeting for me after that.
Elissa told us she was walking in a Road Race for Breast Cancer the next morning so we registered,too. It was a fun way to do service and walk through the streets of Savannah. Funny thing...the next day someone called and asked if they could use a photo of the 3 of us for "Savannah Magazine". Fun!!!! And they will get me a copy when it comes out.

As luck would have it, Mark is a trolley tour guide in Savannah so after the road race we went out to breakfast and then off to tour historic Savannah. It was great. Mark has one of those great radio voices and he really made it fun with lots of interesting tid bits. I think I mentioned it before, but it really helps me to take a tour and see what is where so I can see where I want to spend more time. I got to see where Forest Gump was filmed, where the guy who the "...Garden of Good and Evil" was written about lived and, by the way, Savannah is the home of Johnny Mercer who wrote "Moon River" my all-time favorite song. I was pretty excited to know that. I learned so many more things, too many to mention.

Savannah has a unique layout. There are 24 (well now 21) squares; a little public green (like a little park)appears every couple of blocks. The greenery mixed with the beautiful architecture was a sight. It felt so welcoming and alive.

I also didn't realize that Savannah is on the water, but it is on the inner-coastal water way and there's lots of boating activity and a large span of shops and restaurants overlooking "River St". It's really beautiful.

We went to a beach on Tybee Island and I also went on a Dolphin cruise. That was amazing. I have to say, those dolphin really blew my mind. The thing is, I got so stressed trying to get a picture of a dolphin, I was not enjoying the cruise. I hopped from one side of the boat to the other trying to get a shot. Now I remember why I didn't have a camera. I finally let it go and had fun. A woman on the boat got a great picture of three dolphin jumping out of the water together. She said she'd send it to me. If she does I'll change this picture, but for now, my attempt at it is posted.

Liz and I also went for some great long walks and talks and just hung out (ooh and I saw a snake). I even had someone to watch American Idol with, go Adam. I got to do an interview,too.

Needless to say, it was a great few days. I was very emotional about leaving. One of the reasons was that I was leaving the coast. I LOVE the ocean and it was very sad to think about leaving. But, alas, time for the next adventure...

I was so happy to make new friends in Elissa and Mark and will hopefully see them or spend time with them and Burt their boxer,again. And,of course, it was great to spend time with Liz.

So here I am,in central time, feeling the distance from home. After a 7 hour drive, I am in Birmingham Alabama and more continues to be revealed...

Charleston, SC

I loved Charleston! I got here Monday and settled in. It rained the first couple days so I was able to get adjusted and work. My hotel was about 6 miles from downtown so it gave me a chance to see some other parts of Charleston.

On my first journey to town I decided to take a carriage tour; two donkeys pulling a carriage through historic Charleston! I love those tours. There is so much history and everyone said it was a good idea to get the overview and they were right. The houses and the architecture were beautiful. It was a gorgeous day which just added to the already beautiful landscape. The flowers are in full bloom and Charleston has the combination palm trees, large oak with the Spanish moss; really different. I spent the day walking through town and spent some time at Battery park which was a big green near the water where there was a view of Fort Sumter.

After the walk I went to the open market (flea market-which locals warned me not to call it when I was there). There was a photographer there and one of his photos caught my eye, a huge Oak tree. I asked him where I could find the tree and he said,"John's Island". So, I said to myself, "What else do you have to do?" I got to my car, typed "Angel Oak" into my GPS (which, by the way, I've named AMOS, for 'angel on my shoulder' and whose voice I changed to an Australian male reminding me of Fraser's brother Niles) and 20 minutes later I was standing in front of the largest Oak tree this side of the Mississippi. Well, the area closed at 5pm and it was 5:20. So I decided it would be worth it to me to go back the next day. I could see the tree but it was fenced in and I wanted more quality time. I went back and spent lots of time there. Those of you who know how much I love trees can appreciate why this was a great moment in SC for me.
It is said to be 1400 years old but I guess that's a legend and they aren't sure but it is at least 4-500 years old. I couldn't believe it! It is very different from seeing the Sequoias in California which command a certain reverence. This tree had a different energy. It had tons of personality,so inviting. It had lots of character and I felt kind of giddy hanging around with it.It was spectacular! I don't know if you can see the hugeness from the picture but I tried. ( I find pictures don't do my feelings justice ).

While I was there I met a lovely woman from the area who told me of a place called Isle of Palm. It was an island with a large beach community. It seems wherever I go I am drawn to water and when I asked how long it would take to get there, she said "What are you doing now?" and I thought, "Oh yeah, I can do this". So I went. There were houses set along the open ocean. Palm trees lined both sides of the street and the homes were immense. I got there around 5pm and decided to take a long walk on the beach and watch the sunset. By dusk most people had left the beach and it was so peaceful.

As I crossed the bridge back to Charleston I felt completely embraced by the colors painted across the sky; bright pink/orange/ purple and blue. It didn't seem real to me. I was floating. I don't remember ever feeling as full or as calm as I did in that moment.

Because I stayed at the beach that day and was leaving the next, I decided the one last thing I had wanted to do, visit a plantation, I'd do on the way to Savannah. I went to the Magnolia Plantation. It is known for its gardens and is the only plantation where the original owners, 11th generation, still reside. They had unusual grounds including a swamp garden and a horticultural maze. The grounds of the house had a beautifully manicured garden,too. After spending some time walking the plantation, I sat down and had a little picnic for myself. While I was eating I looked over and one of the Peacocks spread his feathers for me. My visit was complete.

I feel more and more freedom to let myself get lost and let whatever comes next, unfold. I plan, but leave room for opportunities. Just trust my intuition, that whispering voice saying, "go here... trust me..so maybe it isn't familiar and maybe it's off the beaten path, but it'll be worth it". I follow and something happens leading me to the next step on my journey. I can't really know what is going to happen, anyway, but I can stay open to the possibilities and trust they are all part of the process.

I am now safely in Savannah and look forward to seeing more...until then..

WOW...what can I say about Easter?

What an amazing weekend! I was at a retreat center called the "Maher Baba Spiritualist Center". I didn't learn all of the beliefs but generally speaking, this Maher Baba, considered an Avatar(Christ-like figure or saint) by his followers, wanted to unite religions and believed in acceptance and love of all paths to God. Needless to say it was a very loving environment where I could be on my own or participate in the activities.

It was set on 400 acres of wooded land surrounding a lake. There was a screened in little boathouse on a dock where you could sit and read or nap. The azaleas were in full bloom, wisteria was hanging in the wild and Spanish moss was strewn all over the trees. The wildlife was abundant. All you could here were birds chirping,a breeze going by and the rustling of leaves.

The cabins (which were all private) were dispersed all over the property. We walked everywhere. It was so quiet and peaceful. It was a magical time; no cell phones, TV or Internet access, GLORIOUS!!

There were marked hiking trails all over. And from the stories I heard, there were even alligators and snakes available for a little excitement which, I found out, is why we had to carry flashlights at night and always wear covered shoes. There were even shovels on the hiking trails in case you had to kill a snake, Yeah right!! See Lori Run! I gratefully didn't see any.

On my first hike (which led me to the dunes and open beaches of Myrtle Beach) I did hear something moving and when I looked over there was a beautiful deer. On my way back from the beach that day, at dusk, there were a family of deer right in the path. I couldn't believe it.



Easter Sunday there was a sunrise "gathering" where people met at the lake for prayer and music!I thought of you who I knew were at a sunrise service and sent you lots of love, did you feel it?

I also met some lovely people there. It is amazing to me how, just when I need to be with family, a surrogate pops up and invites me into theirs.

I went for a walk along the beach my feet in the ocean. I crossed paths with a woman doing the same and she said: "It is sooo powerful isn't it?" and I said, "I think it's sooo comforting". We both agreed and kept walking. As I passed I started to cry realizing we had just described God.. Now, that is Easter!


I am now safely in Charleston, SC. It was a great ride and I look forward to telling you more about it when I see it...

What a difference a day makes!

Well, Sunday was sunny and 80 and Monday-Wednesday were 35 and snowy. Someone here told me that since Ashville is surrounded by the mountains the weather has its own little pattern. Very unpredictable and does strange things.

I ended up going to hang out in the town, a quaint town with lots of folk art and galleries. There are cafe's and shops everywhere. I also met some nice people there.It seems like alot of people are from somewhere else;lots of transplants.

I am also happy to say I took a couple more rides on the BlueRidge Parkway and it has been beautiful. It isn't as scary on this side of the Parkway or I am getting used to it. As a matter of fact I was on the Parkway today. It was sunny and I wanted to go to the NC Arboretum which I had heard about. There is a natural garden,a bonsai exhibit and lots of hiking trails. I drove up there, went for a hike and just hung out.

There was also a bat exhibit and I found out the one fact I wanted to know. NO, bats won't get stuck in our hair. Growing up and hanging out on the beach at night, we were told if a bat got caught in our hair (and there were lots of them near the beach) we would have to shave our heads to get them out. They may fly close but they actually have great night vision and are too smart to get caught in our hair. Another worry bites the dust.

All and all, Ashville was a good visit. I felt more isolated than I have so far. The weather made it a bit harder to connect. Needless to say, different feelings come up no matter how beautiful the background and I am just accepting what comes.. I went to a great meditation meeting today and will probably go again tomorrow before I leave.

My next adventure? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I am going to the Maher Baba Center for a little retreat by the ocean. I'll canoe and hike. I'll be there for Easter weekend and then off to Charleston which is probably the next time I'll post. Happy Easter to all who celebrate and I'll see you in Charleston...

The thing about this journey....

...is that I never really know for sure what will actually unfold. I love that! I usually come to a new location with no real sense of what I should see or what I should avoid. I am always surprised and it's always an adventure! As much as I knew there was alot to see, I discover more and more everyday, how little I actually know. It gives me a beautiful sense of surrender. I can't possibly see it all and every state has something beautiful to offer so I can enjoy, appreciate and get excited about all that I am seeing.I was told by someone who has gone cross country that it is the things I don't expect that will give me the greatest joy. Just like everything I guess and I get to have my own experience of all of it.

I was so tired coming into Ashville I wasn't sure what I'd think so I waited until I was rested to look around... It is beautiful! It is a quaint town surrounded by mountains. The mountains just say,"look at me the beautiful and majestic mountains and remember it's all okay". Even as I walk toward the grocery store,I turn and there it is..the reminder. It is funny to then walk in and watch people push their carts hurriedly around the store. The mountains make the everyday seem like fantasy; fantasy clashes with reality.

I got up Sunday morning and it was a beautiful, sunny and heading toward 80 degrees day so I just started driving.

I had seen an add for the Biltmore Estate and had no idea what that was. I heard there was a "Festival of Flowers" starting so I thought I'd check it out. I drove toward the mountains and got to the entrance. Driving through this forest, which was really the grounds of the Vanderbilt Estate, I went by patches of bamboo,exotic trees/shrubs and flowers. The grounds were gorgeous, lush, and so many different shades of green. I got that cool fresh feeling. You know that smell when we were little...walking into the woods on the first warm Spring day. The ground is still wet so you get that combination of fresh kind of wet dirt,leaves and pine...MMMM...

People come from all over to see this estate... Well, I couldn't believe it when I got there. This place was a palace! For those of you who love facts; it is the largest house in America and the grounds equal the size of 140 central parks put together!
I spent the day roaming around the gardens where there were flowers and flowering trees everywhere. It all smelled so sweet.I took a hike through the forest and found a large pond with a waterfall. I sat there for a long time, met alot of really nice people and spent an inordinate amount of time studying exactly how a duck swims. It is fascinating, really... It was a "stop and smell the roses (or in this case, tulips)" kind of day.

Whew...I made it!!! The Ride to Ashville, NC

I am sitting in a hotel in Ashville, NC. I am so grateful to be here and not sure how I feel about it yet. I left Maryland Yesterday at 10:30 am. I first want to say that my visit with Pat and her family in Maryland was wonderful! I really enjoyed being part of their everyday life and spending time getting to know all of them better. I felt so blessed and had mixed feelings about leaving them. This trip is, yes, about seeing the country but in large part is about the people on my path and appreciating the everyday"ness", too.I hope I can be as generous as people have been with me. Even the kindness of strangers reminds me not to be too busy in a moment when I am the one familiar with the area.

I got on the highway and immediately saw a deer to my right. Not a place I would expect to see one and she didn't look like she expected to be there, either. She was running frantically. Little did I know I'd be feeling the same way later on my journey when I was in her territory. I had this great plan of driving the BlueRidge Parkway to get here. A beautiful drive through the mountains. After alot of thought, since it was stormy, I decided to take the highway partway and then get on the Parkway. On my drive I saw a license plate that said LIV SLO. I love those little nudges-pay attention and be where I am.

Well,some time later after enjoying the ride through the fields, mountains and farmland of Virginia, I got on the Parkway. I don't know what I was thinking it would be like, but it was narrow. It was like looking over a cliff and no guardrail. Now, I consider myself pretty adventurous but my palms were sweating. I kept thinking about what I learned in yoga-pay attention to your feet, if they're gripping the floor you need to relax. Well I'll apply that to my white knuckles on the steering wheel. Umm, let me just say I had a hard time enjoying the scenery at first. Once I started to relax it was beautiful and I got out at one point to take a picture. I drove about 40 miles on the Parkway which took about 2 hours. I stopped at a ranger station to use the bathroom. He told me I shouldn't go further because of the storm, the wind and dropping branches on the narrow roads. That's all I needed to hear! I took a steep road down and back to the highway knowing at some point I'd get back on because of a sign I saw for a Natural Bridge in Virginia. I knew nothing about the Natural Bridge and thought, "Well, let's see if it's anything". IT was AMAZING!! I was emotional enough just from being on the Blue Ridge Parkway (for different reasons) but this was spectacular. I read that it is one of the 7 Natural wonders which I didn't know. The entrance was a building with lots of shops so I thought it was a hoax at first. I paid and walked to the entrance of the bridge. I couldn't see anything at first. There were stairs descending around a bend into the woods.A beautiful bubbling brook flowed down with me. About a 1/4 mile into the wooded area I looked up and-The Bridge. WOOW!!! It is 215 feet high, made of rock and estimated at 500 million years old. Another premier work of nature! I couldn't believe it. I continued to walk under the bridge and followed the water further into the woods. That babbling sound is so meditative I just kept following it. It was like a secret hideaway. A moment of peace on a long drive.

I was ready for the rest of the ride. I headed back on the highway to find out I had 4 1/2 hours left to go. I decided to just keep driving even though I said I wouldn't drive in unfamiliar areas at night, I just wanted to be there. I had to use the GPS and didn't have any battery left on my cell, so it wasn't my finest decision. I won't do that again. I ended up getting here at around 10:45 last night. I got to the hotel and it was the first time I had issues with a room. It is bound to happen, but I felt like I slept in traffic last night. I moved to a room further back and we'll see what happens.

It is a beautiful day today and I went to the center of Ashville with all its street vendors and quaint little shops. The town is surrounded by mountains and is really pretty. I am not sure how long I'll stay. I am going to see what else is here and I definitely need more rest before I decide. More later....