Happy New Year - 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Sebastian, Florida

We have now been on the road for a whole year. We spent some time tonight (New Year’s Eve) to reflect on the year, and to review our list of intentions and goals for our 2010 odyssey. We thought a year would certainly be enough time to see and do all the thing we wanted, and for us to evolve into the enlightened beings that we aspire to be.

Well…as it turns out…a year isn’t quite long enough to make it all the way around this wonderful country, and we are still working on incorporating vigorous physical and deep spiritual activity into each day’s routine.

We have generally moved every 3-5 days with only a few one-nighters, and a few stops longer than a week. We’ve made over 100 stops in 41 states. When you are only in each place for a short time you really notice what an impact weather and the beauty and amenities of your immediate surroundings have. We have discovered that almost every state has very wonderful and beautiful places. We’ve also found it isn’t always easy to meaningfully connect with our fellow campers or travelers, especially if the weather is keeping everyone sealed up in their own RV. This has been the coldest December on record in Florida, and we were here for all of it.

We have fallen in love with the deserts and rocks of the Southwest, the mountains east and west, the Great Lakes, the villages and coastal towns of New England, the cities of Asheville, NC, and Charleston, SC, and the lush tropical foliage, beaches, waterways and balmy nights of Florida.

In just a little over 30,000 miles we have hunkered down in rain and windstorms last winter in Oregon and California. Hiked through desert wildflowers to a natural Palm Oasis in Borrego Springs, CA. Biked and hiked in Redwoods NP, Joshua Tree NP, Death Valley NP, Sedona, Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Capital Reef NP, Devils Tower, the Black Hills, the Rockies, Great Smoky Mountain NP, Shenandoah NP, Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP, the Appalachian Trial, Guadalupe Mountains NP, Saguaro NP, Mesa Verde NP, and Acadia NP. Hiked down into Grand Canyon NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP. Marveled at Monument Valley. Rafted in the Colorado River. Swam in Lake Powell, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Walden Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. We watched pilot whales in Nova Scotia, and Humpback Whales in Cape Cod. Swam with Wild Dolphins in Bimini. Visited many historical sites and architectural wonders. We had the good fortune to be able to visit many, many friends and family on the way. And, last but not least, participated in Matt and Tiffany’s wedding.

We are not getting tired of being on the road. Our set up is maneuverable and roomy enough to feel at home while driving or parked. We have grown quite fond of our traveling abode. We affectionately refer to the pick-up and trailer as Ozzie and Harriet.

We are very appreciative of this opportunity for extended travel throughout the country and we are looking forward to a warmer rest of winter in Florida, before we start heading back to Washington.

Many blessings to you and yours for a fantastic 2011!!