Days 559-566

NO IDEA how so many days have passed since my last blog. Honestly, I intended to be more diligent but ...

I started a Facebook group called "Unlock Your Dream Life" where I've been posting daily (and have been coaching people... changing my website and fb profile to say "artistic Channel and Intuitive Guide" ... scary stepping into those "woo woo" gifts but, here I am world. Call me a hippie freak if you want... I don't care. There isn't much interaction in the group so hopefully it is making a difference for more people than I know.

To be honest, I have not been getting much interaction anywhere. Seems the algorithms have began blocking me ... I just don't know. I'm just trying to help and entertain people (and make a living while living my dream life of course).

It has been difficult not to be frustrated. I do these cool things yet it's as if no one cares. Then I have people tag me in viral posts and I wonder "why don't they share my stuff"... "mine is cool enough to go viral but..." it hasn't.

Something I have to work through I guess...

Anyway, enough pity party.

We left Florence Marina State Park only a few days after my last post (Match 20th, 2021 to give you a sense of time).

Before leaving, we visited the Richland Rum Distillery... neither of us are really a fan of Rum but we did a tasting tour and oh my, that is not what I expected. It was delicious. We ended up getting a bottle but haven't had any yet. We know that once we open it, that's the end of it. 🤣 And it wasn't inexpensive. I did get some new fans of my work... the master distiller and the guys working the tasting room were in awe of my talents.

We intended to get some hiking in at FDR State Park (where we've been until today, the 28th) but the weather hasn't been great. Plus I have been leading a book club in the Unstoppable Influence academy... and I had a coaching call with Rich reminding me how important it is to be consistent (so I've been going live again, three days in a row now).

Jordan has been a great blessing - shooting short videos of me as we get set up or I am painting outside... little things putting me in front of the camera again... which I haven't done much... it's easier to just show my hands working).

While at FDR, We did go to Calloway Gardens and went to our first butterfly exhibit. One landed on my arm, I honestly think it is the first time I've had a butterfly land on me. We didn't stay in there very long because the climate in the greenhouse like building was WAY too warm for us. Guess we've grown accustomed to the cooler weather.

There were beautiful butterflies everywhere, I loved it. Then we went over to the other side of the park to watch the Birds of Prey show.

Let me just say, I love seeing birds from afar but have rarely had a great experience when they get close.

These flew so close over people's heads that they had to duck. We were warned to keep our hands down because the birds think you're holding up food and will take a finger.

Yikes!

It was a very cool experience though. We enjoyed the flight of the Great horned owl, the Bard owl (did you know owls actually hunt Eagles? We didn't.), and a Hawkins Hawk. It was REALLY cool (and still a good experience even though they got quite close).

The Gardens themselves weren't blooming yet (except in a few spots)... I'm sure it's magical but we were about a week early.

Then, on another day we did the Wild Animal Safari. This was an absolutely wonderfully amazingly magical experience (except for the walkabout, we felt sorry for the caged animals... they all seemed agitated or sedated - I'm sure they're fine but my heart hurt for them). We rented a van to drive through the park and boy am I happy we did. The Buffalo (particularly the water Buffalo) slimmed and chewed on the vehicle as we offered the treats.

We fed (and were licked by) two giraffes. What beautiful creatures! They were in an enclosure (as was the very stinky camel on the other side of the park) but everything else roamed free. Oh, except the two big cats that had water Buffalo taunting them outside their cages.

The water Buffalo seriously slimed the van. Thankfully there were bars on the windows or we would've had their heads and slime in our laps. They loved the treats (BTW, we got four bags of food from the front desk - they recommended one per person but for was a better deal - we saved a bag for the walkabout but shouldn't have... the animals in there weren't interested in the food... we could've fed the eager Buffalo - giraffes - zebras - deer - and donkey-like creatures much more).

Yes, I said zebras. They were reluctant at first (as were many of the creatures) but once they came up to us, it was awesome. I hand fed and petted a zebra. I was obsessed with zebras as a kid so my heart was seriously ecstatic.

The Buffalo (real, big beautiful plains Buffalo) herd was the funniest part. A van had caught up behind us - with children inside - so we'd feed the animals a bit then move on so the people behind us could enjoy the experience as much as we were. The animals usually stiffed that van though... they'd follow us and get us again if we allowed it. The Buffalo, in particular, were very much enthralled with us. We said Jordan is the Buffalo king.

They even walked ahead to cut us off at a turn, then when we finally got through, they totally ignored the other van and tried to follow us further.

It was quite entertaining!

We had plenty more food to give them but unfortunately didn't know the walkabout would be so lame. Oh well, now we know.

By the way, the gal at the front desk tried to tell me I could take my truck through... USUALLY it's ok.

That van had creatures chew on it, drool and push or lean against it (sliming it with who knows what)... and honestly they would've had their entire head in the windows had it not been for the bars. So, even though we saw many go through in their own vehicles... I don't recommend it. Honestly, it's a lot more fun being able to feed and pet them from within a cage and not worry about them nibbling your shoulder (or getting drool all over your interior).

We had another long night of tornado watch - this time one hit a small town only 45 miles from us. It was a long night as the longest claps of thunder roared through the campground. We were blessed by nothing more than rain and a light and sound show.

We met some great people camped next to us. The kind of people I wish there were more of in this earth. Plus they're new fans of my work so that's a bonus. 😁

Honestly, I have been feeling some discomfort in the moving process lately. There's still MANY more places we want to see. So I'm focusing on the blessings we have and those that are on the way. This life isn't for the faint of heart. But it truly is wonderful!

On to our next spot, and next adventure today. I'll do my best to blog sooner next time! Love and light to you!!!

Written several Days ago...
​Days 553 - 558

A little boy almost rode his scooter into our deck. He was looking down and just scooting along when I called out and said "hey buddy, please don't ride right next to our trailer." I think it startled him that we were there.

Besides that (and one other child) we've had a better experience with people in our space while here at our current Georgia location.

We had a whole different kind of experience though. Our first tornado warning. We knew this storm front was coming but, there was nowhere we could take our home, the storm was stretching from the north to south causing all sorts of destruction along the way. We had to stay put.

All we could do is trust that all would be OK. We still prepared for evacuation (the camp host went around telling everyone that if we heard sirens we needed to get into the bathrooms). We put our coat and shoes near the door, clothes on all night.

That was the worst part, that it was rolling through at night. And boy oh boy was it a dark night.

The air was perfectly still. Only the thunder rolling (some of the longest thunder claps I have ever heard) and occasional songs from the frogs. I figured the frogs would hide if a tornado was coming so I listened for them all night. Eventually, I fell asleep while listening and watching for lightning or movement in the trees.

I asked for protection for our property and all the campers around us. Imagining a bubble of light surrounding the property. It was interesting to see the storm break on the radar as it appeared to hit the bubble.

Jordan was awake all night, finally coming to bed as the sun began to rise. At one point, as the tornado watch turned into a tornado warning, he even put on his shoes so he'd be ready to go. We had the cat carriers ready and blocked off their upper hidey hole (the bunk in the back that's always raised up but lowered enough for them to jump in). They behaved normal (as normal as our cats can be) throughout the night so between them and the frogs, and my faith, I knew all would be OK.

We've enjoyed the quiet of this area. We went on a couple of nature trails but have yet to see more than a few frogs. Unless you count the creepy skeletal figure in a swing and the headstones scattered about... we think we found the remains of someone's haunted Halloween trail. It was very creepy to walk up on, that's for sure!

We came to this area to see Providence Canyon State Park. A red rock canyon, unique for Georgia, created because of poor farming practices. They call it the little Grand Canyon. It truly was a spectacle to see! You hike down into the canyon (we started at the visitor's center) and find the creek and directional signs at the bottom. The water flows constantly so you're encouraged to wear waterproof shoes. We both felt the desire to walk barefoot in it. It was lovely!

The sand is soft and the rocks in the water are actually spongy. Completely broken down by the constant flow. Hiking into the canyons as far as we could go - we were in awe of the beauty. It truly was worth the visit.

Another cool thing in this area is the Omaha Brewing Company. The owner was leaving after we had arrived. She came back inside because of my website on my truck. She was amazed by my talent and invited me to participate in their vendor fair (every second Saturday of the month). Well, I'll be in Idaho for a retreat during the April one, then off to North Carolina in May and who knows where in June - definitely further north than here. Definitely something to keep in mind though.

She let me leave business cards on the table. I'm sure they'll be snatched up soon (people love putting them on their fridge as little artworks).

The drinks and the people at Omaha Brewing Company are wonderful.

Today we're going to head to the Richland Rum Distillery after I get a little work done. Plus, we need to find the nearest UPS store to ship a couple of the Words Matter portraits home. I'd prefer their originals be with their family, just in case something does happen to our home/art studio on wheels. I'd hate to have to redraw any of the memorial portraits. But really, it's time for these two to go home (I wanted to hand deliver them but, we won't be in the Pacific Northwest anytime soon). Then I will only have a few memorial portraits left to deliver. I'll have to get prints made of a couple, so when I deliver them, I can keep their image and story a part of the exhibit. Gleefully my print shop back in Boise has survived the pandemic. Guess it's time to check in.

I wish I could find some events to show the Words Matter portraits at. Some day. For now, they're packed away in back and viewed online. I have had several people find the exhibit online and then reach out to me.

The website on my truck was a good plan.

If you don't share your gifts, you never know who you could've helped.

DAY 552

I didn't even realize so much time has gone by. Goodness. My apologies to those who are following our journey!

I've been busy in my FB group lately (it is called "Unlock Your Dream Life"). Posting daily inspiration and tools there... I guess that I lost track of time.

Honestly, time is irrelevant to me, even though I have a counter that tracks our days on the road...I really don't pay that much attention to time.

Since my last entry, I made the decision to offer coaching - that is how the group came about. It was not something I thought I would do but many have asked so, here we are.

It seems I only have so much mental capacity and really haven't had much "travel" insight even though we've been moving a lot.

We didn't want to leave the Keys but the park claimed there wasn't room for us to stay longer.

We saw old friends and met new ones... it's definitely one of our favorite places to be.

After spending 2 weeks at Jolly Roger (only one month total in the Keys this year) it was time to move on.

But first, we went skydiving over Key West. The second jump for both of us and oh my, it was spectacular! I would love to get my certification and just jump all over the world. There really are no words to describe the experience, except freedom.

The next day (Feb. 15th) we had a long drive up to St. Augustine, FL.

The nation's oldest continuously inhabited city is pretty touristy. There are a lot of things to see and do but it was way too commercial to go to after a month in the Keys. We truly did not like the vibe. There was a very clear homelessness and drug problem. It was not a good two weeks there. Plus, it was very cold compared to what we were used to and it rained a lot.

We did go to Ponce De'Leon's Fountain of y
Youth. We enjoyed creating a funny video there (not only did Jordan drink from it but he poured a cup over his head... it was entertaining). We also went to the Alligator Farm. That was REALLY cool! So if you're in St. Augustine, we do recommend going to those two places and getting fried chicken from Fried Chicken Kitchen. It was the best chicken we've had since New Orleans last year during Mardi Gras at Coops. Plus, every single one of the sides was absolutely delicious. I ate too much. But it was ooooh so good!

Then, we were off to Georgia. Jekyll Island was really quiet and we had tons of rain... and it was definitely cold. So much rain that branches were falling off trees. But Driftwood Beach is a must see.

We were crammed in pretty close to neighbors at Jekyll. Then we moved on to Skidaway Island State Park. There, we got an upgrade to a premium spot for free but, honestly... all of the sites are so spread out that we finally had some peace and quiet. No yapping dogs ... no neighbors outside our bedroom... just birds and squirrels. It was a nice change. The trails were fun to walk as well. A lot of little fiddler crabs all over (day a bigger one at Driftwood Beach).

Then we moved to Tybee Island. Now that place is a definite must see. A great vibe and cool place. We made some new friends and even stayed a few days extra because our friends let us borrow a cool thing to clean out our tanks (one valve seems to have a block or something so I get a surprise when I take the cap off... fun).

Make sure that you visit North Beach Bar if you go to Tybee. It is a fun place. It was the first time we experienced a whole bar shot (one couple bought everyone sitting around the bar a shot... sixteen or so people... strangers to one another, it was too fun).

Then, it was time to move inland. Oh... first... at Tybee, our first site was on the corner and we kept experiencing people walking right through our site. Adults and children.

Etiquette (for those of you who aren't campers or just aren't aware) is that you do NOT walk through other people's sites. Most parks actually have it in their rules.

Well, apparently in GA that isn't a thing. We had people walking close enough they could touch our home. So, I positioned the truck to make it obvious where our "property line" was. This helped keep them away from our home but not the truck... at least the back side of our home... we still had people cut through the front. I just don't get it.

One old man walked right alongside our camper as we were packing things up. Between our site and our neighbors but again, close enough to touch our home. We just liked at him dumbfounded.

Then we get to Beaver Run RV Park where we planned to just relax a few days before getting into the mountains (letting the weather get a bit warmer). Well, again... people are cutting near the back end. Then, as Jordan was putting the freshly filled propane tanks back in front some kid walks BETWEEN our truck and trailer... right next to Jordan. WTF?

I asked if he said something but he didn't because the kids was a young teen... and he was dumbfounded and just looked at him. I said, well if I see it I'm saying something! Then this woman - an adult - does it. We see her and I say "you know it's not polite to walk through other people's camping sites." She goes "oh sorry" ... then we could see her over at a site pointing at us.

There are roads around, it's not that much out of the way to go around but continuously people are cutting through inhabited sites.

Seriously, who does that? Over 550 days on the road and never once have we had people just walk right through our site like this. Between our truck and trailer especially... I don't understand.

So I backed the truck up to cut off their path through our site. At least they can't walk between our truck and our home anymore.

Tomorrow, we head into the mountains. Who knows what we'll experience as we spend the next month in GA parks. Perhaps we need to set up some sort of temporary blockade to keep people away from our things.

I guess camping in the rest of the U.S. is different than GA.

I ask that those of you reading this will show some common courtesy of you find yourself camping or RVing. For some of us, this is our home. Would you want people walking through your yard if there's no reason for it (besides laziness)?

Let's show each other a little more respect.