March 28th, 2021

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!!!