For the first time since I started vagabonding, it’s a lucky day: the weekly update is the same day as my birthday. Whee! So instead of a weekly report, I’m featuring some of my favorite moments from the last year.
The Year of 62 started out quite beautifully on the shores of Lake Superior (cover photo above). From there, I made my way west across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and then New Mexico. I visited the Ghost Ranch near Santa Fe, a huge bucket list item for me since it’s where Georgia O’Keeffe lived for so many years.
December and January were kind of a blur of travel, across New Mexico and Arizona, up the coast of California, down the Central Valley to avoid wildfires, and seeing Sequoia National Park…
… then coming back down to LA for the holidays before heading across the country on the southernmost route I could find to get to my new domicile in Florida. Despite the routing, I still ran into freezing temps. Turns out this would be a weird weather year.
I spent time on the Gulf Coast in Galveston and Florida, and it was as beautiful as can be.
February and March was all about beaches in South Carolina and I walked along the water almost every day. It was in South Carolina, in March, that I fell in love with a tree. I’m still in love with that tree.
In April and May, I worked my way up the east coast (North Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maine) into Canada, where Nova Scotia became another bucket list item I got to check off my list. It’s now on my other list, of places I want to go back to in future, along with almost every other place I visited in the Maritimes.
Returning to the US near the end of July meant lots of opportunities to put my inflatable kayak into the water. I paddled in New York, Tennesee, and Virginia, and I so enjoyed being back on the water after a few years away.
Fall seemed much delayed this year, with hot temperatures (and one Hurricane Florence) keeping me on the move, seeking both cooler temps and higher ground. I’m ending my Year of 62 in a forest, practicing Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and enjoying the wind shaking the leaves from the trees over my head.
Today begins my Year of 63. I have some ideas for adventures and explorations, and some ideas for creative ventures as well. Onward.
I think it’s so foolish for people to want to be happy. Happy is so momentary–you’re happy for an instant and then you start thinking again. Interest is the most important thing in life; happiness is temporary, but interest is continuous.
Thank you, Denis! Your name came up yesterday as I am camping with Bill, who worked with you on his 1743 order and picked up in Nov 2016. We both agreed you were the best advisor of features 🙂 And still hope to see you in Florida this winter!
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Walt! My connectivity has been a bit challenging lately and so I am behind on answering comments. How was your PA weekend in the Alto? AZ is good, and NM is better, at least in my eyes! The NM State Parks have a great yearly camping pass deal that works out well if you’re going to camp 30 nights or more in a year’s time. If you winter closer to the South, let me know, that’s where I’ll be hanging out most of the time.
Thanks, Maryanne! I’m tentatively aiming for the PacNW next fall, not sure of summer plans just yet, but I’m missing the PacNW (and you two). I just wish the USA wasn’t so wide…
Happy Birthday Annie. Can hardly wait to see what the next year brings your way. Happy travels.
Happy Happy, Annie!
I’ve very much enjoyed your logs and photos. I LOVE that pic of the lake – almost looks like lava! I like how you star-burst the sun – it really adds to the depth of thew photo.
I’m about to begin my adventures in my 1743. Going to a PA state park this weekend with a friend. I’m only beginning to ponder where I’ll be heading over the winter, probably AZ, but who knows. walt
Happy birthday and thank you for letting us come onboard your mistary tour.
Amazing post, Annie.
Georgia’s comment was so true and also showed mindfulness.
Happy birthday, Annie! I wish you many more, living your dream. Hope to see you when our paths cross again.
Georgia is a long way to go for a discount but you never know!
Thanks for the birthday wishes and the compliment, Jamie! I’m happy you enjoy my photos, it’s the reason I have the website, to share the beauty in our world.
Thanks, Andrew! I could do a whole ‘nother post about all the wonderful people I met in real life this year, and you and the amazing-laugh Robin would certainly be featured, camping with you two was the best <3
Thanks, Marcia! And happy birthday to your granddaughter, she has a cool birthdate (10/10 is even a holiday in Taiwan!).
Happy birthday, Judy! Now you’re 62, you can start looking for camping discounts at US parks (like Georgia, they don’t care where you live, as long as you’re 62 or over, you get the cheaper oldies rate!). Enjoy your day!
Thanks for the laugh, Kit, it was a great present 🙂 And happy birthday to your mom, 87 is certainly something I’m shooting for myself!
I guess, in after-thought, what I meant to say was “have an interesting day”!
Huh!
You and Judy Feldman share my Mom’s BD (she’s 87 this year), and Annie, your the same age as my brother…. 10 years older than me.
Have a happy day!
Happy birthday Annie! You and I have the same birthday but you are one year older.
Have a super day and celebrate our special day,
Judy
Happy Birthday. My Grandaughters is today as well. Have a special day and a wonderful year ahead. Love your photo’s
Happy Birthday! Your photos are gorgeous.
Wow, what a year! Happy Birthday Annie, we look forward to your next visit to the Maritimes and another year of travelling vicariously through your posts!