July 22, 2010 In Quotes, Random babble

always biting off…

As I sit here on this peaceful morning sipping my coffee and munching on my multigrain toast, 9 days into my trip- I decide I better finally look at a map and driving directions to Alaska from where I am in Upstate New York. Two words come to mind as the lake laps, the sun shines, and the breeze blows perfectly…

HOLY SHIT.

No I have not looked at a map for more than 30 seconds since I “planned” this trip. Yes, I know that AK is clear across the country and up through Canada Yes, I know that before taking on this challenge, perhaps I should’ve actually understood how far I’d be going. I didn’t. All I did was calculate that it was going to cost me at least $700 worth of gas to drive my route. It’s too late to turn around now and I don’t want to, but my am I going to have a lot more figuring out to do than I ever expected. (I have a tendency to jump then think. Blissful ignorance. No wonder why people get frustrated with me and stubborn has always been one of the top 3 words Mom uses when describing me.)

I now know that it’s a simple 10 hours from where I am to Chicago. No problem. That’ll be done in a day and a snap of a finger for me. From there though, it’s 34 hours straight driving to get to Seattle before going on the final leg to AK. Seattle to AK? Gulp…two days straight driving. It takes a lot for me to feel daunted, but I have to admit the holy shit and oh craps are running through my head now. I suppose because reaching this goal of mine was in the category of travel, and I love travel, I’ve instinctually had the; Pshaw! Cakewalk! Easy for me!- attitude. Sitting here now, I’m hitting a bit of the “wall” (like the one when you’re running a marathon, see mile 25 and think you’re done because you’re delirious, until it registers that indeed it is 26.2 miles to completion, not 25.2 and you want to scream- are you effin kidding me?! You want me to keep running?!) Push push push and get it done or drop.

Oh the wall.

After my engagement break-up a while back when I was a pile of train wreck disaster, a friend had said to me:

“This is when you either become that crazy old lady who lives alone on the side of a mountain in a log cabin to never come down, or you kick it into high gear, tear it up and own your life. It’s your choice Diane.”

I keep the above quote in mind, in those moments when I am exhausted, broke and wondering why the hell I am such a blissful idiot sometimes to do what I do. I’ll be channeling the spirit of my lost friends I am honoring and figuring it out as I make my way to Alaska and beyond. Perhaps this trip is meant for me to learn than place where you jump with a parachute. I’m already feeling like a different person since I left my starting point. I can’t explain it but it’s pretty amazing, it’s as if I’m getting to know myself and seeing my personal limits. Maybe I’m finally going to get to that place where I’ll start using those things they call baby steps. If this trip has already transformed me as it has by only day 9, I know without a doubt that it was the right decision and time for me to take this journey.

Here’s to tearing it up but starting to recognize balance too.

4
0
July 22, 2010 In Uncategorized

less is more

A friend sent me a link to this video about Jay Shafer and his tiny house Tumbleweed a week or so ago. I have read about and seen him before. I think his little abode is fantastic. I just moved out of a 430 sq. foot apartment that I often felt wasteful in as I only ever used about half the space if that. I could easily live in one of Jay’s houses. It’s so freeing to not own tons of stuff (mentally and financially.) I have always been a minimalist, but the older I get, the even less I want. Take this trip for example; I packed smart (or so I thought) and didn’t stuff my car to the gills, but I still brought too much. Granted I have only been gone 8 days, but I have gone from suburbs with houses, the big city with studio apartments, to country with cabin. (Think the variety of clothes, bags, shoes, cameras, maps, etc. I’d use in those three different spots.) I’ve probably only used about 20% of what I brought. It seems as if we all look at what we actually used on a regular basis and kept only the quality stuff/favorites and only kept those things, we’d all have less clutter, more loot for other things and far less stress in our days.

Years ago when I was traveling with an old boyfriend, our car and all belongings were stolen and we were stranded in Vancouver. After the initial shock of pissed off and oh my god what are we going to do without our stuff, we realized no one just shot us to get our car and reality was; PHEW! I’ve said from then on that at one point in life or another, everyone should get all their stuff stolen. When you realize you’re still standing there with all limbs attached and the people you love there with you- the stuff becomes so unimportant.

I suppose the point of this is after watching that video, I’m inspired to have even less than I already do and I’d like to encourage everyone to go through those drawers and closets and start getting rid! Pile up all the crap you don’t need, have a yard sale or sell it on Craigslist. (If anyone needs detailed tricks and tips on this please let me know. I don’t have many talents, but I am a pro at selling things these ways after doing it a million times myself.) You’ll be blown away at the amount of money you can make and what you can get rid of. Take the money and pay an extra mortgage payment, a couple extra credit card payments, or grab a few people you love and treat them away for the weekend to spend time together. I promise you’ll never miss that extra cutting board or 96th piece of Tupperware. (Who ever really has that many leftovers anyway?)

Thanks for the clip BW!

2
0
July 21, 2010 In New York, Photos

each summer i love you more

View from after dinner on the porch last night:

7/20/10 sunset at the cottage

…and from my bed waking up this morning:

7/21/10 morning at the cottage

If you’ve never been to Upstate, NY/Finger Lakes area, think about this place for your next family summer vaca. 13 years of coming every summer and it continues to be my favorite place on the planet. I cherish my every minute here each summer and often wonder why this area is not completely overloaded with people. It’s like the best kept secret in the country for lake time…

0
0