Glacier

It took me three days of waiting as patiently as I could before the weather would cooperate and allow me to visit Glacier National Park. It may have been raining in Kalispell where I was held up, but it beat snow storms and sleeping in 19 degree weather. My reward was beautiful weather, a fun hike that lead to a lake, meeting new friends (including one girl who was very inspirational to talk with) and hanging out with my pal Thomas.

Thomas is a butterfly. One day, a year ago, a friend of mine and I had an amazing encounter with an orange butterfly. He hung out with us for what felt like hours. We named him Thomas. Ever since then, Thomas comes and visits me on days I really need to slow down and enjoy the magic that is life. Now I am fully aware that it is not the same butterfly. But that doesn’t really matter. The important thing is that I recognize the moment and slow down. Because of this, every orange butterfly I come in contact with is now named Thomas.

Thomas visited me while I was in Glacier.

The day before I ran into Thomas, I decided to go on a hike up to Avalanche Lake. After setting up my tent at Sprague Creek Campground, I drove up to the Avalanche Trail Head. It was over flowing with parked vehicles. In fact up to a mile in either direction past the parking lot there were cars, trucks, campers and motorcycles. It was full. I would, along with other tourists, slowly drive past the vehicles hoping someone would be leaving. A mile or so down the road I would find a place to flip a bitch and slowly make my way the other direction. It was quite frustrating after 6 or 7 passes and I was beginning to make a plan ‘B’ when all of the sudden a bear cub crossed the road in front of me. No momma in site but I’m sure she was around. I didn’t have time to grab my camera as the cub was running but wow did it make me stop and be present. As I pulled away from the bear sighting, a spot opened up right at the trail head. Score! Now it was a tight squeeze and I had a passer byer actually help me by stopping traffic so I could re-angle my car. I tried to be as considerate of a parker as I could. But like I said, it was a tight squeeze. This didn’t stop the people in the jeep I parked next to (I’m assuming it was them as I only left them about 12 inches on the driver side but they had like 3 feet on the passengers side) from writing all over my car some obvious stress relieving profanity. Thankfully I had the dirt to help them out.

As I began down the trail, I stopped at the map sign to get my bearings.   That’s where I met the bay area boys. We walked a little ways together and met up several times on the trail. It was fun to talk about pictures, traveling and being adventurers.

The trail was just what I needed. Weaving in and out of trees, waterfalls, a slight incline but not too rough and a lake so calm it reflected, like glass, the mountains surrounding it. As I reached the lake I couldn’t help but stop and take a picture of a couple from Oregon enjoying the view. Funny thing is I took the picture with their camera and didn’t even think to take one with mine. It was picturesque. At least they have it to enjoy! They did however take one of me in the same area.

The trail continued to the far end of the lake. That’s where I first saw the girl in purple leggings. She was napping. I thought ‘what a wonderful place to just be.’ I found my own little resting area and had a snack. This side of the lake was much less crowded which made it much quieter. Really, the only chattering I heard was the people exclaiming “Look! Up there! That white dot…the one moving!” People were very thrilled to “see” the mountain goats or the “little white dots on the mountain”.

After giving myself an hour to simply relax and enjoy my view, I decided it was time to make my way back to my car. For some reason I wanted to wake up the girl in purple leggings but I thought better of it and headed down the trail. About 1/4 of the way down, she passed me with a “excuse me, thank you, sorry, have a good day”.

I waited till she passed me and then I called out “that’s a lot of statements in a short amount of time” She looked back, we exchanged a few words and we giggled. I continued down the trail.

My body was a bit achy. I was looking forward to making it back to camp, eating, journaling and going to bed. It was still relatively early, but I knew I needed to listen to my body and get some decent sleep. But since I was still hiking, I decided to not focus on the future, but instead be mindful to the moment. That’s when I heard footsteps coming up behind me. I glanced back and it was the girl with purple leggings. She must have pulled over somewhere around the other side of the lake as she was, once again, about to pass me. I stepped aside. As she passed me, our eyes met.

“You’re passing me again…” I noted.

“We’ll see for how long” she joked.

Quickly she was out of my sight again. Before I knew it, more footsteps behind me. This time it was a lady in her 60’s jogging down the trail. I was inspired. I began jogging behind her. I did not keep up with her. I did however, run into the girl with purple leggings. We began chatting. In fact we chatted the rest of the way down the trail.   She too was on a journey. She was inspiring to talk with. We exchanged info and talked the possibility of hiking the next day with one another. She however was going on a 11 mile hike and I was going on several smaller hikes. Her hike meant no children on the trail. Mine meant my body could heal. But regardless, the plan was to text each other in the morning when either of us woke up and see how the day unfolded.

Well apparently I was right in listening to my body. I slept in till 9 am. I checked my phone. No service. ‘Well I guess I’m solo today’ I thought.   I made myself some oatmeal with peanut butter, pre-meditated and made my way to the East side of Glacier. Because of the snow storm, a few days prior, the main road through the park (Road to the Sun) was closed half way through. This meant driving around the park on Hwy 2. It was a beautiful drive.

I made my way to Two Medicine Lake. This is where Thomas was. He landed on my back pack and we had ourselves a photo shoot. After about an hour, I decided to move on.

When I reached my camp site that evening, I had a couple hours left of day light. The camp ground overlooks Lake McDonald. I decided to walk down and day dream. Guess who was waiting for me? Thomas! This time he landed on my leg. I took a video. Then he landed on my finger. This is when I lost track of time. This is when I became lost in the moment. This is when I found total bliss. Thank you, Thomas, for helping me enjoy the magic we call life.

Thanks for reading my story and going on this journey with me!

Love and Hugs, Adventure Mel

Yellowstone

I recently visited Yellowstone National Park.  This was the second time in my life that I have been there.  The first time, I was a young teenager on one of maybe three family vacations we ever took.  I don’t remember much about Yellowstone back then.  However, what I do remember was a lot of driving and the earth smelling of rotten eggs.  Needless to say, I wasn’t very impressed.  I was more mesmerized with the helicopters scooping up water from the river with large buckets putting out the largest wild fire in the park to date.  So when I decided to make Yellowstone a part of this journey, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.  For one, I’m obviously older and my perspective on things are a bit different.   And for two, a lot of time had passed since those fires.

As I left the sunny skies of Montana, I entered the foggy Wyoming park at the west entrance.   I was tired from driving, hungry and it was very “peopley” out.  This combination opened the door for my good ‘ol buddy Mr. Anxiety.  I already knew I wanted to camp at Lewis Lake near the south entrance.  It was known to be one of the last campgrounds to fill up and it was the cheapest.  So that’s where I headed.  I didn’t even stop at Old Faithful.  I was on a mission.  I needed a snack and to nap.

It took nearly an hour and half to drive to the lake.  And then another hour to figure out my campsite situation.  The payment area was a bit confusing despite the very detailed signage.  There was a ranger station in the same parking lot but of course it was empty and locked.  So I drove around the three loops until I decided on spot A2 at Loop B.  It was close to a bathroom and it was empty.  Good enough.  I heated up water for a rather plain chicken and rice freeze dried meal.  I didn’t care.  I just needed food.  And then sleep.  I didn’t even bother putting up my tent.  I just put up my black out shades and curled up in the back of my car and said good-night to my anxiety and the rest of the world.

After a much needed 3 hour nap, I crawled out of my car, bear spray in hand and decided to go exploring.  Thankfully my anxiety had passed and the sun had found its way to me.  I headed toward the lake.

On my way down to the lake, I noticed a young couple trying to figure out how to pay for camping.  Knowing how confusing it was for me, I decided to see if I could be of some help.  It didn’t take long to realize the problem was the campsites were all full.  Every single one of them.  Not just Lewis Lake…all of Yellowstone and surrounding areas.  This cute couple had just spent three years fixing up their adorable 1950’s blue camper and headed here from Ohio for their first real big adventure.   Here they were standing at the pay station with puzzled looks on their faces and no where to actually camp…now what?

Leaving their truck and trailer in the main parking lot, the young couple followed me up to my camp area so I could, at the very least, give them one of the two maps I had acquired.  We chatted briefly about adventuring and the excitement and anxiety that comes with it.  I felt bad they didn’t have a place to go.  But what was I to do?

Looking around, I thought about all the kind hearted people who I had met on my journey.  Every time I needed something, the universe magically made it happen.  Why should this time be any different?  I decided to meet my neighbors and see if they could help.

Without any hesitation, my camp neighbors agreed I could park my car next to theirs and the young couple could take my camp spot.   Problem solved!  The happy young couple set up their camp and continued on their adventure through Yellowstone.  Meanwhile, my neighbors who are from Virginia became my new friends.  We shared traveling stories, drooled over maps and they even shared their beer with me.  What an amazing world we live in.

I finally made it to the lake for sunset and the harvest full moon.

The next day I woke before the sun and headed out for a full day of Yellowstone adventuring.  Here are a few pictures:

 

 

Madison River

Lewis Lake with Full Harvest Moon Setting

Frosted Walk Ways at West Thumb at Sunrise

West Thumb

West Thumb

Old Faithful

Fire Hole Falls

Fire Hole Spring

Although there was still a lot of driving and the earth still smelled of sulfur, my experience at Yellowstone as an adult was a completely different experience from when I was 14.  There is nothing quite like being on an active volcano surrounded by wildlife, happy forests, crazy tourists and spending the day doing whatever I want.

Love and hugs, Adventure Mel

Create your own legacy

I’m 30 weeks into this journey I call “Adventure Freedom”. And what an adventure it has been.  

Even still, yesterday I was blue.  

One might think it was the weather that triggered it.  Perhaps.  Gray skies, pouring rain and being stuck in my car could have set it off.  But really that just gave me the time to process some things.  

I was blue because I had to, once again, let go.  Why is letting go so difficult? Ugh.  And it doesn’t seem to matter what or who or why I am letting go…it’s difficult.  

The important thing is that I do let go.  And to do this, it is a process.  For me, I give myself time to mourn, to cry, to remember and to feel the pain.  It is in this pain that I begin to heal and move forward.  

So that was yesterday.  Today is a new day.  A day for renewing my spirit.  After an amazingly powerful hour long meditation this morning, I began reviewing my journals.  I came across a letter I wrote to myself in March.  It’s not about letting go but rather about moving forward and embracing my own journey. I want to share it because I think some of you can relate and need the encouragement to keep going.  (Please excuse the cuss words…)

I am the only one who can get in my own way. I know this. The only one to accomplish my goals and dreams is me. 

So how do I get out of my own way and get some shit done? By simply just doing that. Stop the nonsense convos in your head. What do you want to accomplish? Think about those things. Do those things. Even if just for 15 minutes at a time. A little is still moving in the right direction until eventually it is actually accomplished. 

You got this Mel.  I know it seems so fucking overwhelming and defeating but dammit kiddo… Look how far you’ve come. Keep going! 

This is your journey and yours alone. Quit comparing and sizing yourself to anyone else. That is their journey… Let them fail and/or soar while you embrace your own journey. 

Create your own legacy.

Love and hugs, Mel.
PS I believe in you!

Embrace your own journey and create your legacy!

Love and hugs, Adventure Mel

145 days down…

What have you done for the last 145 days?  I quit my job, packed my car and have been adventuring, writing, meditating, visiting friends and family, meeting new friends, star gazing, finding myself, losing myself, creating a new life, crying at sunrises and capturing sunsets, practicing yoga, running, hiking, and over-all loving life.

These last 21 weeks have been amazing.  I have explored 16 different National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and Conservation Areas (in the order I visited them):

Hurricane Ridge, Olymic National Park, WA

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, WA

Crater Lake, OR

Redwood Forest, CA

Red Rock Canyon, NV

Dixie National Forest, UT

Bryce Canyon, UT

 

Zion, UT

Joshua Tree, CA

Grand Canyon, AZ

Petrified Forest, AZ

Petroglyph National Monument, NM

Mark Twain National Forest, MO

The above photo is the only picture I have in MO.  However the roads in this National Forest were  super fun to drive.  It was hilly and windy and beautiful farm land.

Mount Rushmore, SD

Hanging Lake, Rocky Mountains, CO

Uintah National Forest, UT

Grand Staircase-Escalante, UT

This doesn’t even count all the other amazing places I have explored, hiked, meditated at, took photos of, and simply enjoyed.  My crazy adventure has taken me through 26 different states.  Some, multiple times.   Some I stayed in for days or weeks at a time.  Some, I simply drove through as I was on a mission to get somewhere else.  I’m certainly not done.  In fact, I feel I have just gotten started…
So check your ego at the door and have some fun, let’s explore!
Love and hugs, Adventure Mel
 

 

 

Adventure Fridays are not always happy…

Every Friday is an adventure. Really, every day is an adventure. But for years now I have been celebrating Fridays with the title “Adventure Friday “. Adventure Fridays usually start with pre-meditation and coffee. Sometimes tea. Then the universe leads the way. For the most part they are happy days. Sometimes crazy. Sometimes sad. But mostly happy. One of my most favorite Adventure Fridays was the day I married my wife. That was a happy day for sure.

But not all Adventure Fridays are happy. Last Friday was an adventure of self-care, family, emotions, grief and relief. It is a day I will never forget. Nor do I want to. It was the day I watched my Grandpa die. 

It may sound weird that I am referring to this as an adventure. But this whole human experience is an adventure. And there is nothing more human than death. For me, this adventure began two days before.

It was a Wednesday. 

I was in the middle of a month long sit in Las Vegas, NV. I was in a groove with writing, meditating, running and spending quality time with my friends. I was saving the world. When suddenly I felt pulled to leave. It felt like I wanted to run away. I didn’t want to ignore the feeling but I didn’t want to go either. So I talked it out with my friend who I was staying with. We resolved that it must be the exhaustion of high energy constantly swirling around me. I came up with a plan to finish out the week pouring that energy into my writing. And my dear friend came up with the idea to go do something fun over the weekend as a form of self-care. I felt the urge to leave begin to quiet slightly. I was pleased.

As I was becoming focused on the task at hand and deciding what I should write about, I noticed I had a voice mail from my dad. My dad rarely leaves messages. Hmm. “I hope you are having a good time on your trip. Grandpa is dying. He only has a few days” And then I heard my dad begin to sob as he hung up. 

I was in shock.  

I knew my Grandpa was in Arizona and apparently was dying. That was all the information I had. And frankly that was all the information I needed. Of course I needed to know more details but I didn’t have the capacity to hold much more information at that moment. So I text my mom and asked for her help. I needed to know where I was going, phone numbers and a place to stay. Being a snow-bird, my mom has a home in Arizona, ironically not far from my grandparents (This strikes me funny as my parents have been divorced since I was 2 and yet she lives so close to her ex-in-laws) and she generously offered me her home.

Being that I was in the middle of a month long stay, my entire car was unpacked. Food, clothes, art supplies, books, electronics, hiking gear, my life. So I gathered all of my things and organized them and methodically thought out what order to place things back into my car. The heat outside was 110 degrees. Dry heat or not, it was damn hot. So movement was slowed down, taking water breaks was a must and allowing my emotions to wash over me as they came was therapeutic.  

My dear friend that I was staying with was helpful. She listened to me, she hugged me, she gave me space and when I needed it most, she helped carry crap out to my car so that I could organize it as I placed it in its home, Freedom.  

In approximately 3 hours, I gathered all my belongings and all my emotions and headed out the door for an adventure I will never forget. As I was walking out the door, my mom sent me a text: “You will need to go directly to hospice. Be prepared. His legs and nose are amputated. Drive safe. I love you.”. Amputated?!? What?!?  

Again, I was in shock. Without making another phone call, I simply got in my car and left.

My mind raced as I began my journey. What was I about to walk in on? What the hell happened? Grandpa is dying? I had more questions than I did answers. I cried. A lot. This seemed to give me peace. I understood answers would come later so I decided to simply be in the moment, to not fight my emotions, rather let them wash over me and heal me somehow.  

On my way out of Nevada, the sun was setting. The sky was a magnificent orange. I stopped to take a picture. Or three. Okay, maybe seven. I was taking in the moment. I was enjoying what life was giving me, even in the middle of chaos and tragedy. I am actually proud of myself for stopping. While in the moment, I breathed deeply and enjoyed the evening air.

“Letting Go” photo taken by M. Wilson

I arrived at hospice at 1130pm. I sat in my car for a few minutes as I breathed slowly and deeply. I prepared myself as best as I could. I really didn’t know what I was walking into or who else would be there. I wasn’t even sure who knew I was on my way there. It didn’t really matter. All I knew is I was going to help my Grandpa let go.  

I’m not afraid of death. This is relatively a new thing for me. But I’m not. Death is not something to fear. (Suffering on the other hand…I’ll talk about that in another blog.) We all die. It’s that one thing we all get to go through. And although it is something we walk through alone, I was determined to make sure my Grandpa wasn’t lonely, knew he was loved and that it was okay to let go.  

He was in room 2. He was the only one in the room. He was sleeping when I arrived. He did not look like himself. I began to question if it was really him. Yes, this man’s legs are amputated and his nose blackened and disfigured. But his head was shaved and this man was old. Really old. Maybe the nurse had the room number wrong. Maybe I should check.  

Then he coughed. It was in his cough, that I could hear his voice. Holy shit, Grandpa, what happened?!? I held his hand. I simply breathed. My mind went blank. No emotions. I just held his hand and we breathed.  

Then he woke up. He looked at me with disbelief.  

I smiled, “Hi Grandpa! It’s Melissa. I love you!” 

He pulled me into him and we hugged. At first, I was afraid to suffocate him as he seemed so fragile. But Grandpa wasn’t having any of it, he wanted a big hug. So we embraced for a while. Tears rolled down both of our cheeks.

He whispered, “I love you, I love you, I love you” and then he fell back asleep.

For the next several hours, I loved on my grandpa. I gently massaged his arms, shoulders and head. I fed him water from a sponge, held his hand and with the nurses help, adjusted him in his bed to keep him as comfortable as possible.  

I finally crawled into my car around 3am to catch a few hours of sleep. I’m not sure I actually slept, however I did lie quietly in Savasana, a yoga pose that in Sanskrit, ironically means Corpse Pose. I lied there still and concentrated on only my breath. I went into a meditative state and possibly asleep as it was 515am when I finally looked at the time. I was rested so I decided to get up.

After a quick breakfast of PB&H sandwich and blueberries, I went back to room number 2. There, holding my Grandpa’s hand was a man I did not recognize. But quickly I discovered it was my Uncle. I was young the last time I saw him. I didn’t remember him. But it did not matter. We quickly bonded.  

We spent the next few hours loving on my Grandpa (his Dad) and catching up on each others lives. It was also during this time that I discovered the horrific roller coaster the last two months had been.

My Grandpa was a healthy avid golfer. His last game he golfed, he scored his age…78. Apparently that is good. I know the lower the number the better. Also, I know you want to hit the ball in to the hole with the flag and not the lake. Otherwise I don’t know golf. I did play disc golf recently but I didn’t keep score. It was better that way. Anyways, my Grandpa, a few months ago was in good health.  

And then he complained of chest pains. Now he was like most people I know, refused to go to the doctor unless absolutely necessary. So when he said he needed to go to the hospital, he wasn’t effin around. It was his heart. Massive heart-attack. Quadruple Bi-Pass. To do the surgery, they took a vein from his leg.  

Surgery went well. He began to make a recovery.

But then his feet began tingling. And then they began dis-coloring. He got gangrene in both feet. It was crawling up his legs. Being the fighter for life that Grandpa is, he opted to have both his legs amputated below the knees so that he had the best chance with prosthetics.  

Surgery went well. He started rehab and began making progress. He was moving himself from the bed to the chair and back again. He was focused and had a mission to golf. His attitude was positive. He was alive and that was all that mattered.

But then the gangrene took revenge. It opened up the wounds on his knees, took out his nose and was attacking his ears. When he spoke with the surgeon, my Grandpa was told he wouldn’t survive another surgery and that the gangrene was invasive.  

Within days, he was in hospice and I received the voice message from my dad that my Grandpa was dying.

So I arrived Wednesday evening. Thursday afternoon, Grandpa told my uncles he was ready to go. And on Friday at 715pm, I watched my Grandpa take his last breath. He was surrounded by love and peace. As he let go, I could feel the gut-wrenching grief from everyone in the room as well as the relief that the suffering was over.

I kissed my Grandpa’s forehead one last time and left the room to make some hard phone calls.  

I am blessed to be on a journey that allowed me to be in the right place at the right time. I will miss my Grandpa but am so very thankful his energy is not being wasted any longer in a body that gave up too soon.  

Oh yeah, I asked my Uncle about Grandpa’s hair. Why was it shaved? Apparently it was too hard to keep up his good looks and being that Grandpa doesn’t like to ask for help or to have a hair out of place, he asked my Uncle to shave it without consulting Grandma. Grandma wasn’t too happy about it and had some choice words to say. But being the jokester that my Grandpa was, I’m sure it tickled him to ‘get under Grandma’s skin’ one last time. Way to go Grandpa! Enjoy your new adventure!
Love and Hugs, Adventure Mel

New York

New York By M. Wilson

A week in New York dropped me to my knees. Being fully present. Accepting what has been. And trusting what is yet to come.

It truly is all about the timing of everything. Planets aligning, retrograding, spinning, spinning, spinning.  

I could be found in the cemetery. Sobbing. The disappointment, the hurt, the pain, the people, my past. Freely letting it all go.

Grasping my journey. And the meaning behind it. Why to write, how to write, when to write, all of it. Becoming so clear.

A spark of ah ha. Turned my painful tears into a burst of laughter. Tears with a new meaning.

Life has purpose, if you let it. Stop attempting to control every f@$&ing aspect of your life.

Set your intentions. Believe, trust, believe, trust. Be open to opportunities. But get out of your own way.

So now weeks later, I look back at my time in the cemetery. With resting souls near a city of restless souls, I find peace inside me.

And a passion that is unstoppable. I shall create the art from my soul in words that set fire to the page

Time stopped.

I’m in transition.  Adventuring from one friend’s home to another…

Things have to be taken care of. Phone calls have to be made. Freedom (my car) packed up, filled up and washed.  Food purchased and any last minute  details.  

While making one of those phone calls, I felt myself getting annoyed.  The trigger was the automated phone nazi who makes it nearly impossible to speak to a real person.  She doesn’t repeat what I have said correctly so I find myself shouting at a phone.  “No! No, that is not what I said.  I want customer service” ugh. Click.  WTF?!? Redial.  Starting over.  And btw she never seems to have the same menu each time I call either.  Grrr.  

This brought me to the thought with eyes rolled, “like I have all day to play this dumb game and/or stay on hold”.  Instantly my annoyance went away “well actually I do…” I smiled as I hung up the phone, “but I do not have to play this game.” 

And then time stopped.  

Just like that I became very present.  My mind free from clutter everything seemed to become suspended from time. 

I took a deep breath and observed my surroundings.  

*I can hear the river of cars commuting behind me.  The sun is warm.  Birds are singing.  My view is a forest of trees waiving at me.  Inviting me to inhale fully and enjoy this moment.*

It occurred to me how free I really am.  I am not under any time restraints.  So the clock is simply a point of reference and does not control me. And the emotion I was experiencing while on the phone wasn’t serving me so I let it go.  And since time isn’t an issue, I hung up.  

Therefore in the middle of nowhere I shall sit and write, meditate, and enjoy this day!

Don’t worry mom, I’m safe.

So while I sit here, I thought I would share where I have been:

If you are ever in CT, I highly recommend the New Britain Museum of American Art.  My two favorite artists there were Salvador Dali – Cycle of Life and Clinton Deckert – New/Now.  Sorry no pictures. 

This place was recommended by a guy who gave me a rock.  

And I met him because he’s friend’s with a girl who took me to WaterFire in Providence, RI

Which is where we discovered the amazing RI Bucket Drummers.  

Now, I met said girl at Providence Oyster Bar in Rhode Island.  She was enjoying the lobster bisque, which I have now had and it is delicious.  

I’ve met a lot of amazing people at this particular bar.  I’ve met a lawyer, Elks, an author, a hard working guy dedicated to his family, a teacher, a girl celebrating her birthday, a couple celebrating Friday night who invited me to the hookah lounge, and more.  Plus I met the wonderful people who work there!! I felt at home being around such loving souls 💖 and delicious food.

Pictured above is the bisque and the infamous  “lawbsta” roll my friend Gene Belcher has been raving about back home in Seattle for some time now.  It was great running into him on the east coast.   

He also suggested I visit Newport, RI. Which I did on more than one occasion. 

I’ve been given lots of great suggestions.  Including going hiking up in NH to Monadnock State Park.   

Notice the vast difference in trails. At the bottom of the mountain and around the pond, the trail is dirt and boards.  The higher you travel, the rockier it gets.  My knees took a bit of a beating but it was worth it!  And since I’m practicing listening to my body, I enjoyed several naps over the next few days.

While in NH, I met Kyle Webber.  What an amazing soul he is and great hugger! We shared an apple and a morning of conversation.  He shared with me that he’s a musician and was playing at the Live Free and Thrive NH Music Festival  at Granite  Gorge Ski Area and that I should probably go.  So I did.

I  woke with excitement. Music festival here I come! I drove a little over an hour from where I was staying to the festival. The drive was beautiful. If you’ve never been to New Hampshire, it’s beautiful. It’s surrounded by trees and old houses. The speed limit goes from 55 to 35 every 10 minutes but I just didn’t care. In fact, it kind of made it more magical because it forced me to look around and appreciate where I was.

The festival was put together by Heather Stockwell and Otis Doncaster.  Originally the festival idea was supporting Bernie Sanders but some political red tape turned it upside down and couldn’t be funded as such. But as my new friend Kyle stated “it wasn’t going to stop people from playing some damn music.”

The wind was fierce but their hearts were bonded in the mission and together they pulled off an incredible feat. If you weren’t there, and most of you were not, you missed out on one hell of a show!

Amazing music line up, including my new favorite, Band Band.  These guys should have their own festival…I want to be a part of it!

I met and hugged many people.  Lots of them knew each other, some knew no one but came for the music and others were there for a cause. After listening to their messages, I have decided to share a couple of them to help them get the word out.  

Miguel Picanco has been volunteering and organizing Bernie campaigns since October.  He is also a member of the Democratic National Convention and informed me that there is always something someone can do to help.  So if you are interested in how you can help, please contact him and he will point you in the right direction.  

When I asked him why he was at this particular festival he commented “I love music, even though most of the tunes weren’t exactly my style, but just the sheer mission of getting people together and exciting them about becoming more involved in politics for the sake of their friends’, family’s, and own future and providing even a just a glimmer of hope that the rigged systems can be fought until We the People truly are the system again as we once were. The innumerable injustices of the elites cannot be allowed any longer.”  

Miguel plans to keep working in politics for not only this election, but every election at every level of government he can for perhaps the rest of his life.  Watch for him in the future!

Keith Yergeau is with The Stamp Stampede, a grassroots organization of campaign finance reform activists. They are made up of over 60,000 individuals across the United States stamping our cash to circulate anti corruption messages as a form of legal protest. It’s a physical representation of the movement to amend the Constitution and limit the corrupting influence of money on our elected officials. The nonprofit was started in 2012 by Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s icecream to raise awareness and increase the cohesiveness of this issue in our society.

I asked him how he got involved in this particular organization and how it brought him to this festival.  “I started stamping money on my own, but now I work to promote the Stampede full time. I stamp because years ago, as I familiarized myself with the electoral process, I saw more and more of what money did to influence the policies of our government. It was surprising how something as obvious as a bribe could be legally ignored as such. I believe immediate action must be taken to limit the power (often undisclosed) ‘Big Money’ donors have over the law at everyone’s expense. We needlessly place an increasing burden on society as a result of living this way and it is not sustainable. Events like the Live Free and Thrive Festival in my community bring groups of people together with solutions to these problems. I strongly encourage everyone to join the conversation in their own networks and stay active in whatever way they can!”

He’s passionate about making this world we live in a better place for all.  Thanks for talking with me buddy and sharing your truth!!  

Anthony Procik and Mary Heslin were there educating people about the movement Rights & Democracy.  They are a fast-growing grassroots organization building engaged leadership teams across New Hampshire and Vermont — and they are ready for the political revolution.  They do good work -check them out! 

For me the best part was getting to know these amazing souls on a personal level.  We talked about wandering, traveling, numerology, living life to the fullest every day, volunteering to make a difference, how life pulls you in crazy directions and how it’s awesome when, even if for only a moment, time stands still.  Dance and share your truth! 

Happy Adventure Friday my friends! Love and hugs, 

Adventure Mel

Adventuring has been good for my soul!

As I begin week 11 on the road with Mercury retrograde just at the beginning of its cycle, I rejoice in this time to reflect, remember, revise and restructure.  
It’s kinda perfect timing for me:

• I’m ready to sit and write. 
• I’m ready to push my body and see what she can do 
• I’m ready to spend significant time in deep meditation 

I’m not looking to necessarily start something new but rather move into each of these areas in my life a little deeper.  And the universe has my back.  

Getting to this point took time, practice, acceptance of what is, lots of letting go, loving my self fully and a great adventure!!!  

Story Time:

When I left Arizona, I was on I-40.  There was a storm coming.  I had been traveling for a while with the same four cars and a semi-truck.  The six of us sort of played frogger, weaving back and forth up the freeway.  

Somewhere between the Arizona/New Mexico border and Gallup, New Mexico it began to rain.  Hard.  I turned my wipers up as high as they would go.  I felt like they could take off.  And then suddenly, to my horror, I watched as the blades literally came off the wipers.  Both of them! Holy shitballs!!  

Fuck.  I had to think quickly.  And react immediately!  I turned off the wipers, sat up, checked my mirrors and moved over to the right lane between one of the cars and the semi-truck I was passing.  

Okay universe, help! 

As soon as I got into position, I threw on my flashers. As carefully and calmly as possible I made my way to the shoulder, mostly by instinct and feel as I could no longer see in front of me. 

As I made my way to a complete and safe stop, I remember laughing and thinking “well that was fucking scary.”

I sat in my car a few minutes to allow myself to calm down so I could think rationally and not act on emotions.  Plus I wasn’t excited about being in the torrential downpour.  As I sat in my car, I thought about what to do, who to call and how long I should sit there.  I decided to assess the situation.  

I grabbed my jacket and stepped outside.  It began to hail.  “Of course it’s hailing.” I laughed out to the universe.  I shut my door and noticed both blades were sitting under the storage container on top of my car.  Fuck yes!  

I tried to reattach them but the little tabs that holds them in place weren’t  cooperating.  I jumped back in my car to warm up my hands. As I sat there a cop with sirens blaring raced past me.  

I decided to grab my pliers.  So I got back out of my car and walked to where my toolbox sits.  As I grabbed my tool box, it opened in mid air, spilling all the contents onto the ground.  “Okay universe, very funny.”  As I crawled around the shoulder of the freeway soaking wet, two more cop cars sped by.  Then an ambulance.  Uh oh.  “I send love and healing to wherever they are headed”. 

I pressed the clips on with the pliers. Yes!  I jumped back in my car and turned the heat on full blast.  I turned on the wipers.  For three full wipes it was fine, then they both flew off again.  WTF?!?

I grabbed the blades, pressed them back on and tried it again.  Same as before. Three wipes and then they would make their escape.

After 20 minutes of playing this game, I sat in my car warming my hands simply breathing.  While I sat there more sirens raced past me.  I decided to sit in my car and meditate.  

During meditation it dawned on me.  I have zip ties! 

Securely zipped, I tried again. This time they lasted about 7 wipes before failing me.  Ugh.  Bright side, the hail stopped and the rain wasn’t as violent. If only my fingers weren’t going numb, I’d be golden.

 I went through 12 zipties before deciding to duct tape the crap out of them.  Success!  

An hour after I miraculously pulled over, I carefully merged onto the freeway with working wipers!!

About a mile down the road I found all the emergency vehicles along with the 4 cars I had been traveling with an hour before.  Two were upside down, one on its side and one completely totaled.  I truly believe if my wipers hadn’t come off, I too would have been involved in that terrible pile up.  Yikes! I hope everyone was okay.  It didn’t look good.  

I took the exit to Gallup and decided to wait out the storm.  “Thank you universe…I’ll take crazy fly-off-the-wiper blades any day.”

The next day was beautiful.  I decided since I was in New Mexico to check out the Petroglyphs.

Then it was time to get my drive on. 

I stopped in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and dipped my foot in the Magnetic Spring.  For 48 I was pain free.  Magical!

 I made my way up to Niagra Falls where I meditated near trees and listened to the falls.  It was so beautiful. 

Then it was time to meet up with my cousin Jenni and her husband Zac in Boston, Massachusetts.  What a fantastic reunion!  We danced with witches in Salem, Jen ran her first marathon (she’s amazing!!), Zac and I drank whiskey in a church (and it felt right), we drank beer and ate hotdogs at Fenway Park, we devoured wings at Hooters, we explored china town and just enjoyed each others company!!!

After Boston, I traveled down to Providence, Rhode Island.  It was here I reconnected with one of my best friends from high school.  What a joy it was to meet her family, reminisce, and to giggle like we did way back when.  I love Joanna dearly and I am blessed to have her back in my life! 

After Rhode Island I headed to New York….I have much to say about my experiences here…but this is where I pause my story as it is running quite long (thanks for hanging in there with me).  

My journey leaving Arizona to arriving in New York was incredibly only 13 days.  My life is so enriched and my soul is happy.  Adventuring surely is good for me!  

Love and hugs, my friends…Adventure Mel 

When technology isn’t cooperating and fails you…

  
And just like that ALL 500+ of my pictures I took on my Canon Rebel on this trip are gone…vanished into thin air.  Every single one.  

I finally had a chance to sit down and back up my things. Mercury retrograde is coming and I was trying to avoid this situation. However a glitch happened and wiped my memory card clean anyways.

It sucks and the tears are flowing.

Damn you technology!!! I had sellable images that I cannot get back. Memories to share and enjoy for years to come. I am very disappointed.  

So what do I do now with this? Do I put this camera down and let it go? 

It’s not like this is the first time this has happened. All of my 2013-2014 images vanished one day also. Never got them back. Fuck.

As hard as this is, it’s not the end of the world. This doesn’t take away from my experiences or this journey.  

So I shall have a good cry and move forward….

I am blessed beyond measure. Life is good. Shit happens. Technology is a blessing and a curse and I refuse to let this destroy me and/or define me.

I enjoy taking photos and playing with my big camera…but maybe it’s time to do bigger more important things.  

I’m in New York and it’s a beautiful day. Time to live in the moment and let go of trying to capture every moment.  

Love and hugs, Adventure Mel

The more I lose time, the more of me I find.

There’s this little voice that keeps reminding me that I’m not focused enough on writing. After all, it’s one of the reasons I’m on this journey. I have a million ideas swimming around in my head. And then I don’t. It’s true, I am having trouble focusing. However, Im trying not to get ahead of myself and simply enjoy the journey. 

As I observe this voice and my unfocused mind, I have been trying to figure out if this a universal thing (you know, if the way the planets and moon are aligned are affecting my focus) and it will sort itself out. In which case I should attempt to let go of that anxiety and trust I’m going the right speed.

Or…

View it as a sign to get my shit together and sit myself down to focus on writing?!?

Here is what I’ve discovered: the universe always has a part to play, obviously. Letting go of any anxiety and being fluid is a good thing. Of course I can’t focus…I’m not ready to stop, sit and write…I’m still in the developing stages…both in writing and in meeting myself as a traveler…duh.  

I get it now. I’m settling into the go with the flow adventure mel. It’s peaceful and stimulating and I’m quite fond of who I’m becoming or rather always was. 

And that little voice? Ego. How do I know? By the way it makes me feel. Anxious. You see, my ego blames time and money. Both of which, the ego says I am running out of by not writing. I know for a fact, this is not true. Also, the ego doesn’t trust in the now. Silly ego. Now is all I really have. So ego, have fun in the back seat with the anxiety bully. You two seem to like each other.  

I will find the time to sit down and write big things. But for now, this little blog post will suffice as I’m busy being a traveler!! Here’s what I’ve been up to for a month in Arizona:  

 I spent some time in Sedona, Arizona where I did a great deal of meditating, self-healing and simply goofing off!




 

I enjoyed family time and learned how much I actually love them ❤️  (top left photo taken by Sarah Crea, bottom photo taken by Rocco Crea III)

My fellow traveler friend, Amanda came to me and we adventured up to the Grand Canyon. We bought onsies, thankfully, as it was 25 degrees at night which made camping a bit rough.  
We made the most of our trip…  I even “lived on the edge” a little.  Pretty scary and exhilarating!!

Then we adventured to Sedona where it was a bit warmer.  
We hiked and chilled around some vortex areas…Om.

On our last day, we dipped in the cold river to wash off some stank and then ate a lot of magic mushrooms (4 orders!) at Pisa Lisa’s.  No hollusinating but marinated perfectly!    
Then we picked up my mom for a girls day to the Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona.  And what an adventure that was!! Did you know there is more than one Desert Museum in Tucson?!? Ha! Now you do….word to the wise double check websites for addresses.  And when you are lost, laugh it off…it just makes for a great story later (will be in my book, I’m sure)
The last leg of my Arizona journey, I adventured to the Meteor Crater  
 And the Petrified Forest National Park. 

 
And I’m off again…losing time and finding me!

Love and hugs, Adventure Mel