Walkabout (aka, I don't know what I'm looking for but I'll know when I find it)

Another phenomenal drive. First though a night in a wigwam. Yes, THE wigwams off of Rt. 66. It was a bit … how shall one say … unusual in an uneasy sort of way because the only thing that separates you from death by serial killers or zombies is a flimsy wooden door with a very questionable lock. They still give you a room key. I mean I totally dig the kitch but c’mon. Yep, that tiny door separates me from the elements and zombies. It was cozy, I'll say that. But kind of creepy too.  But – as Maria put it – was a brave little toaster and slept HARD. I was just so tired of all the running around the past week, all the bitter cold, and all juggling work and travel I didn’t care. I cranked up the heat like a mother and huddled under my sherpa blanket for the night. I do remember a couple occasions waking up from a solid slumber thinking, “Oh my God, I’m sleeping in a wigwam.” I think one time I questioned whether I was being culturally insensitive to the Native Americans. Their land

Mountainside Drives and Conference Calls Yesterday I said goodbye to the Gila National Forest and the cute little casita I holed up in for three days and said hello to the most DARLING casita off of Rt. 66. But let's talk about that drive.  I was anxious all week about checking out there, heading into the mountains, and trying to find someplace to take my call with the SVP of my division. You don't stand up an SVP when they've had you on the calendar for a month, I don't care if you have to climb up a mountain to get a signal. I created a plan and a backup plan (and yes, a backup to a backup plan) but landed on the side of a mountain in the Apache Forest in four inches of snow. Not a single issue, thank God. It was a good meeting with a great view.  Those views...I just can't stop gushing about them. There was this one section that truly looked like Heaven but there wasn't a spot to pull off without having to go into on-coming traffic. I'm not risking it, no

 A Clearing Amidst the Storm I tried. Twice. But the road was washed out so going on the Cat Walk was a no-go. I was so bummed. Planned this stop at Gila to see the stars and take a hike only to be holed up in a casita among the mountains.  You know what? It wasn't bad at all.  I finally slept. I finally had my time. Some people wouldn't leave me alone so I had to detach myself and just say, I don't feel like talking . It was liberating. I had a slice of peace and quiet that I'd been looking for a long, long time. It was short-lived, but the taste is still with me.  Finally, there was a light -- the sun was peeking out from the days-old cloud cover. Could I possibly see the stars that night? And then the clouds rolled in again. I monitored the weather and thought maybe, just maybe they'll clear up so I can just see what I've been imagining this would look like for months. Around 8:30 the clouds broke and lo, there were the stars. I could see the belt of the gala

 You Will Sit There and Do Nothing and You Will Like It Ah, the best-laid plans. This is the second time I've had to adjust: The first was due to the storms in San Francisco (which caused a redesign of three weeks) and now my eagerly awaited layover at Gila National Forest (known for being on the dark sky registry) is a cold, soppy mess. But more on that in a moment.  I wrapped up my White Sands visit early and returned to my hotel room early to get organized. I'm learning very quickly that life on the road requires careful planning but also great flexibility. Reconfiguring those three weeks was high on my list for the night, as well as planning out the week ahead.  I did some laundry and reconfigured my mobile "closet" -- a weekend bag that can hold about four days of clothes and a shower caddy for personal items. Now those suitcases stay in the car, hidden under a blanket, waiting until later in the week when it's time to switch things up. Infinitely better than

 You're Right Ozzy, This Place is Pretty Damn Magical Jack Osborne had a show with Ozzy a few years ago when they traveled the U.S. checking out amazing destinations and interesting landmarks. One of those places was White Sands National Park near Alamagordo, NM. Ozzy loved it and I could see why.  We won't talk about my sad attempt at dune sledding, but it really was an otherworldly place. The sand is cool to the touch, so white, and so quiet. I swear it made the blue of the sky way sharper than I've ever seen it. I just sat there mostly, taking it all in.  I think these pictures will showcase just how incredible it was. 

I'm a Planner With a Great Sense of Irony I can't tell you how many times I've fantasized about purposely missing my exit home and instead just keeping driving. Maybe I'd go as far as my tank of gas would take me or maybe I'd just keep going until there was no road left. One thing that is known is I'm alone, left alone, and could be alone.  And that's exactly what I'm doing.  A year and a half ago my then-husband and I had to make a decision about renewing our lease: Do we just go one more year or take it a bit further to accommodate our son getting settled at college? Motherly desires won and an 18-month renewal was signed. Time marched on. The 18 months were up and it was time to leave. Only instead of leaving with the husband, teenage son, and family dog that originally filled the apartment I was left alone with a couple suitcases packed and a tiny vial of Skip's ashes that I'd bring with me for the ultimate road trip.  I spent my whole life t