Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Day 5

Saturday


I get behind the wheel of a car and just can’t stop. I am not sure, but I think I drove almost or more than 900 miles today. Didn’t walk in Memphis, didn’t see where the King of rock and roll is laid to rest. But, that is okay; I rationalized, that in reality, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed a tourist-y attraction like Graceland. I began to envision, masses of rednecks, wearing sweatpants carrying 7-11 Big Gulp cups full of soda pop (diet of course) ooo-ing and awe-ing Over Elvis’ possessions. Less is more.

On a positive note, in my attempt to be at Graceland, I did accomplish the goal of physically being present in all of the states west of the M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I River at least once in my life so far. I love to drive across the United States, I have done it, I don't even know how many times in my life so far. The beauty within the lanscape never fails to put me in awe of each and every region I travel through. Today I stood on the edge of a cornfield and in the distance I could see a combine work the spring wheat field. As night fell, I was able to distinguish the fires across the countryside as the farmers prepared the fields for planting, burned off the stubble left from the combines work. The smell of fresh dirt and sweet grass is intoxicating. Just as stimulating to the senses as the smell of the sea.







States I have been to-

Washington
Oregon
California
Arizona
Nevada
Idaho
Utah
New Mexico
Colorado
Wyoming Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Texas
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Illinois
Wisconsin
Michigan
Indiana
New York

States I have not been to (yet) -
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Connecticut
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Maryland
Delaware
Ohio
West Virginia
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina

Day 4

Friday



Elvis has left the building. (or Gibson is outta Florida)

Oh my, what a day. Alrighty, I finally got started on the road about 10ish. It was hard, to leave, my car wanted to go south on CR1, but, I didn’t, headed out and away I went. My biggest fear was that the mechanical of my New (old) truck would fail me. Since I left Tampa I have had in the pit of my stomach kind of fear. But, once I got going all of that fear melted away, oh, that is until I ran into bumper to bumper road construction traffic on the west side of Tallahass. And yes, I was stuck off the road in the middle. Down to one lane slow and go and then my clutch got a vapor lock. Putting on the gas and going NOWHERE fast. The guy that was kind enough to let me cut in front of him was then my Good Samaritan pushing my car with me across the yellow line so that traffic could get by. I was shaking so hard, and my heart was pumping in my ears (my aerobic work out for the day I guess). Anyway, I sat there for a few, called the brother, he said “Don’t panic, let it cool down and it will be fine” and he was right. and yes, my cat and dog and I all got very very hot waiting in the sweltering heat of a balmy June day. So, with that fear out of my way, now I know, I know how to handle that whole thingy, “it’s all good”

It is late; I am tucked down in a crackhouse like edition of a motel on the west side of Mobile. Cheap, clean room, and they always allow pets. But….the parking lot is to busy at midnight and I am just saying, the people here and their behavior are suspect…I really need to up grade to a better class of hotel.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Day 3

Thursday

I really want to be gone on the road, but here I sit, in this cozy little trailer, all to myself. Watching all of my favorite videos and DVD’s (I am leaving them here) Rain Man, Pulp Fiction, Saving Private Ryan, When Trumpets Fade, Rooster Cogburn, High Plains Drifter…

Got up early and went to “Sail Honeymoon” grabbed a kayak for a couple of hours, not to long, but just long enough to really make myself melancholy. My soul has been wrenching for a month with the angst of having to leave this area and travel far far away. I don’t want to go.



My friend Kristina asked me “Why do you move so much?” As I answered, I actualized what I had figured out months ago, why I choose to move so much. I have more or less been on my own since I was 15. I never had a family around, except my older sister, never had a place to call home. Somehow along the way, I lost what it was to be me, if I even ever had it. I think I really have never l felt completely at ease with myself, I have always looked for a place or a feeling to make me content. But finally, I figured out "Wherever I go, hey, there I am" I have learned what it takes to wake up positive and ready to face everyday. It’s not really a difficult; meditate until all the questions that run around through your head are silent. By meditating I just like to be outside doing stuff, like fishing or kayaking, running, walking, biking and I let all of those questions, feelings and ideas play through until I can feel that I can let go, or figure out a solution to whatever it is bothering me.



I think the answer to happiness is learning to let go…..









Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Day 2

Wednesday

This day is dedicated to Honeymoon Island State Park. I frolicked all day at the island. It was a real delight to walk along the shore at Honeymoon Park once more before I leave, shelling and playing in the surf, lying on the hot sand, walking to the point and back again, trying not to pick up to many shells. I have to admit, I have been across the United States and even around the world and this place is absolutely, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Honeymoon is the reason why I convinced myself to move to Florida. I suppose it is apropos to end my stay here just as I began it. I used to take the time to come up here every two weeks at least, and then…..it just seems to take up to much of my time, traveling back and forth, such a long way and, I always thought I would do it some other time. The trouble is, I always thought there would be time…….and now my time here is gone.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Day One

i pulled out of my driveway at 9:30pm last night. as i drove away with my truck loaded down, filled to capacity including Startoes (cat) and Mel (dog), i began thinking of all the things that i didn't do "OneLastTime," conscienciously knowing and being aware that the act at that moment would be the very last time that i may do whatever it was that i was doing.

Things I didn't do......


  • ride my bike up the beach.

  • have fun with Mary

  • Veterans park and watch the boats.

  • eat at the Hurricane.

  • botanical gardens in Sarasota.

  • Key West.

  • walk Mel at night around the neighborhood.

  • have a martini with Kelly at Carrabba's

Things I did do.....


  • walked Mel out on 161st ave. causeway

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium (the only thing that has made me melancholy)

  • ate at Sloppy Joe's and went to the Drum Circle with Kristina and Nancy.

  • walk on the beach at night barefoot.

  • Tarpon Springs and Hella's.

  • Honeymoon island and walk to the point.

  • Kayaked on Boca Ciega Bay with Nancy.

  • Ran my 3 mile loop.

  • said my last goodbye to my Dad. not sure if i will ever see him again, at least, not alive.

  • took Mel over to Madeira Beach Middle to run around.

  • fished with Johnny at Pass-A-Grille.

  • ate breakfast at the Seahorse.

  • had Laura do my hair.

  • went to the beach with Tiffany.

  • gave Joann a big hug (and told her not to smoke one more time).

  • walk to Redington pier.

i am not sure why we can't enjoy the things that we do with as much pleasure as thinking it may be the last time. to live in the moment all the time.......

by the way, i am still in Florida. my sister asked me, "you really don't want to leave do you?" and the answer is NO. i love it here. i am going to hang tight up here in Dunedin for a day or so. visit Honeymoon Island (one more last time). have a little vacation and take in some sun and sand before i hit the road.

Hakuna Matata. I have no place to be at no particular time.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

It is late, but i just wanted to send this in from my phone. Tomorrow i move my stuff into my new storage unit. Finalize other preparations and then i am ready for the first stage of my journey! Road trip out west. Thinking of stopping at the field of dreams in IA, almost 8 hours out of the way so not really sold on that plan. But I do plan on stopping at the biggest ball of string in KS. The Devil's Tower in WY.

Anyone have a suggestion on a roadside attraction to stop and see between Tampa and Boise?



~Charrie

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

moving

so i am laying on the couch instead of doing what it is that i am suppose to be doing.....packing. ugghhhh!!! i love to move, i love the excitment, i love the purging of the old and the anticipation of reinventing my style. unfortunaltly the process to get us there is so tulmultuous. i feel like i have been packing forever. one time, i packed and moved all of my furniture and household stuff in five hours, (don't ask). this is better though, i really am getting rid of everything. i like the idea of become a minimalist.

i swore to myself when i got rid of my storage unit, that i would never ever ever get another, guess what i am going to do tomorrow. see i have a little bitty truck and a lot of stuff. i am going to end up sticking everything that is mine that i want to keep forever, in a storage unit here in sunny Florida. i am just hoping that a hurricane does not blow through and take everything that i own. i have always feared that here in Florida, and now i am basically abandoning everything that i value leaving it here. hmmmm, maybe i should rethink this, and take everything with me.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The end of an era

Madeira Beach Middle School 1959-2009

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, we will understand only what we are taught."

Baba Dioum, Senegalese conservationist,
in The Diversity of Life by E.O. Wilson, 1992