Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens

March 14, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

In Claremont, California, less than half an hour from where we are staying is a lovely, privately funded natural area with accessible walkways and well choreographed displays. The Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens have over 55 acres of trails, with two short walks available just inside the entrance. The cost for the two of us […]

Joshua Tree National Park

March 10, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

“Let’s have some breakfast and then just go out for a little bit,” my husband coaxes, knowing that I am not feeling very well. “It would be a shame to be here and not see it,” I agree. My body wants me to spend the day in bed, so I compromise by putting on comfy […]

Bill Williams River

March 7, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Just outside the visitor centre for Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge is a well manicured and paved walkway that leads down to the water with several covered stops along the way. The day we decided to visit was quite warm, and as I still haven’t quite recovered from Sedona’s excursions, I was happy to […]

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

March 6, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Along the Colorado, an hour or so north of Quartzsite, is the city of Lake Havasu, home to the London Bridge (yes, the British one). “I seem to remember a story about this bridge,” I tell Ric. “Something about how when they bought it they thought they were getting the Tower Bridge.” The London bridge […]

RV-Able: Quartzsite

March 5, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

“I want to spend a night in the middle of the desert under a blanket of stars.” My husband’s request unnerves me. I am ok with living in the RV, hooked up to all amenities, but the idea of spending a night off the grid, in the middle of who knows where does not appeal […]

Writing Lessons #2: Sparrows

March 1, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

(The prompt for this week is surroundings and we were encouraged to focus on one aspect of nature as it relates to the story. I chose sparrows.) Out the back gate, across the farmer’s field and into the woods I go in search of the child, knowing that she comes here frequently, alone, despite the […]

RV-Able: Boyce Thompson Arboretum

February 27, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

I envy the people who dedicate their lives to nature and spend their days immersed in the beauty of places such as Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Located on Hwy 60, next to the old mining town of Superior, AZ, this is a lovely way to spend the day. Naturally, we came to see the birds. Ric, […]

RV-Able: Magic of Sedona

February 23, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

For some reason, I associate Sedona with healing, although I cannot bring to mind any particular legend. Driving through the town, there are numerous crystal, psychic, and other New Age shops, which suggests my suspicions are true. “There are four vortexes…” our Pink Jeep tour guide starts to tell me. “…vortices,” Ric corrects. “The plural […]

RV-Able: The Pink Jeep

February 22, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

“The one thing you have to do, if you go to Sedona, is take a Pink Jeep tour,” a friend told us, so I looked it up. “I don’t know,” I told Ric. “This looks pretty intimidating.” “Well, it’s up to you.” The Broken Arrow tour, Pink Adventure’s most popular excursion looked out of the […]

RV-Able: First Glance, Sedona

February 21, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Driving into Sedona, it is impossible not to get excited – the red of the mountains and the earth are startling. We stop at the first available parking area, cameras snapping. “We’re going up there, tomorrow!” Ric indicates one of the mountains. From a distance the mountains appear so formidable, impenetrable; I have a hard […]

Over It!

One day it’s so mild that I don’t bother with a coat, the next we wake up to snow on the ground. The plants pushing up through the soil seem a little more patient than me – as if they are humouring nature’s fickleness. I’m ready for clear change. A pair of finches just flew […]

Present Distance

I’ve lived the fog of distance –life’s highway a series of hillsdestination without promise Have learned that acceptance gains perspective,that climates change, and hope sustains,and that in the stillness dreams renew. Now I travel quieter paths, appreciatespace, have surrendered to a slower pace –certain that this too will change. (image my own)