Off the Grid . . . Kinda

If this space seems a bit quiet this week, its because I’ve wandered into the woods of Indiana for a little vacation. And I’ve left my laptop behind. I’ll pause for a moment as everyone gasps …

I won’t be totally disconnected as I’m bringing my phone and kindle fire, but I intend on spending more time outside than on the internet. Instead, my trusty pen and journal will be my chosen tools for writing. I’m looking forward to getting back to basics.

If my muse can’t keep quiet, I may post a poem or two from the app on my kindle. Stay tuned for the possibility of some impromptu poetry! 🙂

Otherwise, its time for some much needed time away from everything on my worry list! 🙂

Hello trees … I’ve missed you.

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c.b.w. 2016

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Vacation Recovery

Isn’t it funny how vacation is sometimes more exhausting than the real life world you are escaping? All of last week, I was chuckling to myself as I collapsed on my hotel bed from sheer and utter exhaustion from a full day adventure.

It all began when I traveled to Oregon with a friend where we embarked on a series of adventures that took us through Portland, Willamette National Forest, the Pacific Coast, and the Columbia River Gorge.

I saw more of Oregon than I ever thought I would thanks to a combined sense of curiosity and fearless exploration. And we have to multiply this combination by two because when my friend and I travel together we are unstoppable! On one day, we drove almost 400 miles tracking down waterfalls, collapsed sea caves, and snow capped mountain peaks.

While the adventures we shared were incredible, both of us came out of it realizing we are no longer spring chickens. I would’t call us out of shape, but rather victims of the aging process. When I was younger, I could engage in active travel (hiking, walking long distances, etc) for extended periods of time. Now, four days of driving, wilderness hikes, and city walking sent me home with an injured foot tendon and multiple strained muscles. This from a person who trail hikes nearly every day at home!

Still, I can honestly say the pain is worth it. Oregon turned out to be an incredible place. I think part of the reason I pushed myself harder than I should was because I didn’t want to miss what was around the bend. Whether it be a hidden waterfall in Willamette National Forest, Spouting Horn (aka Thor’s Well) on the coast, or a funky corner in Portland, I was completely under Oregon’s spell.

Of course, now I’m limping around like a cripple.

And yeah, it’s still worth it.

Here’s one reason why …

Multnomah Falls, Oregon, c.b.w. 2015

With a view like this, the pain doesn’t matter. I’ll heal. 

More pictures will be posted in the coming weeks as my muse was greatly inspired by Oregon’s beautiful scenery and the quirky awesomeness that is Portland. The taste of Voodoo Doughnuts still lingers on my tongue.

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c.b.w. 2015

Paradise

Pacific breeze,
paints the air blue
Float in the clouds,
drift to the ground
The lagoon stills,
and catches stones
Laden with cares,
until they sink
Green feathered trees,
wild jungle wings
A heartbeat thrums,
pumping new life

 

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Photo: Somewhere in French Polynesia (I can’t remember which island), c.b.w. 2001
Words: c.b.w. 2014

 

Favorite Thing Friday: Vacation Time!

Tomorrow I’ll be trading dry heat for super humid heat as I head to the Midwest for a little vacation. My annual trek to Indiana has become a tradition and I’m excited to spend some time in a place where everything moves a little bit slower.

At the top of my list is spending some time with family, but I’m also looking forward to visiting one of my favorite local coffee shops, The Beehive, (see FTF: The Beehive). Last year, I tested out my usual Cafe Mocha, but this year I am anxious to try the local specialty, a Nutella Latte. My coffee taste buds are already drooling. 

Even though I’m the only knitter in the bunch, I’m hoping to persuade my family to spare a little time for a trip to Nomad Yarns in Plainfield, IN. I went there last year and scored some absolutely beautiful sock yarn. Not only does this place carry a great selection of unique yarn, but it has the warmth of a locally owned small business. I can’t wait to see what ends up in my shopping bag this time around.

However, what I’m looking forward to the most is a little quiet time. My family lives in a small town surrounded by woods and cornfields. I’m looking forward to time on the porch swing and walks through the woods. I’m taking my camera and I can’t wait to see what I find through the lens. With all the craziness that is coming when work starts up again in the fall, this quiet pocket of relaxation is just what I need.

With that in my mind, I’m making a conscious effort to simply relax and enjoy my surroundings. For the first time in years, I’ll be leaving my laptop at home. My muse is freaking out a little bit as she is a bit attached to my writing machine, but I’ve assured her that I will pack a journal and a nice set of pens. (She’s also been assured that my husband will carefully guard the laptop and keep it safe.)

Because of my self-imposed computer break, I’ll be a little quieter in the blogosphere, but not totally gone. My Kindle Fire is coming along to make sure I don’t fall too far behind (and so I can watch movies when I can’t sleep at night!). Next week, I won’t be posting as much or maybe not at all, but I will be here in spirit! Just know, I’ll be collecting all sorts of inspiration for future posts.

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What’s your favorite thing this week?

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c.b.w. 2014

Indiana, Here I Come

Even though I’ve technically been on vacation all summer long, I’m heading out of town for a little break from everything.  I wish I could say I was escaping the heat of the Arizona desert, but I’m simply trading in dry heat for the humid heat of Indiana.  Hot weather aside, I’m looking forward to seeing family, being surrounded by green trees, and slowing down in a small town.

Due to my little escape, my blogging schedule will be a little different.  There won’t be much time to write, so I will instead focus on posting shots for the photography challenge I’ve been working on all summer.  I’ll be in a new environment and I suspect this will bring loads of inspiration for me and my camera!  In addition, I’ll be taking pictures of anything that catches my eye. Stay tuned!

I will do my best to keep up with comments and read the blogs I follow, but I may fall behind a bit. Even though I’m not very good at it, I’m hoping to find a little time to relax on this trip!

Meanwhile, I can’t wait to hear the leaves rustle . . .

Photo by: c.b.w.

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c.b.w. 2012