Travel Muses

In the last couple of years traveling has become a form of self-entertainment

2012 Visited Ireland with my mother.

2013 San Francisco.

2014 San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angles - Disney World and Universal Studios - fun with my sister and her grandkids.

2015 I by  self drove Hwy 1 on the Coast of California in January which I managed to break my foot but didn't stop me from dancing in San Diego.  Flew to St. Louis to see family, and then in August went I took Mom to Las Vegas.

2016 I went to Europe for 3 glorious weeks.  England, France, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Greece, Israel, and Finland. 

Most the trips were alone which is awesome because I can do whatever I want, when I want, and how I want LOL.  I am rather selfish I have discovered on places I am willing to visit with others.

As an older single woman I'm always ask Do you feel Safe?  Don't you miss having company?

I always feel safe no matter where I am at.  I do research prior to leaving and always am aware of my surroundings. And I don't take items along on trips to call attention to self.  I am usually carrying my backpack, don't carry lots of cash, don't wear name brands, and jewelry is left at safe deposit box in Anchorage. I stay at Hotels after I have read reviews to see if any issues or problems and also use AirBnB. Research is being open to trusting your gut.  Ask othes if they have been there, when and what they did. 

As to having companions - family trips fill those needs right now.  Perhaps in the future I 'll meet a man who have the same passions I do for travel and we can see the world together.  But I love traveling alone.  Honestly.  I love to wake early, dress and walk all day exploring wherever I am visiting. Eat when I am hungry and the best I don't need to ask another if they are ready to do another day of what I do.

Europe was awesome for this.  Walking gives you a whole another outlook on life from a different view.  Its up close and personal.  Plus it makes me talk to others, learn about the area first hand.  And time stands still as I photograph a doorway leading to unknown territories:  letting my imagination run wild.

I learned to enjoy being alone one must be brave enough to talk to others and even if we don't speak the same language.  One of my fondest memories of Europe is when I flew to Greece with a woman from the Netherlands who spoke very little English sitting next to me but we talk for an hour about grandchildren.  She was going to see her daughter who was expecting her second child any day.  We both laughed, talked and had a great exchange of women bonding over the love of babies.

In Paris a waiter was upset I sat in the smoking / drink area only and I only wanted lunch... I love eating out & I am not shy about eating alone LOL... he tried to ignore me but the couple sitting at another table told him in French that I wanted to order a meal not just a drink.  I laughed along with this couple at the waiters error it made my lunch so much more enjoyable. I did learn food and drink is common bonding no matter where one is - a common theme throughout all my travels. 

No matter when I have gone people have been so kind, plus helpful when I would ask for assistance.

A smile goes a mile when traveling alone!

Fall in Anchorage, Alaska

September 5th  for Alaskan's means putting up the summer toys and bring out the long winter gear.  Usually for Anchorage by mid-September there is frost on our windows in the mornings and snow on the mountains.  None of this has happen until a few days ago! 

This year I proudly say it has been the most beautiful month for Fall I've ever seen while living 21 years here in Anchorage.

Flowers are still blooming, the leaves of the Birch are golden yellow even though now laying upon the sidewalks and yards in my neighborhood;  many of those golden leaves have just fallen off the limbs within the last couple of days.

Creative Types

Are you a gambler trying new and wild things?  Do you jabber away while creating that next Mona Lisa?  Or are you a silent type whose yearnings can only be read in your eyes? 

I have to admit there are various days that I could be one of the three. 

                  

I’m sure you can add more to the list of ‘creative types’.  I’m just hitting the top of the iceberg for those whose passion is some form of art or crafts!

Many of my friends on Facebook and Twitter are the creative type.  It is so enjoyable to see pictures of their latest creations and even pics of their old stuff.  

Artists across the world seem to encourage each other, tease and taunt each other, plus sometimes even become sponsors for another.  That makes me so glad… in this day and age of so much pain and grief that one sector of life remains constant – art and those who encourage folks to be creative.  

Art is a passion.  You either love it or you don’t.  Once it has its hands around your throat there is no surrendering.

Freedom in Art

I've been exploring new filters on my Adobe Photoshop Elements. 

Its a blast being creative - 

a wild abandonment of being safe 
&
uninhibited has flooded my photo folders.

Various filters and layers have been applied...

Frozen in Time

Cycle of Life

Happy Feet

All I can say is this is keeping me happy until summer arrives when flowers are blooming!

Amazing Race

On Sunday night the team of two women won the Amazing Race.  A team I had been rooting for since the beginning of this season's start.  Finally two women beat out all men teams and man/woman teams.  I just about roared out a cheer but I just the the womanly thing and silently clapped my hands and said "YAY!"

Amazing Race has been since the first season one of the handful of programs this household follows. 

Dreams of being a team lurks in my brain. 

Fantasy of winning has been often replayed in my mind.  Except this is a household of two medical problematic folks.  Both heart patients.  And one has had two serious back surgeries and he medically could not do some of the stunts.  Then some of those things; I myself would balk at doing.  But the temptation to apply is always in the background when watching the teams race to the next stop along the race.  I think he would be a great partner to see the world with...I'm sure he thinks I would be an okay partner - I can be a bit of a nag, jump on his case for any reason, and I think things need to be done my way.  Other-words I have an attitude. 

I've never been out of the States.  He traveled once to England.  The cities on Amazing Race are ones I would love to race through.  He would rather do others, ones with more ancient history esp any that have a Roman history surrounding them.  He is an ancient history buff!  I'm just a time traveler to any city on the map of the world.

With a new season starting in January for teams that didn't win any race but became favorite of the viewers I can hardly wait to relax each Sunday night, dreaming of far off places and cheering on my next team to victory!

                                                 My guy racing each day in his own way