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I'm hovering right now as my calendar is based on a biking & camping trip out of Lafayette, Louisiana that doesn't start till April 15th; and while I now have 5 stops reserved in Florida and Alabama, I've much time on my hands. Having arrived in Florida mid-November, I'm getting a little restless but looking forward to a visit with friends in Leesburg, then a trip to Cedar Key on the west coast.

So, as the March calendar turns, I am moving 8 miles north to the Eau Gallie neighborhood. It's a spot I spent a single day visiting a couple of years back and I'd like to spend more time there. It's going to be another week in the Melbourne area, followed by a week in Stuart in case of needed auto repairs before I hit the road! Both are Airbnb experiences that are cheaper than a piece of dirt for my tent. When will the RV craze end?

While I have 4 camping stops to look forward to in late March and April, I'm spending too much time indoors this season, and at a loss of finding affordable, enjoyable tent camping in the southern half of Florida. Sad really, when I'm wintering in a warm climate! I want to wake up with the birds!

Am I whining? Maybe. So now I'll let the photos do the talking...

I'm in disbelief, yet indeed, the entire month of February was spent at one address, living the indoor life. However,"sitting" isn't the correct word, and hopefully, "indoor lifestyle" isn't the correct phrase either; but, suffice to say that being at an Airbnb for a month was a wise, conscious decision. The weather has continued its' up-and-down pattern, and I needed time in place to get my taxes done (check!), ensure my car was stable (check!), connect with a few friends (check!), and start plotting the first half of the year (check!).

I've been planted about 4 miles west of the beach in Melbourne, and enjoyed the area -- a cool, little historic downtown, many riverfront parks, beachside bike paths, uncrowded beaches, and social time with folks who live nearby. Sadly, I did not take one photo while biking with Brian (who I met camping in Indiana in 2018); while dining with Ranger Al (who I met camping at Sebastian Inlet in 2016); or while chatting up a storm with Tracie (who was my "virtual assistant" in 2000). This lack of photos must mean I'm losing it and/or we're destined to meet again!

I'm now feeling restless, while spending just two more weeks in this area before I begin my slow, multi-location trek out of Florida in early April. My original plans were to head to Portugal and Spain this spring, but travel will now take me to new locations in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia through May. Yes, there is a reason for this itinerary and yes, I am wondering if the current public health crisis will become a factor. Who can say? I'm carrying on.

It's been an interesting start to the new year with ups and downs that may have neutralized as February quietly rolls in.

My first two weeks were spent in a Port St. Lucie Airbnb with a wonderful couple who migrated from Cuba many decades ago. It felt like I was visiting the grandparents I never had. The first question was "Did you eat?," and while I had, I still sat down to a plate of red snapper with salad, and so it began. During my stay with this lovely couple, there was cafe cubano in the morning, fresh mangoes, and spanish rice with shrimp (bringing remembrances of my dad). I didn't just rent a room, I was part of the family, and enjoyed hours in the early morning or evening sharing stories.

Incorporated in 1961, Port St. Lucie is suburbia -- it has no downtown and is 20 minutes from the beach -- but it's well-planned with sidewalks, bike lanes, parks on the canals and rivers, and a great library! As expected in January, the weather was up and down with cool and wet days intermingled with beach temps; the main reason I chose a bed over my tent this month.

It was during this visit, however, that I had my third car stalling incident; something I thought was a fluke until now. The first, in Maryland, I attributed to the cold morning weather; the second, in South Florida, to a loose battery terminal, but now? This oddity has been appearing every 3-4 weeks, so I started to worry, and moved it to the top of the list.

Two weeks of camping along the St. Lucie River in Stuart filled the remainder of January. It's a quiet, scenic spot that's a favorite of mine with just a few tents, a dozen RVs, and a few boats. Yet, reality kept getting in the way of my escape. Did you know that when you ask five auto "experts" a question, you get five different answers, and a price range of $59 - $1,660? I went with the guy who offered an affordable, feasible solution, and honestly said, "it might have to get worse before we figure it out".

The second half of January was two weeks of swearing that mercury must be in retrograde (but it wasn't!). Besides the auto worry (I live in my car!), my bike cables frayed, my air mattress blew at 4 am, and the weather went from 81 on a Sunday to 34 three days later. Oh yes, it was a bit cool getting out of my sleeping bag when mother nature called that morning! Suffice to say that my mood was also up and down.

I'm now staying in one place for February, and Monday, the 10th marks one month since my car has stalled. Do send me positive karma.

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When One Door Closes

1/6/2020

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December has been a very long month that began with festivities, but ended after many exhausting days. Personally, I've been pushing my body and mind to reach my cycling and reading goals for the year (yes, I can!). However, a friend's unforeseen heart procedure on Christmas Eve made for a very stressful and demanding final week. In the end, all seems good.

So, 2020 has begun and I'm on task, but first I must take a look at my 2019 experiences before jumping into the new decade. As has been my pattern these past few years, the winter began with a bit of insanity in southern Florida, but ended with a series of enjoyable reunions in the northern part of the state. I then rolled into Greenville, South Carolina for a month-long reality check, and Mount Airy, North Carolina for a taste of life in Mayberry.

Unfortunately, May brought great sadness with the passing of my sister and a month-long visit with family. A brief retreat to the mountains of New Hampshire helped, as well as a month of rest and rejuvenation in Rothesay, New Brunswick. From here, it was a special summer of camping along the Acadian Coast and reconnecting with my roots.

A stop in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina dropped me back into Florida in time for an approaching cat 5 hurricane, but my guardian angels are still with me, so I stepped onto the plane, as planned, for a glorious five weeks in Croatia. Five is my lucky number! The year closed with reunions in Maryland, South Carolina and Florida, and yes, here we go again.

I read an interesting novel at year's end where the character would circumstantially ask, "When you were a little girl, madam, was this the woman you dreamed of becoming?" As I ponder 2020 this seems like a very good question to ask, and now that I've returned to solo mode, I may actually find an answer.

I don't plan to settle in place in 2020, though it's obvious that I'm staying in place longer. It feels like I'm living life in seasons rather than weeks now. The first quarter of this new year will certainly be spent in Florida as I must stay warm, but I'm plotting already as I hope to enjoy a bike tour this year, experience a trip to Portugal and maybe Spain, do a writing retreat, and work a political campaign. Oh so much to do in this life!

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Running in Place

12/14/2019

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Where have the last two months gone? It feels like I've been on task since my return to the high-stress US of A, but thankfully I take photos. It seems the to do list has actually been interspersed with some wonderful moments with many friends and a lot of good food!

I've been cruising up and down the East Coast while clocking bike miles, getting healthcare checks, reading books, keeping clients happy, and such. It took a week or two to get over jet lag and culture shock, then I drove the nearly 1,100 miles north for my annual Easton, Maryland visit. My friend Lois and I shared some of the return drive to spend a lovely time with mutual friends on Dataw Island, South Carolina.

At November's end, my solo push into Florida began with a week-long stop to help pack a friend's house, then Thanksgiving week in Sebastian to regroup, and alas, here I am in South Florida easily ignoring most of the holiday hubbub.

Lest I forget, I did celebrate my 5-year anniversary of nomadness on December 4th. Thanks to Mark, there was fresh seafood, an anonymous 89-year old dance partner, and too many vodka martinis. So many that I forgot to take a single photo!

I'm happy to have the last week of December free to look back at this and prior years, while planning just one more year (?) in my element. I'll be pushing a hair north on the first day of 2020, but staying warm somewhere in Florida till further notice.

Year-end thoughts still to come.

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Always Something New To Do

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When One Door Closes

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