Perhaps you’ve read that the Earth's inner core recently reversed its rotation, which I guess occurs every 6 years. News to me, but I do believe this one must be different as it’s controlling my life pattern, too. At year’s end 2022, I was quite pleased with my projection of what the first half of 2023 looked like. While I was still pondering my auto’s idle issue, I would be escaping Florida before March’s tourist stampede, and slowly moving my way through the Carolinas toward spring in Vermont. A few reservations were in place, including a lovely loft stay for two months in Middlebury to poke around the western region of the state. From here, perhaps Grand Manan Island and Newfoundland this summer. I was ready to roll again! Fast-forward two weeks and the Vermont cancellation came in with just 17 minutes for me to cancel other reservations without a loss. Now that I was back to the drawing board, I decided to call the mechanic I adore and was told “the idle should have relearned by now”. Yes, the planet is reversing and so did I, thankfully. When you live in your car, it’s quite important that it learns good behavior. So, in disbelief, I’ve been in South Florida for 3 weeks, but oh-so-happy to have a place to stay and a mechanic I trust. I’ve now redesigned my travel pattern with reservations from Virginia to Vermont as I’ll be hopping on the auto train soon. This cuts my driving miles in half as the new Element diagnosis is “you’ll need a new engine within 6 months”. My inner core is definitely turning.
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With reservations in place in-state, the Carolinas, and ultimately Vermont, I hit the road early February to push my way out of Florida before the March mania begins. Florida has felt quite busy these past few years, but it's over the top now as the year-round and seasonal population has simply exploded. Too many people and far, far too many cars, so hence my decision to push out before March, the busiest winter month of all. I'm thinking this is the last hurrah, so my first stop is Sebastian, a place I've felt at home these past few years. It's also just a 2.5 hour drive to test out the Element, which remains questionable. I've spots on both the inlet and the mainland, and I'm really looking forward to a few weeks of the outdoor life. There was an interesting mix of people camping from throughout the US and Canada -- newbies and veterans, young and old, outdoorsy types and those seeking a cheap bed. The inlet is pretty well developed now and the traffic on A1A is an all day event. In town, the New Yorkers with a smattering of Californians are changing the culture here, and the locals are shaking their heads. I'm so pleased that I found this spot oh-so-many years ago, and so thankful for Paul Kroegel, Teddy Roosevelt, Roy Couch, and Archie Carr for saving greenspace for the wildlife and me!
When I rolled into South Florida to help a friend, I could not have imagined the magnitude of what I was stepping into. Let me be clear, 2023 is a kick-in-the-ass odd numbered year already.
My friend’s house needed serious attention, and with injuries that just won’t quit, he was committed to performing at three events, as well as renovating an empty condo he needs to sell. So, for the past two months, I’ve been a sander, a painter, a cleaner, an installer, a hauler, a secretary, a motivator, an organizer, a cook, a DJ roadie, and quite a few times, a nag. That’s life? Perhaps, but not all of it. While cycling is difficult in this concrete jungle, I did sustain my minimum weekly miles. Pedal -- but never let your guard down. I also did a bit of writing and editing as two clients reconnected; so incoming moolah is starting up again. Good timing as my dear Element, also known as home, has taken a bad turn. A few sensor fixes and too many dollars later, I’m now sitting on the edge of my seat as a used part arrives tomorrow that must be the solution. Just what makes that little old ant Think (s)he'll move that rubber tree plant Anyone knows an ant, can't Move a rubber tree plant But (s)he's got high hopes, (s)he's got high hopes (S)he's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes* To say that I’m exhausted is an understatement, but okay February, bring it on slowly. My itinerary has me back in my tent this weekend and out of the Sunshine State by month’s end. I’m so ready to be back in my element. *Van Heusen, Jimmy and Cahn, Sammy, "High Hopes" (1959). Vocal Popular Sheet Music Collection. Score 2890. In a word, December has been exhausting, with issues carrying over into my new year. Luckily, it’s time to digest the multitude of people, places & experiences that shaped 2022 before I step forward into the next 365 days:
- Read 67 books (bump to 70?) - Eat one fantastic reuben sandwich with Maryland gal pals - Enjoy a number of outdoor concerts; a joy I’ve missed the past few years - Look back from day one of this journey and begin to put thoughts to paper. Yes, 2023 has officially begun but I’m still pondering what’s next on the agenda, and you? In early 2014 -- my roaming "test year" -- I found the small town of DeLand, Florida when I signed up for one of my first WorkAway volunteer exchanges. It was an interesting experience as my 20-hour work week focused on boat sanding and painting while living with a family of 7 (five kids!). They had recently returned from years in Costa Rica and planned to start a river tour business along the St. Johns River. Unfortunately, I didn't keep in touch, but I did recall DeLand as a sweet little town in the lakes region, just west of Daytona. From Georgia, I wanted a fairly short drive, a solo break, and a few days to simply play. I lucked out with an affordable bed in a bikeable neighborhood offering views of a half-dozen lakes. Since I was just a few miles from the Historic District, afternoons were spent window shopping, on an art walk, book buying, and visiting the Stetson U campus in very pleasant 80-degree weather. DeLand has certainly held its small town personality, but area development has brought the auto brigade coming through all day long. Yet, for Florida, it's still pretty calm and quaint! Next stop is South Florida -- yikes on development and traffic -- with an extended visit that will seem like a WorkAway! More to come...
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March 2023
AuthorCyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover Categories |