Judy Grillo
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The Here, The Now

11/29/2015

6 Comments

 
While living in Del Boca Vista has been a bit of a culture shock, I realized a few weeks ago that I may never see this area again. So, I put my travel self back in place, and have been enjoying the region by bike as often as I can. 

I'm in Bluffton, South Carolina, a Lowcountry town on the banks of the May River, just west of Hilton Head Island. Bluffton was once mostly wetlands, many of which were drained during the antebellum era. Colonists began building plantations in the early 1700's, but during the Civil War, two-thirds of the town was destroyed by fire (15 houses & 2 churches survived). While the population has grown over 800% in the last decade, the town's original one square mile area, Old Town, remains a lovely historic village. 

I did spend Thanksgiving with family in Raleigh, NC but the tour continues from here, so stay tuned. While I am plotting and planning for 2016, I'm also trying to live by these great words:  

“What day is it?"
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh. 
― A.A. Milne
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The Year in Review

11/10/2015

12 Comments

 
While I have not landed at my "end point" for the year, I have returned to the starting point of the journey that began January 4th. So, it seems right to recap as I regroup before visiting friends and family for the holiday season. 

I did take the time to look back (and yes, had forgotten a few stops!), but I won't replay what's come and gone. That said, my Virgo self is forcing me to  "account for" where I've been for 10 months!

So, since leaving South Carolina, I've ...
  • Driven over 14,000 miles 
  • Visited 18 states (passing through does not count) 
  • Biked 3,405 miles (yes, I'm behind on my annual goal!) 
  • Had just 2 bike flats (both within a mile of a shop!) 
  • Hiked 297 miles, give or take 
  • Enjoyed 11 National Parks, 10 immensely
  • Camped in 5 state parks, 1 county, 2 private & a few national forests
  • Slept in 12 hostel dorms 
  • Treated myself to a private room, 6 times 
  • Eaten more than 250 peanut butter & banana sandwiches 
  • Read 36 novels & memoirs
  • Stayed the longest in Austin, Texas (12 weeks) 
  • Traveled just one area in both directions (the stunning, Southern Utah) 
  • Sung nearly every favorite song I know from the '60s and '70s. 
  • Visited family, friends & met people from all over the world (unlimited #)
  • Gained a new perspective on the USA and the people who live/visit here 
  • Found what "feels like home" wherever I am -- the post office, the library, a 7-11 coffee, NPR on the car radio, and pedaling my Jamis! 

While I've been feeling frozen in place these past 2 weeks, I realize that I may never pass this way again, either. So, stay tuned as I continue on with eyes wide open, and begin plotting my nomadness of 2016! 
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The Land of the Sky

11/2/2015

7 Comments

 
Asheville, NC has been on my "check it out" list for many years, so I made a point to stop here for 2 nights. Having just spent nearly a week in the Smoky Mountains, I didn't appreciate the city surroundings as much as I probably should have, but I enjoyed the city. 

I stayed in West Asheville which is its own groovy, little neighborhood of shops & breweries & cafes, and in just one day on foot and one on two wheels, I pretty much covered this town.  For a city of fewer than 100,000 people, it does have a unique personality and much to offer, though I expected a more bike-friendly environment.  

Now that I've visited Burlington, VT, Flagstaff, AZ, Boulder, CO, and Asheville, NC, I'm wondering if I've missed any of the small progressive towns of America!?  My #1 vote still goes to Boulder. 

Up next, the year in review (by the numbers). 
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    Cyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover

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