Judy Grillo
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Core Reversal

3/17/2023

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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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Hang on to What We've Got

2/28/2023

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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!  
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Sing to me Old Blue Eyes

2/1/2023

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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.
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Tough Start, Sweet Middle, Tough Finish

1/1/2023

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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:
  • The year began in Florida once again, “camping along Memory Lane,” with a return to tent life at some of my favorite spots: Stuart, Sebastian, Cedar Key and Palm Coast. There were quite a few frosty nights; many tourists & transplants from west of the Mississippi; impromptu reconnects with people I’d met up to 7 years ago; and a scare with an insect venom allergy I’ve never experienced (red ants!). I did try to “retreat” indoors for a bit, but crazy can show up anywhere, right? In late March, I floated out of Florida.
  • ​The Barwick-Dudley House brought me for a stay in Twin City, GA with a retired lit professor and writer. It was a very relaxing week of interesting breakfast conversation, cycling to the local state park, and late afternoons reading on the wraparound porch. Small town America comfort.
  • I’ve been meaning to put up my tent on Lake Marion in Santee, SC for a number of years and yes, it was finally time. At the start, it felt like bygone days with cordial people there to relax, fish, kayak, and let the kids ride the circle. But Mother Nature had her own ideas as heavy rain and thunderstorms came through culminating with hours of a tornado watch. The camaraderie in the bathhouse saved my sanity!
  • ​Ah, back to the indoor life in an adorable tiny house in the newly-discovered Farmville, NC. Talk about days of yore – a friendly Main Street, giant $2 cheese biscuits, thrifty thrift shopping, kids playing kickball, and more. I fell in love with this little town and a week wasn’t enough.
  • On to my “state of residence” to an overdeveloped Easton; my first independent senior living experience with dear Lois; get-togethers with good friends; and a check-up for me and my stuff! Then time to see the Western Shore where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake, and a tour of the state’s first capital. I’m enjoying quite a bit of Maryland since I left.
  • ​A return to North Carolina was in order where I survived the suburban sprawl of Clayton by joyously riding the Neuse River Trail most days. The hovering south was well worth it as a family wedding was on the itinerary in Raleigh-Durham and it was grand! I shared a sweet casita, ate & drank well, danced like a crazy woman, and enjoyed every person there. What a wonderful celebration of two kindhearted “kids” and a coming out party after a few years of social isolation.
  • It was slow moving from here so the next stop was Pleasant Garden to put my tent up in the woods at Hagan Stone Park. From here, a week in Greensboro, which reminded me of Portland, Oregon about 30 years ago. That was a good thing.
  • ​My decision to summer in Canada had me moseying north to peruse a number of new destinations along the way. There was Morgantown, WV – a town I simply don’t get, but I had 36 hours of fun with a friend and the best damn drunken noodles in a long time. Watkins Glen, NY was my first finger lakes experience and an active week of camping, cycling, hiking and catching up with a high school friend beside Seneca Lake. In the Slate Valley, I stayed with an interesting couple in Granville, NY, enjoying life along the Mettawee River and cycling the hills of nearby Vermont.
  • I’m not sure how I found West Addison, VT but I was in my glory for 10 nights camping in the southern region of Lake Champlain. The Lake, the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains, Crown Point, the rural community, and the city of Vergennes have me wondering how this was my first visit. On my way northeast, I also had a premier visit to Montpelier, the smallest state capital. The Art Gallery Hostel brought me into Whitefield, NH to meet a friendly host and do some wicked hill riding in the White Mountains region.
  • It was a great pleasure to be au Canada from July through mid-September. My French immersion began with Anna at L’ensoleillee and it was a restful, joyful, productive time in Saint-Louis-de-Blandford. After a month in a lovely auberge in Vieux-Levis, I know what heaven feels like -- a path along the St. Lawrence, daily warm baguettes, a ferry to Quebec City, and sunset views from my window.
  • While I was originally departing in late August – mais non, ce n’est pas possible! I carried on with a stop in Saint Andrews by-the-Sea, a favorite spot of mine for years now, then boarded the ferry to Nova Scotia. Bear River, “the tidal village on stilts” offered a relaxing and inspiring time as I had a home share with a female artist of my generation. After just 18 hours in St. George, New Brunswick, I enjoyed 4 nights camping on private land in St. George, Maine discovering Port Clyde, Tenants Harbor, and the famous Marshall Point Lighthouse.
  • ​Fall began in the old hometown in Massachusetts with a delayed birthday celebration and social events with no less than 16 family members and friends. A spectacular fall continued as I hid out at Harvey’s Lake then visited friends in Sewickley, PA. Harrisonburg, VA in the Shenandoah Valley offered 48 hours of fall and an equal tease of winter. Then, why fight it? I returned to Farmville, NC, and even a bike crash and auto trauma can’t taint this unique community.
  • On Thanksgiving, I wasn’t talking turkey but shrimp & grits & key lime pie were the request of the day, as I celebrated friend Mark’s 60th birthday along the Golden Isles of Georgia. A solo week in the historic town of DeLand, Florida felt like a mini-vacation before indeed it was Christmas in the oh-so-busy Fort Lauderdale area.
  • Of equal importance in my universe, I did: 
         - Cycle 5,010 miles (and celebrate with pie)
         - 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?   
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Delighted to be in DeLand

12/1/2022

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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, a
fternoons 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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    Cyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover

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