Judy Grillo
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener
  • Home
  • Writer
    • Services & Clients
    • Rates & Terms
  • Teacher
  • Trainer
  • Reveler
  • Blogger
  • Listener

FAQ: the first entry of its kind!

5/13/2018

4 Comments

 
Welcome to one of my truly informative blog entries. During the past few weeks, people near and far have been asking similar questions, so in an effort to avoid repetition, here's my first "answers to frequently asked questions" segment. 

Q: Where are you traveling to this (year or summer, or from Texas)? 
A:
Since I need to continue to generate income until the first social security check arrives in late September, I am bound to also continue travel in the US of A. With that in mind, I realized that I have actually visited (not passed through) 44 states plus DC in my lifetime; 37 states since launching this journey in 2014. So yes, this is the year I become a 50-stater! When I leave San Antonio at month's end, I will be slowly camping my way north toward these destinations: 
  • Nebraska -- Anyone wish to join me for Tour de Nebraska on June 19th? I'll pick you up at the Lincoln airport! 
  • South Dakota -- Among other sites, the Badlands National Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial are on the agenda for end of June and into early July.
  • North Dakota -- I want to honor "the conservation president", so I'll be heading to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, while also tempted to go to Fargo to see the famous wood chipper!
  • Minnesota -- Tossing a few ideas around at the moment with many options, including Itasca State Park at the headwaters of the Mississippi, the North Shore of Lake Superior, Lanesboro to ride the fabulous Root River Trail, and a stop in Mankato to visit friends. Minnesota may be a 2-3 week stay!
  • Iowa -- Still TBD, but cruising from Minnesota to Indiana may impact the destination decision on this one. 
  • Indiana -- No details yet, but my spots will probably be Brown County State Park, then the Lost River Valley; locations that are just 70 miles apart. 

Q: Aren't you getting tired of living in a tent? 
A: 
With a month in Austin behind me, and nearly three more weeks to go of "normal life", I can confidently say, "no, I am not!". I'm itching to wander and to be back in the great outdoors. In fact, I'll be downsizing the homestead to a 2-person backpacking tent starting May 31st, and I'm looking forward to waking up with the birds and a sunrise on the first of June.  

​Q: Do you think you'll settle down (this year or soon or ever)? 
A: While I do think I'll settle in one or two places in 2019-2020, this is really dependent on a few variables. I see no reason to stop until my main bucket list locations have been enjoyed -- yes, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and the Greek Islands are on that list. However, there are also economic, political and personal variables, so one never knows.   


Q: When you do settle, what's on your possibilities list? 
A: That's the best question of all as I don't really have a list at this point. What's both good and bad is that locations I considered 2-3 years ago have now become overdeveloped
 and overpopulated. So, to look at this point for another year or two from now just doesn't seem to make any sense.

Did I miss anything?  If you care to join me this summer/early fall, drop me a line. There are lodges and cabins, etc. at State and National Parks, and I will surely invite you over for a campfire. 
4 Comments
Eileen
5/16/2018 11:05:03 am

Judy: Ambitious summer travel plan. Five years ago joined tour group to Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. Loved Crazy Horse Memorial, but happy not to have done the driving. Striking scenery. lots of buffalo and prairie dogs but sparsely inhabited. Will pass on the campfire, was happy when we reached our hotels and dude ranch that was fun.

Reply
Judy
5/18/2018 02:54:15 pm

E: Amazingly, all of my remaining states are within the same area so once I hit Nebraska, it's an easy loop. I have months to do it so not really feeling pressured! Looking forward to cool temps, green spaces, and sparse population!

Reply
Michael Grace
7/22/2018 05:06:46 pm

Just catching up with your always interesting life and hoping all is well.

Reply
Judy
7/23/2018 12:07:36 pm

Michael Grace!
What a surprise to hear from you. I tried finding your post site back in May but seem to have lost the link. Drop a line if you like. Wondering if you hit the road again after your needed home stop. I've got family issues keeping me a bit grounded but happily moving toward my 50-state goal! Judy G

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Author

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

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.