Judy Grillo
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Year Three in Review

12/17/2017

6 Comments

 
Since I'll be traveling soon sans technology, it's time for a recap of the year. Thankfully, I have this blog, as I too often forget the details of my days and weeks, in places I'm happy to find, with people that pleasantly surprise, among the never-ending possibilities of the unknown.

While the 2017 stats look like this... 
  • Lived in 9 states (some twice, heading north and south), and stayed the longest in Ann Arbor, Michigan (13 weeks                 of dental work!) 
  • Drove 7,200 miles (+/- 100); walked/hiked 535 miles, give or take; and biked 5,145 miles (yes, the most miles ever!),          and had just one flat  
  • Camped in  one national, 8 state, 3 county, and 2 private parks; slept at 4 hostels (including pastoral Malabar Farm);          and treated myself to an AirBnB room 5 times 
  • Worked 190 hours (freelance writing and editing) 
  • Ate just one reuben (and it was great) 
  • Added a small "hot pot" to my inventory (coffee in the morning at camp) 
  • Read 82 books (absolutely, the most books I've ever read in one year)

...throughout the year, I spent time... 
  • Listening to a Vermont family play beautiful music under the stars  
  • Sharing time with two birthday boys on a fishing weekend, who gifted me with a care package
  • Enjoying three Michigan kids who caught fresh fish, rode bikes and tried to teach me Dutch 
  • Hearing three or four people say, "we've been waiting for you" when I return to my fav camping spots 
  • Eating fresh eggs with Rebecca on her farm near Stone Mountain 
  • Leaving the "kids in Greenville" with homemade oatmeal cookies like mom used to make
  • Chatting with the owner of the Blue Goose Hostel who has a great mission
  • Drinking wine and laughing a lot with my 87 year old landlady in Ann Arbor
  • Celebrating my birthday with 6 wonderful gal pals (and 4 pies) in Easton, MD
  • Getting the local tour from 8 year old Jacob on Smith Island 
  • Playing Scrabble and eating mac 'n cheese with Sid and Judy on Jekyll Island 
  • Dancing to live music on a warm December afternoon in Fort Pierce 

...and, there were also life experiences, like...
  • Meeting my "twin" in Sebastian, Florida (and we are still in touch)
  • Having an astronaut encounter at the Kennedy Space Center
  • Adopting a "manatea" (yes, that's spelled correctly) 
  • Learning more than I ever imagined about composer, Stephen Foster
  • Finding an entire town for sale in Georgia
  • Living in a tiny house at my WorkAway in Greenville
  • Touring the Chelsea Milling Company, as I'm thankful for a lifetime of Jiffy deliciousness
  • Cycling my first organized event in too many years ("One Helluva Ride")
  • Viewing the August eclipse on the bridge over the Youghiogheny River in PA
  • Canoeing along the Chesapeake Bay near Bishops Head, MD 
  • Having some fun with visiting friends in Ann Arbor, at Janes Island State Park, and on St. Helena Island
  • Camping through Hurricane Jose, but bailing before Maria showed up at the Outer Banks!
  • Visiting numerous islands (Amelia, Dataw, Smith, Hatteras, Ocracoke, Bear, St. Helena, Hunting, Jekyll & St. Simons) 

Yes, year four "in my Element" has officially begun, but 2018 seems light-years away! 
6 Comments
Anne-Marie
12/18/2017 03:17:55 pm

A phenomenally rich and enriching summation of life well-lived in 2017!

Reply
Judy
12/19/2017 07:46:43 am

AMG: Yes, I was pondering discontinuing this blog until it was there for a look back. Thanks for visiting! j.

Reply
Eileen
12/19/2017 09:08:17 am

Impressive year, you will be in top shape for "Feats of Strengths".

Reply
Judy
12/19/2017 07:00:28 pm

Eileen, I'm oh-so-prepared for one of my fav holidays!!! See you soon. j

Reply
Barb
12/23/2017 12:26:52 am

J... Don't let go of your blog! Love checking in and keeping up w your travels.... looking forward to the FR report.

Reply
Judy
12/24/2017 09:54:04 am

Bo:
Thanks! I will keep on it! J

Reply



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