While we’re in the middle of the Arizona desert, there really are some beautiful sights to see if you open your eyes and really open your mind to observation.
This morning, I saw two lizards scuttle out of the way as we were walking. These lil guys are so cute and when they take off running, they lift themselves up so that they look almost like they’re running on water over the rocks. It’s really very interesting. I wish they wouldn’t scuttle off so fast because I’d love to grab a photo.
Yesterday morning, I saw four bunnies around the site just sitting and watching us as we were walking along. It was just so peaceful and beautiful.
I am glad I took the camera with me this morning because I got some pretty good shots. Well… when Winston wasn’t yanking on me to go in this direction or that… Those photos snapped at those particular moments… Not-so-great. In fact, they were rather big blurs… Thanks Winston.
It was a really beautiful and peaceful Sunday over here. I still am amazed at how quiet it is, even with as many campers here, they all pretty much keep to themselves (other than the occasional “Hello”) and are very quiet. And I have to say, as a woman who wears hijab (head covering) in the Islamic fashion, I’ve not had anyone give me any side-way looks or open stares (as they are known to do in Walmart) and in fact everyone is incredibly friendly. I did get a bit of a look this morning after I deposited Winston back home and continued on with my walk, from a couple enjoying their swing at one of the little log cabins; but then I was wearing full abaya (dress) with hijab and all in black no-less. I don’t know if my white tennis shoes were the main point of stares as they protruded obstinately out from under my black dress, or was it the camera hanging around my neck, or my flashy pink walking stick…? Hmmmm
Being as I am also disabled and in constant pain, I’ve been really chuffed at myself that I’ve been able to take as long walks as I have been. It’s been the most enjoyable parts of my day to get out, with or without Winston, and just have a stroll around and look at nature and meet new people. Thus far, in the (almost) week we’ve been here, I’ve met a family from Norway, a couple from Germany, a couple from England, and two couples from The Netherlands.
Tomorrow is my 40th birthday. At the beginning of this year, I decided that I was not going to head towards my 40th birth year with disdain, upset, or freak-out as I had my 30th birthday. Instead, I decided to embrace the upcoming decade with complete and total enjoyment and to open myself up to the experiences and adventure that a new decade will bring me. At that time, I had no idea that a dream and an idea that I had to one day own, and live full-time, in an RV would be part of the Universe’s plans for my statement of “adventure”; but here it is, and oh boy is this an adventure and a half. As they say “be careful what you ask for”, but you know what? I am actually REALLY glad that I asked for this and I’m living it. Even with the crappy bed which I need to get a “topper” for to get any kind of comfort, and the leaky toilet (forcing us to use the one on site), and no running water inside (sending Ben out daily to fill water jugs to be able to wash hands and dishes), and with all the rocking, swinging and swaying that the wind gusts brings, oh and living like crabs (didn’t my husband say a few years ago that the next place we’d live in was going to be bigger so that we didn’t live like crabs…?); this is truly the best experience and I am really loving every minute of it. Sure, there’s still a fair bit to unpack and organize and find homes for, but we’ll get to that and we’ll have more space to move around then too. But all-in-all, this was the best birthday gift the Universe could have given me.
11 years ago, I was on death’s door. Tomorrow will mark, not only my 40th birthday, but also the 11 anniversary of a near-death experience and being in a coma on life support. But today, I feel so much more alive and happy and complete than I have in almost all my 40 years (except for when I met and married the love of my life, Ben). This truly is a blessing, even if most days I’m the only one thinking that. đ
As I sit and write this, I look out the window and see the last rays of the very last day of the decade in my 30s fade over the mountain range, I inhale the delicious fragrance of the seitan pot roast I am making waft throughout the vardo, and I welcome home my beloved husband and Winston back from their evening walk – thought I’d take a night off tonight. Tomorrow, starts a whole new life adventure as I fully welcome my 40th birthday and my 40’s.
Here are some photos I took today around the site here…
Bouncin' Around 