Awesome Expectations

I had a really cool realization this evening after an experience on the beach. I have fun, interesting, new rendezvous every time I go out. The same way I have the expectation of meeting friendly people everywhere, I have the expectation of these exciting experiences. I adore the variety, diversity and range of them. I love the brief conversations or moments with animals or whatever it may be. This week alone, I’ve had several and it has me wanting to venture out even more often because it is so fun and satisfying. I love time and physical space to myself and I love connecting with others. I love being awake and I love being asleep. The ebb and flow and ease of it all is enjoyable. 

That said, here are some of the examples of these rendezvous of late. 

I was driving an EZ Go (that doesn’t have a windshield) and a butterfly came right at me. I ducked so it wouldn’t hit my face and had a good laugh. I love seeing so many butterflies happily fluttering around. 

A different location and butterfly that same day. Kudos if you can spot it there, somewhat central and left. 

Remember that post about my evening beach walk where I said it was an eagle I’d spotted, then corrected it as a hawk? It WAS an eagle. I saw one at the beach again today and got some pictures as it stood eating something it had caught. That was cool because I knew it was an eagle and not a hawk and now know I can be sure there are eagles here, at the beach. 

Eagle, right? It was big! I zoomed in quite a bit so as to keep my distance and leave it be. 

I have had some very nice short conversations with people who have had lovely things to say and have complimented me on some things I’ve been doing. Without getting into the specifics of that, I take a lot of pride in what I do and to have multiple people notice that and comment was incredibly fulfilling. 

I love excellent customer service and people who are kind and professional and that is always nice to meet with. I got some propane the other day when the weather was grey and storms had been passing through and this particular place is one I like returning to because, despite it being a fill station I need to go the “wrong” way into for them to reach my LP fill, they are always friendly and professional plus I can pay via credit card right there and the price is fair. Yeah, some places may be cheaper, I haven’t looked. I like paying for good service and the ease of it being nearby and I’m happy to return to this place. I was told they will not fill if there is lightning as that is considered dangerous for them. Thankfully the rain stopped for the bit of time it took and she got exactly the amount I asked for in! 

And then there is this evening when I was walking the beach, closer to the end of the walk. I saw some folks fishing and recognized a shark fin. The reeling it in was also noticeable as I’ve seen other-than -fish caught enough times at this point and I know what this looks like. It was a nice sized shark. I watched from afar, wondering what they’d do. Long story short, they tagged it, measured it, and released it. I took one picture since my camera is full and that was all I could get. I passed them but then went back and one saw I was going to ask a question. I asked if they’d tagged the shark and he said yes, they are volunteers with NOAA. He then explained that they get postcards from NOAA and, when they catch and tag the shark, they send the stats to them for tracking. This isn’t the GPS kind of tracking. I thought that was interesting and I was glad to have this experience as it was totally new to me. I also learned it was a lemon shark! I said I thought it was a great white and he laughed and said no. I know what great whites look like and hadn’t really looked at lemon sharks before. I can clearly see now that they are rather different and now I know how to tell them apart. 

Lemon shark. 

So… I have more to share about sharks at some point. For now, I will simply say that during a beach walk the other day I saw a fin very nearby me, close to where I stood with just my feet in the water. It was a shark moving swiftly and deliberately. I had thought it was a great white that was young but larger than the babies I’d been seeing. I now think it was a lemon shark. 

I love the beach! 

I love having these experiences. I love having awesome expectations for fun and satisfaction to be a part of my days in moments like these. I love learning new things and making connections. I love walking the beach and I have the expectation of enjoying it every single time. Each night especially, when I walk it, I look around so thrilled to be in such a beautiful place. It's one of the easiest places I know to be. I love it. 

Incredibly Independent

I’m feeling incredibly independent. I’m doing so many new things and living so much of how and what I want to with more clearly on the way, that it feels amazing. I am happier and happier and things are going really, really well.

It feels good to notice that I’m feeling so independent as feeling independent to me means feeling capable, confident, secure, solid, strong and able. It feels doubt free and it is. I hadn’t even realized until just now how doubt free I am about so many things. I really KNOW without question that I can. I can do whatever, I can be whatever, I can have whatever. I feel very free, very sure, very upbeat, and very good. This also means that I’m up for a lot of new things and open to a lot of what I want. I just figure it’s a “Yes, I can” and a “Yes, I will” and a “Yes” to so much good stuff. It’s like when I’m driving and keep getting green lights as I’m ready and eager to go, enjoying the ride, the destinations, and the continuing journey. It feels good. I feel good.

Here are a few pictures of late. First, of meals and second of nature.

It feels really good to have healthy relationships and especially to have a healthy relationship with myself. Inspiration comes from within (contrast to motivation which comes from the external i.e. “a motivating factor”) and feeling inspired to new ideas, action, and whatever else, is really fun. My impulses are good and I see the how things come together so well as I trust and follow them. So much of my journey has been with feeling that- feeling my way as I go. I continue to be lead by this and I’m excited about where I am at and excited about where else I will go and what else I will do. Content is awesome. Ready and eager for more, knowing it is coming, while being happy where I am is ideal. I’m in a really good place; a really good place emotionally, physically, and overall. Life is supposed to be fun and mine is. I’m really happy.

Amongst all of the choices that I’m making, all of the easy decisions that are becoming easier, I had a moment of realizing all of the choices I was no longer making. Better choices have taken their place and a better life has as well. There’s no turning back and lots of forward motion. This is living. This is learning. This is knowing and trusting myself with such certainty. It only gets better and better. I am really proud of myself and my life and all the goodness I have asked for and allowed. It only gets better and better. Life is good!

An Abundance of Goodness

There are so many wonderful things I want and have. As I was listing them this morning, I decided it would make a good post to share some of them! 

I’ve got daily beach walks, fresh air, sunlight, wildlife, friendly people, new opportunities, and interesting things here.
I’ve got comfort; fresh water, a bathhouse for showers, easy and well priced laundry, and electricity.
I’ve got the air conditioner working great and keeping us cool, a safe place for my cat, and easy come and go as I please.
I’ve got access to variety of foods, my favorite stores, and the ability to cook more regardless of the outside temperature since I have the AC.
I’ve got interesting people to rendezvous with and have fun conversations with.
I’ve got a growing understanding of the thick dialects from parts of country and really kind people who can tell when I’m not sure what they’ve said and are willing to explain slowly or in different words.
I’ve got lots of freedom, as always, to play and do as I please.
I’ve got somewhat of a schedule to look forward to, learning and doing new things.
I’ve got feelings of excitement and eagerness and calm and chill knowing.
I’ve got dolphins and alligators and fishes and birds to watch and admire.
I’ve got notebooks to fill, favorite movies and shows to watch and the power to easily do so. (HouseSitter, Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock so far.)
I’ve got access to drinkable water and delicious tasting ice.
I’ve got solar lights that look cool each evening and give me light to see out and around.
I’ve got open sky and stars and the moon, rainstorms, and a breeze.
I’ve got feet that are smooth and tough like sea glass from so much time in the ocean. I’ve got a strength in walking on virtually anything with ease.
I’ve got people who know what they are doing and are happy to show and explain things to me when I ask.
I’ve got a variety of ages around me, a form of diversity I really enjoy.
I’ve got easy access to a propane fill if and when I need it and less need since my fridge is on electric now.
I’ve got a place I love to be, that’s beautiful and well maintained, where people are happy and friendly, and where some are beginning to recognize me when I’m out and about.
I’ve got ideas that excite me.
I’ve got desires I’m looking forward to experiencing more fully.
I’ve got dreams I like to dream about either way.
I’ve got a strong sense of independence, knowing I am capable and that any outside assistance I need will easily come to me when I need it.
I’ve got a fun new hobby I’m enjoying and will be sharing more about in the future.
I've got a wonderful feline friend to share my life with.
I’ve got lots to look forward to.
I’ve got lots I want right now.
I’ve got the recognition of having both. 

I’ve got an abundance of goodness. I’ve got a great life. 

On Rendezvous with Wildlife, Noticing Things, and Being Alone

A really great thing about the way I live and travel is that I allow myself the freedom to go as I please and to stay as I please as well. I have fallen in love with this place. It happened when I first came and it happened each return. I love being here. When I leave, I come back. As far as a physical location goes, I want to call this home.

I’ve lived different places for various lengths of time. I enjoy the changes and variety a lot. I don’t think of home as simply a place. I’ve lived places that don’t feel like home. I’ve lived places that I knew were temporary. Everything is temporary actually. I’ve known when it would be short term. I’ve known when I like a place and want to stay. I’ve known when I liked being someplace and would be happy to leave and return or not.

I was just talking with some rangers and volunteers at the ranger station about Wisconsin. Some had just been or were headed there for a visit. I mentioned how much I loved it and how I spent a month there last Summer. I had no idea, when I first entered WI then, that I’d be exploring it so much. There is still more to see there, though I am quite happy I got to a lot of different parts of it.

Last night I was walking the beach and my attention was drawn to this post with a light. (I’m not sure the name of this … pretty sure it has an official term.) I looked at it and did think it would make a pretty picture and then wondered to myself, is there anything there to take a picture of? Yes. I immediately noticed a bird perched on it. We’d had rain storms and it was wet looking. It looked like an eagle! *A hawk! I keep referring to it as an eagle. I love seeing hawks. I've rarely seen eagles. I'm leaving eagle because I want to since that is what I kept saying and thinking until I realized I meant hawk now.* Do eagles go to the beach? I took some pictures. I got closer. It flew to another one of those posts with a light on it and this confirmed for me that it was an eagle. I was appreciative I had looked and seen this. I love eagles and view them as a positive sign to see them. I’d seen another recently on a fence along with two other, smaller and different kinds of birds. Loved seeing that, too.

That wasn’t all that happened though. Then I saw a fin come out of the water nearby the post with the light that the eagle was on. Dolphins! Swimming in that way that reminds me of a wheel in water, circular and up and down. I was now so thankful I had looked and that this was unfolding as it was. You can see in this picture the bird by the light and the dolphins as a speck there in the water.

The bird is perched and the dolphins are to the right, sort of centered in the picture.

Here, the dolphins are on the left about above the '.I" of www.InspiredTrekker.com below.

I walked back to the campground I’m staying at. I’m at a beach campground. There is no better place for me to be right now. I love it.

Did you know that those white crabs like to run the soft sandy beach at night? Did you know they sound like mice scurrying when they do? I’ve heard mice carrying things. This crab sound is like a mouse just on its own, not carrying anything. I usually listened to music but last night, on my way back and just toward the end of my walk, I took my earbuds out to hear. I heard the ocean waves breathing and felt the breeze. As I reached the boardwalk to get back to the campsites I noticed a deer looking right at me from the grass nearby. We looked at each other. Do you know the sounds of a deer sort of snorting? Softer than a horse. Harsher than a dog. It ran off and I later heard that sound. Recently, another night, I turned my phone flashlight on and had a similar encounter with a deer near the walk there. It was startled by my light and made that sound(I want to say it chortled) and we both jumped a bit and it ran off. That’s when I figured out it was a deer. It’s really cool to see them by the beach.

Hearing the sounds last night, I thought about how I usually walk and listen to music and how much I enjoy doing so. I love the rhythm and the way it feels to walk like this. I briefly thought about the sounds I was missing by doing so and I stopped myself because I wasn’t missing anything. I loved listening to the music. I knew the ocean sounds were there. I just chose to tune into something else. I wasn’t missing anything. When I’m feeling happy doing whatever I am doing, I’m there. I’m fully there. I’m not thinking about all the other things I could be doing or all the other things I love to do and that I’m not doing right then. I’m there. I have preferences. I know I love being at the beach lately and I feel there has been tremendous benefit from spending so much time at it. There has been benefit in tuning into it as well as tuning it out.

I see butterflies pretty much every day. Gopher tortoises are out and about and far faster than one might imagine if familiar with the idea that they might be slow. They aren’t. I’ve seen a baby sea turtle and I’ve seen the sign for where there are eggs so we can look and not get too close. I’ve seen darker crabs in the water and along the shore.  I've seen horseshoe crabs and stingrays. I've seen lots of creatures I don't know the names of. I’ve seen cardinals and other birds. I’ve seen cats other than the one I live with. I’ve seen dogs, too of course.

There are lizards, however, I haven’t seen them as often. I’m excited because the new site I just moved to today has a tree! I am very excited about this because not only do we get a bit of shade even in the daylight, animals like trees! And my cat likes to watch them. Perfect!

As I was walking last night and noticing these things, I was thankful because I know that things like this are everywhere. There are all sorts of opportunities for us to rendezvous with what we like and want to and it’s just a matter of paying attention to them and being receptive of noticing.

I’ve written about traveling solo and the connections and in the moment experiences I’ve had that have been so much fun. This is the same thing. That quick view of the dolphins rising and then submerging is exciting. It’s brief, even if I watched them cross the water so saw it repeatedly. It’s a tiny bit of my walk and my day. It’s also the thing that brings such satisfaction to the walk and a bit of a thrill. I know the water has lots of dolphins yet I don’t always see them. I know those moments are everywhere throughout each day yet I don’t always meet up with them and recognize it.

I’ve been spending a lot of time alone lately. I see people when I go out and I’ve been staying at a campground more than ever before and enjoying it. I like being alone. I like being in fun company. I like being around animals and nature. I adore the beach. I am not feeling lonely in the slightest. I’m not missing anything. My days are satisfying yet if you ask me what I’m doing, I somewhat short for words. I’m enjoying myself. No matter what I’m experiencing, or how I am feeling, at the end of the day, I’m really enjoying myself. That really is all that matters to me.

Revisiting Famliar Locations: Sholom Park in Ocala, Florida

I am so glad I somehow became reminded of this day because I may have left it out and am happy to highlight it here!

One day I decided to make a trip to Ocala again to see someplace new. I learned of Sholom Park and it sounded like a lovely spot to visit. It IS!

I spent hours here, walking along, reading the signs, enjoying the nature. It is a beautiful and well cared for park. I’d return and I’d recommend it. There was such a nice mix of plants and wildlife and it was a pleasant place to spend the day. The flow of visitors fluctuated and when it got busier, I just went back into the RV and got out to walk around more after. I stayed until closing and when I looked at the sign with the hours for the seasons, I had to ponder for a good moment because it was so lovely out that it being Winter had me questioning what season it was. I can imagine how beautiful it is in the other months! There's more than I've got pictures for. It isn't huge, yet a good size and the various areas have their own feeling to them. It's a really great place. I hope to visit more parks like this.

An interesting note is that I knew "Sholom" to mean "Peace" and also said as a warm greeting or when departing. As I walked around, I recalled the greeting of neighbors during church where it is commonly said, "Peace be with you" and then the response, "And also with you." When I then read the sign here saying that the meaning was, "Peace be unto you" it brought me full circle to a stronger and greater connection. Far more than I'm going into here, I remember enjoying pondering that and then seeing the sign with the definition. Sholom Park is well named. See for yourself:

 

Satisfaction and Appreciation

I woke up this morning and wrote in a notebook about a number of things that were working out for me. I touched on satisfaction when I wrote about Beach Love, how it’s great to fall asleep satisfied and wake eager for more, and I’ve really been feeling satisfaction in noticeable ways more and more for a while now. I’m talking about the feeling of it, not just an action like crossing off something on my to do list or a taste of it here and there. I mean that I have recognized feeling satisfied a lot and I absolutely love it. It is one of my favorite feelings to feel. 

Yesterday I made a phone call to one of my banks because I am getting a new credit card due to a security issue. I had actually been contacted by the merchant and recall not caring much as the transaction was a while back and I watch my account and it’s been fine, as usual. Then I got an email from my bank saying that I’d been issued a new card and it was mailed to me. Now I cared more. I had less than 10 days to get my new card before this one was deactivated and my mail service couldn’t flag my account so I have been checking with them very often to see if it has arrived. I knew and know this will work out fine. So yesterday I called my bank and explained and asked for my current card to remain open for longer, which I was granted. Leaving out the specifics, I wanted to comment on something. The woman was nice and helpful. She kept apologizing. I was thinking in response, “Please stop apologizing. You’re doing your job.” I didn’t say it, I thought it more than once. She also made the comment that she hoped I was having a good day aside from this. I thought, “This is no big deal. I wouldn’t let something keep me from enjoying the day.” I LIKE the contrast. I like new experiences. I LOVE knowing that everything is always working out for me and it’s fun to have it all come together and experience first hand how all the details do just that. 

Last night I returned to the beach for an evening walk and I loved seeing the sunset. It is so beautiful and amazing and something I can’t imagine tiring of. Every day the sun rises and sets. We’re close to a full moon and I watched and admired the lighting on the sand and the waves and the clouds and how the sky was changing color. I stopped very often to look and take pictures. There are moments where you can see the sun and the moon and that liminal time is so cool to me. I love noticing these things and feeling appreciation for them. Appreciation is another one of my favorite things to feel. 

As I left the beach and was heading on a main road, a kind police officer pulled me over. I wondered why and she was very nice and wanted to let me know one of my lights was out. I had a funny moment of not quite understanding her dialect. She told me I could go to Advanced Auto or someplace for a new bulb and that it would probably cost about $10. I thanked her and this morning that is what I did. I showed up fully expecting and knowing that they’d have what I needed and would install it for me. I also had a cash back bonus with them via my credit card. The man helped me as soon as I walked in. We determined which light it was and for less than $12 (less than that once I get the 10% back), I had a new bulb. As he tried to get the old bulb out and explained to me how this light worked (sometimes changing a light is a much bigger process than others depending on the make and how it is built in and thankfully mine was pretty simple and didn’t require a shop visit), he was having some difficulty and went to get a few tools to help. As he tried again and seemed ready to give up, I thought about how easy it was to do it and he tried again, jiggled it back and forth some, then pulled up again and it worked. I learned how to change the light in this RV and this was a quick and easy fix. I told him I really appreciated it and off I went. 

The store I went to next was right in the same lot and I got some thin bagels, juice, and more fresh ground turkey on sale. I got back to the RV happy with how much I enjoy shopping. I especially love grocery stores and now that I have a fridge that is working, I’m loving all the fresh foods and variety I have easy access to. I drove to the beach and got a great parking spot, as usual. I froze most of the meat and made lunch. It was DELICIOUS! Turkey burger with Colby jack cheese in a thin bagel plus fresh tomatoes and a mini cucumber. I also finished off the ice cream and made a float. Satisfaction. Mmm. 

I wanted to write about this more. It’s only a glimpse of all the “little things” in my days that I appreciate and enjoy. 

The other day as I was waiting to turn into the beach parking lot, I recall the moment where I had to wait there and then, as soon as I turned in, I was with perfect timing for another vehicle to leave thus giving me a parking space right away. This lot fills and people drive around it a lot looking for someone leaving, some even park in places that are not actual parking spaces. I stay calm. I know I'll get a spot. I didn't know I was waiting before turning so I would get one until it happened. 

There are so many things working out for me. So many things I may never know the specifics or details of or even have in my awareness other than through the bigger picture. That’s OK. I don’t actually need to. I can be happy and enjoy knowing, trusting, and feeling my way as it happens. And I do. While I have my moments, I pay attention to how I’m feeling. I don’t need any condition to be happy. I can be happy and let the conditions that match be in my experience. And I do. I’ve said it before and I will say it again and again and again: I’d rather be happy. And I am. 

Ways to Enjoy Revisiting a Familiar Location

I love to travel! 

If you’re a seasonal traveler who chases 70s or you often visit the same location for whatever reason, you may be looking for ways to mix it up and keep things interesting. Of course, there are favorite places and people to see which can make the repetition enjoyable, but what about if you still want something new? I’ve come up with some ideas for experiencing a familiar location in a new way.

First, there are considerations like visiting at a different time than you’ve done before. Have you only visited on Spring Break or a weekend? The weekday or sometime off peak may give an entirely new impression of things. Or, maybe you’ve done the opposite and would like to find a special time like a holiday or festival when the place picks up and has a unique and focused vibe. There’s a certain excitement that builds as a community comes together in celebration and that can make for a great experience and happy memory. Something as simple as visiting in the Fall instead of Spring can also be fun as you get to see the shifts in nature, apparel, foods, activities, and so forth. If you’re really into contrast, some places have much more extreme seasons than others. For example, visiting the Upper Peninsula of Wisconsin in the Summer where boating on Lake Superior is a popular activity, is quite different than visiting in the Winter when the lake is frozen and you can try your hand at mushing or tour some ice caves.

I've been to Greenville, South Carolina once so far, during December when it was decked for the holidays. This was a fun, brief visit and is a place I'd like to explore more, in a different and warmer season. 

Next, you could meet up with someone or bring someone else along to see the place with a new set of eyes. A fellow traveler, friend, or relative will have a fresh perspective to add to the experience. Add to that stopping at a new store or eating at a new restaurant, visiting a local museum or attending a local sports event, or maybe walking at a park or even returning to the parts you’ve really liked, sharing and appreciating them once again.

While revisiting a park I like earlier this year, I spotted these bats mating right outside of my RV. You just never know who or what you may find. I've been there several times yet this encounter has only happened once... so far. :)

Using a website or app like TripAdvisor can be useful to get a feel for the area. It may surprise you what is there that you were unaware of. Asking the locals for favorite popular spots or activities, or taking a stroll or drive around and stopping when you find someplace of interest can be a lot of fun as well. Maybe the architecture or neighborhoods are diverse, perhaps the landscaping is well done, or there’s a nice downtown to discover. Many places have wonderful murals and historic markers that enhance the area. Visiting an old cemetery can also be interesting, especially reading some of the headstones.

The beach has various textures of sand to explore both visually and through touch. Taking notice of and appreciating things like this, then making connections with what you know, what you've seen, and what is new is part of the fun. No two beach walks are ever the same, yet all can be enjoyable.   

There are countless ways to create an engaging visit, even to a place you’ve frequented or know fairly well. If you can be open to a totally new and different experience, letting go of how it was before, you may discover you enjoy it all over, or find pleasure in a place you had previously been less fond of, as if it were your first time filled with satisfaction and excitement. A huge benefit of travel is the exposure to diversity, even when revisiting a familiar location, and the joy of taking interest in the experience. Being alive and exploring the world can always be seen an adventure and, if you’d like it to be, a fun one at that.

Three Things on My Mind: Confidence and Knowing

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." 

~ Henry Ford (I have seen slight variations of the quote and like this one.)

"She believed she could, so she did." 

~ while this quote is attributed to few or many, depending, I like to give credit to Shel Silverstein from the poem, "Melinda Mae" though the idea is there, less the precise wording. 

And also from Shel is this poem:

The Voice 

There is a voice inside of you

That whispers all day long,

"I feel that this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong."

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend

Or wise man can decide

What's right for you- just listen to 

The voice that speaks inside. 

All of these came to mind and I thought I would share them as well as have them here for myself to refer back to. 

Sometimes action is easy and clear- "the next logical step"- and sometimes it feels like a "yes" or a "no," both of which lead us one way or another. Sometimes it's a matter of picking something when various choices would feel good. Always it's a matter of choosing how you feel regardless. 

Happy Trails to You

The Best Beach Walk EVER: in images

This pairs with yesterday's post in words.

The Best Beach Walk EVER: in words

I began walking left of the pier, my feet in the water as I passed the crowds and headed toward the more open beach. I had music playing and was, as usual, walking in time with it. 

I saw birds. So many small birds that flew together in a way that was amazing to me, in such a big flock and moving very fast that they were almost unnoticeable. I noticed though and I watched as they swirled around. 

I kept walking and swiftly went up to dry sand as a very long turquoise colored jellyfish came up to shore. I'd been seeing a lot of them here and was just talking about them a bit sooner. It didn't surprise me that I'd then see another one and I knew I was safe. 

I continued walking then looked back to see if the couple behind me would stop to look at the jellyfish, too. They didn't, that I saw. They actually appeared to walk right by. There are so many things in the world that so many of us see and so many of us do not. 

I was enjoying the walk and kept going farther down the beach. A motorized vehicle of some sort went by and a woman on it waved to me. I took a moment then waved back, perhaps too late for her to see. Oh well. I briefly wondered if they'd want to give me a ride back. I had not walked this far down before. I was fine though and knew I could keep going. 

Flipping through my music on my phone, I suddenly looked up. A crab! It was like we were just people in passing, paying no mind until I paid attention and jumped back a bit. That immediately got the crab up on its legs, watching me. I moved, it turned to follow and keep watch. We both walked some. It went down, then back up as I got closer. I asked it how fast it can run. It was white and yellow. I was unafraid and ultimately walked onto the dry sand and went on my way. I made a mental note of how crabs are like tarantulas of the ocean. They have some similarities. 

I saw a bulldozer type vehicle and tracks from it. They are clearing land or something nearby, I suppose. It is part of the state park, as far as I know. I rolled my sleeves up onto my shoulders and kept walking more on dry sand. 

A couple of people had come to the end of the beach before a turn and I veered left to turn and see what was around the corner. I'm not sure what part of the city it is but I had a sense of it. I also noticed a pretty blue bottle or glass of some sort in pieces, partially smoothed and thought, the beginning of sea glass. 

I turned around and found myself running and I liked it! It was easy to run and felt good and my breath was so easy. I looked back to see the difference in my foot prints from walking and running. Earlier I was pondering if one could recognize her own footprints in the sand. There is that expression of knowing something like the back of your hand. Would I know my own footprints? I think I would, if I paid more attention. It also brought to mind leaving footprints in the sands of time and how I'd like to leave both footprints and butt prints in the sands of time. I rarely sit at the beach; I walk. 

As I returned to the corner I saw that the couple were now naked and entering the water. They had ventured far from most others and maybe it made even more sense why. I kept my distance and gave them their space. They were having fun entering the waves. I know they looked at me as I went by and I'm decidedly for skinny dipping, nude beaches, and doing whatever you like, really. They had tan lines. He in particular was quite white(she was already in the water more by the time I got back around to them) and this is actually how I first realized they were nude. I laughed and smiled as I continued on. Funny, happy moments and what an eventful walk this was! Rather different than my more common ones. I liked it! 

I ran some more and it felt good. I found myself walking on the thin center sand within the tire tracks of the bulldozer path. How fun, I thought, as I had simply begun doing it because it was fun and I was inspired to that action, then realized it. It reminded me of kids and my niece who will move so easily from one fun activity in the moment to the next. It flows. This was flow. I was flowing. 

I saw something near the water and got closer. A dead seagull. Newly dead, beautiful, not yet drenched. The water came up to it but not enough yet to take it in. I thought to it, You'll be ok/fine and then added right away, You already are. Briefly I sent out an intention and request for greater peace with something. I kept walking. 

I got a text message from someone I wasn't expecting and figured I felt good, so replied. Clarity and fun and ok ness. A recent message from a dream I had woken to a couple of mornings ago now made more sense. 

More people were around again. Many had left and tide was rising. The moon was up and the sun was setting. I looked at the color reflecting on the white of the waves and had felt like it was so beautiful, I could cry. I didn't. I just loved the beauty of it and the beholding of this moment and realization. I was smiling. I must have been. 

I smiled at a woman as we passed each other and she smiled at me. I saw some young folks who had been building something earlier now getting covered by water. They took the high flag they'd had up and were walking with it into the water, saying or singing something. I had my music playing still and mostly ignored their words. I liked the song I was listening to and the harmonies in it. So lovely. 

Someone else smiled and said hello to me as we passed by. I picked up a large feather and then a little one for my cat. As I climbed the steps to get back to the parking lot, I jumped down and think that is when one flew out of my pocket. I still had the little one and gave it to her. 

I went to wash my feet of the sand and saw young adults in the splash fountain having fun. I then saw a bird on the top of it also having fun. Which reminds me of watching a seagull scratch its head with a foot while in the water. I loved that. And I saw a dog rolling around on its back in the sand and smiled. I am a big cat lover and yet happy dogs at the beach? I still smile at that. 

Now I am back in the RV. I have pictures and video from this beach walk which I am deeming the best beach walk ever. I know the feeling of flow and this was the first time I ever felt it like this here and so easily, strongly, and purely. The lightness, in the moment, playful, easy, fun. This is what alignment feels like. This is what playing in life feels like. This is what feeling good feels like. 

It's a picture-less post intentionally. Words can paint a picture and the feelings, the feelings are the best part. Maybe it appears as if nothing changed during this time yet I know for certain a lot changed for me with it. I stepped onto the sidewalk in the parking lot from the sand to the concrete and I looked out at the big, beautiful sun setting across the way and had this feeling, the kind where I knew everything was about to change. Everything was about the change and in really good ways. I was ready. This felt so good. 

The best beach walk ever is the best beach walk yet. 

Beach Love and Living Like It's My Last Day

So much of my first year traveling involved being in nature like preserves and the swamp that the contrast to being so ocean drawn has been interesting, though not really surprising, to me. I walked solo with such confidence in the swamp, in the very wild nature. I realized how I was able to walk the beach with a similar confidence and appreciate knowing and recognizing that. There were sharp shells and jellyfish and sharks and a gator and all sorts of potentials, yet I intuitively knew where to step, ignoring and also avoiding any supposed dangers. Recognizing the feelings I like to feel in various and diverse places is awesome. It's confirmation I'm in control of my experiences. It cool to be aware of and see it play out. 

I spent around a month in the St. Augustine Beach area with a short revisit to Jacksonville Beach as well. There were times when leaving briefly crossed my mind, however, I’d be quick to recall that I liked being there. I knew the desire to go elsewhere would come yet it was easy to let go of any resistance to staying until then. I began a series of Instagram pics with the hashtag DailyBeach. Here are some photos from beach walking that I’m pretty sure were not included there, followed by a note I wrote during my stay. 

Living Like It's My Last Day

I don't mean in some life threatened kind of way. I've been hanging around the coast and going to the beach daily because I know I love being around water. As much as I can and will enjoy traveling inland again, I keep prioritizing and each day, the beach is where I choose to be. 

So what would you choose if it were your last day? Not in the dramatic afraid-of-dying-so-I'll-do-things-to-cling-on kind of way. What thrills you about being alive? What evokes joy, grows a smile on your face, and makes your heart sing? Are you doing it? Often? Everyday? 

I'm living like it's my last day lately. I'm choosing what I want to do, what I love to do, where I love to be and it's peaceful and good. 

The best way to fall asleep is feeling satisfied and the best way to wake up is feeling eager and excited for more. 

This will change. I will go elsewhere and do other things. The peace and joy and clarity and inspiration I'm experiencing from this along with the ease I feel within myself, I want to keep with me. I want to fuel that fire. In this respect, I will happily choose to live each day like it's my last so I pick the best most feel good choices in any given moment and allow the path of least resistance to carry me to the perfect time and place rendezvous I so love. Being alive feels good. Being here feels good. I like where I'm at and I'm looking forward for more.