Time to “just go” again! International travel is not a sure thing, so I’ll stick to the USA instead. The northwest scenery – mountains, woods, and waterfalls just look amazing. I am trying to choose this lighter pack that folds to pocket size, but may end up with my usual one. Here’s a “selfie” and a quick map.
Looking forward to catching up with a dear friend, hiking, dining and wine! Hope to share some gorgeous views and sketches.
New Outlander day pack
I thought I’d be so busy with Grey Matter, that I wouldn’t have the time or energy for anything overseas this year. But – fate (and Art Safari!) has a way of throwing things at you, and when this trip showed up, I decided to take it!
So, I’ve renewed my watercolor palette, and switched out compose blue for a cobalt turquoise. (So yummy!) 
A little geography quiz for you, can you name this country? 
Hint – it’s NOT in the northern hemisphere!
Answer coming in the next post!
Following my wonderful travels last year, I got a little blue, thinking about an entire winter in the cold and snow. So I started making travel plans for this year! Definitely lifted my spirits!
First I found a hiking club, with local “lite” hikes of 2-4 miles, that help keep me active.
Next, I planned a visit to Acadia Park in Maine. It is a perfect place to enjoy the wilderness, without going too wild, or too far from civilization. My rental is called The Bird Nest, and it’s away from the more popular areas, close to trails and close to local stores.
Another event I found is called Trek and Sketch, which includes my favorite pastimes, hiking and sketching, and, even better, it will be in the hills/ mountains in the south of France. Ahh, the perfect place to be, and a great way to enjoy it!
These will require an updating of my equipment, okay, maybe just an excuse to get some new stuff. A new Osprey daypack comes with so many attachments that I may require assistance to make the best use of them! 
And, for the very short hikes, an Eddie Bauer cross shoulder pack. 
As I’m writing this, we are getting yet more snow, which I don’t mind, but…it will be much nicer when spring arrives. I was excited about seeing a cardinal today, until I realized they don’t migrate, so he’s been here all winter. I need to see a robin! 
For those who have forgotten their geography lessons – here’s where Morocco is. I’ll first get to Madrid, then head over to Marrakesh, then a car ride to Essaouira.
Seen on google maps!
All aboard that tra-a-ain.
Just know that when I return, and I’m sharing sketches of goats in trees, and magic carpets and purple camels (I just made that up), it’s probably not drug induced, or from those worms that crawl in your ears and slowly eat your brain, although now that I’ve thought about that I might wear earplugs at night. Just in case.
“Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.” – W. C. Fields
My first huge solo scooter trip was to Ithaca. Yep, less than 50 miles each way. But still, a pretty big step for me.
Well, you need a clean start, right?
I had some kind of mental block about what was needed and how it worked for the GPS mount. So, I sketched it! The best way to understand something!
I also have a charger wire connected to the battery for it.
What could have been a nice relaxing sketch trip, ended up with only one sketch! Alas, somehow I felt the need to get there and back as quickly as possible. What’s that about smelling the roses? Not this time!
Oh right, I promised another clue about my upcoming trip:
It’s on the other side of the Atlantic.
Way back in July, I had the honor of hosting Stephanie Yue, aka Quezzie.
She has an entertaining ride report on Adventure riders, as well as a blog: 250superhero.blogspot.com. She recently completed a more than 30,000 mile solo ride to travel the four corners of the continental US. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, she did it all on her 250cc Vespa! (Did you notice the “solo” part?)
Hi Steph!
Her overnight visit began in Ithaca, NY, where my friend Jim and I scooted to the Scooter Shop to meet her. We then stopped at some falls (of course, it’s Ithaca!) and then the Blind Tiger for a cold one (of course, no reason not to!) before ending at my house for dinner.
She is great company, and an amazing person, I’m so glad I have the chance to meet her!
She also inspired me to try more long-distance rides, but the only place I’ve gotten so far is a solo trip back to Ithaca. Oh well, I have put nearly 3,000 local miles on the scoot this year, and that is an accomplishment for me!
Here’s a few sketches (finally scanned, I’m still behind!) from that visit:
My prep (easy!)
Stephanie’s prep – not easy!
A colorful stop in Boiceville, NY
Just relaxing and enjoying people watching!
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| I easily recognized the rotator sling! |
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| zzzzz |
Trying to minimize things for upcoming travel. This seems to be the least for now! About 5 x 2 x 8 inches.
See my Flickr post for detailed notes on individual items.
