“Unexpected travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.”
- Kurt Vonnegut
Rosie and I at the airport
A friend sent me this quote which I love as for me it says it all without having to put any deep thought into why my journey changed abruptly in Pittston, PA. Officially my journey around the country ended at the end of January, 2011… my arrival in Los Angeles Airport with my high school friend, Rosie, was in mid-October leaving me three and one half months to journey around Paradise Cove and southern California. I mostly stayed in Paradise and am happy to say I am now in excellent health, stronger than ever physically, mentally and spiritually. As to how I will spend the next twenty five years — no specific plans as I want to continue the rest of my life living in the spirit of how I lived my journey. I do have music left inside of me and I do trust each day will be an opportunity to “play” and discover where I belong by being open to the moment. How exciting is that and how lucky I am!
This blog is sent with love and thanks to each of you and to all those I met along the way. I played the music through the cd’s you sent or suggested — I cannot express the wonder and beauty of driving on the back roads and around the towns with these songs and melodies and words flowing in all directions. Thank you.
Everyone was with me on this journey if you read my blog or not; and all the experiences with people and places I met along the way will always be a part of me as I take the first step into the next twenty five years.
My wish for all of us and those we meet as we journey through life is in the words of Dr. Seuss: (Oh, the Places You’ll Go!)
“With banner flip-flapping,
Once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.”
Pacific Ocean
Dr. Seuss’ words are especially meant for the students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, who School on Wheels serves — the children and teens who live in shelters, motels, cars and on the street. Thanks to all of you, they have an increasing chance to be “ready for anything under the sky.”
Why does it take a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye?
- quotegarden.com
Blythe represents my goodbye to California (for a time).
Sunrise Over Blythe, CA
Memories From the Past
Steaks 'n Cakes - A Popular Spot
Ruth Brown Elementary School
The Principal – Jeff – at this school understood my fascination with Blythe and expressed his own enthusiasm and appreciation in being there the last thirteen years.
Outcast and Homeless
Maybe Blythe in its own unique way represents California, including a homeless population of very few people – mostly men walking around the town; or on a bike like this person. The sign says “outcast and homeless”. My last stop was at the DMV where I met a woman who lives in an airstream vehicle as a way of life and who meets up with other people who do the same. She said her mother and father did that in the 1950s so it was “in her blood” to do the same.
Jeff, the Principal, said that there are no homeless family shelters or families living in cars and the like but there are families living with other families as emergencies rise. The effect it has is double: on the child who moved in and the child whose home it is. These type of arrangements are increasing everyday in the greater Los Angeles area.
I have arrived in Goodyear, Arizona. A beautiful drive here. For my peer group who are as inexperienced as myself going from motel to motel, here is a helpful hint: When you are packing up, and see something and say to yourself I better not forget that, that is the moment to pack the item. I am creating a list of what I intentionally am leaving behind and what I unintentionally leave behind.
The real beginning is today. I think Arizona is an hour ahead of California – time, that is.
“The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.”
- John Vance Cheney
Welcome Dove Hunters
Blythe has touched something within me that assures me I will return some day – not to live –
but to stay long enough to know the people and their history. I can’t put my finger on it but whatever it is I like it.
I do not hold the same for the Dove hunters who come every year and maybe someday I can sit down and try to understand. I want to, and maybe if I see other sides I will. Not holding my breath.
I took video of an amazing rainbow right outside my motel…
…when up pops a sign: Flashing Lights Indicate Dust and Wind Storms Ahead.
One of Many Highway Signs
Nothing happens and I am on my way merrily when another sign states: Turn Off All AC Operations for the Next Many Miles. Not an accurate reading, but the message was very clear. So now I am alert for another sign to come and I wasn’t disappointed: State Prison One Mile. DO NOT PICK UP HITCHHIKERS.
I started laughing. Then I saw one more large sign that gave hope to anyone who might have picked up a hitchhiker after turning off their AC and were blindly driving through a dust and wind storm:
McDonalds Sixty Miles Ahead (or was it forty miles?)
I am now in Blythe (21,000 people), which has many motels and just as many gas stations. That always makes a truck driver, business person, tourist or wanderer feel very secure.
“Are the homeless like birds; they just disappear when it rains? What happens when they get a cold, flu, who holds their hand, who makes them soup?” – Gayle Hodges, Board Member for Well in the Desert, in The Desert Sun newspaper today She writes about Mary, “a small lady, white-haired, clean, drove a small [...]
“We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.” – Paulo Coelho I am staying in Indio an extra day and leave on Friday morning for Blythe, CA. Fresh and Easy Market was better than any emergency room for me. The Markets originate from England and are now [...]
“Our similarities bring us to a common ground. Our differences allow us to be fascinated by each other.” – Tom Robbins Today was a quiet day – after a long walk – to take care of personal things before leaving California. One of them was re-arranging my car again, which made me think of the [...]
“A house full of people is a house full of different views” – Proverb The same can be said of a city full of people. As I drove into Indio, I fell in love wth the beauty of this city surrounded by strong, rugged, snowcapped mountains. It didn’t take me long to appreciate the people’s [...]
“Pick the day. Enjoy it – to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come… The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present – and I don’t want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future.” – Audrey Hepburn I spent Friday evening to Sunday morning to be [...]
“Have a good cry, wash out your heart. If you keep it inside it’ll tear you apart.” – Dr. Hook. No words from me can express this except the tears in my eyes – they touch something very deep inside. It has very much to do with each of you, my friends and family, and [...]
Agnes, the Founder of School on Wheels, is on a personal journey to encourage others across the country to create their own ways of reaching out to homeless children.
