Wow, it's tough to think about whitewater rafting, hiking through rain forests and up volcanoes, or touring a coffee plantation when you need five layers of clothing to walk your apparently-impervious-to-cold dog. I tried to pretend the crispy crunching of snow sounded like waves lapping on the shore, but I must admit, my imagination lacks …
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It is Getting Kind of Late
We seem to be off to a slow start with our Costa Rica plans and I am not sure why. Sure, we have our flights and hotels. We have generally planned where we want to be and when, but no real firm plans. Perhaps this week we will get down to brass tacks and figure …
Haiku You Doin’?
Snow We shoveled, sweating My mind on a jungle hike Costa Rica calls Beaches Sun, sand, surf, salt, sea Wandering, breathing, soaking it in, peacefully Arenal Volcano My thoughts erupting They bubble forth unbidden Flowing like lava Two Shovels Shovels on the deck Are we making sand castles? Rich fantasy life Now we write haikus? …
Getting through the Winter
I hate the winter. Chicago is cold, windy, gray, and snowy. I am miserable from the beginning of November until the spring comes...in July. This year, I have been particularly miserable; I am not really sure why, it hasn't been very cold, there has been almost no snow and while it has been very gray, …
Life’s Travel Sonnet #1
Anticipating, planning, and dreaming Traveling expands past where you’re going The unknown rushing toward you, gleaming I’m not really here, that mindset flowing Constantly through my soul like white water Propelling me down the river of life Thinking always of places much hotter Where sunshine cuts my mind’s haze like a knife Or mountains where …
Why I Go Anywhere
As I sit here with my winter break waning, I turn my thoughts to hiking in Costa Rica. I can't complain about the weather here (it was above 50 degrees today!) but it won't last and I need to have an out in my head for when it temperature drops like a stone. I'm …
What Time Is It?
Happy New Year to all! My mother is, on a good day in her imagination, 5 feet tall and 80 lbs soaking wet while carrying 10-pound dumbbells in each hand. But at no point during the day is she not thinking about food. It is amazing. In her world, there are only three times of …
A Long 12 Weeks A Comin’
Today is our last day in warm, sunny Florida. I'm trying not to think about the 12 weeks of Chicago winter I will endure before we head to Costa Rica. We spent a lot of time strolling in the sun. So nice to be outside without four layers of clothing between me and the air. …
Wynwood Walls
This afternoon we left my mother sitting in front of her new computer and wandered off to see Wynwood Walls in Miami. It is a series of art galleries with rotating collections and outdoor murals. The surrounding area has also become a haven for graffiti murals on what seems to be every building or wall. …
The Joy(?) of Air Travel
For years I held a grudge against United Airlines because of an incident related to traveling with my then-preschool son. You have to give me credit because it's not easy avoiding United when you live in Chicago. I mostly managed it, and then realized that none of the other airlines were any better. A couple …
Doing It On The Road 