One Bold Crone

The drive from Edgewood, NM to Flagstaff, AZ is the shortest of the trip, just over five and a half hours. This means I can take my time passing through the beautiful red mesas and striated buttes of Navajo country, and even stop to visit a trading post or two along the way.

There are several trading posts to explore en route along the I-40. When I stopped in Gallup to refresh myself, walk Timi, and reset my nervous system after our first 2.5 hours on the road, I was tempted to visit one I hadn’t tried before. But I wanted to return to the Navajo Travel Center, where I’d stopped on two previous trips. They sell beautiful crafts, the setting is unique—just off the highway, but in the middle of nowhere–and I always have a nice exchange with the Native women who work there.

It was a clear sunny day, not too hot. Nevertheless, I parked in a shady spot. Timi and Clyde should be comfortable while I browse.

Inside the store, I became enamored with two small terra cotta pots. I didn’t want to spend too much time deciding which one I liked more, though, so what can I say? I bought both. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 😉

They are bubble-wrapped now, but I’ll try and post a picture after I get to California. Along with the horsehair pot I purchased last year, I now own three Navajo pots. Sounds like a bona fide collection to me. Support Native crafts!

From Navajo, it was just two more hours to Flagstaff, where we spent the final hotel night of this journey at our favorite La Quinta.

One more day on the road and we’ll be home. Can’t wait! See y’all in sunny California! 💜🙏🏼🦉🌵 OBC

Yep, thats snow alright!

I wasn’t expecting to see snow on this trip, but the good news is, at least it wasn’t falling. Kind of delightful, kind of concerning. I’d best leave earlier next year.

Now for some scenes from Clinton Oklahoma, where we started off Day Five.

Day Five took us out of Oklahoma, across the Texas panhandle, and into New Mexico. It was as exciting as ever to go over that magic hill and see the landscape change. Suddenly, you are “out west.” Amazing.

After filling up in Tucumcari, we stopped at our favorite rest area–Pajarito–and watched a train roll by.

From Pajarito, it was just a couple more hours of driving. Near the end of that haul is when I saw the snow, and not surprisingly, it was quite windy and cold when we arrived in Edgewood. Temps went down to freezing overnight. Glad I brought my down vest, hat and gloves.

Off to Flagstaff next, and thankfully, our last night on the road. But first, the prettiest day of the trip awaits. Onward! 🙏🏼🌵🦉 OBC

Day Four of this westbound, One Bold Crone cross-country adventure was momentous, as it involved the milestone “crossing of the seam” event, made possible by our friends at Rand McNally.

We are now left of the seam, in red earth Oklahoma, not far from the Texas panhandle border. This is windmill country, the Great Plains, and gateway to the American Southwest where we are headed next.

I’d write more, but Clyde is currently hiding behind the bed, so I need to cut this short and go get a broomstick. Wish me luck!

🤦🏻‍♀️ OBC

The OBC caravan departed yesterday morning under bright cold skies, and after six hours on the road, one pause mid-way, we arrived at destination #1 right on schedule, which is to say, well before dark. In other words, around 3:30 PM. Is it me, or does dusk seem to be coming extra early this November? And I don’t mean metaphorically.

I screen-shotted the predictive map above on Tuesday morning, i.e. election day here in the US, a mere four days ago. All the beige states turned red or blue, and a clear winner emerged. For that fact alone, I am relieved. Who needs another “hanging chad” drama, let alone J6?

Whether one feels upset and concerned, or pleased and overjoyed, or simply ho-hum (such people do exist) regarding the election results, everyone now has the opportunity to make another choice.

We can decide how to approach the coming days, weeks, and months of our wild and precious lives.

I choose kindness. Beauty and wonder. Conscious creativity. A deepening connection with my soul, my higher purpose, nature and the earth. And I choose loving service, freely given, as best and often as I can. Service in joy to my fellow travelers, human and non-human.

We write the story. May all beings be happy.

🙏🏼🦉🌵OBC

Hello, my friends! 💜💫✨✨

New Moon, First of November Greetings to You from my cozy Massachusetts kitchen at 5:55 AM.

Although it’s early, I just listened to the entirety of “Axis Bold as Love” — my all-time number one favorite album for arrivals, and maybe departures, too. The two go together. (When one door closes…)

If you don’t know the album, it’s by Jimi Hendrix. “Little Wing” is probably the most famous song on there. “Axis” (as we call it for short) happened to be the first record I played after I moved into my Hampshire College dorm room in 1977 and set up my stereo. Since then, I’ve always put it on first whenever I move into a new place.

Today, one week before I hit the road, I’m on the other side of arriving. But hearing all those songs today, singing and dancing along in the kitchen, somehow felt fitting. End of Autumn, “we don’t have to wait till tomorrow”, and all that.

That said, between you and me, the real reason I got the idea to listen to “Axis Bold as Love ” this morning was because my tooth hurt. I think I might have a micro crack in one of my bottom molars. It was bothering me when I got up, which made me think I’m probably going to need a crown on there, sooner or later.

That thought instantly led to the creation of a song parody, as (for better or worse) thoughts and phrases are wont to do in my brain. I just start singing them to the tune of whatever, out of the blue. In this case the parody was to the tune of “Castles Made of Sand”, probably my favorite song on that heart-opening Hendrix album we’ve been discussing. The parody goes something like this:

…when your teeth keep grinding down / they need a crown / eventually…

Speaking of the Miracle of Aging, as I call it, my sweet and loving Timi is now ten years old. You can see it in his face. As for clever Clyde, escape artist par excellence, he turned sixteen in September. I look forward to escorting this venerable but still agile and lively crew across the country in seven days.

Have you heard the old saying “age is just a number”? It really is true. Or as Jimi would say, “it’s all in your mind.”

You create and shape the story of your life. Whatever story you tell yourself about the world you live in IS the world you live in. Whatever story you tell yourself about your life IS your life. Why not make it a magical journey of awakening?

See you on the road. 🙏🏼🦉🌵 OBC

✨ If you enjoyed this post, drop me a like or a comment below & let me know! ✨

Greetings, Dear Reader, and please accept my apology for having taken almost a week to get around to writing this final post. I hope no one was worried, but if you were, you can rest easy. We made it.

The pets and I rolled into our driveway around 5:00 on Tuesday the 14th. The next morning, I had to get right back to work from 9-5, my regular hours (which felt strange, since I’ve been working from 6-2 for the past six months in California, plus I was pretty tired from the trip), and then it was the weekend, which included five-plus hours of yard work (mowing, raking, and weed-pulling), a concert (June Millington and Toshi Reagon at IMA on Saturday night—stellar!), and a much-needed trip to the grocery store (finally!), and here it is Monday morning already. Phew!

I missed the daffodils and tulips, but lilacs (my favorite!) are still blooming in Montague, along with Lily of the Valley, azalea, dogwood, horse chestnut, and many other spring blossoms. Such a beautiful time of year.

It’s good to be home. Signing off for now, and see you on the flip side (if not before)…

🌵🦉🌿 OBC

Most of this second-to-last day of the Spring 2024 OBC Odyssey was spent driving through the Buckeye State, aka Ohio. However, the caravan started off in Indiana, and also touched Pennsylvania for about an hour, before finally landing in upstate New York, a little after 5:00 PM for the night. Four states in one day. I think that’s a record.

Once again, the weather could not have been more cooperative for road tripping. Blue sky and pretty clouds. I give infinite thanks to my guides and angels for helping me choose these particular dates for the drive through Tornado Alley. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Tomorrow’s home stretch forecast is also looking good. What a blessing.

It occurred to me that, being a desert car, my little Subaru has never seen so much greenery in her life, let alone a green spring. Maple trees, lilacs, humidity and all. I hope she likes it!

From my very comfortable hotel room (Microtel rocks!) I watched Legally Blonde (cute!) with dinner (leftover Indian, from Gulzar’s in Richmond, IN). After Reese won her case, Timi and I went for a long walk around the neighborhood. What a treat to take a leisurely stroll, admiring new leaves and tidy yards while enjoying the sweet smell of freshly mown grass. Most of the homes we saw were small and relatively new, but there was one elegant old house, surrounded by a large yard, and numerous squirrel statues. Hmmm.

Maybe it’s me, or all the time zone changes we just drove through in rapid succession, or maybe it’s the time of year, but I can’t believe how late the sun sets here in upstate New York. Although the longest day of the year is only six weeks away, which is wild to think about, too. Time sure flies.

After we got back from the walk, despite it still being light out, we settled in for the night. Very excited to get up early tomorrow, and drive HOME. Timi and Clyde will be sooooo excited to realize where we are, once the car stops and we step out… into our own familiar driveway. No pun intended, but what a trip!

And on that note, once again thank you, dear reader, for joining us.

🙏🏼 OBC 🌵🦉🌿

Now that I’ve left the West, I’m starting to encounter big cities that need to be traversed attentively. Yesterday, on the way to Rolla, it was Oklahoma City. Today, it was St. Louis and Indianapolis. Tomorrow will be Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland.

Of all these cities, St. Louis is the toughest to negotiate, with multiple lane changes required in rapid succession, and confusing signage. When you add in high speed traffic, it gets tense.

That’s why the timing of this trip was designed around hitting St. Louis on a Sunday. And it worked! Fewer cars on the road made a huge difference. From now on, I’m always planning for Sundays in St. Louis. It’s the only way to go. 🙂

After making it through St. Louis without a hitch, I called my sister, Katie, to celebrate. We had a great talk with plenty of laughs. Later, my two sons joint FaceTimed me for our now traditional Mother’s Day group call. I kept my video off, but I could see them and their lovely partners. Ashton and Kelsey in Montreal, Zack and Chloe in Brazil, and me heading East on I-70. I do appreciate modern technology, it’s magic. What a treat!

Earlier, I had stopped for a pee and a coffee at the BP station in Pocahantas, Illinois.

“How’s the heat on that coffee, hun?” asked the woman behind the counter.

I pried off the lid and took a sip. Luke warm. “Well…it’s above room temperature,” I replied, “but it’s delicious!”

“That coffee’s on me,” said the lady. “You have yourself a happy Mother’s Day.”

Nice story. Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day and beyond to all you OBC moms out there. May your journey be safe, your coffee hit the spot, and your heart be full and at ease.

OBC 🌵🦉🌿