Here, There, Everywhere!!

Well, despite having the best initial intentions of continuing this blog on a weekly basis, I have to apologize to anyone who may have checked here weekly for something posted from me. I’m more consistent with posting to my personal Facebook page (something far easier to do from anywhere, and from the smart phone), but even my Facebook posts have slowed tremendously in recent months, as I’ve been inspired unto and enjoyed many days of digital fasting here and there. (Yes– I find it healthy and recommend it!!)
All that said, life hasn’t slowed down at all: I spent July back home in the Pacific NW, and in addition to catching up with many wonderful friends and family (not quite all of you, unfortunately), I began to face the gargantuan task of narrowing down the lifetime’s worth of possessions that my parents have been very helpfully hanging onto for me. My goal is to ultimately get everything squeezed down to what will fit into my small sedan, and drive to Atlanta (to join Rocio). As I’ve been an avid bibliophile through my adult years, narrowing down many shelves worth of books to that which will fit into the back of a small car is a very formidable task (despite the assistance of now owning a Kindle). And I own plenty more than books…

PERU:
Early this year, Rocio stumbled upon an awesome airfare deal where she could get 2 tickets to her native Peru for what one normally costs. She asked me if I’d care to join her– and I couldn’t say yes fast enough. So, we spent over half of August in Peru, where I enjoyed the wonderful privilege of meeting her parents and her four brothers!! Rocio also escorted me onto the sidetrips of Nazca and Machu Picchu–which were utterly fascinating beyond all imagination!!!
Tonight finds me at a meditation center in southern Georgia– not far from Savannah or Jacksonville, Florida. I just finished a volunteer commitment to assist with a silent course which ended yesterday, and later today, I’ll become a student meditator for the coming eight-day silent course. I’ll be out of contact with the rest of the world till the end of next week, as I both clean any dirt and mildew from my mind after bouncing around non-stop for years, and feed the necessary love and strength for where life takes me this fall.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
I’ve been leaning heavily toward continuing the walk beyond D.C.; however, I never wanted to commit to that until reaching D.C. on foot. (Intuition would be followed from there.) This was the perfect path. I’ve been very happy to take these past couple of months away from the road, and though I won’t make a final decision till I finish my eight-day meditation course (the end of next week), it’s likely I’ll return to the Walk later this month. After all–having walked so many miles of the Pacific Ocean– I should really walk to the Atlantic Seashore, shouldn’t I..? ;)
Stay tuned…

PICS from PERU:

Having lunch with Rocio's parents and four brothers in Lima, Peru!

Having lunch with Rocio’s parents and four brothers in Lima, Peru!

Rocio & her mother in Lima, Peru's central square, the "Plaza de Armas."

Rocio & her mother in Lima, Peru’s central square, the “Plaza de Armas.”

Rocio, Amigos, Familia

Rocio, Amigos, Familia

Rocio and I in central Lima

Rocio and I in central Lima

All aboard to Machu Picchu!!

All aboard to Machu Picchu!!

Verdant Inca Hills of Ollantaytambo!

Verdant Inca Hills of Ollantaytambo!

Yet another form of transportation (just before seeing the Nazca lines!)

Yet another form of transportation (just before seeing the Nazca lines!)

Machu Picchu!!!  I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Machu Picchu to every living being!!!

Machu Picchu!!!
I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Machu Picchu to every living being!!!

Climbing to the top of WaynaPicchu, looking down to Machu Picchu ;)

Climbing to the top of WaynaPicchu, looking down to Machu Picchu ;)