Once in a while I look back at these blog posts
and I'm like, Ugh😞. So amateur. (Can't get the pictures to do what I want. The format is all chaos. No success with mobile phone compatibility. Info is likely boring to most people, etc.) Right. I'm definitely not a professional
blogger by any stretch of the imagination. BUT I carry on in the spirit of creating a connection with anyone who reads them. It also acts as a travel journal I can look back on in the future and relive these times in my mind.
When I left behind the places, things, and people I called 'Home' and started on this journey in the fall of 2019, I had no idea what would happen. I might've thought I had a clue, but I didn't.
I returned to Vermont for the summer of 2020 with a different view of life. I stayed in the RV and had many transforming experiences in my growth process there also. I headed out again to travel the country in the fall of 2020.
Throughout my travels
I've absorbed a considerable amount of facts about climate, cultures, and landscapes of different areas and peoples. I've felt my own reactions to situations and experiences I never knew I'd encounter. At times, I've been paralyzed with fear. Other times, I've found myself overwhelmed by the great depths of love and joy, and the ancestral fortitude of family bonds.
Using courage and creativity, mostly positive thought processes, and necessary solutions, I've been able to navigate through this chapter in my life. There's been a sharpening of the arrows in my 53 year old quiver. Arrows with names like confidence, bravery, compassion, inspiration, and bad ass.😊 My gratitude for all of it grows every day.
While I share only a small portion of my thoughts and experiences here on these blog posts, I know I've grown immensely through the act of doing it. Exposing my inner thoughts and feelings this way on any public forum is something I never would have done a couple of years ago. No way Jose! That would feel way too vulnerable. Plus I was pretty sure no one cared, so what would be the point? BUT as I've kept at it, writing has become a much bigger part of my life, and it continues to teach me a lot.
My creative life as a vagabond has been quite an adventure!
When I look back to think about the creative parts, I'm reminded that yes, there have been some. That's good, since it was part of the idea...
Like.......
Writing songs and playing music
Recording imperfect live videos of original songs in the RV (Find them on YouTube) https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCIXvxeo1Sqg5yG3FPXa2nYA/editing/images
Writing and publishing a few articles on the Medium platform (Medium.com - search Stefani Capizzi)
Co-writing a book (planned to release this year)
Making Stowe, VT themed drink coasters and shipping them back home to sell in Stowe. (You can still find the winter theme set at Stowe Beverage.)
Making jewelry - which I mostly gave away ha ha.
Looking back, I see so many people, places, adventures, and moments of insight that have contributed to this particular journey I've been on. I am so often stunned by the complexity and simplicity of it all.
ANYWAY
Last time we were here, I was starting the job at a restaurant in trade for staying at a resort in Mesa, AZ. Well I lasted 18 days before I decided the whole thing wasn't a good use of my time. I terminated it on pretty short notice, which I felt really terrible about. But I have to live with that. Unfortunately getting out of the resort before my window of time was up proved to be a very costly thing. I won't go into it here, but I will also never recommend Cal-am Properties as an employer for work camping to anyone. Ever. Let's just say it was an expensive lesson.
I left there and moved back to the park in Apache Junction for two weeks. I was glad to be back and hang out with my friends from water aerobics class. Jane, Kris, Pat, and Sue has become kind of like my little family there and I knew I'd miss them when I left. Some of us went out a few times. One day, I went horseback riding with my friend Jane at the OK Corral. Historically it's part of an area that used to be called "Tent City" where men stayed to search for gold there during the gold rush in Arizona. Our ride took us through this desert area located near the Superstitious Mountains in Apache Junction. I'd wanted to do a horseback ride ever since I headed west. I knew I'd be heading back east soon, so I signed up for one. It was pretty fun.
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| Apache Junction Family |
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| Jane on our horseback ride |
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| My view on the horseback ride 😉 |
I'd made one friend during my short time in Mesa. His name is Maurice (Moe). Moe is a very friendly big man. It kind of started with a bicycle. Well, Moe and I crossed each other's path for a reason. We had some interesting times together for a few weeks - and enjoyed each other's company. Thanks Moe! I'm glad you were a part of my journey...
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| Me & Moe at Canyon Lake |
On my last day there some of us went to a place called Goldfield Ghost Town. Founded in 1893 after the discovery of gold in the surrounding area of Superstitious Mountains, it was abandoned twice after the mine veins faulted. It's a tourist attraction now, but was kind of fun to go in the old brothel and watch a staged shootout and look in the old jail cell.
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| Brothel at Goldfield |
I left on March 9 and stayed at the parking lot of Wild Horse Casino in Phoenix the first night, and Las Crusas Scenic Overlook rest area the second. The Las Crusas place was a really nice rest area looking over the town. There was a (statue) of a huge roadrunner made of recycled things like sneaker soles, computer parts, crutches, and tires. I thought it was super cool!
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| Roadrunner - Las Crusas, New Mexico |
So here I am for a couple of more days. The plan is to head toward Nashville next, where I'm supposed to meet Mom for a few days.
That's it for now.
I'll see ya back here next time.
And hopefully, I'll see many of you in person very soon! I can barely wait to see my children and my beautiful grandbabies! Patience, Patience...
Love,
Stefani💓
