Frances Takes A Vacation, Epilogue

Well, I have come to the end of my journey and this will be my last FTAV blog post. I have had a wonderful time writing and have enjoyed all your feedback and comments. I would like to leave you all with some post trip reflections and observations from my days traveling the great state of California.

I think that every woman should give themselves permission to vacation alone at some point in their lives. Fear was never a factor for me, and the longer I planned this trip, the more adventurous and courageous I became. I trusted my spirit guides and just knew that whatever came about in the trip would be a life learning event. I also trusted that I would always be put in the direction of some healthy, traveling individuals, who were just as interested in experiencing California as I was. I met many such people.

These are some of the things I loved to smell:

Skunk, the wind carrying the scent of cows grazing on a meadow, hay, campfires, dirt, a good steak grilling, Coppertone, hippie boy/girl scent, lavender, milk, clean hair, coffee, fresh warm muffins, trout, lemons, grapes, apples, corn, wine, and sycamore trees

These are some of the things I loved seeing:

Acres of corn, strawberry patches, a city sign that said, "Strawberry, Population 50", Red Tailed Hawks leading the way my entire journey, rolling hills, horses running, the Kern River rapids, the American River rapids, my loving friends, signs indicating I have arrived at my destination, flies that don't bother me, brine shrimp having sex, Karen and Tim's first grandchild, the Redwoods, frogs, country roads, meteors, the ocean, trees swaying in the wind.

These are some of the things I loved feeling:

Ice cold water coming from a water faucet, Mono Lake, hand lotion, tomatoes, Alowyn (Karen and Tim's grandchild), family hugs, rocks, my horse Sweetie's tail smacking me, a hot mineral bath, the wind, emotion from way deep down, a sense of pride in being a native Californian.

These are some of the things I loved listening to:

Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Django, Casey and Tyler, birds calling, the wind blowing, people talking without yelling, Karen, Tim's jokes, the old songs sung by John and Danny, the ocean, encouraging words from friends and strangers, California history, me talking to myself.

These are some of the tastes I enjoyed:

Tempranillo, Tik's Cupcakes, the best oatmeal served at the Cozmic Cafe in Placerville, Latte's, tomatoes, portabello mushrooms, plums, fresh water from the tap, tofu tortilla soup, fresh bread, blackberry muffins, wild berry danish, healthy living, a fabulous red port.

So to all my faithful followers, and womankind as a whole, thanks for supporting me and following my blog. I look forward to next years vacation, whatever it may be. There is still so much more of California that for me has yet to be discovered. Whatever the journey is, it will involve my childhood best friend and her family. Until then....Just Do It All!