Traveling North!

I travel a lot to teach classes all over the country. Sometimes, out of the country. Travel has been a passion for me since childhood. Our dad took us camping every chance he got. I have a great picture of me and my sister watching our father shave in front of a little mirror that is nailed to a tree in our campsite in Sequoia National Park. I am about 4 years old. We went to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier and so many other places, it would take too long to name. In 1967 we went on a 3 month trip around the US and across Canada. Once I grew up, I took my kids on a few camping trips, but not many. Too busy working. During my second marriage, we both had kids and took them to the desert in the winter to camp and ride motocross. So fun! Then I bought a Hobie Cat, a 16' catamaran and we began sailing and camping with that boat. It was wonderful. Life went on and the kids grew up and the marriage broke up. I kept the boat and continued to sail and camp with a group of Hobie sailors for many years after that. However, life got busy and I used the boat less and less. Finally, after owning it for 20 years, I sold it. I really miss that boat and the companionship of all my sailing buddies

For the past 15 years or so I have traveled mostly to work. The fun trips were happening less and less. Now that I have been single for a little over a year it is time to head out and have an adventure again. I am taking off by myself on a road trip to Northern California. I used to live in Cotati, CA, (Near Santa Rosa). That's where Out On A Whim or Whimbeads is now. I lived there in 1981 & '82. It is a beautiful part of California located in Sonoma County. Wine country. I really like wine! The Russian River Jazz Festival has been held in Guerneville, which is very close to Santa Rosa right on the Russian River. Follow the river and you end up at the ocean in Jenner by the Sea. Just south is Bodega Bay where The Birds was filmed. I am learning to be single again. I traveled very little with my husband and really missed having someone to go camping with. Now I am going alone for a few days, but my brother, Ken is joining me for four days including the Jazz Festival weekend. He lives in Idaho. We rarely see each other. It will be so great to bead, hike, float on the river and listen to music. I leave early tomorrow, Labor Day, and won't be back until about the 15th. I am not bringing my computer. It's camping and I plan to really escape! Never from Beads, though!!! I will have my camera, so will post some pictures when I come home. I am staying at The Willows.