The news has instilled such a sense of fear in so many of us. The stamps in our passport and memories of such sights often doesn't seem worth the risks of getting on that plane to the unknown. We see so much fighting and hatred, foreclosures and despair that we are ignorant to the beauty and hope that is still saturating our essence. My friend posted photos of his current home as he works abroad in Jerusalem. With history and spirituality in every step and moment, his imagery has inspired additions to my Wanderlust Wishlist~ the places that I have been convinced not to explore and discover. All above pictures are from my friend Andrew... he has some mad photography skills... I'm thinking National Geographic! He encouraged me and inspired me to go sample some adventure myself. We always dream of when we retire we'll go here or there, neglecting the fact that by then we might be too tired. (Without downplaying the need to save, I echo the sentiments below. Adding to my 2017 theme of adventure: JUST GO!)
"We are but here for this short time, come what may. We are alive, yet often seek a life that is so scared and bleak. We live by breath, but rarely live. Monotony will be the death of me!" Yet another reason to love Michigan.... opportunity to visit defunct and still operating lighthouses. One of our o̶b̶s̶e̶s̶s̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ loves is lighthouses and lakes. Luckily, we're only a 1/2 hour from his one.
A few years ago, we asked my dad (my parents are h̶i̶p̶p̶i̶e̶s products of the 60's... my dad is more of a wanderer than I, nighttime reading maps. If anyone should be asked for an interesting road trip idea, its that guy.) if there was any peculiar place that we could explore. He mentioned a giant boulder field in the middle of the woods, that no one had pinpointed origins for. Great. A football field size pile of rocks (insert eyeroll here). Of course, these rocks are as peculiar as the lack of historical orgins. They chime like bells when hit. So we drove Just over an hour from Philli is Ringing Rocks State Park. We followed the clings and clangs, hiking back to see this rock sanctuary. A BYOH (Bring Your Own Hammer) affair, we stoically climbed through the rocks clanging and smashing along, learning that the more worn stones have the more pronounced chimes. Essentially a temple of unknown, the spirit of the stones permeates the air and forces a sort of reverence. My video wouldn't load for whatever techy reason I'm not modern enough to figure out, but this bouncy Youtube one shares the sounds and weirdness of these very solid, very hollow-sounding boulders. That person giddy about Frybread ala strawberry shortcake? That was me. Thrilled to be back in the middle and celebrate heritage with dance and drums, we were genuinely elated to go to our first Pow Wow in about 4 years! While the feathers swirled and the drum pulsated with our own heart's rhythm, the smell of fried dough , fresh tobacco, and burnt sage wafted around us like a thick cloud. After stopping at 2 more art fairs, I think its safe to say that this was a true wanderer's festival weekend!
How great is it when you hear of a festival only hours before heading downtown and can suddenly swap out mundane grocery errands for seeking out the lovely and praiseworthy things! We were the ones taking the long way home to taste the cultural celebration. With zero vege options (may have had a Seinfeld-esque breakdown about no more vege eggrolls-like last week's fest), we chose to be enthralled with the artisians and vendors. Until the music started and we were captivated by the different dancers and martial artists. An inaugural festival, the GR Asian Festival was a showcase and highlight of cultures. The energy and enthusiasm (not to mention at least 1,000 visitors) more than hints to a growing tradition for the circle.
We were the ones trading in our fancy dos for tie-dye and hiking boots to join the ranks and Natural Living Fest, which we'd heard of minutes before.
Spring always has such a sense of renewal and hope attached to it.... Hope of wandering! Remembering when... It went something like this... Her: "I've had the same hair do for about 8 years." Him: "So,change it." Her: "You need a haircut." Him: "Do I? I'll go across the street to that Aveda." Her: "Yeah? I think I'll come too." *That surreal moment when you look down at your hair, piled high on the floor, you look in the mirror and see this new face pre-brushing- in all its curly ginger glory- and you wonder, "What have I done?!"* ...Sometime later... Him: "Want to go out for lunch and show off your new banged forehead." Her: "Yes, I've always wanted to show off my forehead. Now that I have bangs, this can be a reality." Him: "Seriously, lets go eat" ...And then... Her: "Let's go somewhere." Him: "OK. Turn right here" Her: "Onto that highway?" Him: "Yeah, lets see where it goes." Her: "That's the Bay Bridge, you want to pull off and go somewhere there?" Him: "Nah... lets keep going." *That moment when you look over, see that gypsy twinkle, and step on it, oblivious as to where you're going or when you'll get there. ...Some hour plus later, after driving through several towns along the way... Welcome to Ocean City, minus the normal large crowd and beach bodies. Him: "Mini golf must be like apple pie and baseball around here." Her: "What's with all these cheerleaders walking around everywhere? Its like no one is here this weekend except for cheerleaders with bows in their hair." Him, pointing to an older man, walking into a fish house: "There's a cheerleader now." Her, pointing to a mother of three, tantrumming kids: "There's four now! They're practicing for the competition." Him, pointing to the dinosaur: "He doesn't look too happy." Her: "He doesn't like cheerleaders." *Total peace on the chilly beach and boardwalk, no fighting for a spot to sink your toes into the sand.*
...upon further exploring... Him: "Want to go to a diner and show off your new banged forehead?" Her: "Only if I can have a shake." We were the ones eager to walk amongst the thousands to sample the food and sounds of the city. That chick, mimicking Elaine Benes, jerking about-dancing and laughing hysterically to the street drummer? Yeah.... that was me. The Festival of the Arts near and around Calder Park (affectionately just called "Festival") was not, in fact, all about art, but rather culture. Various ethnic, spiritual ,and religious organizations proudly sold amazing street food, while street performers crooned or sketched for the enjoyment of the passerby. Excited to finally explore the GRAM and to explore the newest exhibit-- Black Waves: The Tattoo Art of Leo Zulueta, we were the two contemplating the Great Squares in the modern art section. And so begins the month of weekend fests!
Tales from Festivals Past We'd lived in that lovely little place for five years. Since we spend many weekends...well...gone, we had no idea that there was a hot air ballon mini fest just down the road. So... before our leaving town song came on (yes, we have an exit song), we were the ones sneaking a parking spot to avoid taking a shuttle. Soaring into the Sunrise Patchwork from below A View from inside; looking up through canvas windows.
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