FROM THE ROAD - SUMMER 2025
THREE NIGHTS AT THE WALMART PARKING LOT IN ELLSWORTH, MAINE - THE BEGINNING…
Sitting on an overcast beach in St. Martin, New Brunswick, we were able to park here on the side of a quiet stretch of coastal road for the night. We are using an app called ioverlander that shows us where we can park for free and find remote spots that have been verified and reviewed by its users. So far it is two-for-two! The first few nights were spent in a Walmart parking lot in Ellsworth, Maine. It was pretty good. Quiet, and we camped amongst other people doing what we were doing, and some, just on the road to a different life. It is a window into a slice of life.
The rhythmic sound of the waves that, for me, can be both irritating and soothing was great to sleep by last night. It's such a contrast from the meadows we were surrounded by in Brooksville, Maine. The songbirds, crickets, frogs, seagulls, crows, and other odd sounds greet us throughout the day.. But the most wonderful were the night sounds and the fireflies, which I haven't seen since I was a child. I suppose living in cities all these years keeps one from that phenomenon. I am more conscious of the insect life now and the efforts many are making to create meadows to support that life. Maine, and New England in general, are very much in love with their mowers, and giant lawns are the norm. So it is encouraging to see that change and those once sterile, lifeless expanses of mowed grass are now teaming with insect life. It holds a glimmer of hope for me, amidst the chaos, confusion, and environmental destruction.
Since leaving Maine two days ago, we feel like we are now fully on our journey, the only deadline is to be in Seattle by October 1st. Most of our time in Maine was working out the kinks of this van, getting all the do-dads and discovering what needed fixing, and figuring out all the systems, which are very much like the systems in your house, except it is all compact, mini, and a bit fragile. It's been interesting and engaging, to say the least. Now that we have done that part, we are now able to relax a bit into our days and find our routines. Making sure everything is buttoned up before we take off each day has been a game of sorts, all systems shut down, all counters cleared and doors and cupboards secured. Working together to see how organized and quick we can do it all. So far about 30 minutes from start to finish. Simple pleasures...:))
Although we love camping, I have to say, parking and being able to cook, without having to set up camp, the tent, and all that is involved with that is a true gift, and to sleep on a bed with sheets and blankets and not having to think about rain is fantastic. This type of travel and way of living is very close to the elements and one has to think of consumption a lot. The consumption of our limited water source, the garbage that we are creating and having to carry around, our battery capacity and how to keep it charged so we can have a cold fridge, and most importantly using every square inch so we can have the things with us that are needed.
This is only the beginning and who knows how all this will go, but so far, I have to speak only for myself, I feel healthier and happier than I have in a long time. This lifestyle promotes simplicity and resourcefulness. It requires letting go and embracing something new every day.
I am grateful.
Kerry is continually shooting the landscapes and whatever he finds intriguing and I am making sound recordings, taking pics, and eventually I'll be adding to my collection of small paintings that represent these places. I'm writing a lot, thinking of how I can create another exhibit that represents this journey that is not only for the pleasure of seeing new places and experiencing new people but something more. Not sure what that more is right now, but it is slowly evolving.
Honestly, right now, this all seems very self-indulgent and privileged, and it feels like I am running away from all the insanity of the US. I am, I suppose, and at the same time, do we allow ourselves to live in fear and dread? When I was a teenager, I thought Canada was this faraway place that held all sorts of intrigue. I even sent for maps and tourist stuff, train maps, and all things Canadian from the Canadian government. When it arrived I was so excited and I would lay everything out on my bedroom floor and imagine my journey across Canada. That was 52 years ago. Lots of other landscapes were explored. Wow! How time flies. Now I find myself here in Canada, and I have the opportunity to do this and this might just be it! So I am going for it and taking it all in, doing what I can to live lightly and freely. Life is so short, omg, it goes so quickly. One minute you're lying on your bed as a teenager, dreaming of your future, and the next minute you're 68 years old, and finally, you're as free as you've ever been or will be. Such a concept...eh?
to be continued...
Love you all,
Mia