Maps are my friends

Hello-

Are you a map fan?  Does the accordion puzzle that is a paper map fill you with excitement rather than dread?  Does the map pocket in your car actually contain a map? Does trailing your finger along the rural road on a map, acting as the navigator, give you with satisfaction? If so, then you will totally understand how the ritual of getting out the maps can help build the excitement for an upcoming trip.

I spent close to thirty years at work with at least one map in my hand for most of the day.  I gave folks directions over the phone.  Stayed with them on the line as they passed intersections and called out street names to me.  After years of this I think I self installed a type of GPS in my head or at the very least I erased any fear of using a map and panicking at what getting lost could mean. I always felt sorry for folks that just didn't seem to get that the sun rose in the East and set in the West and you could use this information to map your place in the world.

So yesterday I bought my airplane tickets for Scotland at the end of August and this morning I brought out the map.  Travel dreams are being brought to the forefront of my thoughts.  Don't get me wrong, they are always there, but they are getting a lot more dream time as of now.  Prior to Scotland though I've got a road trip with my sister. I'll be taking her back home to Ruidoso NM and meeting up with a couple of friends at some point West of there before heading home again. I'll have my camera gear on the seat next to me as well as the maps.  I'll have my eyes, mind and heart wide open to see what I can see. I will also have my iphone as well but its not as much fun to fold up and put away.

So stay tuned friend.  I'll have my gear for posting and processing photographs as well so you'll be able to travel along with me.

 

That's it!  I'm diving in head first folks.

I've quit my day job and am going to explore my photography to my heart's content.  What exactly that means will be determined along the way.  I will continue to have my work available in a variety of venues online.  I hope to have a presence in select local galleries and shops as well.  Now that I have weekends free for the first time in almost 30 years I'll be taking part in local art shows and sales as well so I hope to meet you person one day.  Stay tuned and follow my photo adventures big and small. I've got a trip to Italy and Scotland (of course) in the works for the coming year and who knows where else I'll find myself.  I've made a start on the dance hall project I've been dreaming about and my "to do and to see" list has grown gleefully.  Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.  Vacilando baby!! 

Travelling

Defined as: to go from place to place; make a journey.

I think I've mentioned before that I think of myself as a "noticer". To see and be somewhere new is a wondrous thing for me. New things to catch a glimpse of out of the corner of my eye,whip my head around and spy a hidden gem. Its a bit of a joke among those I travel with. If there is some wildlife to spot, an abandoned building barely glimpsed, weird weather phenomenon about to appear, I'm the girl to point it out. This well used case is home to my maps and travel journals. Visted place names are highlighted. Village names are spelled out phonetically in the journals so I can whisper them aloud once home and make them appear again. Travel is magic for me. It makes me more than I would otherwise be. I hope you can travel with me.