10/4-10/7/12 -  I'm in the car as a passenger heading from Greenville, South Carolina to Charleston with Gabriele and Pat, who have generously invited me to join them for a long weekend stay with their good friends McIver and Harriet.  

 In conversation along the way, I was sharing with Gabriele my privilege of working as full time staff at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Connecticut for the last 10 years. Just as I was remarking about the magnitude of committed volunteers and generous spirit of High Hopes, the acknowledgement of Renya Day, and the abundance of generosity and blessings in support of my traveling journey, Gabriele pointed out a synchronicity ..... a car just ahead of us displayed a license plate that read:  BORN2GV.  (Born to Give) WOW! Together we laughed and mutually validated how much we love being in tune with the reflections of universal flow and divine synchronicity. It's so much fun and all it requires is openness and paying attention to the magnitude of life force that is everywhere.

In 4 hours we've arrived!  Harriet and McIver are a gracious couple that live in a beautiful Charleston home. The architectural beauty, art and culture here are glorious to behold.  

  Throughout the weekend, a beautiful quality I have observed that Harriet and McIver & Gabriele and Pat have in common is that their relationships are deeply loving, sweet, and playful.  Being in their presence is delightful and deeply enriching.  I especially love how Pat and McIver honor and adore their women. 

 I remember Brevard, whose now in the heavens, being that way with me.  I truly believe it has something to do with being southern gentlemen.  Pat, storytelling brother, I hold many of your wonderful stories dear and loved when you shared that growing up your dad always kissed your mom before leaving the house and on the rare occasion when he forgot, he would only get so far, turn around and come back with that kiss. (S-W-E-E-T)

It's been a great visit! Here are a medley of pics:

 

 

 

 

Thank you for 
inviting me to join you...
your gracious hospitality...
the honor of sleeping in Elizabeth's room...
the historical tour of Charleston...
all the stories, laughs, 'malaprops', card playing, and
dining at the round table...
the piano melodies streaming from the parlor.

10/1/12 - It's a mere 1 hr. drive between Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC, a quick and easy drive back to Asheville if  and when I make contact with Bobby & Arlaya. After several days and phone messages that golden moment arrived when we united face to face.  What a glowing moment!

Bobby & Arlaya, visiting you was so surreal. Your children were mere sprouts when I saw you last and now I see a tribe of beautiful young woman.  Most precious to me was seeing how you two still have that loving look for one another.  So many couples lose that spark during the test of time.  You've certainly have had your share of challenges and yet your glow for one another remains.  My heart's observation brought happy tears especially since I was afterall your matchmaker.

I wholeheartedly agree with you Bobby, that often the best of intentions and plans don't work out, and so I'm even that much more grateful that we were able to finally come together.  Skyping with Eitra was amazing too!

Arlaya, I will always remember fondly our very first Sisterhood Pod gatherings.

Bobby, I shall continue to energize the thought seed of you and Eitra connecting down the road.

Loving you dearly my precious brother and sister XOX

9/29/12 - Renaissance Festival

9/25/12 - Still haven't reached my dear friends in Asheville, so I'm heading for Greenville today to visit a new friend Gabriele.   A new friend on the outside that is, an ancient soul-sister connection on the inside.

A few Sundays ago, on September 9th at the One Heart gathering in Afton, VA, I met Gabriele.  My post of 9/8/12, tells of the wonderful surprise way spirit introduced us.

My traveling adventure is all about being open... the possibilities are numerous.  It's about feeling into and following what feels right in the moment for the highest good.  There's no right or wrong way ... there's simply options.

Sure glad I followed Spirit's lead to connect with you Gabriele!  Here we are enjoying a fabulous visit in Greenville, South Carolina together because you generously invited me into you and your honey's home along the way.  It is such an honor to be visiting with the two of you.  Sharing with me your traveling across country routes, connections and stories are prayers answered.  Before I set out on this journey, I prayed for divine support to lead my way, connecting me with resonant people, places, and opportunities.  Meeting you is a direct answer to the energy I have set forth as my compass for this journey. 

9/15 and 9/16 - Christine Dolphin Dancer,

I am most grateful for the late night hot tub soak we had under the stars at Maggie's, affording us the opportunity to have a one-on-one visit.  I appreciate your affirming my impulse to request a healing session with Maggie.  As you know, it turned out to be incredibly transformational and vitally important.  It did not go unnoticed that you imparted that to me before it even occurred. Thank you dear sister.

Thank you also for taking me to your new abode.  A supportive sacred space amidst the quiet  woodlands for the Dolphin Dancer * Butterfly Medicine Woman to to rest and create.

...And my deep gratitude once again dear sister for following your inner knowing in bridging me with Rachel before leaving town.

...And thank you Rachel for extending your medicine woman vision, connections, and feather gift.
From our visit, I am more deeply affirming myself as seed collector and spreader.

Aloha Charlottesville ~ so long for now.

Next stop ~ Abingdon.

9/22/12 - So long Troutdale, Virginia - how exquisite you are -

On my way to Tennessee ...

In 3-1/2 hours, I arrived in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - the area of Dollywood - major busy strip of various touristy attractions.  Home of the Dolly Parton amusement park and other major attractions. Didn't feel inspired to take photos.  Decided to stay the night in a nearby motel since it was raining and I needed some time alone to integrate all that had transpired during my visiting marathon of several weeks in a row). A place to hunker down into my own rhythm and catchup with blogging.  My prayers were answered. A $45 a night 100% smoke free motel (didn't even know there was such a thing) called Microtel Inn & Suites owned and operated by Shree Krishna Hospitality.  A gracious, clean and energetically healthy place - just what I needed.
 I plant the thought seed that there be an abundance of such motels everywhere!)

Initially planned to head for Asheville the following day to visit long time friends I still hadn't gotten in touch with despite my persistent calls.  I can be very persistent when my gut feeling is that something specific is meant to be.  I guess you could say that I tug on the threads of possibility until it is made very clear that it is for the highest good to surrender. 

In the meantime, I discovered that Tennessee is a very popular place for a particular activity that's been on my bucket list for quite some time. So............... I decided to stay on in Tennessee one more night to make a very important date.

My next blog post will reveal the fulfillment of one of my heart's desires.

9/24/12 - awoke this morning with great excitement.  Today's the day that I'm going to

........(drumroll please)........

ZIPLINE!!!!!! 

 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

There are numerous places to zipline around here and it didn't occur to me until my son asked in a phone conversation last evening if I had checked out the website for the company I had chosen to zip line with.  I hadn't; my choice was made based on affordability / getting the best deal.  Well.... that isn't always the best choice.  Thank you babe for reminding me to search the web out before jumping (pun fully intended). After checking several local zip line websites, in comparison, it was clear that the more costly zipline adventure ($30 more) was the one for me.  Climb Works Canopy - the Ultimate Treetop Zip Line Adventure. #1 rated Zip Line in Tennessee! A national leader in zip line design and construction, offering an experience that is unmatched in quality and safety.

Climb Works Greeter - what a sweetie!

Experiencing the Smokies through a bird's eye view zipping over ravines, streams, trees and gorgeous views of the National Park was FABULOUS!!!  Experienced 9 different zip lines lasting 2 1/2 hours.  The longest zip line was 1,200 ft and the highest was 200 ft.  I WOOHOO'd and CROW'd all the way!!!  Flying with grace and ease - no hesitation from the get go - would do it again in a heartbeat!

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                                                       walking the canopy swing bridges

 

Can you see me in the photo above?

 

Zip line instructors ---- great guys
who love their jobs and bring great fun and
encouragement to the experience.  They work
wonders with first timers and those fearful
of heights --there was one of them in our group!
She ended up taking the plunge and was glad she did.

 Love their motto:  Ready to C.L.I.M.B?  Challenge. Learn. Inspire. Master. Believe.

Zip lining has been on my bucket list for a very long time.  

CLIMB WORKS Canopy

The Ultimate Treetop Zip Line Adventure 

FABULOUS!  

Highly recommended!