July 4, 2001 The Suck Factor! It's those moments when the descriptive word for everything is "yuck"! It happens to me when I tired, hungry, in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation, or discouraged. I guess it's part of life and can even happen during my dream-come-true trip. I woke up this morning fully controlled by the …
70 Days, 7000 miles, Day 11
July 3, 2001 It's the second night in my Michigan campsite. My plan for this trip has always been to head to Montana to do some fly fishing. Last night I spent some time reading about mayflies. When I woke up this morning there was a mayfly on my tent. It was the first thing …
A Menopausal Odyssey, Day 10
July 2, 2001 I caught the ferry to Mackinac Island and spent the day in Mackinaw, a quaint place where no cars are allowed. The amatuer sociologist in me was quick to notice the three social classes evident in this resort town. An upper class used to Western style indulgence and conspicuous consumption. A middle …
70 Days, 7000 Miles, Day 9
July 1, 2001 For the last two days, people have been asking me when I was going to leave because they wanted my spot for Canada Day. I left early. I learned a lot today: (1) Always consult the map before you venture out. I went the wrong way up a one way street in …
A Menopausal Odyssey-Day 7 and 8
June 29 and 30, 2001 Took time to relax, read, and think. I brought a biography with me, The Man of the Century, The Life and Times of Pope John Paul II by Jonathan Kwitny. I'm reading this big book for a lot of reasons. First of all, I'm 100% Polish American, second generation in this …
A Menopausal Odyssey ? (Day 6)
June 28, 2001 I woke up in a tent this morning. Did what I always do when I camp; build a fire, make a cup of coffee, and read. Peace finally. Time to think. I am 52. I'm a menopausal woman. I guess I got through it okay, physically. Hot flashes. Once on a 10 …
70 days, 7000 Miles, Day 5
June 27, 2001 I left M.H.'s house in the morning and got on a highway that follow the Ottawa River. I was on my own now and I was anxious. I was really doing this, alone I found a beautiful campground and was given a great site on the water. I was agitated for two …
70 Days, 7000 Miles, Day 4
June 26, 2001 Yesterday's words with M.H. were aging, loneliness, inability, and dying. But today we lived new words. M.H. drove me to her yacht club so we could go sailing. She had her own sailboat and the woman who the night before worried about the inability to perform daily mundane tasks took that boat …
70 Days, 7000 Miles, Day 3
June 25, 2001 Great night's sleep. Woke at 6:00 am. Breakfast. Said "goodbye" to M. and R. and thanked them for a really great time. Went out on the main highway and almost got hit by another car. They honked at me which I accepted because I didn't see them because I wasn't looking. Note …
70 Days, 7000 Miles, Day 2
June 24, 2001 A very busy day in Ottawa. Woke up. Great breakfast prepared by M. In M.'s car by 10:00. Camping store. Canadians have great camping equipment. Lunch at The Canadian National Art Gallery. Ottawa is so beautiful. The capital city presents everything so well and there is so much to see and do. Do …
The Autonomous Traveler 