Too cold up north to camp so we went south

Our van really is protesting the cold weather especially with the steering column broken and the torque converter failing. In the cold, our van didn't want to start. The idea of being stranded in freezing temperatures or camping out with  temps dipping to the teens at night didn't thrill me. So we turned around and headed south into northern California on the central area. It is balmy warm here even after dark. I'd say it's about 55 degrees tonight.

We hope to find a steering column for our Dodge Tradesman 300 Van and that's a hard task we're learning. The quest will be easier if we stay in this climate because we will be more apt to save money by camping out in our van. So wish us luck in finding the parts we need and work to pay for them. Don't worry, we will not be deprived of enjoying nature. There are nice campgrounds and parks in this region so we will go hiking as often as we make the opportunity. I'll keep you updated.

The Midnight Writer

Spring has come to northern California

When I awoke yesterday, I noticed all the flowers, trees and bushes in bloom and it really lifted my spirits. It made me think about the changing earth and how the climate is shifting on our planet earth. I started thinking about the polarity shift and wondered about the northern California weather pattern. I wondered what the average month is here that spring arrives.

We escaped the thick Tule Fog in the Valley

This morning we woke up in Williams, California to a weather forecast for mostly sunny with temps forecast for the upper fifties and low sixties. My excitement peaked about our trip to Highway 101 and the redwoods knowing that sunshine would dominate the whole week into the weekend. The warm temperatures soothed my soul as I thought how much more I will enjoy camping in the noble redwoods when it's warm. Imagine my bewilderment when I stepped outside into a fog so dense that I couldn't see six houses down the street. Knowing what highway 20 west is like to 101, I was not thrilled about the prospect of driving a winding narrow two lane highway for 85 miles in the fog!

We stopped to gas up so I began asking folks if they had come from the west on Highway 20 adding that I wonder what the fog is like. One man said it would be thick like in the valley all the way to 101. Another man said it will clear when you reach the upper foothills and get out of the valley clouds. Our hope and faith rested in believing that we were supposed to make the trip today so we geared up for the adventure and headed for the hills!

What do you think happened? You guessed it. When the elevation reached about two thousand there was no fog in sight because we had risen above the low lying clouds. That's all tule fog is, low hanging clouds...if you didn't know that already. Needless to say, we were stoked and enjoyed a sunny drive through some beautiful California mountains past the lakes and small lake towns all the way to Ukiah.

Tomorrow will be equally as exciting because we are heading north to the redwood highway. Once we reach that area, I may not get online much but I will update every couple days from a local coffee shop or ranger station. And yes, we'll take lots of photos to share with you. Cephas and I might be in the northern Cali. region for several weeks or until we get our van fixed and I make progress on my book.

We have family in Idaho and Utah whom we would love to spend some time with but we don't want to risk taking our van into the very cold climate with our steering column issue. No, we haven't found one yet but we have not given up the quest. If you know anyone with parts for a 1973 Dodge Tradesman 300 B series camper van, let me know. We need a steering column more than any other part. See you in the land of the giants.

Peace.
Summer Breeze, a/k/a The Midnight Writer

My Heart is in the Redwood Forest

Cephas and Summer Breeze June 2009 video

Avenue of the Giants

I am so longing to take a sabbatical camping in the redwood forests of northern California. My husband and I have been very busy working and gathering funds to fix some major issues with our vehicle. As soon as we put in a new steering column we are heading for Highway 101 with its glorious views and majestic winding redwood highway through the Avenue of the Giants. It will probably rain a little more in northern California this time of year but we are okay with the rain. Our raincoats are quick to grab so we will just plan some walking in the rain.

One of our favorite trails is located at Founders Tree. We always stop at the rest area there to walk this trail and usually we make two or three loops on the half mile trail. On days that we're feeling energetic, we spend a couple hours walking the loop to talk and just admire these breathless giants. The energy is empowering and profound in this forest. I like to clear my thoughts of the busy cities, towns and freeways while I'm here so I can ponder the more significant intricacies of life. It's a great place to write.

Cephas and I spent three days there last winter when we stopped to camp overnight. Our transmission line broke so we spent that time walking and working on the van. It was a challenge sopping up the fluid that spilled in the parking lot but we managed to take care of it the best we could. The local ranger was helpful to us and offered us assurance that we'd be fine there for as long as we needed to make the necessary repairs. An awesome young family came to our rescue by driving all the way to Garberville to buy us transmission fluid, sealant, food and water. We were without coffee for two days which was the hardest thing for me.

Another favorite town along the Avenue of the Giants is a place called Miranda. There is an organic coffee booth there which thrills us and a little gas station/store that we always stop to buy gas or groceries. The town folks are really friendly. I've been wanting to visit the resort at Miranda Gardens but it is outside our budget limits. It seems like the perfect place to work on my novel for a month or two. I can keep dreaming.....

There is so much to see on this twenty five mile stretch of highway that one could spend several weeks just taking it all in. That's why we keep going back. I feel at home there and I'm working on convincing Cephas to move there for awhile. It's my dream place. See you in the forests in a week or so. We'll take new photos and videos to share....and we'll probably spend a few nights at the Burlington campground.

The Midnight Writer

A Dozen blank pages stared back at me today

I began my day in a very optimistic hopeful mood...with redunant tendancies in tact. See, I'm practicing here as well. My day has been unfolding fluently with many of my intentions being actualized. One thing I intended to do today was to write multiple blog posts to update my blogs and to work on my novel. But when I opened my two tabs : one for my blog panel and the other for facebook....a dozen blank pages stared back at me. My thoughts raced about what to splash on those blank pages so I scurried around the internet and raced through my mind in search of the anwer.

As the day seemed to morph into its own living reality,  an idea burst forth....I thought I would experiment with facebook. I asked for suggestions to blog about. Whatever ideas folks suggest on that facebook thread, I will write about on my blogs. The suggestion can be a topic or a specific title, it doesn't really matter. I'm willing to take a risk and try some fresh new ideas. Let's have fun blogging together and maybe my facebook friends will want to read my blog more often.

This experiment is good until midnight January 5, 2011, pacific time.

The Midnight Writer

Working in a warm room while it pours rain outside

This is a photo of Cephas snuggled in our van.

I'm really happy to be snuggled inside a motel room as I listen to the rain splash on the sidewalk outside. Now I love the rain and at times I enjoy walking in it but working on my writing in the rain outside is out of my comfort zone. If I was relaxing in a beautiful gazebo set in the country side with a fireplace and a view, I'd be in heaven. Sitting in the van with a tablet or laptop is not so enjoyable. Even though we cannot really afford to rent motel rooms, Cephas and I find ourselves doing it more in the winter time when we travel. Living in a camper van is not as glorious as it might sound. However, I'd be inclined to change our arrangements to living in a motor coach. It would be more spacious because we could stand and even walk around a bit.

Our van is cramped with only room to sit up front in the old bucket seats or sit on the bed. To use our kitchen, we actually have to unload the back end and set up a tent. Campgrounds are our friend then but we avoid that in the rain unless we are going for a mountain adventure. So I'm thankful tonight for the heater blowing warm air beside me as the rain continues to pour on the outside world as I watch Sherlock Holmes in the background. It's a wonderful evening.

The Midnight Writer

I'm working hard on my book manuscript

Writing a book has been my life long dream and now that dream is within a hand's reach. I'm an only a couple months from seeing this dream come to fruition. The feelings are overwhelming at times and I still can't believe I'm doing it. I started writing professionally for pay almost three years ago but I've been a creative writer with a love of the written word my whole life.

During my quest, I discovered a very important truth. Dreaming and realizing a dream are two completely different experiences. One fills you with drive and anticipation while the other gives the feeling of exhilarating release.

The Wayshower preview screening at Warner Studios was a thrill

On November 15, 2010, Cephas and I took an arduous but thrilling journey to Burbank, California.  It was my birthday, the big 55, so we had to go some place special. I was excited because my life partner, love of my life, promised me dinner and a movie. He knows how much it would mean to me to see the "preview "screening of "The Wayshower". We missed the "preview" screening in Utah so we traveled to California to see the one at Warner Studios. It was an exciting day that both of us will remember. The trip was worth it. View the trailer I have posted here and you'll understand why I enjoyed it so much. It's only a sneek peek because I believe it's still in pre-release stage but I can't wait for it's release. I want to buy a copy of the video to share with my friends and family.


The Midnight Writer

Working in California for a while this winter

As usual, my plans as a writer changed to match the ministry work that Cephas and I do together. We thought we would be wintering in Utah with our son, but it looks like we'll be spending some time in California. A few trips to Utah are on our itinerary though. Since we follow the spirit in all things, our plans are subject to change at a moment's notice. This keeps us aware on multiple levels as we strive to live according to God's will for us. It is a fascinating journey every day.

My Path led me back to the Beginning of my Journey

My summer has been filled with travel, adventure, family, and emotional hurtles. Some seemed almost insurmountable but I made it through the past four months as I faced my personal challenges within interpersonal family relations. This road to discovery led me to the grand realization that I am on the right path for me in this life. I learned that it is possible not one other living soul will understand why I choose to live my life in the way that I walk my daily path. And that is okay with me now.

Summer Breeze, The Midnight Writer

Our Big Move

This guest post from Werner Rogers

Less than a year ago, we moved our family from college to Utah. We left sea level and beach air to move to 6000 ft elevation and the driest air I have ever known. The sheer logistics were tough enough. We had only one moving truck, one small moving trailer and a minivan. We stuffed as much of our stuff in as we could and had to leave our holiday decorations, etc in a storage unit. We hooked the trailer to the truck and loaded the minivan with two boys, two dogs, a TV and luggage. The 900+ mile journey started later than planned and we quickly found out the truck had a governor on it allowing us to travel no faster than 70mph. We finally pulled into our new place at 2:00am the next morning.

After we got into our house, things went a bit better. We had made an earlier arrangement to have our satellite service moved and we were able to get a high speed internet tv bundle so we had everything set up right away. Luckily, our new landlord had also kept the power, water and garbage services going so we only had to change the billing to our name. Our son got sick soon after we moved in. Our neighbors let us know who the good doctors are and where to find the vet's office. Moves are always hard but it was definitely worth it for us.

Seniors Getting hip to Technology

Thanks to Marienela Ugalde for the following post

There many reasons for senior citizens to learn to navigate their way around the Internet if they are not able to drive and get around to research hearing aids prices. The Internet can serve as their connection to the outside world and also allow them to take care of many of the things that they need in order to survive.

A very important reason that senior citizens need to learn how to work a computer is that we are now in the age of online banking. As mentioned before, if a senior citizen does not have reliable transportation they are not always able to get out and pay their bills in a timely manner. By knowing how to operate the computer and learning how to navigate their way to the online banking system, they will be able to sign on to the computer and take care of whatever bills they have to pay without having to leave the confines of their home.

Another good thing about learning how to work the computer is that we are in the Facebook age. Facebook is a great opportunity for senior citizen to stay in touch with long-lost friends. By having a Facebook account they will be able to stay up to date as to what is going on with their friends and family.

A senior citizen can also use the computer to play games. They are used to playing the occasional game of spades with friends, they would really enjoy getting the opportunity to play spades on the computer and compete against people all over the world. It is a great thing to be able to work a computer; senior citizens do not have to only use a computer to find things such as miracle ear hearing aids. There is so much more they can choose to do when they learn how to properly navigate their way around a computer.

Computer Makes Photos Easier

Post written by my friend Miriam Willborn

We all know how hectic the spring season can be with all of the schools having their dances, the children starting new sports games and the beach opening up for some fun in the sun. After the winter snow has melted here it is like a circus with all of the people out and about enjoying the spring time. Everyone leaves their homes and is released into a sunny and warm world for the first time in months. It can be hard to keep track of everything that is going on in the Spring and Summer, thank goodness for electronic planners on our phones, right? Another great thing that has gone electronic is photo albums. I am so grateful to be able to take as many pictures as I like of all of the things happening around me. I can then upload all of those pictures to Flickr using my high speed internet mannford ok connection. This really makes for an easier time getting to the next activity when I can just plug in the camera and upload all the pictures right to the internet. These days it just seems like there is very little time to sit down and paste pictures into a scrap book. Though the pace of life is picking up here it does not mean that we have to forget the art of the photograph.