Summer Time

It’s now safe to say, it’s been a hot one! Wow! Hopefully, wherever your neck of the woods is located, you have had slightly less “summer” like weather than here in NE Kansas. Hey, I can take some heat, but the humidity on some of the hot days is just ridiculous.

It has made daily walks more of a daily struggle just to stay out. But like clockwork, Stormy and I have been out every day. Our four-legged companions don’t seem to care much for it as well. It’s a game of finding some shade, a smiggen of breeze, and drinking some water. It has been interesting watching Stomy go from one shady spot to the next and then just sit there and wait for me. He has figured it out.

If you haven’t yet got the feeling I am not a big hot-weather type of person, here’s a clue. I’m not a hot-weather type of person. I am able to make the best of it, but I seem to be more of a summer Grinch than a winter one. I would like to think they both have big hearts hidden down deep, so there you go.

We still have a couple of months remaining of summer, and I hope we all get to enjoy all the wonderful things summer offers. Which is the vast wealth of life on our planet. From the crickets singing in the evening to the sunrises over the swaying prairies, mountain peaks, or rolling ocean waves, there is much to be grateful for. Which I am, hot, humid weather or not.

Now for the “beyond” part. I touched briefly, some time back, on plans I have had for the past year or more. Plans of long-term travel throughout North America, from the southwest to some of the most northern reaches of North America, including the Yukon and, of course, our great state of Alaska. I can now say with confidence, travels will begin in October. The first half of the month is very likely.

A full-time travel schedule will be based heavily on seasons and weather within each season. I hope that after the first year of travels, I will begin to have an idea of locations based on the time of year. Honestly, this may take a few years to have a good idea of what Stormy and I prefer. Did I mention Stormy will be my traveling partner!

With this being the case, the next two to three months will see less activity here. I am guessing there may not be a monthly update for a month or two during the next 5-month period. Hopefully, no more than a couple of missed monthly newsletters at most.

That being said, once a comfortable travel plan is put into action, updates will take on a new look and feel. Most notably, they will be coming to you from the road, somewhere from the great beyond.

I won’t even try to guess how the first few months will take shape. There will be many adjustments and many new ideas that will bounce around in my head. I hope you stick around and check things out once new content begins regularly. The best way to do that is to be subscribed to the newsletter.

This will also be the beginning of a new line of work from new places of new things, along with all new adventures for me and Stormy. All of which I plan on sharing here, and possibly another place if things go as planned. There will be an initial breaking-in period of a short trip or two in the first part of October. So I do need to spend some serious time devoted to all the “bits and bobs” (an English phrase that I get a kick out of every time I hear it), or as some may say, getting all the little details worked out.

Just to touch on one thing presently that I am working on, which is our water filtration system that can provide safe, drinkable water for Stormy and me even when we are in the most remote areas. As long as we are around some type of water supply, such as a stream, lake, creek, pond, or whatever, that may be. We will need the capability to collect, filter, and store water. This is a vital need that requires the most serious of thought and time put into it. Just one of a dozen or so “important” details to work out.

Our travel plans are to be remote, off the beaten path as much as possible. Few if any “campgrounds”. We will search for forests, mountains, deserts, beaches, and all things in between. This with a mix of notable landmarks, interesting side trips, and small-town America.

It’s easy for me to sit here and write this. As the famous saying goes, “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face.” -Mike Tyson. I am hoping to keep the punches to the face to a minimum. (famous last words).

That’s enough said about this new upcoming journey for now. Just remember if things seem slow on my end, it’s just due to the many preparations that will be taking place and will continue for a few months.

As I am writing this update, today has seen some cooling off of temperatures. Just a bit ago, when I ventured out on a quick errand, it was almost comfortable at around 88 degrees. The next few days are forecasted to be in the low 80s! There are going to be some extra-long walks coming up for Stormy!

Poem by
Wendell Berry