Lazuli buntings and white-crowned sparrow brave the snow
It’s spring, I think.
Although it did snow on Saturday. It’s time for me to get ready to return to work/play at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
I’m excited and anxious at the same time. Ever feel that way? Happens to me every time I prepare to travel. And you may laugh because I call myself a traveler. All I have to do this time is pack a few boxes, hook the truck up to the 5th-wheel and roll. Ha! Where did I put that list?
Packing for South Africa, that same old excitement mixed with anxiety. List upon list. Things to bring, things to do, lists to leave for others. What if I forget my passport. Then I rushed around at the last minute, got it all done and enjoyed an amazing adventure.
First stop Flagstaff KOA
No matter how many times I’ve moved my rolling home in the last 18 years this feeling floods over me. Yet I face the fear, move on, and am always better for it.
What kinds of fear do you face repeatedly?
To tour more of the world without fear go to Our World Tuesday by clicking here.
Love those little blue birds! And yes, wanderlust/travel sends my adrenalin levels way up. Almost like when I see a thrift shop…. ;<)
Love them there little Luzulis. Yes, I always feel that nervous apprehension each Fall before we head south. Starts about a month before we leave & lasts right up to the moment we start rolling.. Soon as I turn the ignition key, pull the lever into drive & the wheels start moving, that nervousness is instantly gone & it is pedal to the metal & let’s get this job done & mission accomplished. Happens to me every time. Curiously, I don’t have that same feeling before heading back to Canada. It’s more of a sadness at having to leave the adventures of the South-west behind.
I get nervous before flying. I hate the process. Sometimes I get to fly on our company plane. That is much nicer.
Since our hitch broke in January, I have had a fear of the new one breaking every time we hit a bump in the road.
Yes, I know just what you are talking about but you are right – change and adventure is good for our brains and keeps us young. Great shots of the buntings!
Oh, and have safe travels.
I like to keep my fear abstract and existential. But, then, I do worry about small, random things, too, like Border Patrol deciding they need to bring a dog in and cats dashing out the door in terror. Stuff like that.
Roxanne
Great post, Gaylyn! I face that fear every time I decide it’s time to hitch up and move again. Once I’m involved in the hitching up process, I forget about my fear. So I guess the remedy is to stop thinking about it and start moving! Wishing you safe travel . …
It happens to me all the time. Before any trip, I can’t sleep and if I’m organizing a big event for others, I do not rest at all the night before. It’s impossible. Anxiety? Well anything major with a house….like repairs. Repairs require money. Money that I don’t have at times:) Or health and the health of others….:) But other than that…..life is pretty good. Can’t complain:) That rain looked really nice. We had some in the morning. And I LOVE your Buntings. So don’t stress…it’ll all get done:)
Any time I face something new there is a certain amount of fear. New artwork technique – what if I’m no good at it? Trip to a new place – what if I spend all that time and money and don’t like the place? But once I’m underway, the “fear” goes away and excitement takes over.
Love those Lazuli Buntings! So gorgeous. We have the occasional Indigo Buntings and would love to see the Lazulis!
(Ms) Ernei
Well, I unhooked my little Burro for the first time and am now thinking of staying here all summer then selling it where it’s at so I never have to hitch up again. 🙂
Oh my gosh I was so taken with the blue-roofed birdhouse and the beautiful buntings I almost forgot to read the rest of the post. So glad I did — traveling does that to me too — although it was simpler when we had the 5-W — everything all in one place. Harder now — more lists…..
What beautiful little birds! Any change in routine can produce anxiety, but that is better than a boring, never-changing existence. Somehow I doubt you will ever settle into a boring lifestyle.
I do love that blue bird house! And I do relate to your fears and uncertainty! In spite of having traveled all over the world, having lived in a number of different countries and a number of those on my own and alone, I still feel the fear, the uncertainty with the little moves of today! You’d think by my age I would have moved past all that stuff???? But you live, not just exist and so did I! And that’s the beauty! Have a great season in your favorite place, enjoy!!
Sylvia
Just think of all the adventures you’d have missed if you lived in fear! I have the same kind of travel anxiety. I had it today when I bought plane tickets to Spokane to go to a wedding in June!
I have the same anxiety especially on leaving behind my passport and money or the credit card. Have a grand time at the Grand Canyon.
Oh Gaelyn you are a tumble weed for sure..You just roll along those soughwest highways.What an adventurous life you lead! Travel safe..keep those feet dry in Flag. We have rolled into Texas.
If moving was the ‘same old, same old” all the time, would there be any point in doing it? I think not.
Good luck as you roll on!
Stewart M – Australia
My wife is like you. She makes endless lists before we go on holiday. And she gets very irritable.
You are doing wonderful Gaelyn! You just keep on rolling. I wish I could do the same but, work get in the way. I enjoyed this post and photos. Especially the beautiful Lazuli Buntings. Have a great week!
My only fear is forgetting my passport when traveling (out of the country). I have all those crazy thoughts of what ifs. I love an adventurous life like yours!
Take care and I hope I will be one of the “tourists” in the North Rim. You have an unending beauty around you.
Hi Gaelyn, when I still travelled alone up until 2009, I used to wake up three – four times the night before I flew and check my passport, yellow fever card and utilities account (for changing ZARands into US$!) I never did forget anything. Now when we travel, Grant handles all the documents, identities, air miles, money exchange etc. So no fear anymore. Ha-ha. Thanks for all your visits to my blog while I was SO absent. Bless you and have a WONDERFUL journey. Hugs Jo
I makes lists for lots of things. If I don’t I’m always forgetting something. I am on a one day mini-vacation, and had a list over then items long. – Margy
I start shaking every time I think about getting back on a horse. I’m hoping to overcome that this summer…
In hindsight, your trip back to the north rim was certainly filled with some…um…adventures that would have had my anxiety flying high as a kite. But you made it back all in one piece and only a little worse for wear (I hope you’re feeling better).