I Dare You

January 2, 2018 Teressa Jackson

This morning's sunrise - that's the moon setting to the right

"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

When I have connected with new people along the route over the past year, or spoken to people before I embarked on my year of traveling, or told people in my new Tucson home about the chapter I just finished, their most common response is, "I wish I could do something like that."

This saguaro cactus appears to rejoicing in the day, even in its afterlife

Also heard:

"It's really nice you are in the position to do that."
"I want to do something like that one day."
"I'm living vicariously through you."

I fully recognize that there are unique barriers we all face to living out dreams*. Sometimes I get the impression that people thought it was easy for me, possibly because they didn't see the months and months of hard work, planning, and emotional decisions I had to undertake to become a nomad.

Trust me, it was nice to be in the position to do that... AFTER I finally reached that point and nearly had a nervous breakdown getting there!

I could have said that I would wait for the new year, or to have a certain dollar amount in the bank, or any number of other arbitrary milestones. If you keep waiting on Someday, though, it has a funny way of never showing up. That "Someday" is a slippery little character.

The fact of the matter is, most things are more within your grasp than you think they are. Once you take that first step, and then the next, and the one after that, momentum has a way of building and carrying (or pushing!) you along. Eventually, turning back will seem just as difficult as moving forward once did.

I seriously wake up every day and can't believe this life I'm living. I never, ever, ever actually believed I would make any semblance of a living as an artist, or reside in the desert, or watch technicolor sunsets over jagged mountain vistas nearly every night. But that's precisely what my soul needed.

Since leaving my home of 40 years, I have felt compelled to live each day in a way that makes the sacrifices I made and the gift I have been given worthwhile. Now, I feel driven to live in a way that doesn't waste the opportunity to do what I always wanted but never though possible, and I love that little nagging feeling. Sometimes I fail, but most days I think I do pretty darn o.k.

What does your heart crave? Big or small, weird or mundane - I dare you to make it happen. Tick tock.

Happy New Year!

*Disclaimer: I fully realize that I do not have children, and that they add certain constraints to life with which I do not have to contend. No need to point that out to me. :-) Thank you!

The Gifts that Keep on Giving

December 20, 2017 Teressa Jackson

Sunset from outside our apartment. I recently hiked to the top of the tallest mountain you can see in the distance.

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." ~Hal Borland

The year's end is almost inevitably a time when most of us look back and reflect, although my favorite direction remains squarely in front of me. I don't like to live in the past or dwell on things, and that's probably good since I have a pretty terrible memory.

Several people have suggested that I author a book, and I haven't written off that idea, although I tend to think that I am, in general, not all that exciting or interesting. However, 2017 has certainly been one of, if not the most, eventful years of my life.

I'm a numbers person, so I'm going to indulge in a little breakdown here in that regard. Since embarking on my extended road trip on October 22, 2016:

I've laid my head to rest in 70 different places.
I've created 113 pieces of original art, and sold 84 of them. Seventeen remain for sale, and I'll probably crank out a few more before 2017 leaves us.
I've visited 31 national parks and monuments.
I've traversed four countries - the United States, Belize, Mexico, and St. Martin/Sint Maarten.
I missed a catastrophic hurricane by a mere three days.
I've driven approximately 30,000 miles.
I've traveled by car, foot, airplane, water taxi, repurposed school bus, bicycle, taxi, scooter, colectivo, ferry, motor coach, and teeny tiny prop plane.

In my life, whenever I've left one environment for another, I'm interested to see how relationships change - with whom do I maintain contact, with whom do things diverge, and how to the nature of those relationships that continue become different? Having lived my whole life until now in one geographic area, I'm mostly referencing academic and professional transitions. This time, this occurred on a much broader scale.

There are certainly more than a few people with whom I feel that I've lost touch since leaving home. I never know what to think when this happens, especially when I become disconnected from people about whom I care deeply. I won't blame myself, but I also don't blame the other. I've always said that "the phone works in both directions," and it (and e-mail, text message, etc.) truly does. To those people with whom this sentiment resonates, I'd just like to say that I welcome the opportunity to become a part of your life again, even if I can't seem to figure out how personally, and even though we now reside 1,500 miles apart.

We've lived in Tucson now for over two months, and I'm enjoying slowly settling into the routines and surroundings of this Sonoran Desert wonderland. I took a Korean cooking class at the Jewish Community Center, am becoming involved with the Humane Society, and I'm hoping to take some art classes at the nearby Northwest Art Center in 2018. Most importantly, I almost never miss the opportunity to watch the sun's final light show each evening.

I've yet to find a fantastic spot to eat Indian food, but was pleased to discover some amazing Chinese dumplings at China Pasta House, something I could never locate in Louisville. I'm set on sampling all of the taco shops, taquerias, and Mexican eateries that exist here. If you Google "Mexican restaurants in Tucson" you get 2,440,000 results, so I might be just a minute. Stand by...

Aaron and I are currently sharing the use of one car, and for the most part, I'm enjoying that challenge and opportunity to rethink what's necessary. He requires the car for work far more than I do, but I honestly haven't felt very hobbled without unlimited access to motorized transportation. The area where we live is close to everything I could really need except a post office, we are close to a nice walking and biking trail, and the climate is pretty much perfect for being a pedestrian. I've also considered getting a bicycle, and still might (although I'm slightly daunted by pedaling up hills... er... mountains).

I continue to receive reminders that life is short and precious, and that we should accept risks and opportunities and give love and forgiveness as much as possible. I'm not much for the holiday season, and it's been nearly unnoticeable here in sunny Arizona, but these are the gifts that keep on giving no matter what time of year it is.

Much love and merry everything to you all!

Even the daytime skies can be pretty fantastic here

Checking Out Playa del Carmen

August 19, 2017 Teressa Jackson

We left our Airbnb in Tulum Sunday morning and headed up to the main highway. Our load in tow, we flagged down a van marked "Colectivo" and wedged ourselves and our baggage inside. These vans run from Tulum to Playa del Carmen 24 hours a day, and are mostly utilized by locals. As passengers indicated their stops along the way, the van let them off. It also continued to pick up people, even though at times I was unsure how they would fit on board. They always did.

The trip was around 40 miles. Colectivo rides cost the same no matter where you get off, and we took it to the end of the line at their station in Playa del Carmen. The cost: 90 pesos, or around $5, for two passengers. Our cab for the final leg of the journey was what we came to know as the typical fare for most destinations in the city, a reasonable 50 pesos or just under $3.

We headed down to gaze at Playa's beach. The seaweed that has plagued most of our trip was, indeed, still an issue. Although the water was pretty, it was also a bit smelly. Next, we strolled a bit of Playa's Fifth Avenue, which we found to be mostly a tourist trap with aggressive sellers and trinket shops sprinkled amongst chain retailers. Not really our scene. Hungry, we caved and ate at a taco restaurant here, and were rather shocked at the bill of over 500 pesos, or around $30US. Considering we had better meals for less than 100 pesos in Tulum, it felt a little like a delicious robbery.

The cenote flowing into the sea at Punta Esmeralda

Over the course of our week here, Aaron and I sampled a few different beach areas, and found Punta Esmeralda to be the winner. This spot on the city's northern edge was packed with locals enjoying a slightly rocky beach and a cool, clear freshwater cenote spring/sinkhole that sent a constant stream of water gushing toward the sea. I couldn't resist chowing down on an elote (Mexican style corn on the cob with mayo, cheese, and chili) for 15 pesos (85 cents) while we were there. Delicious!

We spent a much more expensive day in Cozumel, which is located just across from Playa. The ferry cost $17US per person round-trip, and we rented a scooter for $40US to enjoy some freedom and avoid paying a fortune in taxi fare. The beaches on the island's east side were beautiful, but the rough waves made it impossible to swim. The island's west side is rockier and mostly geared toward snorkeling, but the area near Chankanaab National Park had a nice little spot where you could enjoy some beach and do some snorkeling.

While we enjoyed the jaunt to Cozumel, we decided we would definitely not be heading there for a stay due to the cost. Prices were inflated and mostly stated in dollars. The vendors would then charge you at a rate of 20 pesos per dollar, while the official exchange rate is actually $17.71 pesos per dollar. This created an artificial rounding on already too-high prices, meaning we lost 13 cents for each dollar spent. I just felt a little taken advantage of at this dishonest tactic, even though I know that this type of thing is somewhat to be expected in tourist areas. I suppose most cruise ship passengers wouldn't know the difference, but that doesn't make it right.

Aaron and I really enjoyed the quiet little neighborhood on North 28th Street in which we stayed in Playa, which was comprised of older but well-kept row houses. The Airbnb where we stayed was the best run of our trip so far, as well as being the least expensive. We were near enough to the beach but also close to plenty of authentic shops and restaurants on North 30th Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood. It was lively at night but did not feel unsafe, with lots of locals out for a bite to eat and people singing or playing music for tips.

We have definitely enjoyed Playa, although admittedly not as much as Tulum. Tulum's beaches, less touristy vibe, and low cost of living have probably made it the overall winner of this trip abroad so far. We'd go back to Tulum, and I'm sure that we will in the future.

Next up, we are headed out of Mexico, which makes me a little sad. I've loved our short time here and haven't felt unsafe or threatened one single time. I think if more people from the U.S. would spend a little time in this country, we'd have a lot more love and understanding. I think if I spent a little more time here, I'd really start to get those high school Spanish skills back, but I'd also probably gain 20 pounds from all the delicious food.

Speaking of food, one other aside - vegetarians and vegans, rejoice! Mexico is your friend. I have been truly amazed at the number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants I have spotted in both Tulum and Playa del Carmen. I actually haven't eaten at any of these specialty establishments, but most of the more "mainstream" restaurants have plenty of options for us non-meat-eaters, too. A pleasant surprise!

So, where will tomorrow take us? We are headed to Cancun International Airport, from which we will fly to Miami, but after two hours in the U.S., we'll leave again - this time to Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, a French/Dutch island in the Carribbean.

Taking on Tulum

August 12, 2017 Teressa Jackson

Bright and early Tuesday morning, Aaron and I packed our bags and checked out of Gumbo Limbo, our Airbnb in Caye Caulker. We were supposed to be at the water taxi dock at 6:30 a.m. Luckily, we scored a golf cart taxi almost immediately, so we didn’t have to lug our bulky load too far across town.

The water taxi took us to San Pedro first, where we had to clear Belizean immigration. It was pouring rain off and on, and the line moved at a snail’s pace. One man input our passport information into his computer, another woman took our $20 US exit fee per person, and another man stamped our passport to indicate we had left the country. There was a separate line for each – a study in inefficiency if you ask me.

When I purchased the tickets to Mexico, the woman working at the water taxi had told me that we had to pay the $20US Belizean exit fee and a Mexican entry fee of $25US. We learned on the way to San Pedro that she had told us the wrong amount for Mexico, so we had to quickly locate an ATM to get more money so they would let us into Mexico. Of course, in typical Belize style, the first one we found was out of order. Luckily, the second one was up and running.

Back at immigration, the line was nearing an end and almost everyone was ready to board again. We lined up, shuffled on, and off we went.

I don’t think that the water taxi ride is ever totally smooth sailing, but the water was especially rough due to the front end of Tropical Storm Franklin heading toward us. For nearly two hours, we rode what felt like a roller coaster while leaky windows dripped on passengers.

When we finally reached Chetumal, Mexico, we had another line for Mexican immigration. This one was far quicker and far more efficient than the one in Belize, and we soon paid our 500 pesos per person entry fee and were cleared. We scored a taxi for around the same price as the bus would have cost us, and settled in for a nearly 3-hour ride to Tulum.

I began to get an inkling of how much less expensive Mexico is than Belize on the ride to Tulum. We passed several vendors selling pineapples on the side of the road, and most were 5 or 6 pineapples for 50 pesos – which equates to around $3US. In Belize, we typically paid anywhere from $2-3 for a single pineapple.

Our accommodations also reflected this pricing change. The brand new, large, nicely appointed one-bedroom apartment was cheaper than nearly everywhere we stayed in Belize, and definitely the nicest place we’ve stayed on the entire trip.

Tulum pueblo (the town) dazzled us right away with its abundance of restaurants, shops, paved roads, streetlights, and artistic flair. While plenty of the type of bare-bones structures you might picture in Mexico do exist there, Tulum has equally as many new, modern, architect-inspired buildings. Murals line many of the streets, and an eye for décor and design is apparent. Tulum feels more like Europe than it seems related to any Mexican border town I’ve visited.

We rarely ate in restaurants in Belize, but the abundant establishments and the low prices of Tulum were too much to resist, so we typically ate out for a meal a day. These culinary delights included chile and egg stuffed and rajas (strips of poblano pepper) and cheese stuffed gorditas (like a stuffed thick tortilla), cream cheese stuffed and hard boiled egg stuffed tamales, loads of tacos al pastor for Aaron (like shawarma made of pork), quite a few vegetarian tacos for me, and a delicious stuffed pepper that was probably the best I’ve ever eaten. Most meals, including tip, were $5-10 for both of us together. Amazing.

I actually did do some shopping in Tulum, even though I try to keep my possessions minimal. My one pair of earrings had broken, and I just can’t stand to not wear something in my ear holes, so I picked up a nice new pair in a local shop. I also lost my sunglasses, so those were replaced as well. I am so grateful that I was in Mexico when I needed to make these purchases, as they would have been so far more expensive, or even impossible to even make, in much of Belize.

Our first outing in Tulum was to the beach, and it was breathtakingly gorgeous. Jungle-enveloped cliffs tumble down to some of the most beautiful waters I’ve ever seen, crystal clear and turquoise. The rocky shoreline reminds me a bit of California’s coast, but obviously the tropical temperature makes taking a plunge into the water a whole lot more inviting.

We couldn’t leave the area without visiting the Mayan ruins that sit atop the cliff along the sea, so one day we took a cab to this attraction. It’s immediately apparent that these ruins are the reason Tulum pueblo is here, and every person trying to sell tourists something within a 20-mile radius seemed to be on the scene to take advantage of the multitudes.

The blazing heat and big crowds at the ruins made our time there a little less enjoyable, but we made the best of it. I was excited to see a coatimundi just inside the entrance, and the views of the sea from atop the cliff were spectacular. It’s always amazing to think about what it must have been like to live in such a place, and to walk where these people walked, lived, loved, and worked.

One of the most enjoyable excursions during our time in the area, though, was a jaunt of around 3 miles west to the Grand Cenote. A cenote is basically a sinkhole cavern filled with freshwater. The Grand Cenote was home to a plethora of bats, fish, turtles, stalactites, and stalagmites. The water was jarringly cold, but we quickly became used to it. The gorgeous blue water was a great place to snorkel, and it was really intriguing to peer down into the dark and mysterious depths and see the formations.

We had planned to leave this morning, heading to Playa del Carmen, but it appears that our adventurous eating has gotten the better of Aaron. He’s on the mend, but we’ll be in Tulum one more day while he recovers. Meanwhile, I’ve had time to craft this write-up!

My Artwork - July 2017

July 31, 2017 Teressa Jackson

July was my first full month in Belize. Aaron and I started out in Hopkins, then spent two weeks in Placencia, traveled to the country's southernmost civilization (and the end of paved roads) in Punta Gorda, and then flew to San Pedro, a.k.a. La Isla Bonita.

Despite being in four different locations, I managed to be relatively prolific, painting nine pieces. The pace of life in Belize is generally slow, and that helps. My work bounced around a bit, from Belize-inspired to pieces reaching back to my travels in the U.S. I certainly have a large stock of inspiration after 9+ months of being a nomad.

Feel free to e-mail me to be added to a list to be notified when artwork is available again (a.k.a. when I return to the U.S.).

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming: 6/6/17, 18:50:29 — Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming: 6/6/17, 18:50:29

Redwood National Park, California: 5/26/17, 15:05:25

Avenue of the Giants, California: 5/25/17, 16:12:03

Avenue of the Giants, California: 5/24/17, 16:30:59

False Sittee Point, Belize: 6/30/17, 16:01:29

Hokey Pokey to Punta Gorda

July 21, 2017 Teressa Jackson

A little Punta Gorda wisdom along the waterfront

It almost looked like it would be a rainy travel day again, but thankfully the skies dried up just before Aaron and I headed out of our accommodations at Imperius Rex. We took a relatively short walk (thankfully, given our heavy loads) to the Hokey Pokey water taxi station, arriving around 9:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. boat.

I guess we may have been the last tickets before the trip was full, because by 9:40 we were loaded and zipping up the lagoon toward Independence/Mango Creek. The Hokey Pokey is the quickest way to get back to the mainland from the Placencia Peninsula, especially if you are heading south. Cost: $5 US per person.

We had planned to walk through Independence to the bus station. When we got there, though, a taxi driver gave us the irresistible price of $5 US to drive us, and with our loads, we accepted.

Waiting at the bus station, we munched on some snacks and watched the people come and go. There were a few Mennonites and more than a few Mayan people, most of whom in both groups were wearing traditional dress. Even with our unexpected early arrival, the 10:45 bus was at the station before we knew it.

This 2-hour ride took us through jungle, mountains, and several Mayan communities, with lots of large rectangular buildings sporting palm thatch roofs. Somewhere along the way, the Mennonite woman behind us tried to talk to me, and her English was some of the worst I've experienced in Belize. I felt bad, but it was rather hopeless. I do not speak Low German. She seemed nice, though.

The view from the veranda at Mango Manor

At the town called Dump (no joke!), the bus hung a hard left and we were soon gazing at the Caribbean again. In a few more minutes, we were in Punta Gorda. The bus trip cost: $4.50 US per person.

A short hike and golf cart ride later, we were getting settled in at Mango Manor, our new abode. The house overlooks the Gulf of Honduras, and if you walk to the water's edge, you can see Guatemala across the waves.

Punta Gorda is the southernmost end of the paved highway in Belize, and it also appears to be the most inexpensive place we've been. I was able to book Mango Manor, inclusive of wifi and utilities, for just $500 for a month. More importantly, though, is what I'm going to term the "Banana Factor:" it costs $1 BZD (50 cents US) for 6 bananas in Hopkins, $1 BZD for 7 bananas in Placencia, and $1 BZD for 8 bananas in Punta Gorda. We will not develop a potassium deficiency here in Belize.

Having only been here a few days, I'm still taking in Punta Gorda. It's definitely vastly more authentic than Placencia, and even Hopkins. There might be a handful of tourists here at most. There is no beach to speak of, with the land dropping down to the sea, but that doesn't mean you can't dive off a dock if you feel the need to quench yourself with salt water. So far, the highlights have been visits to the Cotton Tree Chocolate Factory and the large outdoor produce market that operates four days a week (MWFSat).

I'm not sure if we'll stay here a full month, but it's nice to have the option. Although PG (as it's known) has four times the residents of Hopkins or Placencia, it's a pretty sleepy feeling place. We're also in the wettest region of Belize during the rainy season... probably a fantastic locale to crank out some artwork if nothing else.

Lots of rain has its plusses - a rainbow over the Gulf of Honduras

Belize Bound

July 3, 2017 Teressa Jackson

I arrived home with two commissioned paintings to complete, contract work to do, immunizations to get, and other loose ends to tie up. My husband and I were headed to Belize on June 28! The plan is that we will be here for several months, but we will see how it goes and how our cash flow looks.

There was a lot to think about to prepare. First things first, I knocked out the two paintings that I'd been hired to produce. Without a real idea of how difficult or expensive it would be to ship artwork from Belize, I wanted to make sure those were finished. Two happy customers in check (see right for the one I did for my friend Kate, along with the photo that inspired it), I then got as much contract work done as I could before we had to really pack up shop. The little left that we own went into storage, and we had to time that just right so that we wouldn't be "homeless" for too long.

Travel arrangements required some logistical wrangling. We booked one-way tickets to Belize, but there was a chance we'd be denied entry because we had no return ticket. So, we purchased refundable one-way tickets home that we would cancel after we arrived. The bus schedule didn't sync well with our arrival time, so I found a reasonable shuttle to our first stop. And, of course, I booked the first week's accommodations... except the host cancelled them a week before we departed, so I had to find another place to stay. Such is life on the road, and even more so in Belize, I think. You have to roll with the punches.

Another dilemma was that I had to determine where to get a typhoid vaccination. My doctor tried to send me to a travel clinic, but even a month ahead of time, they were all booked up. I luckily discovered that Walgreens provides travel vaccinations, and was able to get it and my Hepatitis vaccination taken care of quite efficiently in one day without leaving New Albany.

There was also the quandary of what to bring. We won't have a car in Belize due to the very high cost of renting (think $80 or so a day) and the insane gas prices ($5-6 a gallon). We are essentially "backpackers" and need to be able to carry everything. Toiletries and medications were the source of many difficult decisions, as they are heavy to carry but also more difficult to find and expensive in Belize.

My final clothing inventory was:

1 long sleeve button down
1 sleeveless button down
4 pairs of underwear
3 pairs of socks
3 sports bras
A swimsuit
1 pair shorts
1 skort
2 tank tops
1 short sleeved t-shirt
1 pair flip flops
1 pair hiking shoes
1 pair Chacos sandals

Just like I knew it would, time flew right by. I was sad to leave home without being able to get together with most of my friends, but hopefully I'll be packed with great stories to share upon my return. With only the first week's locale known, Aaron and I boarded an airplane out of Indianapolis bright and early June 28 to visit a Central American country we'd had never seen before.

Are We There Yet?

July 1, 2017 Teressa Jackson

The sunset as I left Devils Tower National Monument

After a week filled with love, kisses, and birthday celebrations, I had a long haul ahead of me and a lot to accomplish before the next leg of my travels. How quickly could I drive from Corvallis, Oregon to New Albany, Indiana (around 2,500 miles)?

I decided to take the "northern route" since it was June and many other times of the year the locales I'd pass through would be buried in snow. Leaving bright and early Monday, I wound my way past Salem, through Portland, and along the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. After passing through The Dalles, the Oregon landscape began to shift from lush green to desert. I have to admit, it wasn't the most picturesque desert I've seen in the past year, but then again, I didn't get out to explore it either.

Next, my route took me through the corner of Washington that is home to Kennewick and Spokane. I made a brief effort to see a bit of Spokane, but it was rush hour and I decided that my attempt was taking up too much time (plus, I really detest traffic). Back on the highway, I was soon passing through the gorgeous Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and traversing the Idaho panhandle through beautiful forested mountain wilderness in the Coeur d'Alene National Forest.

The amazingly bright green hills near Garryowen, Montana

After around 10 hours on the road, I took a rest in the lovely town of Missoula, Montana. In the morning, I was right back on the road again. It took me almost the entire day to drive from the western end of Montana through Butte, Bozeman, and Billings to its eastern end. I loved the state's scenery, which looked precisely as I'd pictured Montana... mountains covered in trees, sloping down to valleys criss-crossed by clear rocky streams, and a railroad running beside the highway for most of my trip. I wanted to stop and explore more, but nothing in Montana seemed like it would be an even remotely fast stop. So, I put that on my list for a future adventure.

I dipped down into the northeast corner of Wyoming to make a special stop at Devils Tower National Monument. I couldn't resist working this unique landmark into my route, and it was truly worth it. The formation of the tower is totally unexpected and bizarre in the context of the rest of the area's landscape. I arrived just before dusk, with just enough time to hike the trail around the monolith and perfect timing to gaze at a beautiful sunset scene in my rear view mirror.

That night, I stayed in Rapid City, South Dakota. I worked in a couple more scenic opportunities there, taking a jaunt down to Mount Rushmore followed by a drive through Badlands National Park. I could have stayed at the badlands all day, with their unique formations, colors, and contrasts. I had always wanted to see the park, and it certainly lived up to my expectations.

On the highway again, the day went from beautiful rolling green South Dakota landscapes to the cornfields of Iowa. Western Iowa was more picturesque than I'd imagined it to be, with curving plots of hilly farmland, but I was becoming too exhausted to appreciate it. I finally dropped onto a bed in Fort Dodge and called it a night.

The next day, my goal was to make it the rest of the way to New Albany. Never before this past year would I have imagined that anyone would drive from Iowa to New Albany in one day. It didn't even sound possible to me. Forging ahead, I crossed the Mississippi River at Davenport, and made my way across Illinois.

Home was feeling closer, and when I made it to my home state of Indiana through Terre Haute, I got pretty giddy for a moment. Of course, I've driven to Terre Haute before and I knew that I was by no means close to home. The landscape down I-65 south of Indianapolis looked a little different than it had the last time I set eyes upon it, with some new solar farms and some added lanes on the expressway.

I started to wonder if I would make it without stopping for another night. My eyes were getting bleary and I was feeling a bit loopy, but I finally arrived in the city I've called home since I was three years old. Strangely, I didn't feel especially at home or out of place, but I suppose my sights were focused on the next leg of my travels and my giant "to do" list to accomplish before I embarked upon it.

Valley of the Sun

April 27, 2017 Teressa Jackson

Kalisha and me at Hole in the Rock at Papago Park

Two weeks ago, I meandered through the desert, past the beautiful blue waters of Lake Havasu, and into the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix has definitely lived up to its nickname, as UV rays have been in plentiful supply here, and there certainly hasn't been a single drop of rain.

I even got to experience a day at what they refer to as the "century mark" when the mercury climbed to 100 degrees on Sunday. You always hear people say that it's not as bad because it's a "dry heat." They're telling the truth. I'd take a million 100 degree days at 6% humidity over 90 degrees with 90% humidity back home. Heat is infinitely more tolerable when you don't feel like someone wrapped a wet blanket around your head. Sorry, Ohio Valley.

While I feel I've barely scratched the surface of what this city has to offer, I've definitely enjoyed my time here. I had visited Scottsdale several years ago, but didn't really get to do or experience much on that trip. I honestly had no idea how large the city was until I got here. With a metro area of around 4.5 million people, it's around 3 times the size of my Louisville hometown.

It's been especially fun to spend some time with my friend Kalisha, who relocated to Phoenix from Louisville at the first of the year. She was kind enough to tour me all over the metro area, and I truly got a more local perspective thanks to her. We attended a self-defense class, visited the farmer's market, saw the city sprawl from up high at South Mountain Park, gazed at Camelback Mountain, hopped up to the hole in the rock at Papago Park, went to a Young Nonprofit Professional Network event, and devoured a few delicious meals.

Blooming saguaro at Desert Botanical Gardens

Kalisha also scored me a free pass to the Desert Botanical Garden. As a self-described "plant nerd," I think was probably the highlight of my time in Phoenix. Other stops included the Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera exhibit at the Heard Museum, the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. I took a day trip to Sedona and hiked in Oak Creek Canyon, and stopped at Montezuma Castle National Monument's gorgeous cliffside dwelling on the way back to the city. I enjoyed lunch and olive oil tasting at Queen Creek Olive Mill (olives!!). South of Phoenix, I visited Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, a multi-story structure built in the 1300's by Ancestral Sonoran Desert People.

I also was really happy that my return to the Sonoran Desert unexpectedly coincided with the saguaro cacti's annual bloom. The white flowers, which open at night and only last through the following day, are Arizona's state flower.

One of the things I enjoy about being somewhere on a more extended timeframe is the chance to just spend time like a normal person. I ate some great Mexican food, spent a lot of time with my paintbrushes, shopped a little, enjoyed my Tempe neighborhood, and put some new tires on my car. After nearly 16,000 miles of traveling, it was time!

There remains plenty I haven't seen, done, or experienced in Phoenix, but I've learned to let that go and not wear myself out. Sometimes you have to walk the line between tourist and pretend local... between vacation and real life.

Where to next? I'm really excited to hit the road this morning and head toward one of our nation's least visited national parks, Great Basin National Park in Baker, Nevada. I'm very excited about the diversity of this remote park, which includes mountains, a glacier, ancient bristlecone pine trees, and a cave. Time to put some wear on these new tires!

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ

Productive in Pensacola

March 23, 2017 Teressa Jackson

Pensacola's beautiful historic buildings

As February came to a close, I left Death Valley in my rear view mirror and headed back to Las Vegas. No, I wasn't interested in trying my luck as a gambler, or being entertained by the Osmonds or Celine Dion. I was catching a flight... to Florida!

With many of the western locales I would like to visit still experiencing colder temperatures than I'd prefer, I took the opportunity to spend some time in the Sunshine State. I've been based in Pensacola, and honestly, being pretty darn boring. I've caught some rays at Pensacola Beach, Johnson Beach, Navarre Beach, and Destin. Most of my time, though, has been spent working on projects for clients, painting, and strolling the streets of this lovely historic city, which first hosted European settlers in 1559.

Pensacola's historic train station, which is incorporated into the Pensacola Grand Hotel

Pensacola has been a great place to unplug and recharge. I know everyone feels so sorry for me (ha ha... not!) but it is actually kind of exhausting to be constantly traveling to beautiful places. January and February found me in a total of ten different locales. Relocating that often, so much driving, and the self-induced pressure to go, do, and experience as much as I can, had me ready for a break.

I'm not just laying in bed and staring at a wall all day, though. I've gotten quite a bit of work for clients accomplished during this time, my taxes prepped, and I've cranked out ten paintings (with three more in progress) in the first 23 days of March. I'll probably be here for at least two or three more weeks, and then I'll return to Vegas and figure out which direction to point my vehicle, which is still parked at the airport racking up a nice parking bill. In the meantime, cheers to you from the Emerald Coast!

It's Cool to be Kind

January 6, 2017 Teressa Jackson

This kid in Old Bisbee wasn't nice to me. He pelted me with snowballs. I laughed my ass off. :-)

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." ~Aesop

It's certainly not an earth-shattering concept.

I probably don't really have to convince many people that being kind is a valuable thing, but sometimes we could all use a little reminder. After being largely alone on the road for the past two and a half months, away from friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances, I've come to realize the impact of actions and words - even fleeting ones - to an even greater extent.

Yesterday, I was the recipient of two acts of kindness. I had a tire that had been running low repeatedly over the past couple weeks, so I headed to Sierra Vista, Arizona, the closest big(ish) town, to have it evaluated. I figured I had a slow leak, but also thought it was entirely possible that the folks at Discount Tire Store would tell me that I needed a set of new tires and I'd have to decide whether to take their word or not. I had never been to one of their locations, but it was one of only two options available to me, so I gave it a try.

I waited patiently for around 45 minutes, at which point a technician came and got me. I was a little taken aback when he said my car was ready, because they hadn't consulted with me on any work. He informed me that I had a nail in my tire and that they'd plugged it, and handed me an invoice.

The cost: $0.

I'm not sure if this was a company policy or not, but they certainly could have made an attempt to find a way to make some money off of me. After expressing my gratitude, I left, happy that my car wasn't tugging to the right anymore.

I also needed an oil change, so I hopped over to the Jiffy Lube next door. I know Jiffy Lube isn't the cheapest place to get your oil changed, but without knowing the local operators, a chain offers some sense of reassurance. The guys there were incredibly nice and professional, and then for some unknown reason discounted my service and threw in an extra service for free.

I hadn't shared anything about myself with any of these people, and these experiences left me feeling better than any of the workers at those places could have fathomed. I thought about it the rest of my day, as I climbed to the top of a mountain on a trail at Coronado National Memorial. I reflected on it as I cooked my dinner. I remembered it as I lay in bed drifting off to sleep.

In fact, I began recounting my entire trip in my head, remembering the interactions I've had with people along the way. Admittedly, being social has never come easy to me, especially in an unfamiliar environment. My interactions with others have been pretty sparse, and honestly, I think I can remember nearly every time I've spoken with another human being, no matter how fleeting, since leaving home. I can certainly recall every time they have been kind.

I hope I have occasionally had the same effect on someone else's day as these people have on mine. I may not be rich, but as one of my favorite sayings goes, "It costs $0.00 to be a decent human being."

Truth.

In closing, thank you to a few of the kind faces while on the road:

The hospitable guy working at the museum at Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The kind Scottish woman who owned the hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas
The enthusiastic couple who just got engaged on the Talimena Scenic Byway
All of the incredibly warm, sweet, and friendly folks working at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma
The people who owned the house where I lived as a baby and without hesitation ushered me in for a tour
The guest at the hotel in Roswell who chatted with me as I ate breakfast in the restaurant
The overwhelming number of people in Las Cruces who were pleasant to me
The folks at Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument, who went out of their way to talk to me about sites in the area and my journey
The front desk clerk in Silver City, New Mexico, who upgraded my room
The kind couple and their dog who greeted me and chatted at length on the streets of Silver City, trying to recruit me as a resident
The ice cream scooper in Austin who inexplicably charged me less than full price, and wanted to chat all about where I was from, how my day was going, and my trip
Sheryl and Doug, Hoosiers turned Austinites, who welcomed me into their home for a lovely home cooked meal, and later treated me to a fantastic vegetarian restaurant
The kind staff and adventurers at Big Bend National Park
And, last but not least, the great guys at Discount Tire Store and Jiffy Lube

If I missed you, I promise you are still in my heart! Cheers!

Please Don’t Get Me a Colander for Christmas

December 17, 2016 Teressa Jackson

It’s the season of giving.

Speaking from experience, the best gift you can give yourself is the realization that you have everything you physically need. I know it may not feel like it at times, but I’m willing to bet that nearly everyone reading this post fits this description.

Over the past several months, I pared my belongings down to what would fit in four plastic totes from Target and my Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV. To many of you, this may sound like a sparse existence. I can tell you that it’s not. I actually still feel like I have too much, and have visited Goodwill a few more times to make a deposit since my departure on October 22.

Have I had to get creative at times? Absolutely. A little ingenuity goes a long way in helping you realize that many “necessities” are even superfluous. For example, my current abode is not stocked with a colander. Should I purchase one? It’s only $10 or so, but what then? Do I take it with me? Do I leave it when I depart? How much do I use a colander anyway?

Lightbulb: I could just hold the lid of the pot slightly ajar while I drain it. I’m so smart, right? :-)

I like that I have to really think about what I acquire. This is important in ensuring ease of travel, but also to my budget. No, I do not have all the money I will ever need, but if I am wise, it will last me a while. If I work, it will last me longer and I can still pay on those darn student loans. Life is much simpler than we like to make it sometimes.

Sure, I don’t have children. I will absolutely own that my perspective would have to be slightly different if I did, and I'm clueless about all the aspects of what that entails. I know that security is important, but more than anything, I think children especially just want your time and your love. I don’t remember what I received for nearly any Christmas growing up. I know they were happy times, and that I usually was presented with what I had wanted most. What I do remember are visits to Ohio with my mom and sister, my grandmother’s warm hugs and sweet laughter, getting freezing cold and wet playing in the snow and then drinking hot chocolate with cinnamon sticks, baking cookies, and making loads of delicious mashed potatoes to enjoy at our Christmas feast. Those “things” weren’t remotely expensive, and they didn’t take up room in my home or closet.

I also realize that what we need is not just physical, but also emotional. This is obviously a more complicated equation than the acquisition or de-acquisition of stuff. What this means to each person is different, and I can only speak for myself when I say that not needing “things” has brought me opportunities for harmony and fulfillment in both realms.

In closing, I’m sending out wishes of peace to my friends, family, people I’ve met on my travels, and citizens of the world this holiday season. Savor some cocoa with a cinnamon stick or dive into a pile of mashed potatoes, and think of this crazy lady who lives out of her car. I love you all. xoxoxoxoxo

Side notes:
I’m very thankful to have work to do during this time of transience that helps to sustain me. It’s been lovely to have time to paint, and the interest of others in acquiring my artwork warms my heart. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to do some work to assist the amazing and empowered ladies of Sisters of St. Benedict in their efforts to continue to impact our world as they have for generations. If you are considering making a charitable gift during this holiday season, I encourage you to learn about them. Of course, you can also continue to support my all-time favorite world’s awesomest non-profit organization, Rauch, Inc., too.

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"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." ~Hal Borland

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." ~Aesop