Forest, Cliffs, and Cerulean Skies

November 16, 2016 Teressa Jackson

To say that I love color would be an understatement. I agree with Paul Simon: “Everything looks worse in black and white.” Well, except maybe my face on a bad day... :-)

I think that people from the Midwest and South often think the desert must be a drab, flat, dry, boring landscape. Having spent time in the desert in the past, I knew this wasn’t exactly true. However, I’ve been even more enamored with some of the stunning colors, textures, and elevations I’ve experienced in New Mexico over the past two and a half weeks.

The word of the day today was definitely “cerulean.” I’m kind of a word nerd, and as a kid, I took great pleasure in knowing the names of all my crayon colors. Someone had clearly scribbled all over the sky in one of my favorites.

Cerulean above me, I traversed over the Continental Divide (elevation 7,080 feet), into the Gila National Forest, and back, forth, up, and down through some stunning landscapes. Just when I thought I had seen the most beautiful vista, a new one appeared around the bend. The vegetation and rock formations were constantly morphing. There were not enough pull offs or scenic viewpoints to properly enjoy this lovely wilderness.

And it truly was wilderness. My phone declared “no service” for most of the 2+ hours it took to reach my destination, which was only 46 miles from my starting point in Silver City. I wondered a few times how many cars had tumbled off the narrow road into the great Gila beyond.

Since I’m walking down memory lane, about the time I was memorizing Crayola’s box of 72 hues I was also pretty intrigued with Mesa Verde National Park. The thought of living in a cave on a cliff sounded pretty good to me, and honestly, it still does. Today, I visited a similar but smaller abode, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Gila Cliff Dwellings were constructed in much the same way as Mesa Verde (which I visited 25+ years ago), although the landscape was different. The cliffs in the Gila wilderness evoke Gaudi’s architecture, with beautiful shapely curves in the taupe rock face. The development is much smaller, but still intriguing. It’s amazing that so much remains considering it was constructed around 1280, and its inhabitants mysteriously left after only 30 or so years of occupancy.

I can see why they chose the spot. In addition to the sweepingly beautiful vista from their front porch, they had ready access to water from a spring and the Gila River, something that is of obvious importance anywhere, but especially so in the desert landscape.

Brutally long (and beautiful) drive notwithstanding, I was glad to have experienced this national treasure. I do, however, have one disappointment after my very long drive back to Las Cruces from Gila land. I still cannot tell my niece that I have encountered a Gila Monster. I’ll keep looking!

Fall Colors and a Super Moon

November 14, 2016 Teressa Jackson

Sunday, I returned to the area where rain and fog and wind plagued my route to Carlsbad Caverns. This time, I stopped just short of where the Caverns are located. I was greeted with a far different landscape – one where I could actually view the mountains and valleys that surrounded me which had previously been shrouded by clouds and precipitation.

The clear, sunny, 70-degree day was perfect for exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Sadly, I had actually never heard of this park before I drove through it on my way to Carlsbad, but I certainly recognized the signature shape of the iconic peak that it proudly boasts – El Capitan (now that I could finally see it).

At around 8,000 feet, El Capitan is pretty impressive. However, Guadalupe Peak (nearly 9,000 feet) has the bragging rights to status as the tallest mountain in Texas. I had really wanted to hike to the top of one of these peaks, but with the 2.5-hour drive to the park and the limited daylight hours this time of year, I thought better of that idea. Maybe I’ll become a rattlesnake snack another day. Instead, I selected the Devil’s Hall Trail that ends at a narrow canyon called (you guessed it!) the Devil’s Hall.

The park was gorgeous, and while there were a fair number of people there enjoying it, it was far from crowded. I had plenty of opportunities to stop for a moment and hear nothing but the peaceful sounds of the canyon around me.

Guadalupe Mountains was a surprisingly lovely place to enjoy fall colors, my favorite being the bright hues of the Bigtooth Maples. Another interesting surprise - the park features one of the most extensive fossil reef formations known on earth. The remnants of life from 250 million years ago are above, beside, and below you as you travel through the canyon – a very different experience from that offered at the Falls of the Ohio back home.

I left the park just in time to enjoy a gorgeous sunset and the super moon rising in my rear view mirror – a pretty fitting end to a “super” day. :-)

Elephants, Truth, Consequences, and Hot Water

November 9, 2016 Teressa Jackson

I bet you thought I was writing about the election, didn't you? I think I'll skip that assignment. :-)

Today, I forced myself to power through my Election Day/Night lack of sleep and got out of bed. I headed about an hour north of Las Cruces to Elephant Butte Lake State Park. This park centers around the enormous Elephant Butte Lake Reservoir, which was created early in the 20th century along the Rio Grande River.

I ate my picnic lunch at Elephant Butte, did some hiking, and also a lot of driving around the enormous body of water. My final analysis is that it's probably a lot more fun with a boat, and during the summer. I'm glad I saw it, but I can't say it was the highlight of my travels so far.

After the lake, I drove a short distance to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Originally named Hot Springs, apparently the city changed its name to "Truth or Consequences" after a popular NBC Radio program. In March 1950, the host of the show announced he would air the program on its 10th anniversary from the first town that renamed itself after the program. Hot Springs won the honor, officially changing its name on March 31, 1950.

In T or C, I visited one of the popular hot bathing spas. Riverbend Hot Springs is located along the Rio Grande River, and features a fantastic view of Turtleback Mountain. It has several pools of varying temperatures. With only whispering and no children allowed, it was a great place to relax, reflect, and get away. An hour at the resort, with towel rental, ran me a whopping $13. It was worth every penny.

I've only turned on the television once since leaving New Albany. I think that leaving it off and minimizing my time online will help me continue to feel the relaxation. It's amazing how wrapped up we get in things that don't necessarily have a huge impact on our everyday lives - if we don't let them.

Peace out, America.

Sweet Sounds and Big Clouds at Carlsbad Caverns

November 5, 2016 Teressa Jackson

Yesterday, I left bright and early for Carlsbad Caverns National Park. I have wanted to visit this Unesco World Heritage Site for a very long time, and was excited to have the opportunity to spend a very special day there.

The drive from Las Cruces is around 3 hours. The sky was full of big fluffy clouds, with larger masses of condensation hovering at the tops of the mountains. When I got to El Paso, my route took me up through these mountains. The wind was whipping so strongly, I almost lost my car door when I got out at an overlook. Beautiful view, but probably not worth losing something that vital to my travels!

I continued on to the Texas Mountain Trail. After making my way through a Border Control Checkpoint, a sign informed me that there were no services (gas, restrooms, etc.) for 110 miles. With a quarter tank of gas, I was forced to turn around and drive 20 miles back to the nearest station. Suggestion: put that sign a little closer to the actual last amenities!

The scenery was beautiful along the way, but after losing nearly an hour on my gasoline excursion, I didn't stop to get any photos (I returned another day - read about it here). It went from desert landscape up into the mountains, through Guadalupe Mountains National Park. In the mountains, I was literally in the clouds, with drizzle and fog shrouding my way.

Carlsbad Caverns is inside one of those beautiful mountains. I took the natural entrance, hiking down, down, down. The smell of bat guano at the entrance was pretty staggering, although I believe the creatures just left for winter vacation in Mexico.

This cave is mammoth, but nothing like Mammoth Cave. The formations are unbelievable in both scale and quantity. Gigantic stalagmites, giant chandeliers of stalagmites, ceilings full of soda straws - no photo could possibly do their scale or beauty justice. I spent four hours wandering, photographing, and gazing. Then, it was time to wait for my big treat.

Months ago, I happened to see on Facebook that November 5 was a special day at Carlsbad Caverns. In celebration of the National Parks Service's centennial, they were hosting a string quartet from the New Mexico Philharmonic at the Top of the Cross section of the cavern's Big Room. The lucky first callers on the day they became available were rewarded with a free ticket to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

I was one of them!

The crowd at the rest area portion of the cave slowly grew, as most people filed in eight at a time through the venue's two elevators. Finally, we were led back 1/2 mile to the Top of the Cross. This concert was the first of its kind in 83 years, and it did not disappoint. For the next hour, the beautiful sounds echoed across the cavern to a hushed and delighted crowd of around 200 attendees. We were quizzed between one of the numbers, and I was privileged to be one of the only people there from the Eastern United States.

Three hours back through darkness, fog, rain, and mountains, I was exhausted, but still grateful to have been given such a wonderful treat. Happy birthday, National Parks Service!

Thankful for a November Home

November 2, 2016 Teressa Jackson

Bound for Las Cruces, New Mexico, I was excited to see mountains on the horizon, and couldn't wait to get closer to them. I was also eager to meet the place I will call home for the month of November.

I'm not really sure how I ended up selecting Las Cruces as my first major stop of this year of reflection and relocation. I suppose that browsing around on Airbnb will take you to some interesting locales. One of my goals has been to spend the majority of my time during this trip in places I have not previously been. Another aspiration is to skip cold winter weather. Last, but not least, I wanted a complete change of scenery. Las Cruces fit all of those criteria.

The drive proved to be as wonderful as I had hoped. The mountains grew in size and quantity as I wound through Ruidoso and Alamogordo. Usually, I would have stopped more to explore at these little outposts, but I was both impatient and tired. My inner explorer needed to recharge her battery.

The temptation became too much to resist, though, when I reached White Sands National Monument. I had been looking forward to seeing it, and thought it would be nice to have a preview for when I returned. As a holder of an America the Beautiful National Park Pass, it was also a free preview.

After snapping a few photos and winding my way along the drive plowed into the white gypsum sand, I was back on the road. The Organ Mountains grew larger and more spectacular, and soon I was descending through them into the Mesilla Valley, my new home.

My house has more room than I could ever need, seeing as my earthly belongings consist of four totes, a suitcase, an art portfolio, and a small SUV. It is comfortable, bright, and has a lovely oasis of a backyard. It will make the perfect spot to paint my impressions of the beautiful places I have seen so far on this journey, and it welcomed me with a spectacular sunset to kick off that inspiration.

From Birthplace to Alien Landing Space

November 2, 2016 Teressa Jackson

After staying the night at the inn at Indian Creek Village Winery in Ringwood, Oklahoma, I spent an hour or so back in Enid seeing the town. I visited St. Mary's hospital where I came into this world and snapped some photos of it and the downtown area. It seemed like a nice little city, very quiet on a Sunday morning. I enjoyed the touches of cowboy culture and the art deco architecture prevalent through downtown.

After filling up my tank, I headed off toward Amarillo, Texas, around a 4-hour drive. This drive was pretty mind numbing, with little to be seen of interest to me. The main themes of my day were roadkill (and oh, what a variety of roadkill!), cows, cotton fields, oil wells, and windmills. The landscape was mostly flat. It occasionally teased me and began to get interesting, only to flatten out into the doldrums again.

I drove into Amarillo and cruised around town a little bit and decided to find my hotel. I hate to be negative, but when I did, I was not very happy. Let's just say that the neighborhood was less than desirable. It was one of the sketchier hotels I would have ever stayed at if I hadn't decided to pack up my things and flee for my life after 15 minutes.

My perspective might have been colored by my hotel experience, but I didn't have such a great impression of the rest of Amarillo, either, so after I got up in the morning I immediately set off again. I did make a short stop at the Cadillac Ranch and really enjoyed the bright colors and juxtaposition of the vehicles in the landscape. Definitely a fun photo op!

After that, it was much of the same as the day before for another 3 1/2 hours. I arrived in Roswell, New Mexico early in the afternoon and rode down the main (only?) strip, amused at the many alien-themed touches the town had put into place. They obviously have both a sense of humor and a sense of identity.

I paid my five dollars and visited the International UFO Museum and Research Center, which was interesting, but a little low budget. It was still fun to have been there, and I learned a few things about the "incident" in 1947, including that they had taken whatever landed to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, which was very close to my paternal grandmother's house. I also walked around downtown and snapped some photos of the many shops, restaurants, and businesses that proudly displayed alien decor.

The next morning I was eager to hop in the car. I could see just the tiniest silhouette of mountains in the distance, and they were calling my name...

I sure am glad that they didn't keep me!

Homecoming

October 29, 2016 Teressa Jackson

Leaving Tahlequah, I headed west across Oklahoma. As I followed the sun, the ground flattened and the trees dispersed. Cows studded the landscape. The wind whipped, blowing bits of vegetation across the highway and stirring the water in ponds and lakes into choppy waves. I passed through Tulsa, dropped some quarters in a few toll booths, and began to near my destination.

I was a little nervous, and spent some time rehearsing what I would say. Surely a serial killer wouldn't greet me, but who would?

Just two left turns off the main highway through Enid, Oklahoma, and I was prepared to find out.

I walked up to the door at 2302 Kiowa Street and rang the doorbell. After waiting a few minutes, I started to feel sure that either no one was home, or the doorbell did not work. Should I knock? I decided to ring it one more time. A few moments later, I heard some rumblings from behind me in the carport, so I headed in that direction.

My family in front of the house in 1976, and me in the same spot in 2016

I greeted the gray-haired man who emerged, and said I was sorry to bother him, but that I wanted to see if it was ok for me to take a few photos outside his home. You see, my family lived in it for the first two years of my life and I had thought it would be fun to return for the first time in 38 years.

Mitch responded casually as if he had been half expecting me to arrive all day, and ushered me right into the house, immediately beginning a tour. He and his wife Pam had purchased the property from my parents in 1978 and even remembered their names. Over the years, they had made many improvements, alterations, and additions, and Mitch was eager to show them all to me. We walked into the family room (an addition) after a few moments of touring, and Pam greeted me in much the same way as Mitch, warm and friendly, and seemingly not terribly surprised.

We chatted for a while, and I snapped photos of the yard, the interior, and the exterior. I had showed them an old family photo taken in front of the house, and Mitch insisted on taking a photo of me to echo that one. I got the rundown of who still lived on the street from my parents' era, what houses were selling for in the area, and what had changed (or mostly hadn't) in Enid. They were incredibly kind, down-to-earth, and just plain nice people. I'm pretty sure they weren't serial killers. :-)

If they were, I got away.

A tale of my trip to Tahlequah

October 29, 2016 Teressa Jackson

I honestly don't remember why I decided to stay the night last night in Tahlequah. It was totally out of the way of my route. I'd booked the room, though, so I continued my venture through the Ozark foothills to the capitol of the Cherokee Nation.

I'll admit, I didn't exactly know what to expect. Native Americans are not always portrayed in the most positive light in our media (extreme poverty, substance abuse problems, etc.) and I'm sure that, shamefully, my ideas of what might await me in the town were somewhat colored by those portraits.

The first thing that surprised me upon arriving at Tahlequah was that it was much larger than I had envisioned. I was greeted with many of the establishments we have come to expect in an area of a certain population size. After a quick drive through town, I settled down in my hotel for the night. I was already tired after a long day on the Talimena Byway.

I got up (too) bright and early this morning, and set off again after a nice COLD shower at my hotel (no hot water). My first stop was the Cherokee Heritage Center. I arrived a while before they opened, but enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and burgeoning fall colors.

The museum had a nice display of high-quality arts and crafts by Cherokee artisans, an exhibit on the Trail of Tears, a reconstructed 1700's Cherokee village Diligwa, and an example of a later pioneer Cherokee village. I was interested to learn something I should have already known, which was that my home in New Albany had been part of the original Cherokee Nation.

Noel and his water. He drinks lots of water. :)

I had my guide Noel (I hope I spelled that right) all to myself through the Diligwa, and enjoyed every moment of it. He was very friendly and so knowledgeable about his native culture, customs, and language. The thing that struck me first about him, though, was that his accent was nothing like the halted speech of Native Americans portrayed in media (think John Redcorn on King of the Hill). It was, of course, silly of me to expect him to sound like that. Almost more startling to me, though, was that he instead had a twangy Oklahoma accent.

I continued my exploration of the Cherokee Nation at the John Ross Museum. John Ross was the Chief of the Nation who led his people through the Trail of Tears. I then visited the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and Cherokee National Prison Museum. Everywhere I went, the people working the attractions were incredibly friendly and enthusiastic to answer questions and share about their culture. There was a distinct sense of pride and hospitality that shone in them, which I enjoyed as much as the exhibits.

I finished up my time in Tahlequah with a stroll through the quaint downtown. I gazed in some shop windows and grabbed a bite to eat at the Iguana Cafe, but had no more time to spare because another adventure awaited me, 3 hours away. However, I left very glad that I had gone out of my way to have the experience.

My Way Along the Talimena Byway

October 28, 2016 Teressa Jackson

The Ouachita National Forest, Pencil Bluff, Arkansas

I left Hot Springs this morning and headed west through the Ouachita National Forest. Winding around and around through the gorgeous trees, there was nearly no civilization until I arrived in Mena, Arkansas. I even passed a tiny airport that also housed a dentist's office along the way - now I call that RURAL (and efficient?).

Mena is the eastern starting point of the Talimena National Scenic Byway. I had crafted my route to see this stretch of road at the suggestion of my mother. Long ago, before I was born, my parents lived in Wilburton, Oklahoma, which is near the western end of the byway.

As soon as I turned onto the byway, the road started going up, up, up, and I was quickly greeted with amazing vistas of the Ozarks and the valleys and lakes below. The engineers who designed this roadway were smart, providing ample turnoffs and parking areas to stop and take in the views. I didn't skip any of them, which means I might win the world record for longest amount of time to drive this stretch of road.

Along the trail, I entered the State of Oklahoma, land of my birth. I snapped a photo with the sign and took a short jaunt down to the historic spike marking the state border. I also got so excited that I left my sunglasses in the grass there. I guess I get to shop for a new pair of shades!

Shortly after my stop at the state line, I hopped out at another overlook. A couple was finishing up taking photos, and she excitedly turned to me, showed me her hand, and said, "We just got engaged! I know I don't know you but I have to tell somebody!" They were so happy, and it was too sweet. I insisted on taking their photo together so they would have a good one to remember the moment.

I took about 1,239,552 photos of the mountains on my way along the Talimena today, but none of them could ever truly demonstrate the true beauty or scale of this gorgeous area. I'll do my best to portray my version of it, soon, when I finally sit down with my paint and brushes... :-)

My 5 Experiences in Hot Springs

October 27, 2016 Teressa Jackson

My morning view leaving Eureka Springs, near Morgan, Arkansas

I left Eureka Springs bright and early Tuesday. I was eager to get on the road, catch some nice morning vistas, and put the 4-hour trek behind me. The morning views did not disappoint. Shortly after leaving Eureka Springs, I had to pull over near Morgan, Arkansas to grab some lovely shots of the foggy Ozark Mountains.

I neglected to fill my gas tank prior to leaving Eureka Springs, and my anxiety level started to build as the needle went down and there was no trace of civilization in sight. I had routed myself on back roads so I could enjoy the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, and while it was full of gorgeous views, I have never been so happy in my life to see a gas station. I drove through a few more (somewhat) populated areas, but all in all, the drive to Hot Springs was extremely rural.

I arrived at the Alpine Inn in Hot Springs a bit earlier than check-in, but Leslie, the very friendly Scottish owner, was kind enough to let me go ahead and occupy my adorable little room. I was feeling worn out and crashed for about an hour. What did I do next?

Lots of Art Deco architecture to enjoy here

1. Walked Downtown and Enjoyed the Architecture

Leslie had said it was around a mile's walk to downtown, so after my slumber, I set off on foot to see Hot Springs. I soon realized that while a mile is very walkable for me, I probably should have driven it first to get the lay of the land. I'm not going to get too involved in national political discourse, but I will say that I don't particularly appreciate males heckling or objectifying me, and this mile involved a fair share of it. While it might seem to some to be a harmless activity, the problem with being the target is you never really know if someone is simply being a little too frisky or if their behavior is a precursor to something more nefarious.

Once I got into the main downtown area, I enjoyed the wealth of historic buildings, walked around, visited the information center for the National Park, snapped a lot of photos, and headed back to my hotel (pocket knife in hand).

2. Hiked the National Park

Wednesday, I got up very early and headed out to the trails of the National Park. I got some lovely morning views as I trekked up the mountain and wound around and around through the woods. I was out for two hours before I saw another human being, which was both peaceful and a little spooky. There were plenty of squirrels, chipmunks, and a deer to keep me company, though. I visited the Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower, which provided some great vistas of the city and surrounding area. After getting slightly lost on my way back to my car, I finally wrapped up my 4-hour, 7-mile hike.

3. Quapaw Baths & Spa

After a quick shower, I visited the Quapaw Baths & Spa. I had been given a pass by my hotel, so the entrance was free except I did have to buy a pair of rubber shoes for $3. Essentially, the experience consists of four large pools of different temperatures of water from the hot springs - 104°, 102°, 98°, and 95°. Always wanting the full experience, of course I hopped right in the 104°. I alternated laying on a lounge chair and soaking in the pool, and left feeling relaxed.

4. Superior Bathhouse Brewery

I completed my relaxation with a trip to the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, a microbrewery claiming to make the "World's First Beer Brewed with Thermal Spring Water." I enjoyed a Belgian Tripel ($2 off for happy hour!) and black eyed pea hummus (also $2 off!). I haven't been eating (or drinking) nearly as much as normal, and I quickly put it all away. Delicious!

5. Buckstaff Bath House

This morning, I woke up early, ready to hit the Buckstaff Bath House for a traditional experience. Buckstaff is the only bathhouse in Hot Springs that has operated continuously since its founding. They don't take reservations, and I couldn't sleep, so I was first in line at 8 a.m. Bear with me because I am going to describe this in detail... I've never experienced anything like it and I doubt you have, either!

I was shown to a changing stall, where I stripped down to my birthday suit and placed all my belongings in a locker. An attendant then draped me with a sheet "Roman Style" and showed me to a waiting area. I don't want to sound negative, but nothing about this is your traditional spa environment - it's very utilitarian. With the exception of the hairdryer in the dressing area, you could truly be in a very different era.

Soon, Mattie called me back to the baths. She had drawn me a tub full of hot spring water and had me disrobe (always back to the attendant) and get in the tub. She gave me two cups of hot water to sip on and scrubbed my back, legs, and feet. Then she turned on the whirlpool (which looked like a giant, ancient mixer) and left me to soak for about 15-20 minutes. This was the deepest, longest bathtub I've ever been in, and it was wonderful.

After the tub, I was wrapped in another sheet and seated on a table. Mattie put soaking, very hot towels behind me and had me lay on them. More hot towels went over my legs and a cool towel went around my face. I was given ice cubes to suck on and left to rest for another 15-20 minutes (I'm guessing on all these times... hard to really know).

Next, I was seated (naked) in the vapor cabinet, which is basically a metal closet with a seat in it, metal doors that come down over your shoulders, and a glass door on the front. I was left to steam for a few minutes with the door open, then a couple minutes with it closed so I could breathe in the vapors.

The sitz bath followed. Wrapped in a sheet, I sat on the edge of this little tub and slid down in to submerge my hips and lower back. I was also given a stool to prop up my legs while in there. Considering that my lower back was killing me when I got up this morning, I decided that I need one of these in my next home.

The needle shower sounds more dangerous than it is. Basically, it's a shower with a bunch of shower heads. I was given the opportunity to spend a few minutes rinsing off in there after the sitz bath.

After that, I had a 20 minute Swedish massage. It was one of the more "no nonsense" massages I've ever had, but it was a great way to wrap up the experience. No pan flute music, no coddling from the masseuse, no fancy oils... just a good, plain old massage.

I would say that my massage at Buckstaff sums up my time in Hot Springs. Very few people have gone out of their way to be overly friendly to me (except men in cars), but most people haven't been unfriendly either. It seems likely to me that life is not all that easy for a lot of people here. Poverty seems pretty prevalent. I don't want to sound at all as if I am judging anyone; I know that every place in this world is different and has their good points and bad points, struggles and triumphs. This is just my experience in the matter of a few days, and I'm glad to have had it.

I'm headed on to Oklahoma tomorrow!

And I'm Off!

October 24, 2016 Teressa Jackson

I've hit the road!

Anxious about a really long first day's drive, I headed out a day earlier than planned on Saturday, October 22. After grabbing my last Quills latte for a while, I headed out I-64 west, past Evansville, through Illinois and St. Louis, and eventually ended my day in Hollister, Missouri, just south of Branson. I didn't do much in Branson other than drive through the town, and the next day I was eager to get moving again.

Sunday, I visited Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. The park was founded by the owner of Bass Pro Shops. It was a little too commercialized at the entrance, but once I hit the trail through the Ozarks, it was really lovely. It is definitely more manicured than your average hiking spot, including a hiking trail that is paved in its entirety. I thought this was a nice feature, especially for anyone who might be in a wheelchair. It's so rare to see nature be truly accessible. There were plenty of waterfalls and big, beautiful fish. I walked the entire trail, altogether somewhere over 7 miles in total. The fall weather was fantastic and it felt great to stretch my legs.

From Dogwood Canyon, I drove through the Ozarks to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This little town is filled with shops, restaurants, and incredibly friendly people. I spent a little time yesterday walking the historic town, and all day there today. Although I love all the little galleries, gift shops, and boutiques, it is a little strange to browse them now that I have essentially no belongings and am not set up to acquire any. So, I mostly enjoyed the scenery. I also splurged on a big brunch at Mud Street Cafe (I've been mostly eating peanut butter, crackers, and apples), checked out the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, a true historic gem with a phenomenal view of the mountains, and visited Thorncrown Chapel, a chapel acclaimed for its architecture located just outside town in the woods.

As I already mentioned, the people in Eureka Springs are very friendly. Southern charm is in full effect here, and of course, they are reliant essentially 100% reliant on tourism so it is to their benefit to be pleasant. One of my highlights for today was meeting a man named Reck who was working at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. Reck asked what I was doing in town, and I told him that I had sold all my belongings and was traveling the country for a year or so. He was very intrigued with this and we talked about Eureka Springs, other parts of the country to visit, and also about the value of being nice. He gave me a hug before I left with a big smile on my face.

A few minutes later, I was making my way up the street (literally UP... my Fitbit tells me I climbed 52 floors today) and a car pulls up. Reck pops out and says he just ended his shift, and wondered if I wouldn't take his cell phone number and send him a photo from my travels occasionally. I said I would be happy to do so, and snapped his photo so I'd remember the first new friend I made on my journey. It only took three days! :-)

Tomorrow, I am headed off to Hot Springs, Arkansas... a little sad to leave Eureka Springs so soon, but I'm sure I'll come back again someday.

The Long and Winding Road

October 13, 2016 Teressa Jackson

This post was edited on November 29, 2016 to include later blog posts related to this one.

Tonight, I officially hand over the keys of my home to its new owner. I'm too worn out right now to be very sentimental about it, plus there is lots to look forward to! The past week has involved selling stuff, moving stuff, packing stuff, trashing stuff, and cleaning stuff. I hope to never have that much stuff again.

On October 23, 2016, I begin my travels. My ultimate destination for the entire month of November is Las Cruces, New Mexico. I am taking a few detours along the way to see some new sites and one location that has special significance to me. My stops will include:

1. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

At the suggestion of my mother, I will be spending a short time in Eureka Springs. This city is located in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. As an historic architecture enthusiast, I was excited to see that the entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I'm sure I will find some great photo ops and welcome a chance to feast my eyes while I stretch my legs.

Read my blog post about my time in Eureka Springs >

2. Hot Springs, Arkansas

A big fan of our National Parks, I've wanted to see Hot Springs for quite some time, so I couldn't resist adding a stop there. I will be spending a few days enjoying the sights of the town as well as the scenery along the National Park's hiking trails. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the wealth of art deco architecture there.

Read my blog post about my time in Hot Springs >

3. Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Leaving Hot Springs, I will take a drive on the Talimena Scenic Drive, a 54-mile route that twists and turns throughout the foliage of the Ouachita National Forest. The byway is known for its stunning views of the highest mountain range between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

Read my blog post about my time on the Talimena Scenic Byway >

I will continue on and stop for the evening in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in the heart of the Cherokee Nation.

Read my blog post about my time in Tahlequah >

My family in front of our home in Enid in 1976. I'm the littlest one.

4. Enid, Oklahoma

My next destination is the only one along my route I have previously visited. Actually, I did more than visit Enid, Oklahoma - I was born there and lived my first two years in the city. I have not returned in the 38 years we have been gone. I plan to check out the "Queen Wheat City," which apparently has the most grain storage capacity in the U.S., and snap a photo of two of the old homestead on Kiowa Drive.

Read my blog post about my time in Enid >

5. Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's where I'll be... great song, George Strait! I'll admit it, though, I haven't found a place in Texas that I love yet. Necessity has me giving the state another try in Amarillo. Apparently Amarillo was once known as "Helium Capital of the World" for its helium fields (I never really thought about where helium came from...). The "The Yellow Rose of Texas," Amarillo operates one of the largest meat-packing areas in the United States. As a vegetarian for the past 24 years, I'm super excited about that. ;-)

6. Roswell, New Mexico

With the nickname of "Alien City" and kitschy touches like street lamps painted to look like aliens, Roswell looks like a place with a sense of humor. I plan to visit the International UFO Museum (when in Rome...), Roswell Museum & Art Center, UFO-shaped McDonald's, and other sights around town. And, hopefully, avoid becoming a part of an X Files story line.

Read my blog post about my trip from Enid to Amarillo to Roswell >

7. Landing Point for November: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces looks like a great place to soak up some fantastic November weather. I look forward to enjoying views of the Organ Mountains, eating lots of New Mexico chile, patronizing their extensive farmers and crafts market, and day trips to locales such as Mesilla, White Sands National Monument, Silver City, Gila Cliff Dwellings, City of Rocks State Park, Cibola National Forest, and Gila National Forest.

Read my blog post about my arrival in Las Cruces >

Where to in December? I'm figuring that out! Stay tuned...

Read my blog post about my time in Las Cruces and my location for December >

Las Cruces and the Organ Mountains. Photo credit: Tony Hoffarth — Las Cruces and the Organ Mountains. Photo credit: Tony Hoffarth

A Little Vacation Before the Big Trek

October 3, 2016 Teressa Jackson

Last week, I had the opportunity to head to Pensacola, Florida for a few days. I'd really never been to the Gulf Coast, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.

The beaches and the city of Pensacola exceeded my expectations. Pensacola has a lot of southern charm, featuring buildings with ornate decorative wrought iron, bright colors, and lovely gardens. I didn't spend much time in the downtown area, but what I saw I enjoyed. They were hosting an annual seafood festival, and while I don't eat seafood, the food looked amazing and it was a great opportunity to check out the locals.

I love the beach, so after a day holed up in a hotel room with a nasty head cold, I headed off to the Johnson Beach segment of Gulf Islands National Seashore. What a treat! This beach goes on for miles and was largely unoccupied except for the occasional fishermen (and fisherwomen). I saw beautiful birds. Unfortunately, I also got eaten alive by what I learned were dog flies, so I had to keep moving to avoid their hungry mouths. At least I got my exercise!

The next day, I visited Fort Pickens and the lovely beaches along the way to this Civil War construction. The fort was built by slave labor, and once was used to imprison Apache Indians, including the famed Geronimo. It was beautiful in its age and slightly eerie due to its sordid past... and because it was mostly deserted. Unfortunately, there were more dog flies, which put a little damper on my fun on the beach that day, too.

Saturday, I drove out past Gulf Shores to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. It was gorgeous and secluded, with slowly rippling waves and lots of large crabs to be observed. The jellyfish made their presence known with a few little stings, and the dog flies tried to have another meal. Goodness, I sure am delicious!

After my time at Bon Secour, I headed back through Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and returned to Johnson Beach, where I walked for miles along the water. The wind was enough to keep the flies away there, and I enjoyed the shallow Gulf Coast waters, walking quite a ways out... until spotting a couple of small sharks! These guys were probably too small to take more than a nibble, but I like my calves the way they are, so I enjoyed the rest of my time from the shoreline. It was amazing to see them there, though, and I'm glad I got to experience that.

All in all, it was a lovely and relaxing time as I gear up to vacate my house and work through selling the last of my unnecessary belongings. The drive back was a little mind numbing, but was highlighted by the opportunity to see cotton fields for the first time in my life in Alabama. I even swiped one of the little soft puffs as a souvenir.

So, what exactly am I doing?

September 25, 2016 Teressa Jackson

"Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." ~Jacob Bronowski

Lately, I have been asked a lot about my plans for the next year. The short answer to these inquiries is, "I have no idea!"

In all seriousness, I really do have at least some idea. I have a loose blueprint. I just have no clue how it will all really turn out. One of the elements of the adventure I'm undertaking is that I want to be open to where life takes me and be light enough to move along with that current. I also want to become more at peace with uncertainty. After all, openness to the unknown can lead you to the places you never knew you needed to be.

I will embark on my travels in earnest on October 23, and yes, I know where I am headed, at least through the month of November. I'll share more details about that soon.

So, here's the loose plan for my activities:

1. Be All Artsy and Stuff

First and foremost, I intend to devote more time to making art. I have found it to be very difficult to immerse myself in my personal creativity when I am spending significant energy and time using it professionally. I hope that the beautiful places I intend to see further inspire this work and that some kind individuals will see fit to purchase my creations to enjoy. I envision many days of hiking all day and painting all evening.

2. Contract Marketing & Fundraising Work

How will I sustain myself? I have a modest amount of funds to float me for a while, but I'm also offering my skills for contract marketing and fundraising work with not-for-profit organizations through FansToFunds.com. This will enable me to focus on my greatest professional strengths such as graphic design, creative writing, website development, social media consulting, photography and short video production, and grant proposal writing. Some of this will require me to be geographically available, but a lot of it can be easily accomplished remotely.

3. Donate My Time

In addition to paid contract marketing and fundraising services, I intend to connect with not-for-profits along my travels and offer a limited amount of my services on a volunteer basis. I am excited about both being able to contribute to the great work that is being done by so many groups across our country and the relationships and experiences I will collect through this endeavor. For that reason, I included on my website an online application for those organizations interested in applying for donated assistance.

Only time will tell what the next year really ends up looking like, but here's to a year of recharging, reinvigorating, and reimagining!

Farewells and a Rebirth

September 17, 2016 Teressa Jackson

What a week. My heart is full and empty, all at the same time.

My last work event, the Rauch Golf Scramble, took place Monday. By all reports, everyone had a fantastic time, and we raised $19,750 in net proceeds - our best golf event ever and a 31.5% increase over last year.

Wednesday, it became apparent that my 16.5 year old dog, Beano, was rapidly declining. On Thursday morning, I held her one last time and let her go. I was 24 years old when I became her mom, and I'm 40 now. To say we were both a bit grayer that day would be an understatement. It's hard to fathom her absence, because she seemed far too stubborn to do anything but live forever. She was also far too stubborn to be so old, and I could tell her failing body was a great annoyance to her. She is free now.

Thursday at lunch was my goodbye party at Rauch. I got a lot of lovely hugs and some incredibly thoughtful cards and gifts, as well as many sweet e-mails and visits throughout the day. These gestures continued on Friday, my official last day.

One of the most difficult things about leaving Rauch was parting with the people we serve, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have made each day at work better and meaningful for me, and I have enjoyed learning their unique personalities and traits along the way. The unfortunate fact in our industry is that there is a lot of employee turnover, and a side effect of that is that these people are all too familiar with the word "goodbye." I had taken great pride in not just my work to improve their lives, but also in being a consistent and positive presence for them, as best I could in my role. When I gathered with them on Friday, I was showered with quite possibly the most hugs and tears and "I love you's" than I have ever experienced in my life.

After finishing up some last grant reports and lugging a box to my car, I drove home so say another goodbye. I had sold the 1966 Plymouth Barracuda that has slept in my garage for 15 years, and the buyer was coming transport it to its new home, where he will wake it from its slumber. I felt like the whole neighborhood was watching as this little treasure emerged from its resting place and was carted away into the sunset.

Happy trails, Barracuda... and me, too, I hope. :)

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