11/24/2024

Over the past two days I've been making a bunch of samples of my chocolate. These symbols are for the Chocolate festival that I went to today. It was a small chocolate festival and I decided I would take some of my chocolate samples with my business card and how about. I got some good response and I made a couple of connections. 

The Chocolate festival was kind of interesting it was all different kinds of chocolate.  My friend A went with me to help me because I can't eat many of the chocolates. I wanted to know what they taste like she had lots of fun eating a lot of chocolates. 

Until tomorrow...

11/23/2024

It's almost Thanksgiving and I do not have any plans. I really don't like traveling on Thanksgiving. Many many years ago I flew to the East Coast for Thanksgiving. My flight (not because of weather) was delayed so much that I didn't arrive until 7:00 Thanksgiving night. I completely missed Thanksgiving. I was supposed to arrive on the day before Thanksgiving but it didn't happen. I then had to literally turn around and get back on the plane and come back. That was the last time I traveled on Thanksgiving. 

Also being vegan Thanksgiving is not one of my favorite holidays. It's all centering around killing a bird and then tearing his little bones apart to eat it. 

Until tomorrow...

11/22/2024

One thing that is always hard with having a rental van is that I have been of stuff to take on these trips and when I come back they're all a mess. Before I go everything is organized in the right bin and labeled. When I get back things are all over the place. I need to get a system if I'm going to keep renting these vans so that when I return everything isn't just shoved in the easiest bin. I'm not sure how tha I'm going to do that but I have hope I'll figure out a system. I think maybe the most important thing is I take too much stuff with me. By decreasing the amount of stuff that I take, it might be easier to organize. 

Until tomorrow...

11/21/2024

It's always such a letdown when I get back from one of my trips. I know I have work to do and cleaning to do but a very large part of me wants to be back in the van exploring. I know we all need to get back to our regular lives. I just find it sad and depressing. When I was younger and I would travel I'd be excited to come back home but now I don't have that excitement. 

Until tomorrow...

11/20/2024

I woke up early again so I could finish cleaning the van. I had to have it back by 11:00 a.m. After a quick clean, I got on the road to return the van. After returning it I walked a 30 minute walk to a train. I took the train to the station and then a taxi the rest of the way. It's a bit of a long trek. I didn't get home until mid afternoon. And then I had to finish putting things away or at least out of the way. 

Another trip checked off in the books.

Until tomorrow...

11/19/2024

We woke up early and I took Miss Vivien Butterfly for a walk. Then another friend came over and I gave a tour of the van. After a bit of hanging out, Miss Vivien and I started the drive home. 

Once we got home I emptied out the van and did a little bit of cleaning. I was super tired and just wanted to sit down. 

Until tomorrow...

11/18/2024

Well, today is the start back home. Last night I packed up as much as I could into boxes. Emptying out all the cabinets. We drove from Palm Springs to Fresno where I stayed with a friend. Of course I arrived an hour and a half late and she was so sweet to hold dinner for me. 

Until tomorrow...

11/17/2024

My friend and his wife invited me over to their home to go hiking. They invited Miss Vivien butterfly and sunny the bird also. Sunny stayed in the van but Miss Vivien had a great time in their backyard sniffing everything. Then the three of us went for a hike. 

Until tomorrow...

11/16/2024

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that's why I send and his wife took me out to dinner. They live near Palm Springs and they took me to a nice restaurant in Palm Springs for a lovely dinner. I left the dog in the van, the weather was quite chilly, and she did really great. 

This morning Miss Vivien Butterfly and I got going early to Joshua Tree National Park. Since this was day two for me, it meant hiking. The rule at National Parks is that dogs are allowed on roads, parking lots, and picnic areas. They're also allowed 100 ft from any of those places. Since Joshua Tree has most of its sites within 100 ft of the parking lot, is Vivien was able to see some things.

I did a little bit of hiking. I can leave the dog and the bird for about an hour hour and a half without any problems. 

Joshua Tree National Park you're very unique landscape. It's very rocky with super large rocks. Since this is not my first time here, I think I've had enough of Joshua Tree for quite some time. 

Until tomorrow...

11/15/2024

Crystal day at Joshua Tree National park. But first I dropped the dog off at a doggy daycare to spend part of the day while I drove around the park. The boarding facility was 5 minutes from the entrance to the park. My first went to the visitors center to get my passport stamp, t-shirt and map. 

I decided to do the 26 mile Loop while the dog was in the boarding facility. That way I could drive the whole thing and map out what I wanted to do in the next day. I only had until 1:00 because I had to take a zoom call and National Parks do not have any Wi-Fi. 

The park was great it was a very relaxing drive around since it's off season. It was not very crowded and I made a plan for the next day. 

I use the doggie boarding parking lot to make my zoom call and when I was done I picked up the dog and we went back to the campsite. 

When you walked all around the campground after dinner and then bought some TV. 

Until tomorrow...