Life-changing experience: June 19~26

Hi readers... very few since I changed the blog's theme from traveling to nature. I have to write a little bit about the journey I took in late June.

I took part in a 4-H (WSU) sponsored Adult Guide training intensive. Click here to see the program. or copy and paste this url: http://4h.wsu.edu/challenge/rite/adultleadership.html

The short of it is that I went through my own rite of passage. I am claiming adulthood.

I resonated so much with this opportunity and suggest that anyone who reads this makes the space to do this training. It is such deep, strong, valuable, important personal work that many of us have never had the chance to pursue. It will bring deeper connection to yourself, your family, your work, your community, and to the land.

I am thankful for the land on which I spent seven full days outside. Gorgeous country above Ellensberg in central Washington. I would love to speak with anyone about it because it is an incredible story. But it is long and it may take a while. Nothing I can write down, that's for sure.

Thankful to the raccoons for guiding me to the sacred river and for frog for asking me to jump... and thankful for getting wet too!

With this experience in my heart, I will head to the coast today (July 27) with two other great men and the boys in our oldest program. We will facilitate a rite of passage during this six-day outing. How exciting! Click here to see our work or copy and paste this url: http://wildwhatcom.org/ozette-passage/

May 26~31: Mexico!

Months ago, Michelle won a free condo stay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This bopping city in the northern tip of Jalisco state, was the perfect place for us to thaw out fully from a typical cold, damp Washington winter/spring. Though the weather had been lovely in Bellingham before we left, the humidity and heat waiting for us south of the border was what our bodies and souls needed. Plus, who doesn't like swimming in the Pacific Ocean in warm water?!

We immediately found the grocery store and its produce section. Talk about a great time! Avocados the size of soccer balls, pineapple, fresh tomatoes, papaya, mangoes of two types, melon, cactus-colored (green) Nopales tortillas, fresh ships.... the list is endless. Needless to say we gorged on delicious fruits and veggies all week!

We spent time on various beaches. Two days outside our resort, walking and beaching and sitting. One day trip to Sayulita, a smaller touristy fishing village about an hour and a half north. It is in the state of Nayarit. And another day trip to an hour south- down the coast and then inland- to the Botanical Gardens were we hiked, played in the river, and watched some birds.

We ate well; whether cooking for ourselves or finding the most charming local places to eat, we succeeded in satisfying our stomachs. Mole from the best place west of Mexico City; Ceviche, Marlin burritos, Crispy and Soft Fish tacos- some with mole others with fresh veggies and spices--- we did well in the fish department... my stomach yearns for such rich food!

I chose 18 pictures that may elucidate the tale better...

View from our third floor unit, with pool and resort in the foreground. Bahia de Banderas, the Pacific Ocean, and the Beach beyond that!

Magnificent Frigatebirds (Frigata magnificens) floating in the coastal thermals. There were Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) too!

 Michelle's hands hard at work prepared guacamole! See also, tomatoes, mangoes, papaya, limes, cucumbers, red onions.... FOOD love!

 North of Sayulita looking back at the small town

 Looking north to the beach we inhabited alone for a couple of hours

 Fish taco!

 The river into which we dipped during our hike in the Jardin Botanical

Hummingbird Feeder: Plain-capped Strathroat (Heliomaster constantinii) flying in from the left with a HUGE beak. Feeding at the time was a Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazililla rutila)

 In motion

 Pretty flowers... not sure the name

 Three types of mole over crispy fish tacos... best restaurant in Puerto Vallarta "Mole de la Jovenita" is the name and Sergio is the owner. If you ever go to this town you must enjoy a meal here

 We also had sopes here... incredible. The margaritas were nice too :)

 Two sunbaked travelers splurging on a great meal

 Homemade guacamole... great in the morning

 Typical breakfast: Guac, fresh coffee, papaya with a squeeze of lime, scrambled eggs, tortillas. On the veranda overlooking the pool and ocean. Life is good.

 Grill facility that we took advantage of! Grilled pineapple, chicken and peppers. Yum.

 Us two on the beach outside of our condo

 Last night in town. Actually saw the sunset without being blocked by clouds

Lot happening, no time to write

Wow, so much has happened in six weeks. Not just in my life but in everyone's lives. An incredible turn of events, and all sorts of transitions of different kinds. So many of us are working through our heart/soul purposes by moving through life-zones (most of the people I know are working on shifting from adolescence into adulthood or from adulthood into elder). More on this, but busy times and good work is happening.

As the chronological mind goes, here is a list of posts that I hope to write in the upcoming weeks:

5/26~31- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
First weeks of June- End of Ecology Club, after-school programs, and Spring Explorers Club
My Rite of Passage journey in Central Washington, late June
Climbing Mt. Rainier the first week of July

Now I can throw away my paper list... it's on the screen :)