A Turn in the Road, the Next Step

I know some of you enjoy my weekly post with your morning coffee. I cherish this compliment close to my heart. For a short period, though, I need to focus on an exciting project.

It is exciting and a little terrifying, but more than anything, I feel humbled and honored by this invitation.

Two days after arriving in Estes Park, I received an email that stopped me in my tracks. I was so stunned by the opportunity that the very first thing I did, before even thinking it through, was send a text to my power girl text group.

I copied the email and asked a very simple question: What am I supposed to do with this?

The response came right away, filled with excitement and an absolute “go for it” message.

Who knows me best, if not my power girls?

I am thrilled to share that my spring and summer plans are taking me back to the beautiful country of Canada.

I received an invitation from the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival to be a guest speaker. For nearly three decades, the Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival has celebrated nature, community, and stewardship, nurturing a living legacy of conservation in the Upper Columbia Valley. The festival runs from May 4 to May 10, and I will be presenting at the evening event on May 6.

Now, why am I a little terrified? That might be the understatement of the year. 🙂

Me? A public speaker? I had to read that email twice to be sure it was meant for me. That idea had never crossed my mind. The universe clearly enjoys stretching me.

Since this is a brand-new adventure with no prior experience, I want to give it all I have got. For that, I need to clear my plate for a while. Yes, I know May is still months ahead, but I am not one to wait until the last moment. I gave my word and took on a responsibility, and I want to deliver the very best I can.

There is so much goodness in this opportunity. One in particular is getting to hug Sandara again. Our friendship began when we met at Joshua Tree National Park in March 2023.

Sandara lent my first book to her friend Krystie, who runs the festival, and the rest is history. 🙂

Of course, I shared the exciting news with Ramona, another dear Canadian friend. We met at Padre Island, Texas, in November 2022, and I am thrilled she is planning to come.

My original plan for this coming spring and summer was to return to Oregon and Washington to explore them in depth. During my first year of travel, I hugged only the coastlines of both states. I was so looking forward to seeing the Oregon coast again. It should be on everyone’s top list. That will have to wait.

Instead, I will take my time traveling from Invermere north to Jasper, then head east. If you remember, I had to skip Nova Scotia two years ago due to illness. Now I will have another chance.

In the meantime, life is nice and quiet here at the Y. I love my job. I love the art of glass fusion. And how could I not love the landscape around me? For a mountain girl, this is heaven.

I enjoy my time with friends at lunch and dinner, and, very importantly, I have found a new partner to play ping pong with. The nature of seasonal work is that people come and go, so I am happy that Pearl joined the craft center and became both my co-worker and my ping pong partner. 🙂

As this is my personal journal, I will continue to capture and share important moments in writing, so I can remember them. One in particular is my boy’s visit.

I am nervous, I am grateful, and I am listening closely to where life is inviting me next.