Falling in love with the desert.
Author: Expedition Overland Nomadic Adventurer
I'm a retiree voicing my wisdom, opinion, and thoughts about the retirement lifestyle and life in general as a travel blogger touring the US.
I'm an aspiring pre-published indie author of baby boomer romance and adventures, with a whimsical comedic side.
I photograph wildlife, landscapes, along with mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and backpacking.
I travel the back roads and highways of America, Canada, and Mexico, documenting my adventures via print and photography.
Sanibel Island Causeway
Basking in the beauty of my surroundings as a nomadic traveler
The wisdom of 4-dating questions. (Short story) part-2
We have begun our day with a sideways kiss ( you know bad breath and all ) and a hug.
The wisdom of 4-dating questions. (Short story) 2-parts
Mom, when did you actually know you were in love with dad?
Thoughts of travel stirs my restless soul
A mature wisdom-filled twelve-year-old
"Wintering in the Florida Everglades."
Human Snow Birds retreat to the warmer climates mimicking mother natures migration
Quote of the day
Quote of the day
"My wives, girlfriends, and concubine."
Keep me outside in the world I love.
"Big Cypress National Preserve & the Florida Keys."
An opportunity to capture photos and enjoy the beauty of the ride
Big Cypress National Preserve morning sunrise
The perfect morning for me
Nomadic traveler/author inspirer
Balancing my loves of hiking, bicycling, and photography with sitting still to write
"My happy place."
The quiet wilderness serenity of nature’s beauty.
"Humanities Blue Balloon."
we all live upon a planet with a downward force of gravity
"Moving forward and expanding."
I no longer say aloud, be patient what’s the rush?
"What a Summer!"
Surrounded by nature, emitting happiness and contentment.
“Falling in love with nature.”
Surrounded by nature, emitting happiness and contentment
9 ESSENTIALS YOU NEED WHILE HIKING
Originally posted on Hike & Adventure:
If you find yourself located in a remote mountain area or deep in a forest there will be essential…
Seeking Love
Originally posted on Sgeoil:
an age-old quest from the day we are born crying out turning our faces like blossoms to the sun seeking love,…
Banned Books Week 2019
Originally posted on Paving My Author's Road:
Credit image: ALA (American Library Association) ? Are you ready for Banned Books Week? It starts this…
“Santa Cruze CA Pier/Wharf.”
I’m planning to merge my love of downhill mountain biking, and bicycle touring so I visited the Santa Cruz bicycle headquarters in Santa Cruz, CA.
“Poetry is Nature.”
Poetry is nature, infinite in age.
“Sacred spiritual site for all.”
A sense of reverence is experienced as you pass the enormous Coast Redwood Trees
“Pacific Crest Trail hikers.”
If you stop moving, you will die
PCT 2019 people and animals
Among the thousands of people hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, there are also animals, and photographer, Andrew Burns. He is not hiking the trail,
“2019 Pacific Crest Trail Days.”
We are sleeping inside a pup-tent for the very first time together.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a natural amusement park, with hiking, and backpacking trails providing a soul calming meditative experience costing less than the entrance to
“Theodore Rossevelt National Park.”
Serendipity is attached to my nomadic travels when I discover the incredible beauty of hundreds of bison, several dozen feral horses, along with hundreds of
“My hiking and backpacking evolution. (part 2)”
As I mature, I’m discovering the wisdom to calm my anxious excitement to cherish every moment of my travels.
MJL
“My hiking and backpacking evolution. (part 1)”
After the Continental Divide Trail Days in April, I set off for the City of Rocks Campground in New Mexico, which is by far one
2019 Continental Divide Trail Days
Silver Cities Gough Park was ground zero for the 30-plus vendors who set up their displays
“New camera begins with Texas Bluebonnets.”
Writing, reading, mountain biking, and fishing, be patient daddies got a new toy!
“My restless soul; (“Poetry”).
In the forest I close my eyes hearing insects buzzing and humming around me.
“Photography.”
This past February I attended the Key West Photo Festival with other photographers from around the US who broaden my knowledge and inspired my soul
African child
Originally posted on e-Paper Poetry of Vinx:
AFRICAN CHILD BY ONYECHE VINCENT ONYEKACHUKWU In riches and peaceful paradise I’m an African child Born into the…
“Alligators.”
Do not feed the animals their diets do not include human tourist.
“Burmese Pythons Bounty hunters.”
“A good man always knows his limitations.”
“Everglades Panthers.”
Be aware of the panther crossing signs when driving in the Everglades giving these beautiful mammals a chance to live.
Everglades “Waste management.”
These birds are the official and original waste management facilitators of the Florida Everglades
“Wayside parks & Mosquitos.”
Once you exit your vehicle, your first experience will be the sultry humidity and soon the mosquito.
“Winter in the Everglades.”
Always beware, there will be alligators in those waters. 🙂
“Rubber Tramp Rohndeveou.” aka RTR
My attempted winter destination for 2019 was the Quartzsite Arizona in Western Arizona. It is also the winter destination for several thousand RV’ers, Van dwellers,
“Tombstone Arizona.”
After driving through falling snow during the day, I figured a quick side trip to Tombstone Arizona would be great since I could not imagine
It’s been a while. :-)
Ok, ok, I know it has been quite a while since my last blog posting, and many have emailed me with concerns of “where the
“My nomadic travel origins,”
One aspect I thought of was my self-diagnosis of having a hyperactive personality with a dose of attention deficit disorder. 🙂
“2018 Key West Fantasy Fest.”
Before I created this blog post, I took time organizing my thoughts to shape the narrative for the photos I captured during the 2018 Key
“Fellow World Travelers.”
It is always great meeting fellow travelers who seek nomadic adventures as we are a unique tribe of people whose experiences of the open road brings joys to our hearts.
“Zombie bike ride.”
I recommend you visit Key West during the Fantasy festival with a daily schedule of events, there is something for everyone.
“Some fun Mountain biking time.”
It has been three months of writing, editing, re-writing, editing, and a repeat of all with an occasional blog post. I recently took time for
“Expressing your passion.”
Doubt, courage, and confidence are a persistent emotional tug of war deep within you and between your ears.
“Love, Peace, and Happiness.”
These three words are the essential foundation for every human living on this planet. There are millions of different ways to achieve all three based
“Knowing I love you.”
Every day I’m honored to wake knowing I love you.
“Their love is with me forever.”
I recently viewed the movie trailer “Green Book” scheduled for November 21, 2018, release in the US, and it triggered my thoughts about my travels
’61’ and Just Getting Started! — The Happy Traveler
Last year, at this time, I was very proud of having attained the, respectable, age of 60. I thought about what it meant to be
“Hiking and Backpacking Fears.”
On many occasions, my family and friends have voiced their concerns about me backpacking or hiking into the forests and deserts. They fear for my
“Cody Wyoming!”
In 2006, I rode my newly purchased 1800cc Honda Gold Wing motorcycle westward to tour the National Parks and attend a family reunion in Las
“Elegance in nature.”
Elegance is a word used to describe style and beauty. Outdoor photography captures natures ever-changing elegant views of a Florida sunset. This, landscape sunset cloud
“Hiking and backpacking fears.”
On many occasions, my family and friends have voiced they’re concerned about me backpacking or hiking into the forests and deserts. They fear for
Regular routine?
For the past several months, I have struggled with a writing routine as I traveled but, summer has eased into autumn, and I draw inspiration
“A patched quilt of life.”
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, I entered the local library for a book, and I saw the most incredibly beautiful king size quilt hanging on display
“A National Parks Geek.”
It was a day after the American Labor Day holiday and the unofficial end of summer. But more importantly for me, it is the demographic
Traveling soothes the soul.”
Recently while I was touring and photographing the West Rim Drive of Crater Lake in Oregon, I met a New Zealander in his late twenties,
“Pacific Crest Trail Days.”
The Pacific Crest Trail Celebrated 50 Years as A National Scenic Trail of 2,650 miles from the California Mexican border to the Washington State,
“Chipmunks Everywhere!”
I was taking a short day hike around the campground in Collier Memorial Park in Oregon when I met another camper/traveler and our conversation turned
“Travel dreams crossing the U.S.”
It has been a little over a month since I last posted a blog simply because I’m enjoying the time of my life fulfilling
“Womens Rights Museum.”
There are many unique museums and places I want to visit, learn and further understand American history. Many tourists and travelers see and reveal in
“New tent and picturesque islanding camping in Vermont.”
During the last couple of years, I have traveled mostly in the western US and back home to my much beloved Florida beaches and the
“Angry voice of gratitude.”
I will never forget the sunny Monday morning inside the coffee shop, knowing you had seen me dozens if not hundreds of times reading the
“Because a writer is always right”- Exclusive article for all the writers and readers out there. Filling the Writer-Reader gaps. Some of you might have achieved your goals with flying colors while the others just stepped onto the first rock of the mountain. Keep climbing champs as the best is yet to come.
Originally posted on let us shine:
? Writing is a talent that snoozes inside your chest until you unleash it someday either by chance or…
New Mexico; Trail Days.
My freedom is traveling nomadically, one destination to another, exploring, discovering and learning. (MJL) In April I attended the 2018 Continental Divide Trail Days
“Table talk.” (short Story)
The town of Creighton New Hampshire was to celebrate the 1948 class reunion of the small towns only high school with 43 of the original 97
Some Hard Truths About Blogging
Originally posted on COW PASTURE CHRONICLES:
When I began blogging, I will admit I had no idea what I was getting into. I just wanted…
Diary of an At-Home Residency – guest blog post by Diane K. Martin
Originally posted on Trish Hopkinson:
Second Day I just rewrote the poem I started yesterday, updated the TOC in the new manuscript, and yawned. Am…
“Fathers Day.”
Today men all over America are celebrating Father’s Day spending time with their families, throwing a ball in the yard or enjoying a quiet day
“The circle of life: Birth to Death.”
A man and woman conceived a child. Some people debate when the circle of life begins, but for this poem, the ring of a lifetime
“Juxtapose, the yearly ceremony.”
Again, as usual, I am seated watching the archaic traditions leaving no assumptions for what is to happen at this ceremony that has been held every
“Meteor Crater.”
Many things in life are comfortable assumptions, like night or day, green light or red light, and a massive crater in the middle of a
“2018 Overland Expo West.”
I attended the 2018 Overland Expo West gathering that brought people together from around the world to Fort Tuthill County Fairgrounds in Flagstaff AZ. This
Arizona’s Route 89A, a scenic drive.
Everyone who visits Arizona always recommends the Grand Canyon and their next recommendation is usually the city of Sedona AZ to see the picturesque red
“Petrified Forest National Park.”
Oh yes, the Petrified Forest National Park has been on my must-visit list for years, and my recent scenic drive tour has only conjured up
“Age and Wisdom.” (poetry)
We do not celebrate wisdom, because it comes with age. Many fear age while never gaining its wisdom. Youth spends money, wisdom would never consider.
“Places in the World.” (poetry)
There are many places in the world, but none compare to traveling to witness vistas, landscapes, and wildlife. My current place on this planet
“Appreciating natural surroundings.”
Usually, on the weekends mostly during the morning hours, a hiking trail fills with groups of people flaunting their newly purchased hiking and backpacking gear.
“Travel destinations and tours.”
My travel aura was projecting as I sat reading about my next destination inside my vehicle at an eastbound I-10 rest-stop in East Texas. Actually,
“Astonished tantrum.”
I have witnessed unbelievable angry tantrums by toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults. But, during an incredibly beautiful wedding, I watched as a 5’4″, 180-pound, grey-haired
”What Happens When You Immerse Yourself in the Sound of Silence”
Originally posted on BeBloggerofficial:
”By simply looking into the sky, which is vast and totally empty, serenity arises.The blue sky beyond the clouds is not…
“Vaguely bestowed history.” (short story)
Ms, Charlotte Wetzler, was seated on the main stage, looking out upon well over 500-hundred guests who are her former students and the recipients of
“Rubber Mallet.” ( short story)
With each swing of the mallet, I pound the spike deeper into the ground. Anger, jealousy, envy, and hate fuels my swings but, I cannot
The Daily Prompt – Partake!
Originally posted on Giggles & Tales:
I applaud the utterly fantastic writing initiative by WordPress. The Daily Prompt as it is called is a vigorous…
“Authentic Migrations.”
Capturing sunrise photos while stopped at the “Sols Cliff scenic overlook with views of Bar Harbor Maine from inside Acadia National Park. The crisps winds
“Montgomery Alabama.”
On a cold rainy spring day, I toured several critical locations in the city of Mongomery Alabama which is ground zero of the Civil
“Our timeless love.”
Our family, our children, forty years we made. The mind-numbing daily routine we made. Our separate sleeping bedrooms we agreed. Because of commitments, our love
“Churn or grind.”
The daily WordPress word prompt inspires thoughtful, creative writing ideas based on the WordPress user’s past experiences with the word which can hold various meanings and
“April is poetry month.”
April is National Poetry Month, and I’m creating inspired poetry daily to celebrate events online, at libraries, and communities everywhere. A mindset for poetry can be
“Radiant eyes.”
From the time, I saw her from across the dance floor, I was tranced into seeing them closer. Standing in front of her, I
“Layers upon layers of hope.”
Attending a funeral, a retirement gathering, a college or high school graduation, of a family member or friend allows for personal self-reflection. Your thoughts peel away layers of
Betrayed and frantic, I think not!”
Since Feb I have enjoyed and settled into the Florida warmth, and because of cold temperatures, I used my backpacking pants’ less than a week.
EBONY GOES HOME
Incredible poetry by a long time blogger friend. 🙂
“I’d Rather Be.”
The weekly photo challenge asks the question where would you rather be. The following photos reveal where I would rather be as photography allows for
*** THE TIME TO SHIFT ***
Originally posted on Gary Lee Thompson III Words of Unity and ONE Community:
AFTERTHOUGHT What is the real truth to why we are here Have the generations behind us…
“Identical.”
Every day since forever, I have seen you, and we are identical twins. I look into your eyes, and I see the mirror image of
“Invisible.”
See my elegance? My jet black hair was cooked and processed with waves galore, against platinum silver and neon green, circumferencing from temple to temple rising
“Blushed.”
Casandra entered the room, and I could not make eye contact, She walks past my table, and I look down at my paper, I sensed
“The wisdom of patience.”
I can remember as far back as a kindergartener, hearing my mother, father, siblings, friends, and teachers, telling me, or writing in the margins of
“Time to return to the trails.”
As the days of March wind down and I continue editing, re-editing and repeating the process of my short stories. The recent cold weather in
“Meander.”
During my lifetime of travel along the back roads, my reason to stop is best described as “distracted.” by what my eyes witness and I
“Suddenly there is no sound.”
Suddenly there is no sound of the trail, but I feel and hear my heart pounding after my climb to summit the small peak of
“Defining our love.”
Our parents, families, and friends say we are too young to know love. We both wish and desire a love we neither know of
“A Grey Nomads Gap Years.”
My plan for the day was to set up somewhere along the beach to write and read all day on a picnic bench under a
“Self-publishing courage.”
I want to start the first day of March 2018 with a cheerful hello to all of the followers of this site. For the next
Astral Congregation
At the beach, or in the park, the morning blend of sites and sounds coupled with the warm sunrise temperatures to sooth the skin adds to the beauty
“Encrusted.”
As a caterer with twenty-two years in the business, I love the quote “Eating is a necessity, cooking is an art.” I once prepared dinner
“Travel guts: A special mode of travel.”
For over forty years I have traveled around the US for which my family and friends were astonished by the journey and marveled at the
“Valentines Day of love”
Well, it has come around again the commercially celebrated Valentines Day of love. It is the erotic, exotic, enticing, inspirational day for the expression and
Travel Fears? “Carpe-Diem”
Within the imaginations of everyone who’s creative ideas and thoughts are inspired or influenced by anything seen on television, read in a book or magazine, can
“Travel, what title?”
When I began traveling in the late 80’s upon a 1987 Kawasaki touring motorcycle around the US, I never created or was bewildered with a
“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #3” (Final)
The twins and Johnathan are in the rear seat of the car with their father at the wheel, as they travel along their driveway from
“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #2”
At 4:45 pm, their father, Jefferson Wheeler, was a third-generation farmer, who stood six-foot, seven-inches tall, with muscular arms, and a matching barrel chest. He
“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #1.”
It was 4:30 pm on a western Nebraska farm, in the summer of 1969 with the humid July winds blowing as usual while the Wheeler
Luv you Dx
Originally posted on NotJustAMum:
You would think that after being together for 30yrs and married for 25 of them i would be used to my…
“Inscrutable trill silhouetted in front of me.”
I was scared almost out of my seat when Sister Abigale screamed at the top of her lungs forcing all of the fifth-grade students to
“I’m candid, fairly agile living on island time.”
I was born and raised in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York, and the first time I saw photos of a beach, I dreamed of
“The next dominant generation.”
I am a part of what some people call the greatest generation. When I consider how my parents who lived with nothing close to the
“Blink.”
Fortunately, during my lifetime I have recorded hundreds of hours of video with accompanied thousands of photos of my now adult children. My recorded library
“Candid.”
Be candid with me, I can take it. Honesty is the best policy when the truth is the foundation for any relationship. However, many lies
“Study.”
As the college semester comes to an end, the mood of the students on the entire campus becomes stressfully solemn. Every nook and cranny is
“Natures Transformations.”
The desert is a great place to experience the beauty of nature when the approaching rains transform the landscape scenery. A weather system pushed through
“Loophole.”
For twenty years’ or more, the theater’s dancers have taken a ten-minute break every hour during any rehearsal no matter how long they rehearsed. Three
“Horizon.”
My thoughts often drift to the Arizona desert horizon at sunrise during our two week Christmas break. My face brightens with a smile, and yet
“Winsome Characters.”
When a child is born, they are an unwritten computer program learning from parents teachers and society.
M. J. Leake
“Viable at any age.”
Mel and Susan Hubbard a married couple were sitting on a park bench after walking three miles along the beach which they do every other
“Treated reservations.”
If you are lucky, your life will treat you to various forms and types of reservations. I have had room and dinner reservations and I
“A blogger conversation.”
The first daily word prompt “conversation” is appropriate to begin 2018 since a blog post initiates a conversation between bloggers around the world. Four years
“Finally 2017 ending, now 2018!”
Finally, with the end of 2017, the entire world is looking forward to 2018 with incredible optimism. Many people around the world will begin new
“Cozy Confessions.”
My thirty plus years of travel destinations are filled with photos and encountering people who are the inspirations for some of my creative writings ideas.
Grandparents & Parents Revelations: A love story
Kevin and Katelynn Crawford age 38 and 39 are a couple with seven children. They have twin four year- olds, a 6, 8, 10,
A traveler’s miraculous discovery
Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more; wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. Antonio Machado A wannabe traveler’s
“Silent bliss without a compass.”
I hiked a trail without a compass within the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in the Robledo Mountains of Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The area
Healing Kindness & Empathy
Originally posted on theempathyqueen:
? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you enjoy your visit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stripped and Polished
Originally posted on Smell The Coffee:
Stripping Layers of doubt Discarding old garments Renewing the soul with new dreams Polished ©Vivian Zems (#cinquain) December Writing…
“Legendary Inheritance.”
Fifteen years have passed since international Dodgeball star Lucas Leonard Lopez was seen on the court. However, his eldest son Lewis Leonard Lopez has followed
“A lifetime of Jolly degrees of happiness and varnish layers of love.”
During anyone’s life, there are jolly times filled with degrees of ups and downs, covered with varnishing layers of love. A life is filled with
“Relocate.”
For a weekend I relocated to Northern New Mexico in search of winter landscapes to photograph. My destination was the ski area in and around
“Gorge.”
The images do not reflect the cold temperatures, of the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos New Mexico of the magnificent engineering marvel of the bridge,
“Sparkling at any age.”
The word “age,” is a noun, defining the length of existence from the beginning to any given time of life. Existence is the sparkle of
“Procrastinating Pressure.”
The significance of procrastinating pressure to complete goals is sometimes a necessary emotion when you find snippets of excuses to forgo what should be done. With thirty
KHAT- A Grandfather writes a letter to his newborn Grandchild and It’s very Inspiring!
Originally posted on Education Motivation Inspiration:
This letter from Grandfather to his Grandchild which will Blow your Mind because it has got all the major…
11 Things Mentally Strong People Would Never Do
Originally posted on Education Motivation Inspiration:
Mentally strong people know how to manage their emotions, behavior, and thoughts and implement them to achieve their goals.…
“Atmospheric; A Short story”
Three months ago Jill and I decided to take a break with a tropical island weekend getaway. On our last evening, I dressed adorned in
“Droolling mushroom hunters.”
Hiking in the great northwest of the US brings you into contact with many types of people. My first encounter with mushroom hunters began with
