Liz's Gypsy Journey

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December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 Liz's Gypsy JourneyLeave a comment

Wow what a crazy past two months. I always feel bad when I get behind on my blog because I always have friends and family members asking what I have been up to or that they are waiting for my next post. So finally here it is! This blog post I am combining October and November.

October was a busy month but nothing like November. In the month of October I was still hauling for fires and enjoying puppy kisses from the cutest Boston Terrier. I also had the opportunity to go to Reno for Girls With Guns clothing and that turned into weekend of fun with friends in Reno. Jessica, Paul and I got to attend the UNR homecoming game against Boise State. We always laugh a lot when we are around each other. After a quick couple of days at home I was packing and getting ready for whitetail deer season in Nebraska and some time in Indiana.

The being of November was here before I knew it and I was east bound. My first stop was going to be Pueblo Colorado where I would be dropping off some of Kathy Woolley’s amazing furniture to one of her clients. Then I spent two days in the Denver area with some friends before making the decision to go visit Ruth and Greg in South Dakota. The South Dakota trip wasnt planned but with Aunt Ruth it is always fun. She took me to a winery, Mount Rushmore (which is incredible in person), Deadwood and Sturgis. It was a fun packed 3 days that I am so thankful to have had with her.

A short drive and I was in Nebraska. When whitetail deer season comes around I get excited. This year I learned how to rattle and grunt call so I couldn’t wait to get in the tree stand. The first two days I saw numerous bucks but this year I was after an old, mature and heavy horned buck god willing. I spent two days in the treestand with a few hikes in the afternoon. But still hadn’t seen the one. Finally on day three I decided to sleep in and hike when it warmed up a little bit. I went for a hike on the east side of the ranch and spotted my buck through the trees. After taking some deep breaths I end up coming up with a game plan. Which included crawling in the snow under trees and hiding in the down trees. After some time I was able to harvest an incredible buck. A buck that would not only fill up our families freezer but would also be on the wall for a lifetime. The hike back to the house seemed like it took forever and I couldn’t wait to put my hands on this incredible animal. Needless to say I was shaking like crazy and grateful. After some work and the help of my dad we got the buck field dressed and loaded in the truck. The hunt in Nebraska was a success.

After my time in Nebraska was over I loaded up and headed farther east to Indiana. I did some work stuff and decided to take a trailer to Connecticut. But before I left I took my “brothers” to a hockey game. Two of the three of us loved it but the time together was totally worth it.

I was able to have a safe driver through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. I just missed the fall colors but there is still something beautiful about the east coast. The old homes, old towns, and lets not forget about the amazing New York Style pizza.

By the time I got back it was a few days before Thanksgiving and I was supposed to spend it with Martin and Jenny but due to the weather that was coming in I had to leave earlier then expected. I made it to Wellington Colorado on Thanksgiving and got to enjoy it with my friends from Denver. It was a great day with laughs and wine. I ended up being stuck in Wellington for three days due to high winds.

I finally made it back to California a few days later was able to be home for four days before I was off to Montana to pick up some dogs for a friend from home.

The trip back east added three more states to my check list. I always love getting to check off new states. I have now seen 76% of the United States and have enjoyed every moment of it. I find myself being so thankful that I have the opportunities that I have and a job that allows me to travel. Here is to the already busy start of December and hopefully I will get the December blog up faster than I got the October/November blog up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hunger

October 8, 2018October 4, 2018 Liz's Gypsy Journey1 Comment

My trip to Seattle came at the perfect time. As amazing as August was to me I was struggling with some things emotionally. Growing up I didn’t have the “normal” childhood. My mom passed away when I was only 9 days old and I was raised by my dad and an amazing village of people who I don’t know where I would be at today without. This summer was full of amazing adventures and amazing memories but I found myself wondering about my family on my mom’s side. I had met them growing up and had made one trip seven years ago to Seattle but I wanted to know them. I wanted to find out more about my family and start filling in the hole I was feeling when it came to that piece of me.

I landed in Seattle Washington and instead of feeling nervous I was so excited to see my cousin Kirsi and get to spend time with her and the family. The next 5 days were going to be amazing and I truly looked forward to every moment. For me I didn’t want to do the normal tourist things I wanted to spend time with the family and get to know them. Of course there is certain tourist things you have to go and do in Seattle when you are there tho. Kirsi pulled up to the airport and we spent the evening just talking. She has the cutest wiener dog named Cooper that hung out with us during all our talks.

Her mom Christel picked me up the next morning and we enjoyed a beautiful walk by the bay in West Seattle. That is one thing I came to love in Seattle was our daily walks with the dogs. Christel and I got our walk in took the dogs home and then we went to Pikes Place and the wafer. We also enjoyed the Big Wheel that over looked the bay as well as the city. The sites were so pretty and it was a perfect sunny day in Seattle. Kirsi and I went to this Italian restaurant in West Seattle and enjoyed a great dinner with laughs.

The next four days brought a lot of firsts. After our walk on Saturday morning she mentioned that the Seattle Sounders soccer team was playing. I had never been to a professional soccer game so of course I was game for going. We ended up getting great seats. I learned that when you watch the game of soccer you might buy tickets for the seat but you only sit in them during the half. The game was so much fun and I can say I am definitely a fan of professional soccer and can’t wait to go with Kirsi to another game. That evening we went to her sisters home and spent time with Erika and her family. Her daughter is so much fun and one of the smartest kids I have been around.

Sunday brought farmers market with Kirsi and Erika’s family. The farmer market we attended made my local farmers market look like a farmers market that just started out. There was so many vendors and amazing produce. That evening Kirsi and I went to some of her friend’s home and did a seafood boil which was another first for me.

Monday was a down day. We got a workout in and then attended one of her coworkers 30th birthday party. It was so much fun to meet her coworkers and just spend time getting to know some new people. My trip to Seattle was definitely an amazing one and the time flew by. Packing my bags to leave was definitely hard. Christel dropped me off Tuesday morning and saying good-bye was definitely hard. But I can’t wait to go visit them in December.

So instead of flying home from Seattle the GWG crew flew me out to Kansas to drive some merchandise home for me. I picked up a Uhaul and my friend Barb and it was a 24.5 hr straight drive home. One thing about driving with Barb you can always guarantee it will be entertaining. We made it home in time for Callie to set up for the warehouse sale which is always fun but this year I ended up coming down with a cold so that didn’t make it to much fun. The evening after the sale Alicia and I went to the Thompson Square concert in town. It was a great show and I have found that there is something about an acoustic show.

The next couple of weeks brought more work and hunting season in California. I was able to spend some great quality time with some of my favorite humans. No bucks in month of September but many miles traveled, hiked and more memories were made and that is the important part.

The last week of September brought my sister Sarah and my sister Britt to town. It was so great to see them and the kids. My sister Sarah lives in Texas so we don’t get to see her very often. She came in for her high school reunion. Saturday the 29th was not only her reunion but also mine and a good friends wedding. My best friend Megan was in town so we crashed my sisters reunion and had a great time. I love when Megan is in town we also make the best of any situation.

On top of enjoying a night out with my sister my friend sent me photo and my new Boston Puppy was born. So this mom was excited and couldn’t wait to go visit him the next day. I went over the next morning and got to hold and love on him. Sounders is definitely loved already.

September was a month of filling in blank spaces and getting to know myself a little better. It was also a month of fun and love.

World Spins Madly On

October 4, 2018 Liz's Gypsy JourneyLeave a comment

Life has been keeping me hopping lately. I apologize for not keeping my blog as up to date as I would like to. But I figure it’s better late than never. Right? August was a busy month. Fire season was roaring and adventures were taking place.

I found myself traveling not only in the state of California for work but even got to take a trip to Idaho which lead me to some time spent with friends and family not only in Idaho but Oregon as well.

The first weekend of August brought my trip to Idaho. I went and spent some time with some friends in Redmond Oregon on my way up and enjoyed the Deschutes county fair. We had a great time walking around, got to catch part of the Big N Rich concert and got to watch one of my good friends from home put on an acoustic show.

After leaving Redmond I stopped by my friend’s place on the Idaho Oregon border and got to meet her newest little one and spend time with her oldest daughter. One thing about traveling is that you can stop and visit loved ones which is always a perk for me.

I finally made it to my cousin Kelly’s place in the amazing and beautiful Boise Idaho. I always love getting to spend time with Kelly and spend time in Boise. It has definitely became one of my favorite places to go.

I also made the trip to Garden Valley which is just north of Boise to visit Dino who I met during my bear hunt in Idaho the previous year. He showed me around Garden Valley more, gave me the tour of his taxidermy shop and even showed me where the natural hot springs were in the valley that I had no idea existed. Garden Valley definitely is one of a kind and filled with wild life.

Once I made it back from Garden Valley I was able to meet up with my friend’s sister Katie. She just happened to be visiting her best friend in Boise. We got a beer and caught up. We also got to check out Freak Alley in downtown Boise and it was incredible! A bunch of local artists get together the first saturday of August and repaint this alley. The art on the walls of this alley was incredible and I cant wait to go back and see the new art. Another highlight of the day was when we were walking back to the parking garage there was a group of people with signs that said free hugs so of course me being me I had to give them hugs. Little did I know it was a campaign to spread love instead of hate. I thought it was a really neat idea and I had never heard about it.

Sunday I made my way to get my trailer picked up from the yard in Nampa. I went back to Redmond to my friends where I dropped the trailer so I could go meet up with my sister Britt and her family for the evening. We went to the Les Schwab Amphitheater and watched the Pixies perform. It was a fun concert and definitely a good time. Spending time with my sister is always one of my favorite things to do.

The next couple of weeks was spent on the road towing trailers to the next fire camp or wherever they were needed. One thing about fire season is that you never know where you are going to end up or where. We also celebrated my dads 66th birthday at the house with my sister Nicole and her family.

Now the end of August got busy fast. I got a phone call asking if I wanted to attend the San Francisco giants game the next day and me being a sports lover and a Giants fan I couldn’t turn it down. So my friend Gabby picked me up and off to the game we went. We had a great time and the Giants pulled off the win. We also just made a day of it in San Francisco which lead us to Pier 39 and the fisherman’s wafer. It was a day full of laughter.

The next few days was crunch time for my trip to Seattle. I spent the first part of the week packing and getting work finished up. I moved a trailer to Fresno then spent a few days in Elk Grove with my friend and her family. She took me to the airport and I was off to visit my family in Seattle….