Well it’s finally arrived, time to camp the last two states. Hawaii and Alaska, Due to the distance of both of these states from New England, I will be spending a few days in both Hawaii and Alaska.

I will celebrate the completion of Camp50 along with celebrating my birthday while in Alaska by taking a 2 hour flightseeing tour around Denali with a 30 minute Glacier Landing. Hope you like the last story of Camp50 as well as some wonderful photos.

 Part 1 ~ HAWAII

Camp Keanae – Maui

The night I arrived at camp, it was raining so hard that I spent the night sleeping in the bunk room. The next day this was the spot I would call home for the next four nights. Love, wide open spaces!!!

Apparently, if you’re in Maui, driving the “Road to Hana” is a must. I didn’t find the road to be dangerous as described on the internet, in fact  I didn’t think the road had all that much to see really. I drove the “Road to Hana” now it’s done.

One of the many bridges on the “Road to Hana” circa 1910 ish

 

Just love the long waves of the beach and freedom that I feel just watching them roll in. People always seem happy by the ocean, this beach in Maui was no exception. Surfers, dogs, kids and families enjoying their surroundings, nothing like a day at the beach.

 

 

Haleakala National Park

I take photos of survey markers whenever I see them.  I often wonder why the ones I’ve seen are  surrounded by uneven mortar, doesn’t seem like the proper way to care for this important markers. I also wonder, how many people just walk past them and never notice them. What about the numbers and writings on them, someday I’m going to research what they mean. If you know anything about survey markers please contact me, I’d love to know more.

 

I’m not a fan of hot or humid and that’s what the weather was like all five days I was in Hawaii. It was either 80+ degrees with 80% humidity or it was raining buckets. So, what’s a girl to do with weather like that? I’ll tell you, she takes a two hour whale watch for $29, that’s what she does.

Whale Watch with Pacific Whale Foundation

 

Last Day Maui

Time to pack up everything, say goodbye to new friends, explore a bit and then make my way to the airport.

Goodbye Andy, you’ve been so kind and so welcoming. It was truly a pleasure to meet you, so glad I could spend sometime with you and your daughter Lexi. Mahola!!

 

I stumbled on this wonderful Buddhist Stupa in the small town of Paia’ while I was picking up pizza’s from Flatbread Pizza Company for me and Andy. I first discovered Flatbread Pizza Company in North Conway NH many years ago, the pizza, yes the pizza has special meaning to me so I’ve eaten at all of their locations, they’re mostly in MA, NH and CT so it was easy to do over a few years. I walked into this location and claimed I had been to every location, then they told me there was a new location in British Columbia….. guess I’ll need to plan a trip to BC.

Since I was leaving Maui in a few hours, I thought it I should spend a little time with the Stupa.  The sense of peace I feel when I’m around any stupa is so amazing. This stupa as the first one I’ve even been to that had an open room with the prayer wheel accessible. Truly special to turn the wheel and believe all your prayers and the prayers of others are sent out throughout the world. Perfect way to end my time in Maui.

 

 

This conclude Part 1 of Mission Accomplished (Hawaii) and here’s the quote to end this writing. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Mission Accomplished (Alaska)

Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it – Tori Amos

 

 

t’s November and it’s time to wrap up the lower 48….. A one state camping trip seems so weird, but it has to get done or I won’t be able to move on to complete this goal. I’m heading to Las Vegas after work, I’ll be spending the night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and then heading out for a one night camping trip in the “Valley of the Fire” State Park in Nevada.

My morning view out the hotel window, interesting a Ferris Wheel in Las Vegas.

 

Some scenes from the Valley of the Fire State Park.

 

 

Because I will be leaving early tomorrow for Death Valley and it will  be too dark for picture taking, I decided to take pictures tonight before it gets dark.

As some of you know, CAMP50 is a solo bid to camp all 50 states but the most important part of this journey is not the completion of solo camping all 50 states, it’s finding the happiness I’ve been looking for at the end of the journey. The broken pieces of me, will be no more and I will have found my “True Self”. I’m almost there and there’s nothing in my way.

The road leading towards Death Valley National Park.

Scenes from the Rhyolite Ghost town just outside of Death Valley. Rhyolite Ghost town is managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). Stroll around, check things out, imagine what life might have been like back then, BUT never take any souvenirs from here…………………………………………………..NEVER

 

 

 

Time to explore another National Park.

 

 

Salt Flats in the Badlands.

 

 

 

 

This completes the Lower 48, time to take a few months off and rest. It’s truly been an amazing journey, nothing can change the things I’ve seen or the places I’ve been. Sometimes I think of those things from my past, the people and how I felt about so many things that weren’t good for me. It’s time to let go of all of that, and move forward to a happier life.

Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become – Steve Jobs