It Takes a Team…

My kids Ben and Rebecca always telling me how awesome I am and inspiring me to keep going because I want to be a role model for them in this adventuring thing.
My ex-husband, Roger, who is always interested in the crazy things I am planning next.
My friend Emily, who can never wait to hear what I’ve got up my sleeve and cheering me on. 

And then, there are those who have put in a lot of work to get me here: 

My landlady, Gail in Hawaii, who helped me pick out gear—especially the great little backpack I bought on her recommendation. She also made many trips from her house to my storage unit in Pahoa to get me packed up. Living in her little yurt for the last year has been incredible and given me a place to fiddle with fiber, and dream, plan and tinker with my gear. (If you want a great place to stay when visiting the Big Island, I highly recommend Gail’s lovely guesthouse on AirBnB.)

Maryam Steffen’s family, and the estate executor, Joan, who worked together to present me with a bequest from their part of the estate in honor of their mom. Hey guys, this is where that bequest is going—I feel like Maryam would approve. After all, if anyone would say, “Let’s…,” she would have her bags packed before they could say “…go!” Maryam, funny thing, I sometimes find myself channeling you when I strike up a lively conversation with a complete stranger!


Emily and Gar McRae, who opened their home to me to stay for THREE WEEKS! Vashon Island was my stopping-off place. When I arrived, I still had a ton of details to work out and they let me spend countless hours at their dining room table at my computer. They always had food and laughter handy. Their deck overlooking Puget Sound and Mt. Rainer provided a lovely place for yoga and knitting and spinning. And I slept in the most comfortable bed in the world. Oh, and their car was available to me as well. I sure hope I did not overstay my welcome—after all, fish and visitors smell after three days.

Ben, my son, and Roger, my ex-husband and good friend, spent more time than you can imagine getting my computer, tablet, and other gadgets ready for a secure trip. I learned about encrypting drives, VPNs, password security tools, the “cloud” and syncing, better ways to charge devices, and other stuff that hurt my brain—all so I can work on the road and keep my friends and family updated via Skype, emails, blogs, and Facebook. Ben and Roger: you are my technogeek squad forever and ever! You both said you had fun doing it—I sure hope so! Two years earlier, Roger had also helped me remotely  purchase and set up a new emergency computer when I was in Peru (countless hours on Skype). We even had to teach it to speak English, believe it or not!

All the knitters at the Sheep Dog Trials and on Vashon Island who made contributions to the Traveling Scarf—it is about two feet long before I even left the States! Your enthusiasm for the project brought it to life and will give me confidence to keep sharing it. I have a feeling a sister scarf will be born before I return home.

Marcie and Charlie, who I just kept running into in various unrelated places. The conversation we had at the Sheep Dog Trials was so simple and profound—it will stay with me for a long time. It was no coincidence that we kept encountering each other.

Kate and Jackie…who knew visiting someone in prison could be so much fun? I love you both for your wisdom and great sense of humor.

Myra, Emily, and all the Fibershed and knitting/spinning community who invited me to participate in the Fiber Village at Sheep Dog Trials. It was an incredible weekend that went by way too fast. Demonstrating in that setting was very fulfilling and fun.

All the people on Vashon and on-line who wished me safe and fruitful travels and encouraged me to continue my travel blogs on this trip. I hope to live up to your expectations!