Susan’s Street Journey – The Blanket Assertion

After I retired, I used to be one drained mama.  I had been working greater than full time for plenty of years and had turn out to be an skilled on being distracted, impatient and bossy.  A buddy was promoting his 1988 Westfalia van, so we purchased it and I began to plan a “quick” getaway for the month after retirement.

I knew I needed to drive south to evade the frosty Canadian winter temperatures.  The journey developed right into a 4 month solo odyssey by means of dozens of U.S. nationwide and state parks. It was transformative. I discovered to decelerate, to be absolutely current and to benefit from the solitude that woods and water supply to these courageous – or silly –  sufficient to enterprise out on their very own.

Erin joined me for every week of my journey. I picked her up in Las Vegas and after introducing her to “the Strip” (which I may dwell with out….) we headed to Zion Nationwide Park to arrange our tent.

I’ve travelled a good bit, however Zion is considered one of my favorite locations on earth and to share it with Erin was great.We walked and climbed and cooked camp meals on the open hearth. One of many highlights was a day journey to Bryce Nationwide Park, stopping for Erin’s birthday supper that completed with ‘ho-made pies and polygamy beers on the Thunderbird Restaurant.

I needed to take a quilting undertaking on the journey, as I knew I might have numerous lengthy evenings by the campfire. Quilting has preserved my coronary heart by means of many a troublesome or lonely season, because it offers a lot time to be nonetheless and suppose, whereas on the similar time being productive.

A favorite quote of mine comes from a pioneer girl who stated, “I make my quilts heat to maintain my household from freezing.  I make them stunning to maintain my coronary heart from breaking.”  I perceive that sentiment…

So earlier than I left, I discovered a quilt sample I actually beloved (Storm at Sea) that consisted of 48 blocks. I reduce the material items and put them into 48 Ziploc baggies.  Every baggie made a block of 65 items. That is a complete of three,120 items – all hand sewn.  Usually I might machine sew the blocks and hand quilt the completed prime, however every thing about this journey was sluggish!

My 1988 Westfalia set the tempo, putt-putting up each hill.  I handed a complete of 5 autos in 4 months, whereas 1000’s of vehicles handed me, some reasonably angrily!  There’s one thing to be stated for having fun with the world slowly in order that you do not miss the presents alongside the way in which – child turkey vultures studying to fly, bobcats darting off your path, gasoline station burritos and heat conversations with fellow travellers. 

After I obtained dwelling, I put the 48 blocks collectively, quilted it up and it’s on our mattress now.  I sleep beneath the load of that memorable journey each night time!