7,000 Miles of Grace: What the Redwoods Taught Me

In the past 40 days I have visited cities in 23 states and Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in Canada.

I did not start out to drive Rt 66 across the country on a crazy coast-to-coast 7,000+ mile trip across America to visit the redwoods, but once the idea was introduced to me by my amazing friend, Val, I quickly felt the call in my soul and decided it was not an accidental suggestion and my soul was ready and itching to do it.

As I write this I am on a plane home in North Carolina on the very last leg. My husband, Ray, and I had already planned this NE/Canada cruise before I determined I needed a month by myself to get very quiet and ask direction from God on my next steps.

It’s been an incredible pilgrimage, journey, grand adventure, experience and Im looking forward to unpacking all the thoughts, memories, ideas, sparks and creative energy this trip has created. I am, for sure, not the same as when I started.

During this whole time Ive had limited internet, news and tv. I’ve taken a thousand or more pictures, and seen millions of beautiful scenes across this land of ours.

For 36 days I traveled with my sweet Lexi puppy, which limited my movement into restaurants, gardens, attractions and even rest areas along the roadways.

These restrictions shaped and defined my choices and allowed me to travel in a much different way than I would have without her.

The past week I have traveled with Ray, my husband, which has been a very different type of traveling, wonder, exploration and, also, restriction.

Each city and state I have visited have had very distinct and different ‘personalities’ and I have enjoyed my interactions and introductions into this country in so many lovely and brilliant ways.

I met with old and new friends all along the way and Lexi made many more friends, human and four legged and furry, than I did - she was always ready to meet someone new, lick their toes and wag her tail and never expected rejection from anyone!

One of the most wonderful things I experienced was the variety and beauty of our countries and cities parks, green spaces, flowers, art murals and variety of coffee shops. Every mile I drove added jewels - pearls of color, happiness, interest and inspiration.

My friend, Robin, and I created an amazing Spotify playlist if you’re interested in how music shaped and shared in this 7,000 mile trip of a lifetime!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/15zHbCDCVaAIQTiBvZCAEp?si=Ol_lrK28Q1Cfy59cDC7FcA

As I return home I realize how grateful I am for these past days, the safe traveling grace, the ability to drive, the willingness to step in and be courageous and not be daunted or stop myself from this experience!

And for The Redwoods!!! I realized how the ocean makes me feel that I am small and my problems are small. The mountains make me feel the grandeur and majesty of God/love and those Sequoia trees, those gentle, beautiful giants who welcomed me with open arms and gave me more oxygen to breathe in than I have ever been privileged to experience- they reminded me that God, our Mother, our Father, loves us and wraps us in the most love we could ever want. All we are required to do is sit that great love, rest in that giant love, accept that humongous, generous, amazing, abundant love. That’s all.

We ARE love and we are loved. That’s what those wise, redwoods gave me. It is my favorite gift of all time and I am so thankful.