One Woman, One World, One Year. Ulp.

It's happening...and I'm alternating between elation (this is so great! My bucket list, realized!) and terror (holy cow! Will I be safe? Which country requires a visa? Where will I stay?). Through the auspices of my good friend Geri, I'll have access to any and all standby flights on United next year (meaning I may or may not get on the flight, in which case I will perfect the art of sleeping upright in a busy airport). I've already set up an itinerary that may kill me! I'm planning on traveling 10 days a month, with 20 days in between for appreciation, relaxation and planning for my next destination. On the calendar so far: Galapagos in January, Delhi and the Golden Triangle of India in February, and Stockholm and Jukkasjarvi Sweden in March (I'm Ukrainian, I can take cold weather). Only one visa is necessary--for India--the others only require a passport for a trip less than 90 days, plus some sort of proof that you don't intend to become a panhandler in Quito or Stockholm.
I discovered to my horror that my passport expired last month. The US Passport Office makes no promises about when your new passport will make it back to your house, so I paid the extra $100 (including rush postage to and from) to guarantee peace of mind. Money definitely talks: it was here in a little over two weeks. Next, I have to figure out how to get from Quito to the Galapagos Islands, what's the best tour boat to take, and by the way, where the heck am I going to stay?

NYC before the Storm...

It's no secret that I love New York City; energetic, enigmatic and exceptional in every way. As a former Manhattanite, I especially love the way the city can survive the worst and come back stronger than ever. NYC overcame the devastating effects of 9/11, and turned that sorrow and destruction into a beautiful, heart-rending monument. And now, my special city has to deal with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy. My thoughts and prayers are with all the boroughs. I made this video after a recent visit, just before the storm--it's my love song to a city that will never die: http://vimeo.com/51719980

Leaf-Peeping in New York

New York's Hudson Valley is one of the most scenic and historic river valleys in America--even more so in the early fall when the leaves begin their annual show of light and color. There's plenty to see, do and eat in the valley, from NYC to Albany. I followed the leaves south from Albany to the Big Apple, and reviewed a number of eateries, museums, parks and drives along the way. Take a look: http://www.gogobot.com/joanne-orion-miller-leaf-peeping-in-new-yorks-hud

Bats in Flight!

It's a little late for Halloween, but one of my most moving experiences in Yolo County was the bat flight in early evening from the Yolo Bypass. Watch the video here--it's mystical! http://vimeo.com/51794623

Yolo County--Real (wine) Country, Close to Home

Yolo County Wines are amazing! Here, I discovered tempranillo, a varietal traditionally grown in Spain. Yolo produces plenty of other comestibles, in addition to providing some great scenery, good eats, a friendly farmer's market, and a fun college town. See my reviews of all of these and more at: http://www.gogobot.com/joanne-orion-miller-get-outta-town-san-francisco

On the Road Again--Davis and Yolo County Farm Country

Yolo County Courthouse

I'll be touring a number of sites around Davis, home of California's premier agricultural school and source of many of the wine country's wine professionals. I plan to take in “ArtAbout” night, the Bicycling Hall of Fame and Farmer's Market in Davis,plus a visit to the outlying towns of Winters and Clarksburg, sampling food, wine and history on the way. This trip will include a visit to Capay Organic Farm, source of many of the organic fruits and vegetables we enjoy in the Bay Area. Keep posted!

I often wonder why things disappear and reappear.

Amy Tan explains it all:
Ghosts and the reappearance of objects lost | Amy Tan | Blog Post | Red Room

On the Road Again

I can't help it, the road is calling. It's a compulsion. I'll be in Honolulu later this month, and I'm looking forward to feeling my way through the long tunnel on the way to the top of Diamond Head, and seeing the night divers with their lanterns off the coast of Waikiki. It will be lovely to leave the big dry here on the west coast and be caressed by that wonderful humidity once again. Thinking about a cross-country trip by auto, too--it's been awhile, and I have yet to see the Corn Palace!