This post is dedicated to giving a genuine, wholehearted thank you to my readers who joined me, virtually, on my High Mountain Road Trip. Traveling alone is lots of fun, you meet more people that way and unusual opportunities arise. Nevertheless, there is something missing. With whom can you share that magnificent view? Who helps decide where to go next? And who is there for you, when things go awry? You, my readers have been there for me and this trip would not have been such a success without you.
       Each day, as I drove, I made mental notes: “I’ve got to tell them about crossing the border.” ” They’ll be amazed at this view.” and “I bet they’ll like that working, forty year old juke box!” This got me excited. This kept me going. When I asked for a reply from each one, who was following along, your enthusiastic response just thrilled me! And it gave me a new sense of responsibility to my readers. I took that coffee tour just for you, but it served me as well. I loved it. And even in trouble, I didn’t feel alone. At the same time I was in tears, over the highway breakdown, I was laughing about how at least I’d have something to write about. When some even gave donations to help with my repair expenses, I was deeply touched.
       I don’t get paid for my writing, except for the occasional sale of my book. And this work takes time. One post takes a full day, sometimes two. So why do I do it? I don’t rant, I don’t rave, I don’t expound on my opinions. I simply share my world. I write because it is my passion. I have found my bliss and I am following it, thanks to your encouragement. I write because I can, but I would not have known it, if you hadn’t told me so. I write for you, in the belief that if I can inspire someone else to follow their dreams, I have done my part in making the world a better place.
      And ultimately, I write to get better at it; to improve, to become a better writer. I live a simple life and work without pay because I know it will pay off. I don’t know how, where or when, but I have absolutely no doubt that my writing will bring financial benefit. Even in this moment, I rejoice that day. But it’s more than the money or career. In writing, I delight in the giving of myself, and it is all because you’ve shown me that my giving is well received.
      Here is a personal thank you to each one who came along on mi gran viaje:
     I want to thank Annick (Arizona / France), Amber (Colorado), Amelis, Alta (Montana), Alfred, Abigail (Montana), Alan (Montana), Alexa (Costa Rica), Bellarina, Brenda (Pennsylvania), Bill, Bill B. (Costa Rica), Barry (Costa Rica), Caroline (Idaho), Cindy, Carmen, Cathy (Oregon), Curt (my brother in Pennsylvania), Cheryl (Maine), Colin (Montana), Connie (India), Connie (Kentucky), Carol E., Cyndy, CherryAnn (New York), Cynthia R., Charlie (Puerto Viejo), Claire and Jack (Chicago), Dale, David (Montana), Dan (Costa Rica), Dana & John, Ervan, Elsa (Venezuela), Elena R., Fred (Puerto Viejo / Canada), Frank, Gary J. (fireman in Arizona), Gary T., Hannah (Seattle), Herb, Ilene (with the Spanish name of Elena), Iliana, Julio (Montana), Jocelyne (Costa Rica / Canada / France), Jana, Josh (Costa Rica), Joel (Montana / El Salvador), Joan K., Jesse (Florida), Jose (Costa Rica), Janet (Costa Rica), Judy (Costa Rica), Julie & Karl (Costa Rica), Jimac (Puerto Viejo), Karen (North Carolina), Keith & Terri, Kara (Colorado), Kathie (New York), Kate (Hawaii), Kathy (Oregon), Lesley (Seattle, WA), Laryl (Kansas), Laura (California), Larry (Florida), Luis (Texas), Linda (Costa Rica), Lori (Washington), Mike (lives on a boat near New Orleans), Maryjane, Minea (Slovenia), Maryse (Costa Rica), Marzena (Costa Rica), Mark C. (Costa Rica), Nan and Jim, Nita, Nanette, Nanci (California), Olivia (Montana), Olga (Montana), Patricia (North Carolina), Pam (from Intenders Bridge), Peter, Phyllis (Canada), Petra (Czech Rëpublic), Paul (Costa Rica), Ron (Heredia), Rick (Georgia), Rich (the biker), Richard U., Roberta (Montana), Ron C., Ruthie (Florida), Rita Golden Gelman (famous author – she wrote Tales of a Female Nomad and inspired me to take my leap to Costa Rica), Richard S. (Montana), Robin (Florida), Silvana (Costa Rica / Slovenia), Sharon Lynne, Shona, Tammy and Deedee (Iraq), Ted (Canada), Teresa, Terry (West Virginia)
       Thank you all for your continued encouragement and inspiration. I’ll be looking for more!