Gifts From Travel

Gifts from Travel are many for the body, soul, and heart. As I unpack my treasures from the Santa Fe trip, I’m reminded of so many great experiences. The faceted beads from Gorianna’s bring back the wonderful owner of the shop. She’s always so gracious and let’s me roam the exquisite beads behind the counter. Somehow she remembers me, too.

I remember Finer Things with the amazing realistic dragonfly magnets, small sketchbooks, and artistic Art Nouveau candles. Then there was Meow Wolf, a magical house where secret doorways to new adventures lie behind bookshelves, refrigerator, and under the staircase. I felt like I was in some mystery novel, discovering clues at every turn.

Then there’s the wonderful painter and her friend the jeweler who always have something beautiful for sale. It may be a print, set of greeting cards, or a serving tray, but each is a reminder of a friendship going on for years. Also stunning earrings came home with me that don’t get lost in my hair. Only after looking closely did I see the small snake of healing on each one. Perfect! Here’s a gift I’ll treasure forever.

Of course the food is unique with its local Hatch roasted chili peppers. Just about any meal can have an egg on top for the asking. Everything is local, fresh, and a taste sensation.

But one thing I’ll never forget is the crystal clear big sky. At an altitude of nearly 8000 feet, the colors are more vivid, with lavender sunsets and turquoise skies. A camera can’t capture the immense clouds from an 180 degree sky. For example, one area has rain falling from thunderheads, while wispy clouds stream over my head. Plus, night makes the stars and Moon seem brighter and closer.

In addition, in the painting above, Santa Fe Dream, I placed my favorite sky, most loved mountains, and the Rio Grand that flows to Taos, although all these exact things are from different places. An artistic license to create a dream painting, allows me to create my own magical place.

Gifts from travel change you as a person.

Travel makes you slow down, become exquisitely aware, and immerse all the senses in a new experience. From the juniper, sage, and pinon in the air, to the connections to people along the way, you are evolving. So I suggest you look at travel as an adventure into who you are becoming. Away from home is away from the daily routine and habits. Instead of a bucket list, ask yourself what did you gain as a person on this trip? Are you stronger, wiser, more knowing, and trusting in your intuition and instincts? Living from your feelings creates the mystery.

Therefore, I took a trip and listened to my inner voice about when to mask up, and when it was safe. One airport felt like Calcutta, and I still survived. My shoulder cooperated and helped me when needed. I feel more confident in safely getting out into the world. The photos are moments captured in time to inspire my paintings. Most if all, my life is filled with new stories. Life is richer, more expanded, with a larger world view than before. Santa Fe fed my soul, and filled my heart.

Finally, the greatest gift to welcome me home was at 1:40 a.m. The incredibly gorgeous Starry Night Sky, in a pitch black night, shimmered with the whole Milky Way above showing me that I was truly home, and all was well.

Here’s the making of a favorite Big Sky painting.