When I was five years old…my parents took a road trip with their best friends…without me or my older twin sisters. Now…it really was a treat for the three of us too…because our beloved aunt and uncle stayed with us. This meant our days were filled with made from scratch brownies and stove top popped popcorn and nights combing our aunt’s waist length hair as we all prepared for bed. At least those were the few things I remember while my parents were away. Their road trip began in my home state of Virginia…across the USA to California and back…for a total of thirty days…which by the way included my birthday. (My mom said she cried a lot being away from us, ha!) I was so intrigued when my parents returned…hearing their stories and looking at their photographs.
A few weeks ago when I was on the farm to spend time with my mom and sister…I pulled out the scrapbook that she made of the trip. As you can see…she took detailed notes!
- The bear in Yosemite National Park?…even to this day my mom talks about feeding the bear apples and grapes (rule breaker!) as it followed their car through the park. Can you believe the entrance fee was $3.00 compared to $30.00 today?
- The LA Farmer’s Market…apples and tomatoes were 25 cents a pound…
- The entrance fees to Disneyland…25 cents to park and 17 dollars for four of them…boy times have changed…
- There was a visit to Muir Woods and the copper mines of Utah…complete with leaves and pieces of copper in the scrap book…oh…and the Golden Gate Bridge…which by the way totally fascinated me at five years old. But, I couldn’t understand at the time why it was called golden when it looked orange to me…
When I look back on that now…it had to be the early stages of my wanderlust. Interesting just a few years after my parents road trip, I went with my grandmother to New York and then at fifteen, I spent a month in Mexico with my Spanish class…but that’s a story for another time.
So fast forward since that month in Mexico…there’s been a lot of travel…and here I am now heading to Cambodia. A couple of years ago, I fell in love with this country…the people…the buddhism influence…what they had been through with the Khmer Rouge. To make a long story short…it was the “day in the life” visit in Siem Reap that really nailed it. I knew then in my heart this was an organization I wanted to support and return to. So here we are…two years later heading out…to see firsthand the results of our support for a home rebuild in a local village as well as supporting the Giant Puppet Project where we have sponsored a puppet. Of course I’ll share more about these programs, as well as others, either during the visit or when I get back.
So that was wanderlust and now the stories part of the posting. I’ve wanted to work on a book for myself for the longest time…a book showcasing my family and travel treasures accumulated over the years. Knowing that I have a ton of treasures – what I’m calling storied objects – I’m turning a bedroom in my Arizona home into a studio. So along the way I’ll share the progress of the re-do, a little more as to why this project is so important to me, as well as some sampling of my still life photography of my treasures. Right now I’m starting with a freshly painted white room…in a total state of chaos! Ha! But I must admit…it will be fun to come back to this photo in a few months and see the progress.
And speaking of photography and art…
One more thing! I have followed Kat Sloma of Kat Eye Studio for a couple of years now…and she recently published a book – Art with an iPhone and it’s excellent! I just finished the initial review and just can’t say enough about what a great resource and guide to creating with an iPhone or iPad. She was kind enough to send me an extra copy to give away…so if you are interested…leave a comment…and I’ll draw a name and mail it out when I get back! I’m taking this book with me to Cambodia, so I’ll share more on that too in the future.
Chat soon! xo, gg
~~~
Open your eyes, your heart, yourself – to the moments that resonate.
Many times they are the ones that shape you and carry you on to where you are meant to be.
(unknown…or at least I couldn’t find the author)
What great memories you have of your childhood including spending a month with your beloved aunt and uncle. I can just see the three of you girls brushing your aunt’s hair and enjoying your special homemade treats. I love that you are creating your own studio and that you will share with us your “storied objects” and I can’t wait to see them all and read about how you obtained them and why each item means so much to you… I love your passion and excitement for everything you do, and I love you! xoxo
Thank you VK! I know…I had an amazing childhood…and am so appreciative of that for sure!! Love you MORE! XOXO
Robin, the pictures of your Mom and Dad and descriptions of their grand adventure help me to remember the many little vacations my family took growing up – usually just a day or so to Ocean City, Maryland or maybe a longer adventure to Florida (still remember those signs to South of the Border along I95). It’s easy to see the seeds of your wanderlust. So happy for you that you are creating a studio space for this special project of storied objects. Enjoy the process. I’ll look forward to your tales of this next journey and always I appreciate your kindness and willingness to share so much of yourself here. Thanks for the link to Kat Eye Studio – what a wonderful resource!
Growing up on a farm we never had summer vacations…so we always headed to Florida too for our vacations during the fall/winter…so many wonderful memories. Thank you so much Donna!! Always appreciate your comments! xo
I’m looking forward to seeing more on this new project. ‘Storied Objects” – what a great title!
Thank you! I’m so looking forward to working on it too!
I really enjoyed that look at your parents’ trip and your experience around that too. Just fascinating.
I am very excited about your book, and I hope you will choose to sell it, because I will purchase a copy in a heartbeat.
Safe and happy travels back to your beloved Cambodia!
Thanks so much Ruth! Well I don’t know about selling it, lol! But I’m sure there’ll be some extra copies at some point! Not sure how meaningful it’ll be to others…but thanks always for the inspiration! xo!
You are on busy lady… you have so much going on…..I love reading about all your adventures and creations. Love the idea of the book. And boy do I need help with my iphone (6). I have only had it a few months (since returning to the US ) so I am a still in learning mode. I am not as convinced of it capabilities and am old school with my camera. Maybe this book woudl help. And I am familiar with Kat!
Thanks Cathy! Gosh…you’ll love this book! Already so helpful to me… Sending Cambodian love your way!! So love this country!
Childhood memories are always a story of its own. The happy things we remember, at least that is what I try to do. I like the memory of always playing in the street with other kids from the neighbourhood. My mom and dad hat a summer house near the beach, so we stayed there 4 weeks in row and we would play in the dunes and fly our kites and took shelter in the bunkers from the war….. Happy childhood, we were very fortunate. I am glad you have happy memories too.
Love and hugs.
So fortunate to have wonderful childhood memories….And Oh I love your childhood memories too! And having seen a bunker…I can visualize this fun! THANK YOU always! And hope your computer is home from the hospital soon! xo!
Looking back like you have just done is so much a part of where we are right now, Robin! Thank you for sharing about the older generation like this because one day they will be all gone and these memories will be all you have left. This is part of the Journey we’re all on!
And DITTO to Ruth’s comment about your book. Save one for me, too, because I’ll want one. This is so fun, anticipating all that makes you tick. Hallelujah! 🙂
Oh it totally saddens me that we’ll lose so much from this generation! I want to try to preserve those memories as much as I can! Thank you Ginnie!
What a glorious thing that you have that scrapbook of your mom’s! and soon a book of your own, I’d say it’s about time and I agree with Ginnie & Ruth, save me one!
I will have you two in my thoughts as you wing your way to yet another beloved land, blessing so many more with smiles, love and photos ~ xoxo
Greetings from Cambodia SusanMarie! Thank you so much…always! xoxo
Oh what treasures and the book sounds wonderful..such a creative labor of love!
Thanks Donna…it’ll be a labor of love for sure!
The seeds of wanderlust…..so interesting to see the trunk from which you sprouted:)
And I love the pics……they seem so familiar. So from Roanoke. I feel that in my blood.
So grateful that you’ve taken up the suitcase and set your sails into new adventures.
I’m always richer for everywhere you go!
Thanks for the wonderful story and share,
Jennifer
Oh you and your words….the trunk from which you sprouted…the reason I so love your blog! Thank you so very very much!!
How precious, these images and memories. I’m waiting in line for you book.
So sweet of you Elena…gosh…can’t believe you just read through so many of my blog postings! THANK YOU!!
The thing is those who read your blog and follow you on Facebook benefit from your wanderlust now, and your eye for detail and your sheer exuberant interest in other cultures so that example set by your parents those few years ago is of benefit to those who love your work. I have to say, on a personal note, if I saw that bear walking down the road and I was not in a car I would be scared to death I can assure you. Its very hard to reason with a hungry or angry carnivore.
Thanks so much Peter! And yes, I’m with you on the bears! Always enjoy your visits!
I can not wait to see the finish product.
Thanks! It’ll take some time, ha ha!
I think old photos are the best. So neat to have photos of your parents when they were young
I have tons and feel so lucky…knowing many children don’t! Thanks BB!
Beautiful memories and precious pictures.
I love your photos and the stories behind them, so I would love to read your book when it comes out. Good luck with your project.
EmCi
Thanks so much for your visit! So appreciated!
Robin, the continuity between your parents wanderlust and your own really struck me. And to think of you setting up a studio right there in their home, was very touching to me. I have very little of either of my parents but I connect so much to them through any photo I can get my hands on!!! The power of photography!! And yes put me down for that lovley give away. x
Thanks Catherine! So very fortunate to have so many pictures as my mom was so diligent in taking them throughout the years!
Love this post and your mother’s notes 🙂 Such a treasure!
Thanks Mary!
What a great story! I loved the noted and the detail of the spending list 🙂 vintage photographs have so much power, even if they are out of focus or burned or whatever, they do have the aura of nostalgia that wins over all the aspects… Im glad the studio is happening! You have infinite posibilities for creation! Moving forward always! Yesss xoxox
Thanks sweetie! Couldn’t agree more with vintage photographs and I’m thrilled that I have so many! Yep…your bedroom is changing, ha ha!! Love you!!