Icewind's Ramblings

What is lonely? I have been asked by several people since I started my travels if I am lonely traveling alone over the many miles I have gone so far?  I think the thing about the question is that it really leaves a lot to be defined. Lonely compared to what?  Compared to before I started travelling?  Compared to you?  Compared to the locals and people I meet along the way or where I am?  Compared to a “typical” single guy my age?  Compared to a married guy with children and an active social life? For one thing there are many aspects of loneliness.  You can be lonely even if surrounded by people who know you because you feel they don’t “get” you. You can be lonely in a long-term relationship because you realize it isn’t going great and possibly over.  You can be lonely because you are stuck in a routine (at home or work) and not having deep conversations with people.  There are so many ways you may feel lonely ...

Life Observation # 164 . . .   Life is a gift that you must unwrap.  It's up to you to determine if what's inside will lead you to happiness or dismay.  You have the power to make that decision for yourself . Ice

The Georgia Guidestones Several years before leaving Atlanta for Alaska in 1995 I discovered a unique and interesting site in a field near Elberton Georgia.  Rolling hills of farmland are the normal views one usually sees while driving in the area along Georgia Highway 77 (Hartwell Highway).  On one of the windswept hilltops just outside Elberton stands an unexpected granite monument.  The monument is alternately referred to as The Georgia Guidestones, or the American Stonehenge.  I still cannot believe in the time I have lived in Alaska over the last twenty years the Guidestones are still relatively unknown to people I talk to.  It is not the typical tourist location but probably is in the same theme as the world’s largest ball to twine (Cawker City KS, Hwy 24 west of Topeka Kansas) or largest frying pan (Rose Hill N Carolina).  I have seen the ball of twine but not the frying pan which is still on my bucket list. Elberton isn't called the '...