Episode 2 Adventures with Charity Joy

Daniel Boone National Forest

Driving northwest, bound towards Chicago knowing I will be stopping at some waterfalls in Kentucky. Little did I know driving through the eastern part of Tennessee is absolutely stunning. And undoubtley so my jaw dropped a few times while winding up and down the mountainous roads until I found myself at Cumberland Falls. There are only two places in the world one being here at this falls and the other at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where a moonbow occurs on a full moon, otherwise known as a lunar rainbow. I did not however experience the Moonbow, but I did get to witness the spectacular sights of the falls while picnicking on some large boulder rocks.

The thought of staying at the lodge in the park intrigued me, although once I stepped foot in the lodge the energy didn’t quite match what I desired. I was on the road again heading northwest with the thought that I would probably stop somewhere along the way before Chicago. The thunderstorms brewed and the rain poured for many hours off an on and before I knew it, I arrived to Barrington Illinois after 8 hours, which would have made a total of about 13 hours of driving that day. Needless to say I was really out of it upon arriving to my kindred spirits home. I hit the bunk bed hard and slept great. The next morning I was up with the sun, cracking coconuts and making coconut milk for my friends.

Hiking in the nature preserve down the road with Kindred and the kids was very much like wandering into a faerie portal. The birds singing, the sightings of beaver work all around, and then the moment I picked up a blue heron feather I acknowledged the magic that is around us all the time if we are paying attention.

Blue Heron Native Medicine - Self aware, Freedom, Confidence, and Determination. How lucky was I to get the reminder.

Switching gears completely from nature, and being in the truck, myself and Kindred took the scooters out. It totally reminds me of my time in Bali and Thailand where I rented a scooter and flew past rice paddy fields. Thats a story for another time. The cool air of Illinois was super refreshing and my lips stretched out from hear to ear as we scootered past beautiful horse farms and even stopped to say hi to the horses.

After receiving an amazing sound healing experience with Kindred and foraging in the woods for nettle and dandelion with the kids my heart felt so full and vibrant. Just being me with these amazing beings, making nettle and dandelion pesto for our homemade pizza together, was filling my cup more and more of magic and play.

Foraging nettle and dandelion.

The time has come to continue northwards. First stop in Wisconsin was Madison to see one of my dear and long time friends. Someone you can just be completely you without any filters and just play. Do you have friends like that?

I walked my old stomping grounds downtown Madison, WI, it felt surreal and so easy. Memories of break dance battles and fashion shows I put on came into my mind as I wondered towards the lake to sit and reflect on how amazing life can be.

Ryan and I had an amazing taco dinner and hit Club 5 for a drag queen show. Even though I’m a female I remember when I was 18 how I longed to be one. Going to these shows makes me have so much respect for people who put all this work in to get on stage and perform. The hours of make-up, costumes, lip singing and really stepping into their confidence is profound. To be able to stand in the face of judgment and just be themselves is beautiful.

The next morning I met up with another beautiful friend to run Access Consciousness Bars to create space and let go of any points of view holding us back in moving forward in our lives. Release and let go to create more of you is such an amazing blessing. The session was sweet and had me revved up for the next leg of my journey to central Wisconsin, to family.

Magical world of Faeries and Elementals In Wisconsin`

The nostalgia that comes with going back to where I grew up hits me hard as I continue north. I arrive to my sister and her small family’s place in Birnamwood. Her and my niece have loaded up the paddle-board and kayaks ready to hit Norrie Lake. A quick unpack and jumped into the little pick up truck to drive 15 minutes to the lake where we went often in our early years. Breathing the fresh air hoping on that paddle board, and Jessie on her kayak we discover a beautiful loon in front of us on the water.

The Ojibwe Natives believe that the loon is a messenger from the spirit world, and its plaintive cries are thought to be the voices of lost souls. The loon is also seen as a symbol of strength and endurance due to its ability to withstand the harsh conditions of the northern lakes.

Sister time.

Between lake time, back yard fires, making homemade blueberry /black berry jam, cooking venison from my step- father again the smiles on my face were constant and contagious to those around me. One afternoon, Jessie and I headed to Wittenberg where we went to school, we stopped at the local hair salon. The owner, Debbie, was shocked and so happy to see me. When I was twelve I babysat for her kids, my first job and an insight of how magical life can be when we can inspire young people and their parents at any age. Debbie said “ Charity I think of you often, you had such an impact on our lives”. I was a little taken back and at the same time happy she acknowledged the magic I was for her and her family over 30 years ago.

I have noticed that often times we have an impact on people yet we don't hear about it until months or years later. This reminded me that when someone has an impact or is an inspiration to me I will let them know in that moment. `How often do you let people know when they have impacted you in your life?

Eau Claire Dells, Wisconsin

Sound healing in yurt tents, hiking Eau Claire Dells, feeling into every moment of joy and facilitating conscious change in Wisconsin through Access Consciousness Bars, The Movement- Ecstatic Dance, and Thai Massage fills my days up. Manifesting African Drummers at the Northwoods Wellness Expo in Merrill was just yet another magical moment on my journey.

Another hour drive north to visit my step dad and say good bye to the family house of 17 years on the lake in the Northwoods was touching and heartfelt. The piano of my grandmothers, I played one more time, the walk down to the dock, one last time and breathing in the fresh air of the pine trees and cool air of Upnorthski brought a few tears to my eyes, only because the memories were sweet here.

It truly is amazing how my life journey has taken so many turns and twists. In just this short ten day adventure so much was revealed and explored. The last few days with my sister we baked cookies, went for long walks surrounded by nature, cooked beautiful meals and played childhood games. Jessie helped me sift and sort through keep save photo albums and clothing I made in my past. Packing up the truck once again to head south.

The morning I left my truck smelled of fresh ground coffee, and hand picked peonies from the garden. Southbound for Summer Solstice and Magical Events in Illinois.

See you on the next leg of the journey. Until then keep smiling and creating the beautiful life you desire!

Charity JOY

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