safety Archives

Do These Things Only Matter To Me?

March 8, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, safety, Travel, writingTagged health, respect, safety3 Comments

Thank you … there are times I appreciate hearing “thank you”. Other times it is appropriate to send a written, through snail mail, thank you card to another who deserves a thoughtful thank you. In my opinion, I feel it is worse when discovering some people never acknowledge anyone with thanks. I believe this tells you something about a person. I am just saying it matters to me.

Trail etiquette … when hiking a trail and another hiker is coming toward you. Whoever is hiking uphill has the right of way and the other person steps aside. It does happen, at times, when the uphill hiker wants to take a breather and waves you on; it is their choice. Trail etiquette is simple courtesy and that matters to me!

Traffic signs exist for a reason. I get it; many people drive 5-7 miles per hour above a speed limit sign. But why does one drive in a lane clearly marked with a red “X” on a bridge? The driver I saw doing this was speeding also! I prayed no construction person was working further down the lane with their little work sign up. I think this mattered to others on the highway as we saw that vehicle in a closed lane.

Honesty, truth, science, telling it like it is really … do not lie, embellish, or make something up. I am most happy to talk with anyone, even if our beliefs are not aligned, as long as he/she can be respectfully honest to have a productive conversation. We may part still not on the same page; however, each of us had been heard as we shared our thoughts/points of view. This matters to me especially as this nation is polarized. We, all as Americans, can work to solve issues so our country moves forward in the 21st century … that matters to me.

Respect… you are you, I am me. What makes anyone think we should all be the same? We are not. Don’t dictate the cookie cutter of your choice. The reason I travel the world is to view the differences around the world. Culture, religion, politics, environment, music, food, art, personalities, beliefs … with no expectation of others being like me or thinking like me. Respect for another’s choice for their life within the government they live. The USA is not the only country in the world. We must all learn how to work and play together so as not to destroy our planet and ways of life. This matters a whole bunch to me, especially as I travel the world. I wish everyone good health, safety and joy.

What Does This Sign Mean?

January 29, 2026December 27, 2025Posted in blogging, environment, safety, Travel, writingTagged environment, human trafficking, safety, travelLeave a comment

I saw this sign on a bus in Argentina and had never seen it before. The bus industry in Argentina had a campaign to train drivers to recognize signs of human trafficking a number of years ago. I learned also there are companies and businesses doing this around the world within the transit industry. This made a lot of sense to me since I only otherwise see help available with postings, such as this one:

Whatever we can do, must be done! Signs, of all sorts, indicating help is available are important!

Iguazú Falls, Part 2 of 2

December 31, 2025December 23, 2025Posted in Animals, blogging, environment, safety, Travel, wildlifeTagged environment, national parks, Nature, travel, water, wildlife2 Comments

The next day we drove to Iguazú National Park to see the falls from the Argentinian side. Tourists are efficiently moved from one station to another on a single gauge railroad train. We hopped out to walk the Superior Trail. Later I walked the Inferior Trail while others took the boat ride into the mist of the falls.

There are 275 waterfalls within Iguazú Falls.

A small part of Iguazú Falls with rainbow!

Our early arrival at the park allowed us easy viewing of the falls. In the area were coatis that look like cute animals, but they are not! These animals jumped on bags and tables wherever they smelled a snack or saw food! Warning signs were posted. These animals really wrecked a family’s picnic lunch!

I saw an unusual reptile which I first thought was a Gila monster. It was not. A black-and-white tegu just happened to be at the side of the trail:

I wish everyone a happy new year as I return to my usual twice a week blog posts and enjoy time at home! May 2026 see you with good health and happiness! Namaste!

Cycling in Wine Country

October 9, 2025September 24, 2025Posted in bicycling, Bike paths, blogging, environment, fitness, safety, Travel, writingTagged bike paths, cycling, travelLeave a comment

I love the combination of bicycling and ending the day with a glass of wine! Whether it be where I live or where I travel across the USA, more towns are constructing bike paths for safer bicycling opportunities and food establishments are benefitting from the increased people traffic. The chance to sit and enjoy a lunch with a glass of wine has been fun.

Bike paths having been linking small towns so people can enjoy a bicycle ride, time with friends, sightseeing the local landscape, and return safely to where they started their ride. By supporting bicycling organizations, we can have more of these bike paths built for our outdoor enjoyment.

Check out: Rails to Trails Conservancy to see if a bike path is near your home. There are other organizations providing maps for local bike rides, but Rails to Trails has flatter, paved paths that once were where the old railroad lines were back in the day. More communities are following the lead of paved, local bike paths so check and see what your community is doing for you to have a safer bike ride.

Places Solve the Toilet Issue

October 2, 2025September 24, 2025Posted in blogging, environment, safety, Travel, writingTagged travel2 Comments

How long do we need to take to solve an issue? I applaud places where at least the issue of who can use a toilet is solved. The signs speak for themselves; I need say no more.

Hydrate: I Should Know Better!

September 18, 2025Posted in blogging, fitness, safety, Travel, writingTagged first aid, health, travelLeave a comment

Keeping one’s body hydrated, especially when in hot temperatures and participating in an outdoor activity, must be a priority. And I should know better as I live in the desert! But in vacation mode, I was not paying attention to how much water-rich foods or fluids I was ingesting. Also, I was visiting friends living at a higher altitude than my hometown. With my faster breathing in the thinner, dry air and my sweat evaporating from my skin exposed to sun and wind, my body was dehydrating as I hiked.

My backpack carried a full water bladder, yet apparently I soon discover, it was not enough water for this 5 mile hike. Knowing the early symptoms of dehydration, unfortunately because I have had serious dehydration events in my past, I quickly took note of headache and fatigue setting in.

My hiking buddy and I turned back on the trail, stopped in shady spots, and I sipped from her water container a couple of times. We eventually made the decision to cut away from the main trail and hike a social trail to a road. I know the forest service wants everyone to stay on the main trail, but this shortcut would be a half mile less of walking as we returned to our vehicle down the road.

So how did this happen to me? I had water in my backpack and was sipping it while on the trail. Days prior to this hike at a higher altitude than home, I should have been sure to be hydrated then and not wait to the day of the hike to hydrate. Lemonade, milk, water, juices, water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables all would have helped. I soon realized, a colonoscopy and illness the week before probably left me dehydrated. The bottom line was I did a lousy job being hydrated for this hike and I should have known better!

So the moral of the story…stay hydrated every day… carry plenty of water on a hike… know the symptoms for dehydration and return to a safe place to get hydrated. Be ready to hike on another day safely!

Lemonade, a delicious fluid, to be part of my hydration!

A “Birdie” for Women’s Safety

August 17, 2025August 8, 2025Posted in Birds, safety, TravelTagged birds, safety, travel, women's safetyLeave a comment

Women’s safety must be a priority every minute of every day, especially when I read the dismal statistic: 1 in 3 women in the United States assaulted in her lifetime. Fear is not the emotion any woman wants when attempting to enjoy an activity; yet, it does cause some to hesitate or not accomplish what she wished to do. That’s not the world we want to live in!

Women can now carry a non-violent self-defense tool, a Birdie. The goal is to deter attackers while creating a distraction thus drawing attention to the woman in need of help. See the photo below:

With a pull of the top circle, referred to as the “pin”, an ear-piercing siren happens along with a flashing strobe light, especially helpful at night. To stop the ear-piercing sound, return the pin into the Birdie. This personal safety alarm can travel everywhere, unlike tasers and pepper spray, which are not TSA-friendly. It also can be hooked onto bags, put into pockets, or hung on your keychain. Make it as accessible as you wish.

This self-defense tool was shared at a local bird festival workshop. You may wonder why there. Woman can be hesitant to hike and go bird watching alone, especially if hearing any statistics of assaults, etc. Therefore, this self-defense tool was offered as part of a workshop at the bird festival.

Hang it where you can easily access the it.

There is a new “Birdie 3.0” which has a rechargeable battery. When you visit the website you’ll see 2 other available products. One is a disc and the other a box for hotel room. Check those tools out as they may be of interest to you beyond this Birdie. My Birdie is not a 3.0, so a battery will need to be replaced in time. Women’s safety is important … share this info with others … gift someone … and have your own.

Wind, Sand & Travel Plan Changes; This is Just Day One!

May 8, 2025April 21, 2025Posted in adventure travel, blogging, environment, safety, Travel, writingTagged Nature, New Mexico, travel, weather3 Comments

Wind blowing. Sand blowing. My high-profile van is rocking and swaying as I drive the interstate into New Mexico. The last 20 years I have seen the signs about low visibility possible when the wind and sand are blowing across the road. I’ve read the signs posted at various intervals along the hundreds of interstate miles here in New Mexico.

Don’t stop in travel lane. Pull over, get off the road. Turn off your vehicle. Turn off vehicle’s lights. Keep your seat belt on. Do not put your feet on the brakes. Signs posted in areas that during this trip did not even have wind and sand blowing. I was ready, if need be.

And then it happened. Traffic slowed as the wind-blown sand created low visibility. I thought, let’s be careful folks, no multi-vehicular accident today please. We crept along … so very slow … and we were going okay keeping a distance between vehicles. Then … there was no vehicle in front of me. Sand filled the air! With my van moving slowly, still in a driving lane, the next moment I saw the vehicle in front of me. It had stopped. So did I, and thankfully so did the vehicle behind me. We all sat … for numerous minutes. Here was a parking lot on the interstate!

I never saw the police car till it passed me on the shoulder.

Any minutes when the air cleared, traffic slowly moved forward, then stopped for minutes at a time on the road. I was so thankful to be surrounded by patient drivers as this would have been awful if we did not all cooperate in our stopping. We were at this for a long period of time to only travel a few miles. Emergency messages were numerous on my phone. Here is one still after I had stopped for the night … road may have still been closed.

My destination was Hatch, New Mexico. However, the direct road to Hatch and the round-about longer drive on the interstate to Hatch were both closed to traffic. The sandstorm prompted the officials to close the roads. We all descended upon Deming, New Mexico. We could go no further. My travel plan changed and I slept in my van at a Walmart parking lot along with many others who could travel no further. I don’t know what time the roads eventually opened. My van rocked in the wind till at least 9:30pm despite the weather predictions of less wind at 7pm.

Bird Strikes at Window! Let’s Prevent Them.

April 24, 2025April 2, 2025Posted in Animals, Birds, blogging, environment, safety, wildlife, writingTagged birds, Nature, wildlife, window strikesLeave a comment

A leading cause of birth deaths in North America is window strikes. Almost a half million to a billion birds die from window collisions every year in the USA alone. Birds see what they think is real habitat for them, yet it is a window reflection and not where they should head. Or a transparent glass can create a false appearance of a way for a bird to fly through to another spot. Light can also distract and confuse birds, especially during migration seasons.

Home owners can help protect birds. Here are some ideas:

Break up the reflections by installing external screens or blinds.
Do not put feeders within 3 feet of your window.
Shield outdoor light and direct the light to where it is needed.
Create designs on reflective or transparent windows … here are some ideas:

Since single decals on a window do not deter birds, it is important to space window designs.

Purchase dotted tape/decal designs or create your own with dots such as those below. Space them 2” by 2” apart.

Space these dots on your window 2 inches apart.

2. Painting a design on your window with tempera paint allows you to be creative. You can use bar soap or chalk markers and switch to match holidays.

3. Collidescape tape can be put onto the exterior of your window glass. Or hanging cords, string, or ribbons at least 1/8 inch in width and spaced 2 inches apart.

After noticing where birds are striking our window, we placed these decals and have had no bird window strikes. I actually did see a bird flying toward the window with the 2 decals and veer off to not strike the window. Then I knew this was a great idea for our windows.

These are placed in an area where birds more often flew into. No longer!

You can make a difference! Please make your windows visible to birds by strike-proofing your windows! If you want more info, check out tucsonaudubon.org/window-strikes The birds and I thank you!

Travel May Necessitate Additional Health Protection

December 15, 2024November 29, 2024Posted in adventure travel, blogging, safety, Travel, writingTagged travel3 Comments

Protect your health at all times and research whether you need additional health protection when visiting other parts of the world. However, even for domestic travel I pack: my regular medical prescriptions, Dia-Res-Q, daily vitamins, meds for colds, headaches, pain relief and allergies.

With each international trip, I make an appointment with Passport Health, a travel clinic in Arizona. It’s important to keep up-to-date on Hepatitis A and B vaccines, tetanus and others. If I am traveling in an area of the world where yellow fever, malaria and rabies are major concerns it is best to take precautions. For a past trip, the travel nurse was discussing mosquitos. I’m a “mosquito-magnet”, as I often refer to myself. With my past trip and learning that mosquitoes are spreading beyond southeast Asia, Indonesia and beyond, I made a decision best for me. A doctor-prescribed general antibiotic was also added to my medical kit for international travel.

Every human being has different medical needs. The important thing is to do your research, discuss your travel itinerary with a medical professional and get the protection you need before heading off on domestic or international trips. Stay healthy. Travel is always more fun when you are healthy!