Well I made it back home to Charlotte and it was 85 degrees when my plane landed. Dang, it wasn't even that warm in Hawaii! I have to admit I'm a bit sad leaving the beautiful Hawaiian islands. I'm guessing that won't be my last trip there but it may be awhile before I get back. Even though part of me would really like to go back in about two months since that's when they're estimating the current lava flow will reach the ocean and supposedly that's when the real spectacle is of watching hot lava meet the cool ocean waters and form new land mass. Gotta love nature! Well for those of you that have been along on these journeys with me for awhile, you know I get all philosophical in my last email. And the theme for this one is from that old 1970's disco song called "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. I thought of that song when I saw this poor little tree that had grew despite this massive pile of lava built up all around it. And I thought, if we were all even half as motivated as that little tree how much better life could be. Just think of how tough it was for that tree dealing with the harsh weather and the heavy winds and of course the heavy lava all around it, yet it continued to push thru and grow and blossom despite of all those setbacks. So when life throws you a curve ball, or puts what feels like a lava flow in front of your road, or if someone tells you you're at the end of your trail or there are other life signs that tell you to turn around and that it's dangerous ahead... keep pushing... keep pounding... keep dreaming... and keep moving forward. Because usually once you get past all of that "noise", your life turns out even better and you grow and prosper like our little tree. So go ahead and put that picture of that little tree on your refrigerator or at your office or at home somewhere and every time you look at it, I hope it motivates you to "BE THE TREE"! Until we meet again, take care and TRAVEL YOUR ASSES OFF!! Jeff
The Wandering Italian 