26 Comments
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The Lunch Line's avatar

WHAT?!!!! You are from Winter Haven! So am I, born an raised. Moved to Ocala at 18. Love your stories.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Winter Haven HIgh School Devilette Class of ‘71

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The Lunch Line's avatar

Class of 79 😊

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I’ve not been back since my 45th. Missed the 50th. Guess I’d better try to show for the next one!

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Ren Powell's avatar

The kismet. I have literally been stuck on the couch for 2 weeks (so far) after foot surgery. Thank you for reminding me to be grateful this is temporary!

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Ben there twice.

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San Monahan's avatar

I climbed Cotopaxi, in Ecuador. I enjoyed my time there. Pre internet, I flew to Quito from Denver to join a group of people I had never met. I trusted that it would be OK and it was!

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Sarah Crawford Najafi's avatar

Such an excellent adventure. You have inspired me to pick more exotic travel again, thank you !

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

You are so welcome!

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Noel Minneci's avatar

I wish. Sitting here watching the snow, day after day, but feeling gratitude for my good health, our home, healthy food to eat, and my dear husband by my side. Life is good. I'm so glad you are doing this trip and having a wonderful time. Carpe diem.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Amen Noel, carpe indeed..

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

I'm so glad you're having an awesome time!! I miss horses. I had my own growing up but then life took over. It's been decades since I've ridden.

Beautiful countryside! That's what I miss most about being in the Caribbean. Lush, green countryside.

Enjoy, Julia!!

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Honestly, while you and I have both been in enough countries to know that certain climates exist all over, it was SUCH a joy to find super high altitude AND fog AND green here. Ecuador up here has some pretty bad droughts, but life happens all over. Meanwhile….

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

When I lived at the top of Coquitlam, BC and the fog rolled in, my house sat on top of it! It felt like I lived in a fortress with a moat below lol.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I’ve climbed to the tops of some seriously high peaks in Colca Canyon, Peru, where the condors were below us. You don’t quickly forget the feeling.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Oh, thank you, THANK YOU, for sharing the joy with your descriptions, your photos, and that wonderful video. I'm sidelined with a badly tweaked back at the moment, so having this glimpse of adventure is healing. And may your upcoming surgery go perfectly well, your recovery swift and complete.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

You are so welcome Jan!

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Stephanie Raffelock's avatar

First of all, I hope your surgery goes really well and that your rehab is swift. I'm not much of a seasoned traveler, but I do love hiking trails. And it doesn't matter how many times I've hiked the same trail, I always find something new and beautiful to appreciate. There's always whimsy and magic afoot in the woods. This is my solace and my joy. Big hugs, Julia.

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mitch's avatar

Happy your doing the trip before you have surgery . I love horses hate foot or leg surgeries . You enjoy being you for now . Hope trip keeps going great , when you have surgery I am sure you will recover fast so in advance get well soon . Julia

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Mitch! I actually can't wait to get these done. The last of them all, barring the unexpected at the VA. That, well.....

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mitch's avatar

Great point about VA . Hope it doesn't get gutted like other places . I will keep my fingers crossed for you . Hugs and peace

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Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

I’m so happy you’re able to do the trip. We must keep the joy, and you’re helping us get outside our political mess!

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thank you Diane. If we don't give our brains a break, they WILL break. I saved up thousands of airline miles otherwise this wouldn't have been possible. That said, these rides, holy crap. I missing riding, and the one thing I wasn't able to do in Oregon was find a stable where I could ride. That's been a huge hole in my heart.

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Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

Just enjoy and be safe! Make those memories to sustain you later, Julia 💕

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Grace Drigo's avatar

Another cool adventure! Good luck with the surgery Julia. Hope all goes smoothly 🙏💜

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Penny Nelson's avatar

Looks like a great trip full of the things you love!

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