Blessings Counted

It has been a tough couple of weeks but I am getting stronger every day!  And now that I know I can completely recover and get back to 100% I have realized a few things.

Things that I love:
1.  My home. It has been my prison but mainly my sanctuary.  I love that first cup of coffee on the deck with the sun coming up over the trees and the leaves russling in the breeze. The deer family grazing in the back field, the colors of my walls that make me feel I am in a tropical paradise. The morning light streaming in through the windows. Opening up all the windows to welcome Fall into the house.
2.  The first real Fall day.  That cool breeze that causes the switch from sandles to slippers and tank tops to t shirts...soon to be fleece. The first sign of leaves changing color.

3.  The look of fresh bark outlining the green lawn.
4.  That feeling..I beat it again...dodged the bullet...I am going to be ok
5.  Slipping naked between the cool sheets at night, cuddling up with the down comforter while feeling the cool breeze coming in through the open window.
6.  My dog.  The simple joy she shares with me all day long.
7. Pulling out the cool weather paddle clothes and gear.
8. Planning my next trip...looking forward to San Juan Islands planned for next year!

Things I do not love:
1. Leaf blowers
2. Electric saws
3. Gophers in my lawn

I get knocked down...

But I get up again, their never gonna keep me down...

That song keeps playing in my head as I continue my recovery a week after going to emergency and then spending 5 days in hospital. I knew something was wrong but resisted going to doc...lesson learned. Severe anemia and iron deficiency has kicked my butt. Some issues with my crazy blood has prevented me from getting transfusion I need...no match! So I am on a slower mend but I think meds are kicking in as my head is clearing somewhat today.

I got to spend one afternoon at Beautiful Meeks Bay Resort, (had the cutest cabin) on the lake before crashing... And here are a few pics of what was suppose to be the start of 3 great days. Enjoyed some demos from Sterling and Headwaters. Also enjoyed watching the Hurricane Riders roll around in the bay. Oh well, next time.

At least I know now why I have been such a slug these last couple of months, and hopefully I can get back up to 100% soon.

Tahoe Keeper

I took the test and am officially a Tahoe Keeper. Basically I am now educated about stopping the spread of invasive species that are invading and seriously damaging our rivers and lakes. I will
help spread the word to keep Tahoe and all our waterways clear.

I travel with my yak all over and I know I need to get better about cleaning and drying my boat. I have a 3 day trip to Tahoe coming up and I will spread the word to all my fellow paddlers.

On another note, I explored the Foster City canals with some fellow Paddle Pushers yesterday. It was a beautiful day and a different trip than or normal river or lake paddle. Always fun to explore somewhere new. The wind came up to challenge our return trip which gave us a good work out. I needed it!

Hammocking

For my recent birthday my friends surprised me with a unique gift, a hammock. I was surprised when I opened it...hmmm, what is this for? My friend said, just try it. Now, I could not remember using one before, maybe at some long ago tropic vacation, but nothing in recent memory.

So I brought it home and asked number one son to look for a place in the yard to try this strange thing. He said, cool!

He found a great spot under the trees. I have to admit, it was so comfortable and relaxing I soon found it a favorite spot. So following are pics all
taken from the hammock.

Sugar Pine Paddle, Hike, Bike & Picnic

Sunday, August 26

A perfect summer day at Sugar Pine near Forest Hill. My paddling club joined another hiking club for a day on the water, trail and beach.

This lake was warm and crystal clear. And as always, we got to watch the Ospreys.

September is around the corner and a favorite month for getting outside!

Paddling on.

Bike Ride at the lake

Cannot stay away from the water. All those times I was paddling by the bike trail I would watch the bikers looking over and think, bet they wish they were me!

Saturday, I was one of them. I told my biking buds that I was planning my first real ride on the lake Natoma trail. They said, we'll meet you there and ride with you. I said,
"but I will be slow"
"no worries"
"but I may walk up some hills"
"we'll walk with you"
What great buds !

9 miles! I mapped it. They went on to do their 20 mile loop, but I made it from Negro Bar to Hazel and back. A very pregnant lady jogging with a baby carriage passed me on the hill, on the way back I took so many breaks that I passed the same jogger 4 times!

But I had fun. And you know what? When I was biking the trail looking over at the water and all the SUP racers, I kinda wished I was on the water!

But variety is the spice of life, so pedaling and paddling on!

Pedaling and Paddling....NEW BIKE!

August 19, 2012 - In my never ending challenge to find new ways to motivate myself to get up and moving I decided to get a bike. I am a firm believer that when you stop moving you are done.  I also have a little panic inside me that something may happen that will sideline me and take me out of the game.  I have seen so many friends with knee, hip, shoulder issues where they say…”can’t paddle for 3 months, dealing with knee issues”, or “fell in my own shower, broke my leg!”  And, I speak from my own experience.  My own fears are realistic as several years ago I was sidelined myself for almost 8 years…yes 8 years, battling the dreaded big C.  I was on the couch or in a bed for a good part of that time.  So today, I am always aware and grateful for the good health of mind, body and soul that I enjoy.  I don’t take as many chances as I once did.  I walk more on the trail than off, skip the gorge scrambles some of my friends enjoy, and take a little more cautious approach.  I miss a little of the excitement…but not all that much.  I am very aware that when I fall, I don’t bounce up like I used to. 

So many of my paddling friends are also bikers and we have such great local trails I decided to take the plunge.  I can justify almost any new expense in the name of fitness!

So I researched, asked my friends, talked to the sales guys, talked some more to friends, and test drove a couple of bikes.  I ended up with a Giant Hybrid.  This bike may not be the fastest on the road (like my Yak is not the fastest on the water either) but it is comfortable and functional for what I want to do.  I wanted to make sure I had no excuse for not riding.  Oh yeah…just as important, it is very good looking, white and black, and I got a cool helmet to match.  Yes, those funny winged helmet things I have made fun of all these years…I got one, and will use it!

So here is what I learned my first morning on my bike.

1.       My neighborhood streets are not as flat as I thought.

2.       It is much more fun to go downhill than uphill.

3.       So many gears!!..must figure them out.

4.       That horrible screeching noise was not a broken bike, it was my little emergency kit bag that sits behind the seat rubbing on the tire.  Yes, I am short and my seat is low…so raised a smidge and all is good.

5.       Must learn what all is in that little emergency kit…it’s so small, I can only hope it is emergency chocolate!

6.       What a heck of a workout.  Once around the neighborhood and I was breathing hard!

So I will keep on Pedaling in addition to Paddling and work up my strength and endurance.  (my kids have bets on how often I am going to ride, I am out to prove them wrong!)

Pedaling on…