A New Fitness Level and A New Life?

and getting to Hawaii – to kayak my last state!!!

One of my earlier paddles in Washington State.

I am becoming concerned/alarmed that I may not have enough money for expenses for the Hawaii trip. I have accommodations and air line ticket. But there are the other expenses of the shuttle/or transportation to and from the airports, kayak rental, meals, sun screen, misc. God I wish I was rich.  If you can help me complete this Kayak America Adventure, use the Donate Button to the right on this page.  Thank you.

Feeling blue a couple days ago, I was cheered up by a piece of German Chocolate Cake. Trust me, I will pay for it tomorrow and the next day at the gym. My weight is down to where it was 31 years ago.  Someone said “Just a serotonin low. You will feel better. Chocolate will help that.”  Alright, I’ll go with that reason/excuse?

1984, California, sitting on my cousin’s Delorian.

OK, I ATE the cake, twice. But today, I did Aqua Therapy in the morning, and then 10 miles on stationary bike in gym and 30 min on treadmill. I'm going 3 times faster on the treadmill than I did two weeks ago. I am working hard on my core strength and have little pain now. I think an adjustment in my meds is required which will begin tomorrow. Right now all I am doing is working out and eating and sleeping. Eating all I want, but it's healthier stuff and only about 1/3 of what I used to eat. But it's all I want. I won't say this is easy, but my favorite part of the day now is working out at the gym... something I never thought I would ever feel or ever say. Maybe there will be life after 70?

Never Again… almost 300 pounds in 2002.

I have a wonderful team of doctors here and have been catching up on all the tests and examines you are suppose to have.  Getting the all clear on everything.  I think I have a doctor for every body part, though I no longer need a pulmonologist as I no longer have COPD issues (thank you clean air).  Got one for joints, one for spine, one for female parts, one for all the other general stuff.  All are impressed and excited to be on my fitness team.  Caught two of them talking/bragging to each other about me the other day… that was funny.

Family Birthday Cake, 2004 (my sons birthdays are 4/16 and 5/8 and mine 5/16 – so many times we had ONE cake).

The above photo was taken when I was pretty close to not being able to walk anymore, the following year, both knees were replaced.  Hopefully in a month, I will have much better photos to post here.

In spite of my worry and concern about finances for Hawaii, and my set back last month with severe back pain, I am reaching my new fitness levels and I feel excited and hopeful about completing my 50-state Kayaking America Adventure and my new challenge of hiking the Arizona Trail in 2015.  I can and will do this.

Again, if you can help me reach my goal to kayak my 50th State, Hawaii, I would be very grateful.  Thank you.

Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada

This morning early Gary and I headed over to Victoria on the Victoria Express Passenger Ferry.  It’s an hour ride and on the way over I spotted some whales spouting off at some distance, but I believe they were Orcas.  I wish they had been closer.  Olympic Mountains in background.

We arrived and waited at the Ferry Terminal for Sandy.  He picked us up and drove us around town, telling us all about changes to Victoria since he was a kid. 

Then we parked near some interesting shops… and went browsing.  Gary found a beach chair he had been looking for and I found replacement batteries for my SPOT gps device.  Also found a small whisk for mixing cocoa and stuff in the van.  We saw the fancy old hotel – The Empress, beautiful flowers on their grounds, etc.

Then we went to China town and walked all through it and also an interesting little alley that has a number of shops.  I guess the brick buildings there are made from bricks that were used as ballast in ships.  Some interesting signs:  Chinese Canadian Cultural Association,  Chinese Freemason Society, hum… things I’d never thought about.

Saw this really interesting old brick building built in 1821… that is vacant waiting to be earthquake retrofitted… and it’s prime real estate.  The Janion Building -

In an almost unprecedented move, Victoria council has voted to start a process that will give heritage designation to the Janion and Morley’s Soda Water Factory buildings even though the owner hasn’t requested it.

Sandy treated us to a lovely lunch in a nice restaurant we would not have found on our own, and then dropped us back off at the waterfront.  Sandy, you are a gentleman and a scholar… and a gracious host. Thank you for your hospitality.  Next time, I’ll bring the van across and drive the two hours to come and visit your home/shop.  Thank you for coming so far to see us on such short notice.

Gary and I drooled over these old roadsters that were for rent. 

We walked the waterfront looking at all the craftsmen and musicians.  I loved this Orca made of glass mosaic.  I guess there are a bunch of these all around… like the pigs in Seattle. This was the only one we saw.

Artist: Sara Gifford, Jane Van Sickle & Michael Hofmann
Sponsor: Prince of Whales Whale Watching
Location: Lower Causeway - adjacent 812 Wharf Street

Other things I enjoyed: these coins that had background carefully sawed out… beautiful work, the tiny little boats, the mimes that looked like bronze and plaster statues, and the sculptor Klaus Emmaneel – Merlin Arts.

That evening we caught the last Ferry back to Port Angeles, passing a number of sea planes, a large freighter, but saw no whales on the return.  It was a good day.

 

Another small and unimportant thing I noticed… RESTROOMS are called Washrooms in Canada.

5th State: WA - Port Angeles (Sept. 09 - 15, 2009

Gary’s Baby and behind that my SwankieWheels.  We are unloading our kayaks to have a smooth paddle on the bay.  I thought the rainbow was so appropriate.  Beautiful day.  Can it get any better than this?

SwankieWheels in Port Angeles, WA

 

Charlene taken by Gary “gg”.

Also taken by Gary.  This should be called “Glimmerglass Bay.” 

Quietly nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, Port Angeles is located in Clallam County on the North Olympic Peninsula of Washington State - U.S.A.

Incorporated in 1890 - the City has progressed into the 21st century while still holding onto steadfast traditions of hard work, family and community.

“Gary Gearloose” Lepak… the kayak builder.

Gary is a master-story-teller, and he was talking and I was listening, we didn’t notice Heidi and Mike on the shore hollering at us.  That’s their van.  We paddled over and met them.

The reflections on the water amazed me.  It’s as if the feather is laying on a mirror.  You can just see the tip of my paddle on the bottom of the picture.

Gary again.

That’s my kayak… have you ever seen anything so amazing?

I spent some time alone on the shore near the Coast Guard facility… and found these rock sculptures all over the place. 

And driftwood structures.  Fascinating.

 

 

 

 

 

The next day, Mike took Heidi and I panning for gold in one of his secret spots.  I don’t know how Heidi managed to hide, but somehow I didn’t get her photo, again.  Maybe that’s why she is named “hide – ie?”

The following day, Gary and I paddled our kayaks around the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival.  This one was of particular interest… named “Boondock.”

Gary on one of his home-build kayaks.  That would kill my knees.  He is amazing.

Charlene’s and Gary’s kayaks side by side.

I thought is was very interesting how he had holes carved out for his toes.  The seat is also very interesting.

Gary and his kayak.

The next morning we walked up-hill to a really neat market/coffee shop for breakfast.  We walked a little farther to see this 1890 Bell Tower.  “For more than 50 years, the bell was used to call volunteer fire fighters to their posts.  It is the only known tower of its kind in the United States.  It was restored in 2003 by the Jefferson County Historical Society and the city of Port Townsend and remains an important reminder of our heritage.”

 
Interesting craft vendors.

This is the Yûko. It is the second of two Navigators built in Olympia, WA by Barrett. She built the first for her mother in Maine, where Grace sailed to great success. Everything was built solo by Barrett, with exception of the sails and the blocks. Barrett has neither formal boatbuilding nor woodworking training, learning both by example from age 6, when her father started building his own boat.

Nearly 200 hundred wooden vessels, from tall ships to small rowing and paddling boats, fill the Port of Port Townsend's Point Hudson marina for the annual Wooden Boat Festival. A fundraiser for year round educational programs, this annual event draws nearly 25000 people for the weekend and the marina is a year round destination for people with boats and who love boats from around the world.

A boat for twokniveskatie…

…and one for the ladies who like purple, Fat City, I think .

A vandwellers dream, a folding sink, but this one is porcelain.  On one of the historic ships, Lotus (Gruye).  I’ll add that info later.  This was on an Edwardian Houseboat Cruiser built in 1909… and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The next morning, the sunrise was so fabulous that Gary hopped out of his Scion “Baby,” barefooted, to photograph it.

And alas, it was time to say goodbye to Gary and head across the waters of Puget Sound to see my family.  Spankie waves goodbye.

Spankie is still not sure what he thinks about so much water… and hangs on fast.

SwankieWheels along Highway #11.

I’ve never seen such an astounding sunset.

… and it got even better.

After we crossed the Sound, I headed up Highway 20 north thru Coupeville and Oak Harbor where my husband was once a police officer.  Then along a narrow road of Highway #11 to Bellingham where I was to meet with his granddaughter, Dani.

And not to be outdone by the sunset, here comes some sort of “dwelling” on wheels.

And there he is.

And there he goes. (Boy it’s tricking being a photographer on wheels – steering wheels)

Finally got to Bellingham and met up with Dani.  She wanted her grandpa’s old flannel shirt.  Hard for me to part with that one as the most recent photo I had of him, he was wearing it.  I liked to cuddle wearing it.  But she was so sweet, I could not say no.  Dani, I hope you treasure it always and fine a lot of comfort in it.  Your grandpa was very proud of you.

It was painful to revisit places that Dave and I had been together at in 2001, especially Everett where he died.  I was surprised to find that it bothered me.  So now on down I5 and I405 to Kirkland, then on to Wenatchee.  I have granddaughters to visit (one that I have not yet seen).