HipStar™: The World's Best Hands-Free Travel Cart

Posted first by Igor Koshutin (Creator); re-posted by Swankie.

HipStar™ - Hands-Free Travel Cart 
(watch video - https://youtu.be/VmQe0wY_U5g)

Hey Backers, 

Today we have another great supporter - Charlene Swankie (AKA "SwankieWheels"). Charlene is living on Social Security, but she is living life to the fullest, camping full-time in a home built camper van.  Here is a bit of her back story: 

In 2005, Charlene could not walk and was shopping for a wheelchair. She then had bilateral knee replacements and two years of physical therapy. She has had to learn how to walk all over again. Soon, she began biking and running. In 2008, she was feeling so fit, got bored, bought a kayak, learned to kayak and set off to Kayak America. Charlene's goal was to kayak all 50 states, and she completed her 50th state, Hawaii, on her 70th birthday! She is now 74 and recently began looking for a new goal and decided on a solo hike of the 800-mile long Arizona National Scenic Trail (or Arizona Trail). She is working hard to prepare for that challenge. Charlene has wilderness and outdoor experience, having studied and hiked with Paul Petzoldt (founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School - NOLS) in the 1970s, but that was 40 years ago. A lot of retraining is required.

Here is what Charlene wrote: 
“I struggle to get ready for the hike due to limited finances, and also a bad shoulder. That is why HipStar™would be so important to me. I am seeking a second opinion this month on the shoulder to determine what I need to do about it and how much recovery time will be required. My goal to hike the AZ Trail felt aimless... and I kept searching for a purpose for doing it. I wanted a goal that was bigger than life itself, like kayaking all 50 states was, but I couldn't find one until I connected with HipStar™. Needless to say, I am extremely excited about this new challenge... of working with HipStar™ to make the wilderness more accessible to seniors and those mildly physically challenged!

One problem I see is, the Arizona Trail Association  doesn’t allow carts!!! Why??? They allow bikes, and horses, and unicycles? I know I could not use it on the ground through the Grand Canyon Angel Trail, but that's what is so great about your HipStar™ design, I can roll it where possible and backpack in other places. I intend to fight this with the AZ Trail Association and get permission to use HipStar™! I am going to contact the Americans With Disabilities group and get them behind me in fighting the park and trail systems, to allow these carts. ACCESSIBILITY is supposed to be provided for all and not allowing seniors to use the cart is discrimination! I might even fight them to the point of getting arrested and jailed for refusing to be forced off the trail for using the cart. And I certainly would bring in the press if that happened.”

Then we discussed this subject. I told her that I was also going to apply for special permission to use HipStar™ on restricted trails as soon as HipStar™'s design is completed, tested and first product rolls out production line. But, of course, I had no idea what stages I have to undertake. So, we agreed to join efforts and outline the plan. I am sure many of you would support us! 

Then Charlene wrote:
“I am very excited about the idea of doing battle with the Park Service and other trail associations on behalf of all Seniors who wish to continue to enjoy the outdoors. I think this could be a wonderful partnership between HipStar™ and the senior community. Let’s continue to explore the possibilities!” 

Charlene has written about her kayaking adventures and pre-visits to Arizona Trail trailheads, and also about life on the road for the past decade as a full-time vandweller. 

Charlene Swankie : http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/swankie.wheels

Please visit the HipStar™ website for more details.

Also support them on HipStar™.  HipStar is a collapsible cart that makes it easy to move heavy items over any type of terrain and can be used as a backpack if needed.   The HipStar™ is a project of our passion in striving to help people achieve full mobility with only the power of two legs and accomplish physical feats they never thought possible – no matter if they’re young or old. It will be an affordable way to make travels more enjoyable. 

Getting My Kicks on Route 66

Ha, I live on Route 66.  I just got a P.O. Box and that is the address.  HA!  I just think that is funny.  The story behind it, not so much.

I came to the mountains near Flagstaff AZ to escape the heat of lower elevations. I needed to get onto free boondocking lands where I could begin finalizing plans to hike the Arizona Trail, unloading my trailer, repairing gear, fixing stuff, etc., without having to do it in public area.  Fine, found all that, now to get a place to receive packages since people are beginning to send me gear off my Amazon Backpacking Wish List (http://a.co/j7L6J5a ).

I had been told by another vandweller that some folks got mail in Parks.  So, I went there and asked at the gas station near Exit 178 off I40, about receiving General Delivery and packages. I didn’t know there was another option at the time. One would think they would tell you if there were any restrictions as to the type of packages they could accept, USPS, UPS, FEDEX, etc., I asked, but they didn’t tell.  So I got the proper wording for the address and got on line and put it in Amazon and sent it to my SD mail service.  Two friends ordered gifts off Amazon, and immediately got word back there was a problem with the address.  (WTF???  Excuse me.)

Well, I went back in at 10am Sat. (Mail counter only open til noon on Sat.) to pick up the 2 packages, but they were not there. But UPS tracking showed they were there, received on 6/15 and signed for by the owner. I left, double-checked the one UPS tracking number, and returned insisting that the owner signed for it on 6/15 at 4:57pm. They gave me ONE package then. Turns out it was not the one I was expecting and so I checked that tracking number and learned it was delivered the same day as the first one. So where was the first one???  I went back again... they had hid them from me, not putting a notice in General Delivery folder for me, until they could talk to me and tell me NOT to have packages delivered there, not even if I rented a P.O. Box from them. O.K., they been talking to me about this for two hours now, where is my other package??? Finally, after standing and staring at the owner for 15 minutes, she casually says to the gal in the mail room, will you get her other package for her????  Only USPS packages would be accepted for me there. Well, I had discussed that with them in advance too… that ordering from Amazon, you had no way to select which carriers would be used.  One employee had even told me to call Amazon Customer Service and talk to them.  I told them there was no phone number for that… and she insisted there was.  I double-checked Amazon site and could not find one.

Altogether, I spent three hours going back and forth, getting on line, checking up on tracking numbers, only to find they could have given the packages to me at 10am and I would have been out of their hair.  So by 1:30pm, I was finished with them and on down the road to the General Store to rent a box there.


Parks in the Pines General Store, an old photo from their Facebook page..
Established in 1906

That stove, neat thing… it’s a replica and it is electric.

So, back (I had had breakfast there after not finding my packages at the other place – a Super Burrito-made two meals of that) at Parks in the Pines General Store (Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ParksStoreandDeli/) I rented a box. This is a brand new service… they are now an official Postal Annex… and so new, that many of the boxes are still unrented and the software is still being learned by the people working there.  I got to pick my own box number… just by looking to see which were empty.  These folks, Cary and Susan Asel, are great and so very sweet.  Susan even offered to let me leave my rig there free while I am section-hiking the Arizona Trail.

They also have a Deli there and the food is really very very good (got a Hawaiian Pizza last week to take back to camp and made four meals out of it.). 

There is a sitting area inside and outside.  And you can call in to order food in advance or to go.  Great deli…. http://route66historicparksgeneralstore.com/deli-special-s.html … see their menu.

I asked it I could call in weekly to see if I had mail, since it’s over seven miles one way from camp, and Cary said I could call in anytime. By this time, he is using my first name, like he had known me forever.  And they will also email me when mail comes in. What service!  I think they are capitalizing on the lack of service and bad karma given out at the other place.  I overheard men at the tables outside talking about how great it was to have this new Postal Annex run by caring people.

Oh, also, they have hitching racks outside for horses and do get riders.  I also noticed a lot of motorcycles stopping by.  This is my new home.  I’m adopting all of them.

They even filled a six gallon water jug for me, and Susan carried it to my van because she saw I was having trouble with my shoulder. I offered to pay for the water since everyone in this area has to pay to have water hauled in, but they would not take my money.  I am trilled to find such nice people here.  I plan to hob-knob a bit with the locals and see if I can’t arrange shuttle service to trailheads in the area.  I have a feeling some of these folk would love to help me with my goal to hike the entire 800 mile long Arizona Trail.

The other place gets NO MORE of my business. NOPE.

Yes, I am having my kicks on Route 66.  So if ever you are out looking for your kicks on Route 66, don’t pass up Parks in the Pines General Store (http://route66historicparksgeneralstore.com/).  It is a true treasure.

Arizona Trail Scouting Trips (Passages 1-3) (April 5-7, 2016)

These are mostly notes to myself, to track my progress and improvement.

Weather:  Pass: 1 – ?, Pass: 2 – hot, sunny.  Pass: 3 overcast and 83F at noon. Very comfortable.  Sleeping with door open at head of my bed.

Hiked: 

April 5: Passage 1: 7am-11:30am. Rough.  Distance: trying Pedometer and it says one way is 1.42 miles which I don’t believe is right.  Cost is $20 and I may return it. Visitor Center said round-trip it was 3.7 miles but that does not seem to match the signs.

April 7: Passage 3: 11am-12:30pm.  Hiked out about one hour.  Looked at rocks.  Felt good stretching my sore legs. Did not use Pedometer, so don’t know how far I went.  Tried talking to SPOT on phone this morning to fix tracking and thought it was working, but it sent no signal out.  Turns out “tracking” was still not turned on.  So, I don’t know the distance.

Internet Signal Strength:

Montezuma Pass:  4G

On the way to Mexican border: sporatic

Passage 3: south of where AZT crosses Harshaw Rd, parking on right side of road with great camping spots and 4G signal.  I got a lot of work done here.  It was also the quietest night I have had so far.

Blog Posts: 

Passage 1:  http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/2016/04/arizona-national-trailpassage-1-april-5.html

Passage 2 and 3: http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/2016/04/arizona-national-trailpassage-2-3-april.html

Passage 3 (cont.)  http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/2016/04/arizona-national-trailpassage-3.html

Mental Readiness:  I have my mind wrapped around the idea of doing the solo hike, but am fighting laziness in training.  I have to force myself to get out and go… but am really enjoying the wilderness when I do get out there.  I kinda resent running into other humans.

Physical Readiness:  A general feeling of wobbliness and being off balance, unsteady.  Tried using my new balance board inside the van and it is very doable.  I’ll begin with a timer for five minutes and gradually increase my time and learn other ways to use it… like on one foot????.

Legs:  Very sore after the 3.5 hr hike.  Sore very time I stood up. Skipped a day to rest them… then walked again for 2.5 hrs to loosen them up.  Felt good.

Shoulders:  Rt shoulder is sore, and the pinchy thing on my shoulder blade seems to be helped by massage with my Theracane.

Lungs:  A recent bout with COPD has me coughing some, and there is congestion in my right lung.  It seems better day by day.  My left nostril was bleeding a few days ago and seems to be healing now.

Feet: Pretty good, but cramp at night, have to keep socks on at night to avoid cramping.  I noticed when I walked downhill, I was flopping my feet down, letting them smack the ground.  I began paying more attention and controlling how I planted my feet, using my leg muscles more to control and strengthen them.

Using Magnesium Oil spray on sore muscles.

Equipment Notes:

Clothing:  My normal clothing was adequate.

Shoes: Old tennies,  not adequate.  Not enough tread, slipped several times going steeply downhill on scree. 

List of Equipment Needed

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Thank you for doing your usual Amazon shopping using my affiliate link.

Help me a little if you can by donating to my equipment fund for the Arizona Trail hike, in the Fall 2016.  I promise to pay it forward.  There is a PayPal donation button in the top right corner, but I realize people using phone may not see that so I am repeating the button below. You can see a list of gear I need at http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/p/wish-list.html .

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Contribute to Equipment for the Arizona Trail Hike.

WEEK FOUR—Arizona National Scenic Trail Hike Training—(August 2-8, 2015)

Goal: Hike The Arizona Trail.  It is an 800+ mile recreation trail from Mexico to Utah that connects mountain ranges, canyons, deserts, forests, wilderness areas, historic sites, trail systems, points of interest, communities, and people.   (From:  http://www.aztrail.org/at_about.html) I will be doing this as a solo hike. 

I would also like to raise money for some worthy cause at the same time, but have not yet selected a cause.  I am open to suggestions.  Email your ideas to me at:  charlene.swankie@gmail.com.   Right now I am thinking American Osteopathic Association???  Specifically, I’d like to help someone else get new knees and a new lease on life.  Would like to have your ideas.

 

Kayaking at Sugarite Canyon Park, NM.

Previous post.  

I have decided on writing a weekly post rather than a daily one.

Training Days Twenty-one to Twenty-seven (8/2-8/8, 2015,  Sun.- Sat):

What have I accomplished in the four main components of preparing for this challenge?

Last week’s update was not very inspiring or uplifting and I don’t feel this one will be either.  I am suffering from depression.  Hopefully that will change next week.

This week has been discouraging for me and I have gone back on meds that might help me. 

1) Get fit, food wise.  I did better this week in giving up sodas and Ice Cream, only two sodas, no candy, 1 pc of cake, and one ice cream.  There is this giant fake ice cream cone on the road by Dairy Queen… and it is very hard to drive past it.  But I resisted.  I did not keep track daily of food, but noted that my bowels are acting better and I have begun to get hungry when exercising.  That is very unusual for me.  Maybe it means I am loosing weight?  I did eat much better this week.

Next week, I am going to record on the calendar below, each fast food item I buy, including any sodas or junk food.  Also I keep a spreadsheet of my expenses and have a category for Fast Foods and junk.  I think I will take a look at what I spent the last few weeks and compare it to what I spend this next week.  Might help motivate me.

2) Get fit, fitness wise.  

Day 21 (Sun), I pretty much just rested. 

Day 22 (Mon) , Sick at my stomach, so no exercise. 

Day 23 (Tue),  Decided I needed a break from town so drove to Sugarite Canyon State Park and kayaked four hours.  Felt marvelous.

Day 24 (Weds), swam  3/4 mile, minus 2 laps due to a cramp in my right shoulder (probably from kayaking) in 55 minutes.

Day 25 (Thurs), swam 3/4 mile in 51 minutes, reducing my time by 4 min… the difference being that my cough has improved.  On exhaling, I would get a cough that often made me stop swimming.  I am controlling breathing better now, and if I don’t exhale quite as deeply, I don’t trigger the cough.  

Day 26 (Fri), No exercise.  Feel tired and depressed.  Slept all day thinking tomorrow was Friday and I could swim then.  I flubbed up.  Darn it.

Day 27 (Sat), Got no confirmation that I could join Folsom Archaeological Tour, so I decided not to use the gasoline to get there and back in hopes of getting in on the tour.  Still 11 days til payday and I have only 1/2 tank of gas left.

My lungs were bothering me less and less this week and I don’t feel the need to go to see a doctor.  I expelled some kind of clump of mucus or something and after that, my cough lessened.  I will swim more next week.  I almost have my breathing rhythm back… and can do full laps breathing only every other stroke.  This is huge.  Thursday, I swam almost the whole distance non-stop… but not with 100% perfect rhythm.  This is very good.

Yes, DEPRESSION is my biggest problem and I need to address that if my meds don’t help soon.  Half dose this week and full dose every other day next week.  I don’t know what resources there are in this community for such a problem but I am going to check it out this week.

Walking: Have not yet added a walking component, as just walking a couple blocks uphill to my van from the library gets me huffing and puffing.  It’s 6,680 ft in elevation here in Raton.  Didn’t know it would be so hard and maybe it won’t be when the cough stops.   My O2 level is fluctuating from 95% down to 84%… and that concerns me.  It does not stay that low very long, but it might be something I should check out.  Just part of the COPD issues.

Strength Training:  A trainer has recommended I add strength training  one or two days a week, and I have reviewed a couple videos on that and made notes and sketches of the various exercises.  I have elastic bands and will get that added in this week.   I asked this trainer and her spouse to be my “official” trainers, via email suggestions and comments, but they have declined as they are too busy.  I think I need a trainer cracking a whip behind me.

OK, I got my  calendar and will write out what my fitness plan is for each week, on the calendar.  Then I will just get up in the morning and DO IT without thinking or having to decide each day.  I will alternate my swimming plan, and add in a walking/running plan.  Soon I am going to add in an uphill walk.

The # circled on the left edge is the WEEK of training.  The # in the upper left corner of each day is the day # of training.  I wrote in the word Swim on the weekdays... and will fill in the distance and time each day.  On Sat. I have put down my current weight in black and my goal weight in pen (though weight loss is not my goal).  If I loose a safe 2 pounds a week, I will reach my ideal weight of 190 by the end of the year.  Yes, at 190 I am about a skinny size 12... my bone and muscle mass are very dense compared to an average size woman.

Weight 190.  1967

3) Learn how to ward off biting bugs.   Have not begun experimenting with different repellants, as there just aren’t many bugs here.  But for future reference, I’m going to  make a list of ideas.   Did get an alert from my health insurance on the subject… with this recommendation: 

There are many different kinds of insect repellent, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends products that have at least one of the following active ingredients:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• IR 3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus

For more details see this link http://www.tricare.mil/Summerbugs080515 .

4) Get the equipment I need.  Backpack donated.  No other progress made on equipment needs this week.

Kink in my plans – RESOLVED.  My van was acting up but with better gas all is right with SwankieWheels again. 

My Weight?   Last week: 235 pounds       This week:  233 pounds    Weekly Loss/Gain = -2, Perfect.   Total Loss/Gain (since July 13) = -7 pounds.   Keep in mind, loosing weight is only a by-product of getting fit, not the goal.

Please click on the blue bar at the top “Join this site” to follow me.  You will get a notice when there is a new blog post.  Thank you.

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Thank you for doing your usual Amazon shopping using my affiliate link.

Help me a little if you can by donating to my equipment fund for the hike.  I promise to pay it forward.  There is a PayPal donation button in the top right corner, but I realize people using phone may not see that so I am repeating the button below.

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Contribute to Equipment for the Trail Hike or for the Note Cards:

 

WEEK THREE–Arizona National Scenic Trail Hike Training–(July 26-Aug 1, 2015)

Goal: Hike The Arizona Trail.  It is an 800+ mile recreation trail from Mexico to Utah that connects mountain ranges, canyons, deserts, forests, wilderness areas, historic sites, trail systems, points of interest, communities, and people.   (From:  http://www.aztrail.org/at_about.html) I will be doing this as a solo hike.  I would also like to raise money for some worthy cause at the same time, but have not yet selected a cause.  I am open to suggestions.  Email your ideas to me at:  charlene.swankie@gmail.com.

Storming in Raton, NM.

Previous post.

I have decided on writing a weekly post rather than a daily one.

Training Days Fourteen – Twenty (7/26-8/1, 2015,  Sun.- Sat):

What have I accomplished in the four main components of preparing for this challenge?

This week has been discouraging for me.   I was contacted by a local photographer/writer who wanted to interview me for a possible article for the news.  I thought “That should be interesting.”  Then got nervous about how I would look, how the van would look, etc.  But when I asked if I could preview the article and photo, he changed his mind. Said I had to trust him – a stranger?  I think I will decline future requests for interviews and just tell them, no more free-bees, as I will be SELLING my story in the future.

1) Get fit, food wise.  Found a gas station/convenience store that has a place called Alfredos, that makes good Mexican food.  They also have the Mexican popsicles in Café’ flavor.  Hard to find them.  Better for me than a pint of Hag Daz Coffee Ice Cream.  Also can get a large soda with lots of ice for $1.59.   One of the fast food places charged me over $3 for one half this size.  So I got the popsicle and the BIG Pepsi for less than it cost me for that coke alone yesterday.  Been sipping it all day long and still have 1/3 left.   And YES, I realize I need to give all that up.

Monday: drove out of town and parked (ha… at back entrance to Ted Turner’s property – there is a gate closed off on both these roads….  https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B053%2708.9%22N+104%C2%B028%2701.6%22W/@36.8858461,-104.4681863,93m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en)… and cooked my lunch… a steak some greens, and a couple of zucchinis.   Lots of folks drive down this road and then have to turn around and go back to town.  But otherwise, it was a nice stop.

On the one gate was a sign… and a keypad for entrance.  On the other road was a gate with a chain and padlock.  I think Mr. Turner must own both of these canyons?  Following the canyon on Google Maps, I think I have found Mr. Turner’s home???   https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B053%2708.9%22N+104%C2%B028%2701.6%22W/@36.9734097,-104.5831128,221m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en   Needless to say, I won’t be a guest there….  http://www.vermejoparkranch.com/_summerrates.

I took a ride later in the week out Highway 555, and the land on both sides of the highway, for the 20 miles I drove, belongs to Ted Turner.  Lovely drive.  More locked gated with his No Trespassing signs.  Never saw a public gate to the Vermejo Park Ranch.  Never saw a sign for the Ranch other than the No Trespassing signs.

This is one gate that goes up into that valley, and has the most used road I saw.  I’m thinking it must be nice to own such a grand piece of land and be able to allow it to return to a more pristine state.  Coal-mining operations have gone on there in the past (and maybe present?) and timbering operations were in progress as well.  There is a big lumber mill on the West edge of Raton, on Rt. 555.  I saw a big logging truck coming from the west toward town.

		Ted Turner’s Ranch VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Tuesday: I bought no FAST food.  Fruit smoothie for breakfast, hamburger patty, fresh greens and pita bread for lunch, plus yam/apples mix.

Remainder of week:  More fruit smoothies for breakfast.  Ate more greens this week and NO Candy bars.  Still a battle with sodas and ice cream.  Is this hopeless?

Friday: Depressed.  Accidentally took two days worth of meds and by Sat. morning had the runs.  In spite of that, I lost no weight this week.

The pool is lovely and the climbing wall is neat.  I tried to pull myself up on it… talk about hard.  The entire pool has strong water jets all around it… and so water is always choppy, making just walking in it a workout.

2) Get fit, fitness wise.   Day 14, I pretty much just rested.  Day 15, no exercise.  Day 16,  I  swam 1/2 mile, didn’t note time.  Coughing.  Day 17, swam  3/4 mile in 60 minutes.  Coughing is still a problem.  Day 18, swam 3/4 mile in 55 minutes.   Days 19 & 20… no swimming.  Can’t swim on weekends.

My lungs were bothering me some over last weekend, without swimming.  But didn’t feel well Monday morning, so drove to get some gas, then visited a local gym to see what the cost was, then did online research about the Silver Sneakers program and learned my insurance does not cover the program, whereas many insurance companies do.  I can not afford that gym.  May see a doctor next week if cough hasn’t gone away.  I feel depressed and in need of a support group.

Sleep is important in good fitness.  Monday, July 27, I packed my DVD Player and DVDs away so that I am not tempted to stay up for hours and hours every night watching them.  I will take my health books, and my hiking books to bed with me.  Reading always puts me to sleep.  Then I will be refreshed and ready to work out in the morning.  Toward the end of the week I noticed I was more refreshed and feeling like I was getting too much sleep.  Still when I wake in the morning, I feel depressed and it’s a real effort to get up.  Last night, Friday, I got it out again and watched a bunch of House episodes.  I am now thinking DEPRESSION is my biggest problem and think I need to address that.  I have been on meds in the past for that and may go back on them.

Walking: Read up on how to begin walking/jogging at http://www.thefitrv.com/fitness-tips/how-to-start-running-later-in-life/ .   This guy’s wife is a personal trainer and has a set of videos geared for RVers on how to keep fit on the road.  I’ll be studying them and adapting them for my own program.  Have a look - http://www.thefitrv.com/category/workouts/ .  The gal’s name is Stef.  I got an email back from her today.

Hi Charlene!

Wow, what adventures you have had! I love hearing from readers like you, it's so inspiring for me. Your hike next year sounds amazing. What a great way to spend your retirement, challenging your body and tapping into your potential. Very few of us attempt that. I hope to be like you when I officially retire. Thanks for role modeling and inspiring a fit lifestyle for retirees!

I lived in New Mexico for a good decade. I was a teacher in the Albuquerque public school system! I know of Raton, and I'm very fond of the state. Such a unique place. 

James and I are actually in the market for some kayaks right now. We are leaning towards Jackson kayaks, but if you have any tips and suggestions, let me know! There's a family that writes for Winnebago GoLife: the Holcombe's, have you read any of their blogs? They are full-time RVers, professional kayakers, amazing photographers, and they have an 11-year-old daughter who is also a talented kayaker. We went kayaking with them recently and realized how much we have to learn!

I will definitely go and check out your blog, I want to follow along as you take on this challenge next year. Perhaps we will cross paths and be RVing somewhere near you and we can meet up on your journey.

And just remember, fitness and exercise has got to be nonnegotiable to age well. So get those walks in, get that exercise in, and keep yourself well so you can kick butt on your hike next year!

Sending good vibes for a successful journey,

Stefany

OK, I am going to buy a calendar I can carry with me… and write out what my fitness plan is for each week, on the calendar.  Then I will just get up in the morning and DO IT without thinking or having to decide each day.  I will alternate my swimming plan, and add in a  walking/running plan.  Soon I am going to add in an uphill walk.

3) Learn how to ward off biting bugs.   … this coming week and will begin experimenting with different things.  No progress yet, but a misquote fogging truck drove past my parking spot yesterday (Friday).

4) Get the equipment I need.  Exciting to get an email from someone who is offering to GIVE me a good backpack.  I looked it up online and wrote back with a few questions.  Also tried to research the pack I bought from Wal-Mart a couple years ago and could not find it online so it is difficult to compare the two.  However, I feel the one I have is inadequate for a long hike.  Will follow-up.  Now reading through a book on the Pacific Crest Trail (which was useless as it is ONLY a trail guide… nothing about prep, or food, or equipment).  Communicated more with the person willing to donate a good backpack to me. She was also willing to give me a tent, but it pretty much sounds like what I have now.  Tuesday, got more details on the backpack and am waiting photos of it.  Have since seen the photos and accepted this backpack.  I will be picking it up in person in Mesa, AZ when I head to Quartzsite, AZ.

It seems to rain a lot here.

Kink in my plans.  My van is acting up and it turns out the fuse for the cig. lighter is also a fuse for the computer.  Pulled the fuse, it was blow, replaced it, and walla… the computer works.  Got some codes on possible problems, swapped out a couple more fuses for the Oxygen Sensors… and darned if the van isn’t running better!  Another code might have been thrown due to cheap grade gas.  Going to fill up with GOOD gas and see how that effects things.  Guys at Auto Zone thought my Catalytic Converters were clogged… and guess what, my van has four of them.  Not accepting that diagnosis, and still hoping for a less expensive fix.  Here is what I don’t understand, the van seems to be running better now, and the fuses and better gas is all I changed.  Then the next day it seems sluggish again.  If anyone has thoughts please share them.  I just don’t have the funds for major mechanical work right now.  I don’t have any funds right now, for anything.  So very tired of being broke.

My Weight?   Last week: 235 pounds       This week:  235 pounds    Loss/Gain = 0   Keep in mind, loosing weight is only a by-product of getting fit, not the goal.

My apologies to my readers that this Update is not very inspiring or uplifting.  Hopefully that will change next week.

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In Search of Solitude

Well, I lived through the drama (unplanned trip to Seattle, WA, son’s 2nd hip surgery and complications, upcoming heart surgery for my granddaughter, damaging my van requiring replacement of three right side doors, hassles with insurance company and auto repair shops, the threat of loosing my van, repairs, being “homeless,” being taken is by wonderful friends who I will never be able to repay, and feeling suicidal).  I have come out the other side, not exactly looking back on it all and laughing yet, but I’m moving in that direction.  And I have my van home back and I’m on the road again.

Once past Eugene OR going south, the world begins to feel a little more sane, and traffic starts to ease up. I knew there was a WINS (Wandering Individuals Network) gathering not far off my path, so I contacted them to see if I could join them overnight. For a few years I had thought about it, but recent photos they posted of kayaking adventures inspired me to actually stop, socialize and join signing up for a 1 year membership ...($70). There is a members' blog list, which I asked to be added to.   (Normally I add a link to things like WINS but I will not… you can google it.) The next morning I met at their hugging circle (right just what I needed a bunch of hugs from strangers)... and listened and watched, as they received instructions for the day. Everyone was happy and excited, but it reminded me a little of being back in grade school with the teacher at the head of the class and all the little obedient children paying attention. Then as they departed for the various activities, the president came up to me with a couple questions about my blog and what I needed to remove/change about it in order to be listed on their list. Sanitation... he said he could not list my blog as long as there was anything on it about going to the toilet. WTF??? Really! Here is the page in question. http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/p/sanitation.html . I said it would be fixed but as I parted and headed down the road, I just got increasingly more aggravated by his request. So later in the day, after discussing this with a couple of my friends on FB Chat... I decided to cancel my membership application and request a refund.. I decided WINS was just not a good fit for me... and after six years of writing that blog, I was not going to change it to protect their sensitive members from the topic of "living small." Poop on that. (Pun intended).  Now if my readers complained, I might make some changes. So off I went in search of solitude. Getting closer, but nope, this is not it. Water in the man-made Galesville Reservoir was depressingly low and I didn't need anything else depressing in my life right now. Onward. Not a bad place, that Galesville Reservoir and it might be fun to kayak, but I don't have my kayak with me. And no overnight parking is allowed anywhere but the campground, which had only a few closely-packed sites with no privacy for $15 a night. I can do better... onward. But I am beginning to see more wildlife... wild turkeys, geese flying south... etc. OK Swankie still flying south too... While waiting in Washington for my van, I became driven to get away from the cities, the pollution, the people, the traffic and find some solitude and a mountain. Well yesterday morning sunrise, through the smog... sun is off to the left still... was o.k. but I can do better.... need mountains. Air in OR down Rt. 5 was awful, burning my throat in spite of having windows closed, A/C on and wearing a mask. I had to get out of this. Onward... need a mountain.


Last evening, I spent time half way up this mountain on a paved road, little traffic, but I didn't sleep well. I knew I could not sit outside at this location and paint... so I kept driving higher on the mountain this morning until I came to this. Finally, a mountain. I have only passed two parked vehicles coming up here... and I think I will stay awhile. Maybe a day, maybe more. I need to heal my heart, my body, my mind, my throat, my soul.  I can begin to do that here. A Swankie-style home. I challenge any of those WINS members to wake up to this view.. they could not even get their rigs up here. They are camped literally on the highway in Junction City, OR in an RV Dealer Parking lot. Would you trade this for that? So here is my new camp. I can't make a fire and probably wouldn't if I could, but I have a very nice and clean fire ring, and I can sit out there in the morning and enjoy more sunrises. The road coming in to my camp. Only the last little stretch of the road was off pavement. Been on roads much worse. And there is one low area I would want to get back across if rain threatened, but skies are clear and dry. https://www.google.com/maps/place/42°22'56.9%22N+123°38'12.5%22W/@42.3820346,-123.639298,439m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en Here I will finish this painting for a friend in Paso Robles. Last commitment I have to anyone else. I will then be free again. I have solitude here, to think, to find myself again. I don't know how I got so off track back in March, but I vow to work hard at never letting that happen again. Only ONE thing could make this day better and that would be if there was water here and I had my kayak. So it can get better than this, but for today, this is all I want or need. I have plenty of food and water and a cell signal. I am blessed.

BE TRUE TO YOUR OWN BEST SELF.

 

(Updated: Sept. 29, 2014) Painting delivered, customer happy.