The Bridge

This trip was supposed to be all about today. As I was getting stronger, walking more, and continuing to lose weight I had set a goal. Something I had never done before. Something that would push me. Something that would make me feel like I accomplished something big.

I was going to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

But I've been scooter-dependent these last few weeks because of the disastrous knee. I was quite sad knowing today wasn't going to happen. I resigned myself to leaving the ship this morning, stopping by Fisherman's Wharf to grab a San Francisco sticker for scooter, going straight to the hotel, and then staying there for the day.

Things were set in motion very early this morning to change that. I'm not sleeping well because of the knee. Thank goodness. If it weren't for the pain, I wouldn't have seen this sight out my cabin door before daybreak.

As I was sitting there watching as our ship passed under the Golden Gate Bridge I happened to look down at my arm. "I choose joy."

And it hit me. It's okay. While I was seeing a sight many get to see, I was seeing it from a direction - and at a spectacular time of day - that fewer get to experience. I choose joy and all is good with me whether I can walk or not.

Then somewhere between getting off the ship and my scootering over to Fisherman's Wharf I got this idea I was going on a city tour. One that stopped at the bridge. And before I could talk myself out of it I was on the Golden Gate Bridge with Scooter. Scooter took me from one side to the other and I have the pictures to prove it.

If those pictures weren't enough proof of an amazing day, I scootered my way back to the pier for dinner (delicious)

and captured Alcatraz with a sailboat in the foreground, right from the comfort of my table.

Yep, all is good with me whether I can walk or not.

Bueller Wisdom

I spent my Mother's Day on a cruise ship with no phone service. Outside. By the pool. In the glorious sunshine. Watching movies on the big screen on the ship. "Movies Under the Stars" they call it. (They run movies at night, too.).

Ferris Bueller was one of those movies. Remember his quote at the end?:
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

To all those mothers with little kiddos or big kiddos, please don't forget the wisdom of Ferris.

Happy Mother's Day.

Butchart Gardens

Of my prior three trips to Victoria, BC I never made it to Butchart Gardens. I did today. Very wheelchair (and scooter) friendly. I took way, way too many pictures of flowers. Here is just a fraction of the beauty to be found there.

Yes, I am

For those who predicted this was the adventure I was taking by myself, you were right.

Today we leave from Vancouver, BC. Tomorrow's stop - Victoria. 

The Big Test

I have to pass this test. It's everything I believe in. It's how I'm trying to live my live. Adventure. Opportunities. Excitement.

But my knee has struggled to keep up. All the walking, the treadmills, the being on my feet has destroyed it. I can't take a step without excruciating pain so until I get a new knee (after kiddo's wedding) my life is being lived with a cane and the scooter. Pain - the really bad kind - darkens your world.

But pain wasn't an issue when I planned this adventure. So I find myself struggling to go forth with a positive attitude. But go forth I shall. I choose joy. (Or at least that's what my tattoo tells me.)

The solo,
handicapped,
suck the marrow,
trains, planes, automobiles, and ships
adventure begins now.

First up, hop a plane to Seattle. Take the light rail into the city. Visit Pike Place Market in the pouring rain. Just me and scooter. And flowers. And veggies. And fish. And the most delicious salmon-potato croquettes from a restaurant in the market.

Second up, take the light rail to the Amtrak station. 

Hop a train to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Next up? You'll just have to wait and see. But if you know my travel patterns, you probably could venture a pretty good guess. 

Poor Tree

Remember these gorgeous blossoms on a tree outside kiddo's apartment?

That pretty tree is no more. A windstorm turned it on its side.

Poor tree.

Egg Discovery

Look what kiddo found behind our shed when she was staining the fence. Any idea what bird lays these kind of spotted eggs in the dirt?

Happy Easter

Hmm...an Easter Lily. 

Happy Easter!

Color Swap

It was time for a color swap in the Boise house. First up, the bedroom. The room has been living with the wallpaper and trim from when the manufactured home was built years ago. Now a new color scheme. An arctic blue wall color and silky white trim. What a different paint makes. 

And an even more amazing transformation? The bathroom. Dark to light. Gotta love paint!

Views are Good

A view from a parking lot can be good.

High Altitude is Bad

Last night on the treadmill I was dragging. It was a very hard workout where I couldn't hardly catch my breath. I kept thinking it was just because I had a long day so I pushed through all 45 minutes. When I went to the pool, I couldn't swim as many laps as I usually do - I really noticed my lungs were struggling.

But it wasn't until this morning when I had to keep taking rest breaks while getting ready for my meeting, particularly when I had to lean over the sink to brush my teeth (and catch my breath), did it make sense.

It's the altitude. While being home and at work and in Boise my lungs have improved dramatically. But in this almost 6,000 foot altitude in Sun Valley it's obvious the lungs aren't so perfect. Darn.

Guess I needed a wake up call. Remember, Deb, you're not Superwoman. So no more treadmill while I'm here. And walking to my meetings? Not all that fun. And to think I purposely left my scooter home for the first time in a year.

Something else bad? Cheese sticks that have been to Los Angeles, sidetracked to Puerto Vallarta to Minneapolis to Boise to Marsing, then to San Antonio to Marsing to Sun Valley. They don't make for a very good snack. Now they are traveling to the trash.

Something that could potentially be worse? Not getting to spend time swimming. Come on, lungs. Hang in there.

Goals are Good

Go to work.
Go to Boise.
Drop off three bags of too-big-for-me clothes at a local charity.
Go with daughter to get stamps for wedding invitations.
Go to daughter's apartment and help stamp invitations as I watch a webinar for work.
Drive another 160 miles to another work conference.
Hit the treadmill for 45 minutes.
Hit the pool.
Climb into bed by 8:30.

All tasks done, my goals for the day complete. Throw in a picture of a tree blooming outside my daughter's place and a cat put to sleep by both the webinar and the repetition of stamping envelope after envelope? Makes for a long, exhausting, but good day.