Song of the Open Road.

Everything is changing!  Adventure is in this family's blood it seems and we're all tuning up for big changes.

~~~

Security is mostly a superstition.  It  does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it  Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.  Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

 Helen Keller 

 ~~~

Early in 2014, Ed and I plan to put our Whidbey Island home on the vacation home circuit; pack a few items; get our shots and passports updated; buy our airline tickets; crate up our dog and bicycles; and take off for Cuenca, Ecuador.  Now, of course, there could still be a kink in our plans, like health issues, but barring problems we are looking for a new living adventure early next year.

Cuenca, Ecuador
Population - 350,000,  Elevation ~ 8,500 ft.

Cuenca, Ecuador
Average day temperature - 75 degrees
Average night temperature - 50 degrees
Hours of light per day 12 - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Yessi and Brad are also making life-changing plans that include the complicated details of how to hurdle their respective country's barriers to be together.  Neither China nor the United States of America are easy to negotiate for Green Cards, Work Visas, and meeting all the legal details of living together in one or the other's country.  Nothing is cemented for  them yet either but they're in the crazy Skype  mode daily as they talk about a million logistical details.

Yessi & Brad 

Brad, Fran Yessi & Ed

Stay tuned for how this all plays out.  Right now I'm just hitting the surface in this blog because we're all still skimming on the surface of what these big changes mean and how they'll play out.  

It's all very exciting, albeit a little scary, but adventure is what we all want and adventure is what we're getting.

Song of the Open Road

Henceforth I ask not good fortune—I myself am good fortune;

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.

Strong and content, I travel the open road.

Walt Whitman

Above the Storm

As it was storming here along the edge of the Puget Sound, high above in Glacier Peak Wilderness, Brad was looking down on the wild weather hitting the Puget Sound Region.  I thought he'd be drenching wet, miserable without sun or views. I was also a bit concerned for his safety with so much lightning and him high above tree line.  Gratefully, how wrong I was as the storm was low and Brad was high above it.  He watched the lightning from his mountain perch.  Each night his little blue tarp protected him from rain but each day the sun came out to warm and dry him. 

Home Sweet Home

Looking down on the storm

Beautiful lakes tucked into the snow covered mountains

Enough clouds for beauty and interest, but not so many as to block the views

Beautiful meadows, rugged mountains, and drifting clouds 

And, after thinking nothing could be more beautiful than the Olympic Mountains, Glacier Peak Wilderness has leaped ahead on Brad's favorite list.  What's abundantly clear is the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest, from sea shore to mountain top.  

Amazing Lightning!

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Vician Greene

Eddy Murdock Photography, Anacortes, WA 9/5/13

Storms in the US's northwest rarely result in lightning like this.  Fortunately, Brad arrived home before this broke, so I knew he wasn't still in the mountains.  Or on his cycle on the highway, but tucked away safe and sound  and dry in his cabin.  Our power went out but before that happened our DVD was so sensitive to the lightning activity it repeatedly shut down, making watching a movie out of the question.  A storm outside and good books were better options anyway.  

Eddie Murdock Photography
Anacortes, WA 9/5/13

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Come Again Another Day!

Today, Thursday, 80% chance of Rain

Brad is still hiking for Green Trails Maps in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area.  There have been sun breaks, but mostly rain since he left  on Monday.  He is expected home later today or tomorrow and will no doubt look like one wet puppy.    He travels light so packs  a tarp, not a tent, and with so many miles on his tarp it is no longer without holes.  Plus, his mode of transportation is a motorcycle, so once he gets back to his bike, he will have a long wet ride home.  Yessi is back in China, and much missed by us all, but especially Brad who loved hiking with her.

Brad and Yessi on the bike earlier in the summer.
So much more fun with good company and blue skies.

I'm pleased Brad is such an expert outdoors person, so I don't much worry, but I do always want for him happiness and I know being soaking wet will not make him especially happy.  Wet spells:

 U N C O M F O R T A B L E !

and uncomfortable means unpleasant and unpleasant means unhappy.  So there you have it.    I can only hope my assessment is totally wrong and by some strange coincidence it is dry in the mountains while it rains here on Whidbey Island.  What are the chances of that?

Yet, while hiking is unpleasant in the rain, my garden smiles.  The rain was much needed after a very dry summer.  The garden has been thirsty.  I watered, but there is no way I can water the way Mother Nature waters.  For conservation reasons I let the lawn brown out and all well-established plants are left  to make it on their own.  But, new plantings, and I still have quite a few this year, must be watered the first two years or they will die.  So water I must, from time-to-time.

Watering the vegetable garden is always a necessity, but also has high payback.  This month we are eating beets, onions, beans, potatoes, kale, cucumbers and carrots from the garden.  Plus the apples have been prolific -- Mr. Ed has packed our freezer with apple sauce he's made and passed it out to the neighbors as well.  Earlier in the year we harvested raspberries, and more raspberries, along with lots of strawberries and blueberries.   We ate fresh asparagus for two months and the peas were abundant.  It's been a very good vegetable garden season!

Yessi watering the vegetable garden and delighting in the rainbow. 

Back to Brad's adventure in the mountains, I hear thunder off in the distance.

Sweet Sorrow

We have been very lucky folks these past few months.  Brad's friend, Yessi, has been visiting the United States (more specifically Whidbey Island) since May.   Yessi and Brad met in New Zealand near the end of Brad's Te Araroa tramp in the spring of 2012.  They met up again in China in November of 2012 when Brad traveled to China for dental work, a Nepal trek and, of course, to see Yessi.  Then Yessi came here this spring where she completely wiggled and giggled her way into all our hearts.   Thursday, August 15, Yessi returns to China.  Missing her will be prominent  in all our hearts, but especially prominent for Brad.

During Yessi's visit she and Brad hiked and camped and hiked and camped and hiked and camped some more.  When on Whidbey they lived in a sweet little cottage in the woods.  They traveled from Washington to Oregon to California and back again -- from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.  They hiked Big Sur, Mt. Rainier, Glacier Peak, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains, Whidbey Island and even made it to the PCT kickoff in California's desert.

Yessi at the Pacific Ocean, CA

Brad & Yessi travel to their hiking and camping destinations
on the BMW bike

Brad and Yessi at Mt. Rainier

Brad and Yessi celebrate Brad's birthday at Hamma Hamma, Olympic National Park, WA

Saturday evening Yessi  generously treated us to  dinner at the Wild Ginger in Seattle.  She also hosted us to a tour of Boeing's Everett Plant, which Ed had done years and years ago but I never had, nor had Brad.   Boeing, being an interesting and integral part of Seattle's history, probably should be toured by  all of us so we understand more about our economic reliance on this region's huge and important company.  Thanks to the influence of a wonderful young woman from China, our family has learned more about one our region's most influential companies.  Like,  for example, for just a few million dollars I too could owe a Boeing plane.  Between Boeing and dinner, we made a stop at Ibex in University Village where Yessi purchased a new outfit at their 50% off sale.

Yessi at Boeing

Yessi & Brad shopping at Ibex in University Village

Brad and Yessi showing off their Ibex labels

Ed and Fran took a dinner-out-turn and treated Yessi and Brad to dinner at Cafe Langley on Tuesday evening.

Brad, Fran, Yessi & Ed at Boy and the Dog Park in Langley

“Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till

it be morrow.”

William Shakespeare

Back in the Saddle Again!

After surgery in April and then a second surgery again in May, I am finally released from bike riding restrictions.  Today was our first ride on our beloved tandem.  It was a short ride of only 7 miles but, oh so sweet to be back riding.

Fran & Ed on their trusty steed

Whidbey's "wow" factor!

When Brad and Yessi were planning for the visit of seven TuTwo company officials, they placed Whidbey Island on the itinerary.  Why?  Well, start with the famed ferry ride, then the extraordinary water views and not-to-be-beat momentous mountain views.  Top it off with the charming town of Langley, friendly people and striking architecture by dbBrad, and you've got a tour winner.

And, this is why Ed and I enjoyed the honor of the TuTwo visitors at our home.

Gathering on the lawn  at Fredley home on Whidbey Island.

Ed and I displaying our beautiful new fans-from-China on the Fredley home porch.

Showing off our town is always fun and always a hit.  This was no exception.  Pointing out creative gardens and  introducing visitors to charming people is always pleasing.  Strolling on this not-sunny but not-raining afternoon,  was exceedingly pleasant for visitors and tour guides as well.  Thank you Langley!  Thank you TuTwo!

Visiting the Langley City Hall's edible garden 

Langley Marina generated many questions and much enthusiasm

Because TuTwo is an outdoor company, Wander on Whidbey was very high on Brad and Yessi's list of shops to visit.  Naturally, Sarah never disappoints!

One of TuTwo's favorite shops -- Wander on Whidbey with Sarah, Brad and Yessi

The Langley Second Street Market was a popular stop for shopping with cucumbers and
blueberries being the favorites.

Good Cheer was a winner too! with Fran, Yessi, Brad and Ed

Celebrating Brad!

Camping marks a huge percentage of Brad's birthdays.  For 45 years of Brad-B-Day celebrations we usually find ourselves at some camp spot.  This year, with Brad and Yessi needing to hike trails in the Olympics for Green Trails Maps, that's where we headed for two days of restful car camping before they took off again for higher GPS trail mapping backcountry adventures.

This outing was the first "major" diversion from my surgery recovery.  Tent sleeping was a bit more difficult than usual and my diet took some interesting turns but that's what diversion is all about, isn't it?

We had a wonderful time, even though I couldn't hike and felt like I was a bit of a drag on the activities.     

Last year in July Ed and I were meeting Brad at high passes in California where the PCT crosses the road.   Finding ourselves at Lake Tahoe on July 13, we enjoyed a wonderful sushi dinner, for his birthday, giving him a great break from trail food.  

Ed, Benton, Brad & Yessi at Hamma Hamma Campground

Benton, Fran, Brad & Yessi gathered around the fire pit.

Benton Ed, Brad & Fran in camp

The tradition continues -- German Chocolate Cake!

The sun coming up at Hamma Hamma to start another beautiful sunny, warm day.

Yessi with flower in her hair.

Yessi, Brad & Ed 

The Olympic Mountains

For Brad  the Cascades in Washington always topped his favorites list, but he had not yet done much hiking in the Olympics.   He's one smitten guy.  A week (July 5 - July 10, 2013) of beautiful company, beautiful weather,  beautiful wildflowers, beautiful lakes & streams, and beautiful meadows makes for one pleased hiker.  It's strange that the Olympics have remained so unexplored because we see them from Whidbey Island and have said for years, "We must hike and camp the Olympics."  But, with a crowded and irregular ferry to get there it's always been easier to go east to the Cascades.  Still a ferry away but the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry runs often (every 1/2 hour) so it doesn't seem to be such a barrier.

Camp site view

Yessi & Brad with the beautiful Olympic Mountains in the background

Yessi & Brad with Fawn Lilies and snow covered peaks

Wow!

Constance Lake

Yessi

Brad in a bed of Fawn Lilies

The human sign post

The Peace of Grace!

 Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ 

There is nothing like a health scare and 27 days in the hospital to make one more than grateful for home, community, garden, friends and, most important of all, family.  Blessed indeed am I!  And, as I'm sure Emerson knew, although nothing can bring peace but one's self it sure helps to have all the wonderful trimmings.

The beautiful community of Langley street-dancing at Choochokam Art Festival

In late April, feeling great and strolling the garden with my cup n' pup, I suffered a surprise visit called a rectal prolapse.  Off to Whidbey General Hospital Emergency where I ended up having emergency surgery three fold in nature.  First, a hysterectomy due to an enlarged uterus and  a large fibroid creating space problems.  Second, to fix the rectal prolapse problem.  Third, to remove two colon tumors found in the process.  Although the initial reason for the hospital visit was unfortunate and exceedingly unpleasant, I can only be grateful for the problem as it led to the discovery of colon cancer.  Fortunately the cancer was  stage 1 with no nodes involved so no chemo or radiation is required and my prognosis is very good.  But a bit of a scare, nevertheless.  This entire procedure required an 8 day hospital stay. 

Once home, although sore, I felt great for three days before I started vomiting and feeling quite horrible.  Back to the hospital for the wonderful experience of adhesion.   Although adhesion is exceedingly common, who knew?  I sure didn't but it is particularly common after abdominal surgery.  Off to surgery again to correct the adhesion problem followed by 16  long, long days in the hospital before it all played out.

Home again.  Sigh of relief!  But then, after enough time that I though I was home free, here comes the vomiting again and back to Whidbey General.  This time it was partial adhesion and bowel blockage.  Yikes!  Another stay in the hospital but for only three days.

So here I am home again and feeling great and enjoying family and friends.  The secret is to keep the darn adhesion from reoccurring but there seems to be no silver bullet for that.  I drink my green juice and watch my intake and take flax and fish oil and vitamins, along with other good stuff and keep my fingers crossed.  Plus I walk and walk and walk.  The jostling is good as is the gravity.  Adhesions can occur again and again but I'm now working on being well and not sick so I'm maintaining hopeful thoughts. 

Brad, Fran & Ed celebrate Father's Day between my hospital visits
Mother's Day was in the hospital for me and Brad was in California hiking Big Sur.

Very much a part of our lives, sweet Yessi enjoying the garden

A lovely welcome back to the old-neighborhood- in-Seattle party.

And, then, did I mention my home and garden located on Grace Lane.  What pleasure they provide and how lucky I am to have had the luxury of working with my family to create this wonderful sanctuary.  Brad our designer and builder performed magic and Ed even got his computer-fingers dirty working the dream.  And I, although I didn't know it, created a garden that brings me, and all who live here or visit, a retreat of  peace and beauty.   So through sweat, tears, disagreements, hard work, broken finger nails, sunburn, sore muscles, frustration, laughter, hugs, and a clear vision or what we wanted, we created this oasis together -- Peace on Grace.

Our pond and water catchment system provides in-town habitat and beauty
 as well as being very valuable in handling our site's storm water 

Lush and inviting.

Our nestled home of many parts.