Sabbatical

 

Sabbatical. That’s about the only word I can think of for my state of mind today.  I’ve read

stories of people who headed out for their big journey, only to be detoured, given an unexpected

right turn and then needed to pursue that.  Surprise!  Surprise! Looks like that’s now me. 

Tomorrow morning I leave Billings for Casper, WY. I’ve booked a room for 30 days, maybe

more.  Some of my peeps indicated I might need to ‘pause’ to reflect on this new stage of

my life.  I’m definitely in ‘pause’ mode. I always said bicycling is a favorite mode of traveling

as it slows everything down. Allowing time to enjoy all the sights, smells, energies around me. 

But now I’m finding out that using a walking cane slows me down even further, placing me

literally in ‘pause’ mode.  

Why? I ask, and the answer feels like I need time to be aware of this paradigm shift as

it's occurring. Awareness of a “beingness” developing inside me, verses me doing an

activity on the external.  I’ve realized for some time that I was leaning toward this

“beingness”, but not now! Not when I’ve had this planned for 3 years, later on down

the timeline would be more convenient.  

The Universe seems to have a different schedule than mine.  I guess just following

my desires is not going to take me to my destination. Maybe my desire activates my

destination?  If any of this makes sense to anyone, let me know so I can know also. 

Namaste……

Difficult News

Chiropractor visit!  My left leg with the hip replacement locked

up on me and I could barely walk on it.  I’m in Billings, MT for

a few days, so decided to visit the chiro and get an x-ray and treatment.

I knew, but had forgotten about, this situation with my spine. Seven

years ago, I’d had an x-ray of my left hip and was informed that my

lumbar - coccyx spine was not in good condition.  Evidently, it has

worsened over the years, and not until I was up on the trail - bike

loaded with stuff and pushing hard on those uphill climbs did I realize how

much I had stressed my lower back.  Today's x-ray shows there is very little cartilage

left between vertebrae, so the nerves are exposed and compressed,

affecting my whole left leg.  I got a cane today which helps tremendously

to take pressure off my left leg.  

I’m in Billings a few more days, then I’ll take a bus to Casper WY,

where I’ll take a few weeks to recuperate, I should know at some

point what decision I need to make.  Best scenario, maybe a portion

of the ‘Cowboy Trail’ which is on a fairly flat level, elevation-wise.

Maybe - maybe - maybe?!!!!

I had felt so assured for the past 2-3 years that I really wanted to

do this venture and now this?  I’ve said for many years

that ‘my God’ has a weird sense of humor but this is ridiculous. 

So now what is on the drawing board for me?

Feel like I’m left in limbo - no answers but a lot of questions unanswered. 

Definitely need much prayer and reflection time. Was I too hasty - don’t

believe -- anyway!!!!????

Bike in a Box

 

Well shifting gears today. I was going to just be bussing  

over the snow on the next mountain pass and I needed 

to box up my bike for the shuttle. Buses wont take bikes  

without being in a box and I started to think. I don’t

bike in snow.  I am in North Bend Washington now and

heading into serious mountains for a few more states. 

Having issues with walking & pushing my beasty bike

uphills. They seem to be getting more steep and longer

uphills.  Having metal (6 screws and a steel plate) in my

right ankle now for 40+ years, I’ve been able to maneuver

pretty well with walking some, but biking works much better.

I had a left hip replacement 5+ years ago, which adds another

dimension to my limitations-restrictions.  Biking appears to

going great on flatter surfaces, but walking, especially

having to push the beast over the hills, is getting tough. 

Yesterday, I pulled a hamstring in my left leg which added

more discomfort because I had to push - carry my bike

up this switch-back (6) level hill with no grade

(kind of like Turtleback Trail).  

Anyway, I’ve decided to will change my strategy -

my bike is in a box now. I want to get out of the

mountains and find leveler ground.  Probably knock out

3 states and a 1,000 miles - I’m okay with doing 3,000 miles

instead of 4,000 miles, yeah!  KRJ booked a greyhound

bus to Billings Montana, have a few days layover there

- then head to Casper, WY, still 5000 ft. elevation, 

but coming down to 2500 ft. in Valentine, NE to begin the very flat

Cowboy Trail.  Wish the bus went to Valentine,  

but Casper is the end of the road.We watched a video of two guys biking

this part of the country, it feels doable from there. 

I’ll build my strength heading east toward Iowa. 

I might push myself at times, but I won’t risk life & limb.  

Will add more later once I’m back in my motel again. 

Met some amazing folks yesterday - life is precious and fun!

Thursday am - Waiting for my liftoff - everything I own right here!!!- North Bend, WA.  - 10 AM Thursday 

 

Whatever it takes

 Sunday April 11th -

It’s been a week since I left my comfy recliner at home and it was test day yesterday.  My 2 hour planned trip past Washington University turned into 7 hours. Got lost, turned around, got too much info from someone who told me to backtrack. Where I intended to go as my trail map showed, confused me as the same trail was on both sides going around Lake Washington.  Long story short - I got f….ing lost.  Should have called my reliable navigator, KRJ, next time I will!  But tested to the max, mentally & physically, I had no desire to quit or give up.  That will set the stage for the remaining journey.  

Lesson learned that my 80 years of age has different restrictions than I did at 40 0r 50.  Never pushed my bike uphill  - now I do - I must.  Never got lost on a bicycle - now I see it's possible.  I’ll have 4 layers of top clothes on - get too warm, then the wind picks up - and I get chilly.  Keep ‘er going, don’t stop.  My motto has been for many years - “do what it takes, not do your best” - doing my best is bullshit - could give up at any time then.  “Get ‘er done”!

Kim here, Seattle has been an interesting lesson for me in just how closely we’ll be following the Great American Rails-to-Trails map. A path from A to B that might be 20 miles on google maps, becomes 50 miles on rails to trails, mainly because the trails are more beautiful on the 50-mile trek, I get it, but Bill is 79 years old. I think actually making it across the country is the wider goal. This week we let go of a good section that he’ll never see, but who cares. He still has done the 50 miles over the 20, but now I know better. In the 12 steps they always say, KISS, Keep it simple stupid. So my wonderful husband will be hopping a shuttle this week over a 3000 ft. snow-covered mountain pass. He never wants to see snow, but I’m sure he’ll be happier to see it from a bus. He still has 30 miles of biking before that bus and 1200 ft of elevation and it has been chilly already, so he’s taking a break to prepare. I realize now I’m the virtual sag wagon and actually, I’m loving it.

Monday, April 12th - There was some complaining going on today about 2 tires being too tired..so I needed to get it (him) off his feet for a day.  I’m in motel 6 and have 2 beds - this seems to work out fine for now.  Resting up here for 2 days before I head into the mountains.  My travel agent informs me of what is ahead and snow is part of the equation - strategic planning is needed for this endeavor.  I hope it (he) will be rested up and so will I.  I-Hop is next door so will have some cakes in the morning ...and so it is!!!!!

First AirBnB

Bill writes...

Stayed 1 night at Air-b-n-b in a suburb of Seattle, Wallenford.  Very upscale, 1920-1930’s, colonial looking style houses.  Everything groomed & professionally crafted feeling; not my type.  I'm a more organic, homemade, self-made person. My grandpa was that way on his farm.  Built his own sheds - made a machine shop from an old railroad boxcar - had a welder & crafted and designed stuff he needed around the farm.  People who know me have seen my yard/place and nothing looks too professional manicured.  It gives me the feeling of uncertainty - things could change at any time - and they have and they are.  

This place tonight is soooooooo perfect, like a showcase or museum, too orderly.  Also, Air-b-n-b’s are in neighborhoods where there is no cafes or stores - I’m walking this trip around my world.  It’s very comfortable living but not sustainable long term for me.

It is morning now and I am hearing & seeing robins singing in the trees and hopping around on the green grass outside my bedroom window.  Reminds me of MN - we always had lots of robins especially in spring - was a good feeling for me as a kid because it signified that the damn cold winter was ending.  Birds have always fascinated me.  Back then I carried a notebook in my pocket to remind me when & where & what birds I was witnessing, then compared it to my notes of the previous year.  Nature has always been a part of my visual & instinctual environment.  I am noticing many blossoming trees here but no one I ask knows - hmmmmmm, why?  Why does my internal radar see so much?  Then I don’t get answers to all my questions!!!  Again. 

PS:  was just in the kitchen and found a ‘crumb’ on the floor, OHH!!

Bill is Ready to Ride

 

Before heading out of the city, he had to see the famous Gum Wall of Pike Place Market, where everyone - or millions of everyones - have placed their used gum in the alleyway. Did someone at any point say, disgusting? 

The journey so far has been eventful. Bill wrote in the first days on the train from Los Angeles to Seattle...

Apr 6, Tues - having coffee in observation car - gorgeous view with Mount Shasta while at the same time saw the only mile marker ‘333’ signifying the presence of the masters. The Pleiadian beings, thought to live inside the mountain in the 4th &5th dimensions, show me I am here as scheduled!!!  That and the babbling brook running alongside the train create quite the view at this moment!!!  Synchronicity abounds.    

Earlier, at the Pismo beach stop, a large farming water hauling truck hit our train - knocked the front end off the truck and busted the radiator - lost all its engine water.  The train inspectors had to come out, inspect the tracks and make sure they were okay. The local sheriff and other authorities were all involved.  We stopped for over an hour.

 

Then, I met a guy seating behind me on the train, who indicated he had an issue with his train ticket schedule - something about where he goes after Seattle.  Dias, was his name. I saw that he was discussing this with several other people on the train. And as I sat there listening, I had this vivid thought that this guy was going to need a place to sleep tonite as we get into Seattle at 8:30pm.  I told him I have a room already reserved and could offer him to join me.  He helped me get my bike stuff to my room (which I'd had to dismantle in Abq) and we were able to switch to a 2-Queen bedroom, rather than my one King so he could stay for 2 days and get his situation resolved.

He is a religious guy, the Lord instructs him every day, but 

somehow he ended up on this detour - via him wanting

to go Jerusalem!  We had some interesting chats on how

each of us found Jesus in our lives.  Alcohol was my

 experience to find spirituality after 20+ years of drinking.  

His was 10 gunshot wounds in his body!  I guess that 

would get my attention also.  He left this AM with a backpack 

- on foot - heading east - he trusts in the Lord to get him 

somewhere, sometime!!!!

……………..and the beat goes on…………

Yesterday determined my STUFF was way too much and heavy, I sent a 

large USPS box home.  Reality is setting in what is reasonable to carry along & what is too much.  Downsizing to a manageable level, I'll try this out for a few days as I'll be in Seattle.  Day 3 coming up now.  

 

April 8th 

Moved to the Green Tortoise Hostel @ 2pm today, bottom bunk with the window

open, sunny.  Have a young couple as roomies from Bolivia - both have

master's degrees - 26 & 32 years old - and traveling around the world, kinda. 

They work at the hostel so get free rent.  I get free breakfast in am - coffee available 24/7. 

Had lunch @ pike’s fish market - Athenian - seafood omelet with salmon, cod,

shrimp - yummmooo!!, had to ask for hot sauce though used to it now from NM. 

 

My room at the Hostel is upstairs, up a long flight of stairs, somebody had to

carry my bike up.  Not going to take it down again till I leave, won’t be traveling

much now here.  This is so miraculous how the kinda people I’m running into. 

Got another day yet tomorrow.  

April 9th 

Last evening in the hostel, my roomies, Barbra & Diego had to take their turn

to make the evening meal for the staff.  Brought me some leftover pizza and

a muffin.  Perks for having awesome roommates.  This hostel is in excellent

condition, clean & well run.  Free breakfast in the am - cereal & bagel - if you

want you can make some eggs yourself.  Took a long walk today to find my

route onto the trails in am - plus, I got some coaching from Kimberly to get

my shit together with the maps she made for me.  My initial idea 3 years ago

was to just get a map and follow it.  But her insight saw it was a lot more

involved & completed.  I need a good navigator for my ventures, thank god!!

So yes, talking to him tonight I could hear that he's ready to move on. Bill has had enough rest in the busy-ness of city life and is ready to have someone help him carry his bike back down 3 flights of stairs to begin his journey for real tomorrow, his first real biking day, where he'll skirt the city along the bay for 8 miles up to a nice Airbnb off of the Burke-Gilman Trail for one night before he'll take the next leg of it the 13 miles North along Lake Washington to Bothell. Safe journey, my love. Thank you all for sending love and great energy his way.

Final Prep

 Last day. Bill and I are quietly enjoying the time together. We packed the bike this morning. I'm pretty impressed wih how it all fit, with a bit of room to spare in most bags. 

I made him ginger cookies. His request for the train.

We'll be heading out before noon tomorrow, Easter Sunday, and stopping for a nice lunch before he catches the train from Albuqurque to Los Angeles overnight and then Los Angeles to Seattle for another 10 hours.

I think we're both a bit spacey now that the time has finally come. Everything has gone so smoothly. Friends have helped in so many ways. The generosity has been very heartwarming. He can leave knowing the love of a whole village comes with him.

After spending three days this week following the trail online and posting more than two hundred links to trails and google maps to our shared Google Doc, to guide his days, I finally awoke this morning with excitement for him instead of free floating anxiety. 

I will be so blessed too and enjoying a bit of fun myself Sunday. After I drop him at the station, I'm going to a Frida exhibit at the Albuquerque museum. An event I've been looking forward to for almost a year. Then I'll stay overnight and do some shopping before picking up flour from the mill Monday on the way home. To a strangly empty home.

And the adventure begins.