Propulsion...

I have been here before.

I have forgotten how the story goes.

I am being propelled forward.

I can't really stop it.

But I did, in some ways, start it.

I am going, going... but I do not know where it will end....


I posted this on Facebook...

Going to be way busy the next couple of days as I depart from the PNW and make my way to the Southwest! Tonight after work, seeing my friend's Shakespeare play, tomorrow night after work with the girl's I work with, Friday, my last day of work at the toy shoppe :(  After that, Saturday lunch with my hiking buddy, Sunday, my birthday with Gabe and Julia, then Monday get my van worked on and possibly my air conditioning fixed. Then to Lakeview to pick up my voting ballot and vote on the 8th. Over to Klamath to visit and do a painting job, and then I head south to pick up my Bestie for a birthday camping trip! Whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it. Don't know where I will be settling, but am looking forward to the beauty of the desert :)

Plans are moving me forward.

I just have to get through them.

And then....

I don't know.

I Move Forward, and a little bit South...

Satisfied pensive reflection...

I like this picture of me. It is not my usual smiley selfie. This was taken on the top of Neahkanie Mtn. earlier this week and I was feeling pretty proud of myself for the accomplishments of this summer.

Stay tuned for adventures from painting the living and dining room for the daughter of a friend, then camping and hiking in Death Valley and Zion National Park for our birthday trip.  We have a reservation in Vegas for one night but I imagine we will be too exhausted to cause much trouble before we head home to get CJ back to work.

Life is good and I feel blessed to be able to live mine in this way.


:)


.

I Am Alive... TO BE WRITTEN SOON

How I Spent My Summer Vacation...

Last year when I left Cannon Beach, I felt like there was so much I hadn't seen and done during my 5 months here on the coast.  I came back knowing that finding housing would be almost impossible, but I had a full time job.  I did not feel that checking into my previous roommate situation would be the best idea although I know the room is available.  Just too toxic a deal there.

If I had had a place, I would have used my days off to clean and sleep.  And cook... I would have enjoyed the cooking part.  Doing the vandwelling thing allowed me to be on the move, and my thought was, "If I can sleep here, I can sleep there" and would often drive a distance after work to explore.

I mostly want to thank my friend here, E., who went with me on hikes in the beginning until our schedules didn't coincide... but the experiences made me less afraid of going hiking on my own.

The following is not in chronological order, as I can't remember offhand but I sure had fun! :)

Events or Places I went to:

• Swedish Summerfest in Astoria
• Columbia Maritime Museum in Astoria
• Astoria Column - walked to top and flew a balsa wood airplane
• World Kite Museum in Long Beach, WA
• Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook
• Sailed on a Tall Ship from Ilwaco, WA
• Viewed the Wreck of the Peter Iredale
• Fall Kite Festival in Lincoln City

Hikes accomplished, not in the order of when they were done:

• Tillamook Head from Seaside
• Columby Lake with E.
• Fort to Sea Trail with E.
• Cape Falcon
• Bloom Lake Trail
• Munsen Falls Trail south of Tillamook
• Century Tree Trail out of Astoria
• Ecola Beach to Indian Beach north of Cannon Beach
• Short Sand Trail with E.
• Saddleback to Humbug Point with E.
• Kilchis Nature Trail near Tillamook
• Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River
• Triple Falls, Columbia River
• Saddleback Mtn. to the summit
• Young's River Falls south of Astoria
• Smith Rock State Park, Summit Loop Trail
• Neahkanie Mtn., South Trail
• Multnomah Falls, top of falls, Columbia River

Things I learned:

• How to fly a 2 handled delta stunt kite
• That I enjoy being able to come and go as I like both in regards to relationships and housing 

:)

Plans...

The weather on the coast has definitely changed to the colder and damp.  Not good for vandwelling.  Things come in wet, like jackets and my bag, and it never really dries out.  With the temp changes, the cats and I create condensation inside the windows, and then the van is never warm enough to really get rid of all of that either. So, it's time.  It's time to solidify those plans to go south.

I did receive The Proverbial.  Last night it was waiting for me after work...

Yes, it's time to "leaf."


So I will have my last day at work in just over 2 weeks, attending a friend's play with another friend, then taking off to spend my birthday with my son and his sweetie.  The next day, I travel into Portland to have my van serviced, and then to Klamath Falls for a painting job and visiting.  After that I head down to connect with my Bestie, CJ, and we are headed to Death Valley and Zion for a birthday camping trip.

After that, I currently have no clue.  I could go back to Havasu, but the pay was not so good, and finding a place to live on my wage was difficult.  I am thinking of checking Laughlin/Bullhead, or even Vegas.... lots to do there! Vegas Bucket List... ride all 4 roller coasters and the big ferris wheel!

I will be praying, and we will see what transpires as I do research.

* * *

Meanwhile, I had bagels on the brain this morning.  Went to get gas in Seaside and stopped at Bagels by the Sea for a Caprice Lox Onion bagel and some good coffee!  Both way yum!  First time I have ever been there.

Then I went to The Cove off of U Avenue to watch the surfers and the waves for a while.  Might be my last real chance for a while...

After that, the grocery store and work.

Hope you are having a great day also :)

Multnomah Falls....

So last week, I was able to take my son's sweetie. who is from Sweden, on a hike to the top of Multnomah Falls.  We actually spent the whole day together and had a great time. 

We stopped to see all the waters along the way, and took lots of pics!   4 waterfalls, 2 geocaches, and one engagement ring.... but no one is supposed to know that yet!




I had looked there, but she found our first geocache!

From that point, we took the Historic Hwy 30 Route.  We looked over Vista House and the Columbia River...

 Latourelle Falls, 282 feet high...

 

Bridal Veil Falls...

 

Looking over the bridge at Bridal Veil...

  

Wahkeenah Falls...

 

 

"Ma!!  She'e eating all the pineapples in the trail mix!!" 

  

 To the top!  Only a mile... uphill...

 

  

Made it! 

  

  

 

 

Then we went to Oneonta, where the tunnel and river to the falls is...

My pic of her in the tunnel...

 

 

 Simple and beautiful...

Sometimes, Too Fast... So Grab Life While You Can...

Life.  Life is going past too quickly.

The small town I am most recently from had a very tragic accident that took away a very wonderful lady who was a big part of the community.  She was only 52.

This occurance, along with a friend's father learning he has cancer, and the state of our county, and the state of the world, and the fact that Jesus is coming soon...  I feel a sense of urgency... I need to see and do!  :)

With that in mind, I have made the decision to go to THAILAND !!  I have wanted to go to that country for some time, and this "volun-tour"  opportunity came across my feed on Facebook with this information...

Powered by GVN

2Countries Info Pack

Overview

Fast Facts

Locations: Bangkok (TH), Surin (TH), Siem Reap (CAM), Angkor Wat (CAM)
Tour Length: 14 days
Volunteer Work: Teaching, Development, Elephants or Childcare
Arrival Airport: Bangkok International Airport (BKK)
Departure Airport: Siem Reap International Airport (REP)
Group Size: 20
Minimum Age: 18
With 20 persons per group MAX! The exact cost of this tour is US $1,497/£1,125 but as you're in the Facebook group we can squeeze it down to US $1,397/£1,050 which comes in at about $100/£75 bucks per day. This goes towards covering everything from in-country transport and accommodation to project fees and tour related activities (we really do cram it in!). Please note that your international flights are not included in the above price.
To secure your spot you pay a deposit of US$250 (you can then pay the rest in weekly instalments or 8 weeks before the tour). We also provide you with a comprehensive tour guide which covers everything from what to bring, to travel insurance and international flight recommendations.

ABOUT THE THAILAND CAMBODIA VOLUNTEER TOUR

This 14 night volunteer and travel option allows you to experience volunteering, travel, Thailand, Cambodia, elephants and more whilst fully guided and supported by experienced, English speaking guides and project coordinators. If you've ever considered volunteering abroad but aren't sure if you can do it alone, then this is definitely the trip for you. From the moment you arrive in Bangkok our team of highly experienced and professional guides, coordinators and operations will be right beside you every step of the way.

ARRIVAL DATES

• 16 September 2016 (5 spots left)
• 7 October 2016 (14 spots left)
• 21 October 2016 (12 spots left)
• 4 November 2016 (3 spots left)
• 18 November 2016 (full)
• 2 December 2016 (full)
• 6 January 2017 (full)
• 13 January 2017 (16 spots left)
• 20 January 2017 (full)
• 27 January 2017 (full)
• 3 February 2017 (full)
• 10 February 2017 (14 spots left)
• 24 February 2017 (full)
• 3 March 2017 (full)
• 10 March 2017 (18 spots left)
• 17 March 2017 (3 spots left)
• 24 March 2017 (14 spots left)
• 14 April 2017 (10 spots left)
• 21 April 2017 (6 spots left)
• 5 May 2017 (full)
• 19 May 2017 (11 spots left)
• 26 May 2017 (12 spots left)
• 2 June 2017 (8 spots left)
• 16 June 2017 (5 spots left)
• 23 June 2017 (6 spots left)
• 7 July 2017 (1 spots left)
• 21 July 2017 (7 spots left)
• 28 July 2017 (14 spots left)
• 4 August 2017 (13 spots left)
• 18 August 2017 (7 spots left)
• 25 August 2017 (18 spots left)
• 1 September 2017 (18 spots left)
• 22 September 2017 (16 spots left)
• 6 October 2017 (1 spots left)
• 20 October 2017 (16 spots left)
• 3 November 2017 (2 spots left)
• 10 November 2017 (3 spots left)
• 17 November 2017 (18 spots left)
• 8 December 2017 (8 spots left)
• 5 January 2018 (17 spots left)
• 12 January 2018 (9 spots left)
• 9 February 2018 (16 spots left)
• 9 March 2018 (18 spots left)
• 13 April 2018 (17 spots left)
• 11 May 2018 (17 spots left)
• 8 June 2018 (16 spots left)
• 13 July 2018 (13 spots left)
• 10 August 2018 (12 spots left)

Pre-register for the tour

TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

Everyday is packed with awesomeness, but some of our highlights would be:

• River of Kings tour of Bangkok
• Visiting the ancient temples of Angkor Wat
• Party on the infamous Khaosan Road
• Getting down and dirty on project
• Becoming pals with an elephant
• Visiting the old city of Siem Reap
• Embracing two very different cultures
• Making a difference
• Becoming part of a team

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

Bangkok: Shared (twin/double or triple rooms) bed and breakfast accommodation in a guesthouse on the Khao San Road. Includes a/c, TV, hot water and western bathroom.
Surin (City): Very comfortable city centre hotel in twin share room with a/c, fridge, hot water, western bathroom and breakfast included.
Surin (Village): Homestay in typical rural Thai house. Mattress on the floor with fan. All meals are included whilst at the elephant village.
Siem Reap (Cambodia): Very comfortable guest house on the central Wat Bo Road, just an 8 minute walk to the city centre. Very comfortable twin share room with hot water and western bathroom, TV and a/c. Breakfast is included here.
Food: All breakfasts are included throughout plus a traditional welcome meal in Bangkok. During your time at the elephant village, all meals are included. In Siem Reap, breakfast is included at the accommodation and lunch provided at the volunteering project.
Internet: WiFi is available in Bangkok and at the hotel in Surin. It is also available at the guest house in Siem Reap. At the elephant village WiFi is not available however above average 3G connection is available for smartphones.
Laundry: You can use the local laundry services which are fairly inexpensive or purchase detergent and wash by hand.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum age 18
• Enthusiasm and flexibility
• Motivation to work as a volunteer
• Willingness to get your hands dirty
• Respect other cultures
• Travel and medical insurance

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival - Bangkok Baby!
Let us pick you up from the airport and give you a great big welcome as we whisk you to the heart of it all.
DAY 2: The Ultimate BKK tour
You'll receive an in depth orientation on this unforgettable tour before beginning with a trip through Bangkok City. In the evening we experience the infamous 'Khaosan' road! [Meals: B ,D, ]
DAY 3: Transfer to Surin
The transfer from Bangkok will be by coach OR train. [Meals:B, D] Bed & breakfast accommodation in a lovely city centre hotel with FREE WiFI and the best cappuccinos in Surin!
DAY 4: Elephant Project
Transfer from Surin city to the rural escape of this incredible elephant village. Meet the community and hug an elephant!
DAY 5: Elephant Project
Begin your adventure with these incredible animals- learn to care for, feed, wash and even swim with them. They are sure to become your new best friends.   [Meals: B, L, D]
DAY 6 and 7: Elephant Project
Join in with various small community based projects to show your appreciation for the incredible care and support the community is showing you. This is a truly incredible experience and one that really gives back.   [Meals: B, L, D]
DAY 8: Elephant Project
Finish off your community work, give your elephant a final hug goodbye as after lunch we'll return to the civilization of Surin city and the comfort of western-style hotel room.   [Meals: B, L]
DAY 9: It's off to Cambodia we go!
Today it's time to pack the back-pack & head to ANOTHER COUNTRY! The Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia! Let us guide you through the exhilarating border crossing into the land of Angkor.  [Meals: B]
DAY 10: Angkor Wat
A full day tour at the Angkor Wat site. Head back over 1,000 years and explore these incredible marvels of human endeavour. This is a truly inspiring site that must be seen to be believed.  [Meals: B]
DAY 11: Cambodia Volunteer Project Briefing
Receive a briefing of your volunteering for the next 4 days before having the rest of the day at your leisure. Siem Reap is a great place and easy to explore. Get out and about and enjoy! In Siem Reap we work with several projects and so to ensure that your time here has the best impact you have a choice to either help with teaching English to kids from the poor local slums or help with an incredible clean water project. Whichever project you choose you’ll be accompanied each day by one of our amazing coordinator who will ensure that you and the project benefit from your time.  [Meals: B, L]
DAY 12: Cambodia Volunteer Project
Cambodia is still classed as a third world country and once you get underneath the surface of Siem Reap you'll understand why. Poverty reigns here so be prepared for an eye-opening experience.   [Meals: B]
DAY 13: Cambodia Volunteer Project
As your work progresses you’ll begin to understand much more about why we do what we do and how your time is helping. Volun-tourism has an incredible impact on those it touches if it’s handled professionally and respectfully and with The Bamboo Project leading the way you are guaranteed to have the most incredible experiences.   [Meals: B, L]
DAY 14: Cambodia Volunteer Project
Your final day at the project so make the most of it.
Say your goodbyes to those who will have change you forever.
Make sure you take all of those last minute group photos from an unforgettable experience.   [Meals: B]
Note:  Accommodation the Thursday night in Siem Reap is included so you can arrange onward transport for any time the following day (Friday)
[B – breakfast; L – lunch; D – dinner]

Locations

Bangkok:

Known locally as 'Krung Thep' or City of Angels, Bangkok has it all! There is no better thrill than that first trip from the airport into the heart of the city. We love it so much it's where The Bamboo Project has its South East Asia Headquarters! A lot of cities claim it but Bangkok well and truly is the 'City that never sleeps', A theory that you will no doubt be testing with us. Delicious street food, Off the hook night life, stunning palaces and temples, the largest outdoor market in the world! "Bangkok has you" and will never let you go!

Surin:

Surin is in an area of Thailand known as 'Issan' which is famous for elephants, Khmer temples and more elephants. Which is why it is the best location to work with elephant communities. Surin is a buzz of activity as all of the surrounding farmers will descend upon the town to sell their wares making it a great place for food, nightlife and adventure activities. This is a real slice of real Thailand so be sure to keep your eyes open and your smile beaming.

Siem Reap:

There is a certain charm to the once French colonized city of Siem Reap. Not only is it in the shadow of the majestic Angkor Wat but it is in its own right a wonderful place to explore. With vibrant markets, massive 'pub street' drinking halls, quaint riverside cafe's and restaurants, there are moments when you forget where exactly you are. Tuk Tuk's a plenty and be prepared to be asked a million times if you want anything, just remember to say "No Thank You" with a big smile, this is their livelihood after all! That is of course unless you need a Tuk Tuk then just say "Yes" with an even bigger smile.

Angkor Wat:

One of the 7 wonders of the world, you really need to tick this one off your list. What many people don't know is that Angkor Wat is just one of 100s of temples to see and explore in the area. Wake up early for the sunrise view and settle in around tea time for the sunset and get those cameras ready. Our advice is to turn your phones off, lay down those cameras and just soak it all in. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and what better way to visit this amazing place but by also supporting the people that live in and around this ancient wonder.

What's included

The exact cost of this tour is $1,497/£1140 but as you're in the Facebook group we can squeeze it down to $1,397/£1060 which comes in at about $100/£75 bucks per day. This goes towards covering everything from transport and accommodation to project fees and tour related activities. We keep this tour at 20 people max to ensure everyone has a great time and gets to know each other.
To secure your spot you pay a deposit of US$250 (you can then pay the rest in weekly instalments or 8 weeks before the tour). We also provide you with a comprehensive tour guide which covers everything from what to bring, to travel insurance and international flight recommendations.
You're paying good money for what we promise will be the most amazing trip of your life.
But where does that money go? Have a look through this:

• Fully guided and supported throughout the trip by experienced, English speaking coordinator
• Airport pick-up on arrival in Bangkok
• Two nights bed and breakfast accommodation in Bangkok
• In-depth orientation on first morning in Bangkok
• Optional guided city tour of Bangkok's best landmarks
• VIP Coach or train transfer to Surin
• All ground transportation from Bangkok to Siem (not including international flights)
• Two nights hotel accommodation in central Surin hotel including breakfast
• Four nights homestay accommodation in the elephant village including all meals
• All activities whilst at the elephant village including daily tasks with the elephants, farming, redevelopment, games with the kids, Thai cooking and language lessons, kayaking on the local river and lots more
• Transfer to the stunning city of Siem Reap in Cambodia (Does not include cost of entry visa in to Cambodia ~ approximately $30/£22)
• Day trip tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor Wat
• Six nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a central Siem Reap city guesthouse
• Lunch each day during your time at the volunteering project
• Donation towards the welfare of the elephants and the elephant village
• Donation towards the purchase of any materials required for your chosen volunteer project in Cambodia
• Five days supported volunteering with one of Siem Reap's leading NGOs
• In-depth pre-departure information

FAQ

1 – What isn’t included?
In short – anything that’s not on the ‘What’s included?’ list in the info pack! The main things you’ll absolutely need to get that aren’t included are:

• International flights – we have people join us from all over the world so we leave these flexible so you can choose the departure airport and airline that suits you best
• Travel insurance – you can choose your own travel insurance or we can organize this for you. You can find details on the travel insurance here http://www.bamboo-gvn.org/about/insurance.php and will be able to add this on to your booking when you pay your program fee
• Visas – depending on the passport you hold you may need to get a visa before you travel. Please see below for more info on visas
• Police check - as the tour involves spending time with local communities and children, you will be required to provide us with a police check noting any criminal record held against your name. If you have an existing check, we can accept this providing it was issued no more than 12 months before your tour is due to finish. Each country/state has varying procedures on how to obtain a police check so we recommend you contact your local police station to see how you should go about getting one issued. 

2 – How should I book my flights?
There are great online resources like www.skyscanner.com or google.com/flights which you can use. Or, if you'd like to speak to an agent, Flight Centre and STA are really helpful
ARRIVAL
You need to book a flight that lands into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport (airport BKK) on the Friday that your tour starts, ideally between the hours of 6am and 8pm. Providing you arrive between these hours on this day, one of the team will then be there to meet you on arrival and take you back to the hotel in the city. If you arrive later than 8pm on the Friday start date, we will organize for you to spend that first night at the airport hotel. Then, one of the team will pick you up from the airport hotel the following morning and take you to the hotel in the city to meet the rest of the group and have your orientation.
If you arrive before your Friday start date, you will need additional accommodation. We can book this for you and you will just need to make your own way there from the airport and pay on arrival.
DEPARTURE
The tour ends two Fridays later in Siem Reap, Cambodia, so you need to make your departure arrangements from there at any time that day. There is an international airport in Siem Reap so you will be able to book a flight home from there.
The other option is to book a return flight in and out of Bangkok. However, remember that the tour finishes in Siem Reap so you'll need to make your own way back to Bangkok if you choose to do this. This is easy to do and a flight between the two cities only takes around one hour. It's important to note that there are two airports in Bangkok; Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) so please bear this in mind if you are getting a flight that you need to connect with your international flight back home. There is a free shuttle bus between the two airports but you will need to allow for at least an hour to get from one to the other.
There is also a bus that goes between Siem Reap and Bangkok. This will probably be cheaper than flying but can take up to 11 hours.
Once you've booked your flights, please make sure you send us the below details:

• Flight number of your flight that arrives in to Bangkok. If travelling via another country, please make sure you send us the correct flight number. This is usually a code with two letters and three numbers – for example, BA009
• Bangkok flight arrival date - if you're arriving before the published arrival date, you may need to make extra plans for your airport transfer and any additional acc. Please let us know.
• Bangkok flight arrival time - if arriving after around 9pm we may organise your first night at an airport hotel.
• Mobile phone number including country code (if taking a mobile with you)  

3 – Do I need a visa?
Passport holders of several countries will get a 30 day ‘visa exempt’ stamp in their passport on arrival into Thailand free of charge. A quick Google search will tell you whether you need a visa or not.
We will be crossing into Cambodia from Thailand overland and most nationalities will be able to get a visa on arrival (again, check this to make sure this is the case for the passport you hold). At the border, you will need to fill out two forms, one a visa application form with a visa photo attached (either bring some from home or have some taken in Bangkok) and an arrival/departure form. You then need to pay USD $30 and you get a full page visa that lasts for 30 days. Please make sure you have at least one empty passport page and 6 months’ validity on your passport from the date you will be leaving Cambodia. Please do not purchase an e-visa for this trip as these are not accepted at the border crossing you will use. Visas and passports are your own responsibility and we cannot be held liable for any issues or costs incurred relating to these.
4 – How much spending money will I need?
This largely depends on you. All the breakfasts throughout the tour are included as are all of the meals in the elephant village as well as all of the lunches on project days in Siem Reap. The rest of the meals are up to you and if you are having local meals it will cost a couple of dollars, if you prefer western food it will be more depending on where you eat. A bottle of local beer in Thailand and Cambodia is around USD $1. You should bring some local currency with you (Thai Baht in Thailand and US Dollars in Cambodia) but you will also be able to withdraw more from cash points in the major cities whilst you are away.
5 - Do I need vaccinations?
This depends on your home country and your vaccination history. You should visit a local travel clinic and see what they recommend.
6 - When does my deposit have to be put down?
There is no deadline for paying the USD $250 deposit but we cannot secure your place until we have received this. Places are limited and this is our most popular tour so we recommend you do this as soon as possible to be sure of a spot. Once we have received your deposit we will send you a confirmation email. If you do not receive this within 48 hours please check your junk/spam email folders and let us know if you cannot see it.
7 - What are the Program Fee Payment options?
Your program fee is due two months before you travel. We will send you an email shortly after you have secured a spot offering you two options for payment. You can either pay the program fee in full (at any point before the date it is due) or you can can set up weekly installments to pay a small amount off regularly until it is paid in full. You can choose either of these with or without travel insurance.
8 - Are Thailand and Cambodia safe?
Like any country in the world, there will always be some dangers (even when in your home country!) and it is important to exercise common sense, particularly when in major cities and tourist destinations. However, both Thailand and Cambodia are very safe countries to travel in and around. You’ll also be with our award-winning team throughout your stay and will be travelling with a group.
9 - What currency is the tour in?
All of our prices are in USD. If you would like to see what this is in your local currency you can use a conversion site such as www.xe.com which will give you the current exchange rate. Please bear in mind that the amount will be taken in USD when you pay and exchange rates will fluctuate.
10 - How can I be sure this is not a scam?
We have been operating for over 14 years, have placed over 20,000 volunteers and have an experienced team with a wealth of knowledge and passion! But don’t just take our word for it - if you visit our website www.bamboo-gvn.org you can see our accreditations and recommendations for different worldwide organizations. You can also visit our Facebook page to see reviews from previous travelers and volunteers.

Print this page

Contact Us:

Website: www.bamboo-gvn.org/tours/2countries/
Email: kristin@gvnmail.org

Pre-register for the tour

So, I have decided I am going on this trip!  I have invited my Bestie to think about it for our birthdays next year.  The total will be about $2500... that is a chunk.  I don't want to put it off longer than next November, so if she isn't interested or can't by next year, then I have decided I want to go in January or February.  It's only money, right?

How fun would this be?... in the river, bathing with the elephants?

 

:)

An Opportunity... MORE TO COME

Adventure

Adventuring to the South, Day 1...

Have I mentioned that last year when I worked in Cannon Beach, I had a place, and I would spend my weekends cleaning house (lol) and just sleeping.  This year, without a place to have to be, I am free to go wherever.  I realized I was here all summer last year and didn't really see much.  So this summer, every time I have days off, I have gone to explore an area, or more of an area.

I have tried to hit every beach and beach town along the coast.  I now consider Astoria to Tillamook as "my backyard" :)


Anyway, I had a great day adventuring south for my weekend... stopped in Wheeler for a bite to eat at the Tsunami Bar and Grill and invited myself to eat with another gal who had walked in by herself, and we each made a new friend.

Then I stopped at the north end of Rockaway Beach to fly my kites.

I flew the little kid's kite that was brought back to the store broken.  I got a replacement part for it and wanted to see how it flew.  It still wanted to go to the right....not sure why.

Then I actually was able to successfully spin my beginner stunt kite 3 loops to the left, 3 loops to the right and then pull it back to the high position in the wind window several times!  Whee!!  This is how you hold it down while you are running out the lines if you are by yourself, otherwise it might fly away by itself!...

I then drove into the middle of town to talk to some kite shops about what I might try next, and the one guy said, go onto the beach and watch someone else fly.  So, I got myself an ice cream, and off onto the main strip of the beach I went.

And so I met Darryl.

He has been flying kites since he was 11. These kites are a set from the 1980s that he strung together and put double length tails on. He flies now for PTSD therapy after being a manager of a drug store and being beat up on for 10 minutes by 5 guys until the time lock on the safe was done, to be opened. He let me fly them but I was too leery to try any spins.  Darryl gave me lots of tips about strings, tails, and equipment. Thank you Darryl... my prayers are with you...

So armed with new information, I went back to the kite store and purchased a triple kite!  Yeah, I know, I have it bad right now.



Then it was time to drive further south to the Tillamook Cheese Factory where I got a sandwich to go, and sampled all the cheese and fudge.... "squeaky cheese" is always my favorite...

It was a pretty full day because then I went out to the coast again to check out Oceanside.  Looking over the beach toward the north...

Looking back toward the south across the beach...  It was pretty rocky and people were searching for jaspar and agates...

On to Cape Mears Lighthouse...

 This lighthouse is only 25 feet tall...

And here is a view of the nesting area of the seabirds.  But I took this picture because I am becoming quite familiar with the coastline, and I know that in the distance you can see Oswald State Park, and beyond that, just barely seen, is Tillamook Head...

Found a wide spot to park for the night, and I have plans lined up for tomorrow.


:)

Up, Up and Away!....

Wow.  After about 6 weeks of being beaten up, and then beating myself up into a pretty mushy pulp, My Lord Jesus Christ, pulled me up out of the mire, and I am feeling like my good, ol' self again.

Over and over it was always "something".  Not anything too big, but just enough small agitations that I really did get to the end of my rope.  Charging problems with my phone, losing earrings, running down my van battery, losing my keys on the beach.  So many times God showed His love for me, but still, after 6 weeks, I was ready for the tsunami to just take me.  I was ready to just give up.

I am not sure when that moment of resolve finally took hold.  But I could not have done it without the encouragement of friends and family. Thank you Jesus! :)

It's been about a week, and I can tell things are looking up inside of me because I have so many ideas, projects, things to learn, things to explore, and things to look forward to.

First off, I re-started Whole30.  whole30.com   This is a healthy diet eliminating sugar, dairy, legumes, grains, alcohol for 30 days.  I had reached my Goal Weight in the early summer of what I weighed before I got pregnant with my first son.  It would be better if I were even 10 pounds lighter than that but I got to my goal and was doing good.  Then, "life is just a party", so I pretty much was celebrating on all my weekends.  I also realize I live in a tourist town and am surrounded by pizza by the slice, fish n chips, and micro breweries.  Temptation is abundant.  I gained back almost 14 pounds, so it's time to get back on track.

It was really the sugar.  I was drinking Coke and Pepsi quite often.  That sugar jag is a Beast! and a difficult creature to rein in.  I am not totally aware of the effects of sugar on me.  But maybe it was a factor in my deflating mood.  Hmmm?  However I really want to stay away from excessive sugar due to the knowledge that Sugar Feeds Cancer... plain and simple.

Started on the 1st of September.  Today is my 5th day, and I have done good so far.  You are not supposed to weigh for the whole month, but I can't stand that.  Just jumped on the scale and I have lost 2 pounds and I have already eaten today.  So Yay!  :)

Next, I am looking forward to, and making plans for my departure from the Oregon Coast to head towards Arizona in November.  I have people to visit and places I would like to see.  I have a painting job lined up in Klamath Falls, and my Bestie CJ is planning a birthday camping trip to Death Valley.  I wanted to go to Thailand, but CJ said she wasn't sure she could afford that... and I just want to spend time with her so I don't care where we go :)  Have always wanted to check out Death Valley anyways.  Have been along the outskirts but have never seen the sights within.

Then I signed up in Yes.Fit for the Viking virtual race.  The race is 65 miles and you can log the miles in anyway you want.  I have finished two of these races and the medals are awesome.  They just came up with this one, and I thought the medal would be a perfect gift for my older son's 24th birthday!

I get emails with pictures of where I am on the race when I log in my miles, so I am forwarding those to him so he can be a part of the journey as well.  I also tell him and send pics of where I put those miles on here.  This means he won't be getting his birthday box from me until I finish the race and receive the medal.  He will just have to wait!

During my down period, I did pick up another crafty idea... painting silhouette pics on glass like the old fashioned antiques.  Kinda like this...

But my idea entails tropical trees and a watercolor scene behind.  I got some of the supplies, but I haven't had a chance to start yet.

So now I have stained glass color book coloring, friendship bracelets, weaving, repurpose sewing, and glass painting as indoor artsy-craftsy projects.

I suppose though, the biggest idea I am running away with is.... Kites!

Yes, I have gotten quite excited about kite flying recently, and am looking into possibly having a mobile kite selling business in Havasu during the winter.  Actually I'd rather sell them off the back of a moped in Hawaii, but that is a little far-reaching at this time.  Arizona is perhaps more feasible.

I got my first kite, now named Elsie, at the kite shop in Newport in 2013.  I splurged the $30 and have loved flying her every time I take her out of the package!  :)  It just makes me extremely happy to see her fly because I know she is extremely happy to BE flying!  She always lets me know when she has had enough for the day and I reel her in.  This was a long walk we took in Seaside, Oregon in May.

At the toy shoppe we sell 2 handled stunt kites and I thought I ought to know something about them so I purchased one of our beginner kites and set out to learn.  It took three days until I really got the idea of control and wss able to do lazy figure-8s in the sky.  On the 4th day I tried, and succeeded, three loops to the left, three loops to the right, and up to top of the wind window!  It is pretty exciting when you don't hit the ground attempting the trick :)

This is how you hold it down while you are letting out the length of the string.

I got two "broken" returned kites from the shoppe and flew them.  One is a small foil which is quite a challenge to fly.  I need to find my orange marking tape and make tails for it.  The other was this little kid's kite. 

I now own 5 kites because after meeting a guy flying a string of kites on Rockaway Beach, I purchased a triple kite which I have yet to try to work with.

I am checking with companies that sell kites, and the Havasu Chamber of Commerce on getting a business license, and trying to figure out where I might be able to sell them out of my trailer pulled by my van. Lots to research.

Tomorrow is my day off, and I am headed up to Long Beach, WA to visit the World Kite Museum!

Will post pics :)

PS... I am about 4/5th of way through Level 23 in Pokemon Go  :)

I Have Failed...

as a Mother.

As proof... my son has just gotten another tattoo...

Smack dab in the middle of his chest.  I guess it is an electrical symbol which means "grounded".

I realize it could be worse... it's not Darth Vader, or a naked sailor girl, or Tweety Bird... but still.  I am not happy.  His little body was so beautiful and so perfect when he popped out into the world.  It is difficult to see.

And "grounded".... I have no idea what he is thinking about that.  He still has so much growing up to do.  But then, at 21, we think we know everything.

No, I am feeling pretty much a failure as a mother and am thinking of giving up the gig entirely.  Changing my name and moving somewhere else.

While raising these boys, I did not smoke, I did not drink, I did not gamble, I did not do drugs, I did not sleep around or even date, at all.  I was the perfect example of a happy, content person.  And I was perfectly content not doing any of those things.  I did not need them in my life to feign happiness.  I believe happiness comes from within and is a choice.  I continued to go to church and shared my belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins

I only made one major mistake in my life... I married an emotionally abusive man and after almost 22 years, divorced him. The boys were 11 and 13 when I told them of my decision.

Because of that, I guess, my sons have done everything I never did, and much more, and neither is walking with the Lord.

I want to barf when I see that meme that talks about being an example to your children...  What good did it do ME?

* * *

Please see "I Am Alive", October 201, for a follow up

I am Done... MORE TO COME

Two months ago I wrote about having Purpose and Plans.  Since then, I have had several very low moments.  Seriously, what is the point? I work only to pay off my credit cards.  Next year, both of my children will be on the other side of the world, and without parents, brothers or sisters, a husband...  I will be ALL ALONE on this side of the earth.  Day in, day out, alone.  Oh, I have friends... casual friends from work, but they don't invite me over to their homes or out for a drink when they head out.  I do go hiking with one friend when we can get the same days off, but that has been rare lately.  She has a live-in boyfriend, so he is her priority on her off times.

My very best friend lives way far away.  We call, and text.  She has known me the longest, and knows me the best.  She is my only Best Bud.  She has many friends and I am the longest friendship of all of them, but I am not really sure where I fall in line of her favorites. Truly, if she dumps me, I will be a troll and go to live under a bridge somewhere.

So, my phone died.  My phone is a very big piece of my life.  I do everything on my phone.  Texting, watching TV, catching Pokemon, looking things up, finding my way around, getting discounts at stores.... it is my lifeline.  I think I killed my battery playing Pokemon Go as I was always on the phone at work spinning at the Pokestop across the street!  Unless I am asleep, my phone is on, and usually charging since it wasn't lasting long.  I have ordered a battery... it will take a week to arrive.  It has been 5 days so far.  I am falling way behind in my hopes of 5,000 XP points per day with Pokemon!  It has now been 8 days without my phone and I hate it.  I have, however, read two whole books.... so good things can happen :)

My point being, that my younger son got concerned enough, after texting me and not hearing from me in two days, to call my work and ask about me.  My co-worker knew I was having phone issues... which I HAD posted on Facebook