Reflections on a lazy day

Our amazing adventure continues. Do you get sick of hearing of one amazing day after another? Well, today is not an amazing day. In fact, it is quite ordinary.

We woke to the sound of a very loud thunderstorm approaching. Well, I was awake while Daisy and Rick were sleeping. But I bound into action since we had left our camp chairs outside. I had every intention of being out there today, and so I wanted to rescue them from the rain. We got these great little shock-corded chairs (light, easy to assemble, comfortable) and so I made a quick grab of the canvases to keep them safe from the rain. While it never poured, it was one of those perfect weekend mornings where you could just stay in bed a little longer and listen to the rain. So we did.

We had thought about going back to the park, but when we heard the (unexpected) rain, we were glad that we weren’t en route, as many others were. And being Saturday, we just didn’t feel like fighting the crowds.

Mt. Rainier is undergoing some major road/park improvements, which we appreciate as being necessary. Several areas are closed altogether, and others are much more challenging to get to because of construction. The area that we visited yesterday, closest to us, had some major paving work going on that limited parking and caused for up to 20 minute delays in heading to/from the primary destinations. So we decided that one day was enough. Plus, we knew that we didn’t have it in us to put on our hiking boots. We needed a lazier day. We are SORE and tired out!

We loved our dining experience yesterday, and a quarter-mile walking journey for lunch was just about our physical limit today. After all, there is nothing better than going out for a weekend lunch, even when you are retired. We are so glad that we went back for yet another delicious meal (with leftovers for dinner tonight). It feels a little disingenuous to be moaning about your hiking aches and pains as you walk to dine in the restaurant of a famous Sherpa, whose physical accomplishments and support of others is beyond anything I can imagine. But we did a fair amount of typical old people moaning along the way. And we took a lovely nap afterwards, too!

This leisurely day has also involved plenty of reading; today I will finish my seventh book on this trip. I’ve only finished one needlepoint, but more of that is to come soon as well. They are great hobbies to have for our lazier days. That, and taking time to post every day, of course.

We’ve also used the time to set up our travel day tomorrow so that we can maximize our time at the next location. I also got a grooming appointment set up for Daisy in a couple of weeks so that she stays on schedule. Plus, Rick is doing a little bit of winter trip planning.

Now that is my kind of a lazy day. We’ll be back in action tomorrow!

One of approx 15 needlepoints completed to date of our national parks. Yes, I am hoping to do them all after we visit them. Come visit our wall where we have them framed when we are in town! This one is King’s Canyon from last year.

This is from yesterday, showing the incredible landscape and the wildfire smoke. Loved the landscape, not the smoke. I think we just got used to it after a while. We are grateful that right now, the road ahead seems free of any immediate wildfire risk. Everything in this area is very dry (ok, many areas), and so wildfire risk is high and there are burn bans everywhere we go. We understand and support those protective measures. There has been a fire in the Napa, CA area (Pickett fire) which is now, thankfully, contained. Our RV park that we will be staying at in a few weeks is currently being used as CalFire’s base camp and incident command center. We are hopeful that all remains safe for all along the way, and that they will reopen in time for our visit to one of my favorite places that isn’t a National Park.

Another from yesterday… Yes, I climbed down these rocks. It was the initial part of our descent, and it sucked. So the bitter face and the finger was exactly what I was feeling. Thankfully, it got much better and Rick was very patient when I felt afraid and/or bitchy.

One last of my favorite pics from yesterday, showing one of the last parts of our ascent. Every time I looked up and said “oh, I’m not doing that part”, I would get a little further and then say “lets keep going”! I am so glad we did the full loop and didn’t back down. As I reflect on this comment, it’s life. My career and personal life both took turns I never expected, several times over. I never could have imagined that life would bring me here, in an RV, enjoying our national parks with an amazing husband. There were many days where the path wasn’t clear or that basically sucked, but each offered something. Every day is a blessing if you let it be! Keep going, even when the road ahead looks tough. It will get clearer if you keep slowly putting one foot in front of another…

Reflections on a lazy day

Leave a Reply Cancel reply