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.