19 June, 2015 00:39
Ashton flying through the air.
Five year old with wings.
Sitting in the back of the boat.
Brian lost his hat so borrowed his five year old niece’s hat
Brian and aunt
By the lake.
Brian.
The boat
Wednesday June 17, 2015 Day 105 LIKE LIVING AT HOME
Well, maybe not quite like living at home. I did sleep again until I woke up which was later than my home time. But the reason it feels like living at home is because the four of us living here have an entire house to ourselves with freedom to use the entire house as we like.
I am once again trying to imagine how it will be when I get home. Things will be different. First of all I will have a lot to unload and to find places in which to give everything a home. That in itself will be a challenge because I didn’t have any places left to put things when I left home. After I arrive home I will have but a few days left at home alone before my husband retires and joins my everyday. After hearing all the stories of other people’s retirement I guess that is when things will really change. But the reason it feels like living at home is because the four of us living here have an entire house to ourselves.
I am reflecting. Reflecting over these past 105 days. It has been such an amazing journey. Mostly good, some regrets. I just choose not to write about the negatives and keep my optimism high. Every day has in some way been wonderful. Part of the “wonderful”l is just knowing in my heart that I have a husband who awaits my return, yet loved and trusted in ME; my abilities, my fortitude, my resourcefulness, my wisdom to encourage me in this endeavor. His trust in me gave me the confidence that I could really undertake such a challenge. It has been a wonderful challenge and the day has not come that I have tired of it. It was only possible for me to do so because of the generosity of so many of my friends, family, and some strangers in providing me places to stay, offering me meals, and even taking their precious time to take me to places of interest in their area. For that, I offer many thanks. Every family that I have visited I offer reciprocal invitation to visit us and stay in our home. I really do hope someday you will take me up on our offer and we can lavish you with the kind of hospitality that you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for making my dream possible to see each of you again. I will cherish these memories. My reason for coming to each place was not for the place to stay, but to visit with each of you. You have all made this trip precious to me.
Now, let’s go to today. It is family time once again. I am renewing grown-up acquaintances with my nephew and niece and new acquaintance with their three daughters. Three precious little girls who may not even remember who I am in years to come. But that matters not to me. What matters is that I had the opportunity to meet them, talk with them, hold the tiny 2 month old baby and carry these memories away in my heart. I also have made the acquaintance of my nephews step son who is 9 years old. I have fallen in love with him as if he were one of my own family. It is so delightful to meet children who are kind and considerate and fun to be around. This little boy is one of them. He is big brother to two beautiful little sisters.
Today we, niece Ericka, her daughter, and former brother-in-law David just spend time talking and preparing things for the week ahead. We shopped for food, did preparation of food when we got back and then took off to have dinner at nephew’s home. It is a busy place with four children and five adults and two awesome little feisty dogs always wanting you to throw their ball so they can fight over it. Buddy and Sam. And Buddy decided that he liked my lap best. If I sat down he was on my lap. He looks like a little red fox and he is another dog I would just love to take home with me. We had a wonderful dinner, had a good visit, and hooked up Brian’s boat to his truck for our outing tomorrow on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Came home and prepared more food for tomorrow’s picnic, did my laundry and now my blog. It is late so I must close for tonight.
Good night. 1:02 a.m.
Tuesday June 16, 2015 DAY 104 LEAVING CANADA
Off and at it! But before I leave my story at Christina Lake I shall tell you about my last night there. And before I tell you about my last night I must tell you about my last day. As I mentioned yesterday I went on a hike on some rocky uneven ground. One time I almost lost my balance when a rock rolled under my foot. And did another little ankle two on the same foot a little later. It was no problem. It did not hurt when it happened nor afterward…UNTIL…I went to bed. Now remember that I did not get up until 10:30 a.m. yesterday as mentioned in my yesterday’s blog. Now fast forward to 10:00 p.m. last night. Early bedtime for me during this trip. I try to go to bed earlier on the night before a long drive. I closed my eyes anticipating quick and deep sleep as I have done every single night on the road. But alas, it was not to be. First off, I was wide awake, probably from late awakening less than 12 hours previously. I’m used to 17 hour days. Then to top it off my ankle started hurting with a pain like I have never had before. It was in the ankle bone on the outside of the foot. It would come in a deep wave of pain, then subside. It was so severe it literally took my breath away and caused my leg to jerk when it came. It was constant pain, no pain, etc. I didn’t know if I could stand it much longer. It was now 11:00 p.m. and I had not been able to even think of sleeping with the pain so severe. Then it was midnight and I was still awake and suffering but felt a little tiredness taking over. I fell asleep, only to wake up at 12:31 a.m. for a potty stop and then back to bed. I didn’t feel the pain any longer. I’m almost asleep and I hear someone trying to get into my bedroom window. I became wide awake and decided I was not going to lie in bed if someone was after me. The house I was staying with is large and the bedrooms are separated into separate wings on opposite sides of the house. There is no way my hosts would be able to hear what was going on. I got out of bed and yelled out the window “Who is there”. The noise immediately stopped. I crept closer to my open window. The entire window was open with just a screen on the ground level in a backyard in a country like setting. No one to see and no one to hear.
After a minute the noise resumed and it wasn’t very quiet. “Who’s there I called out again” and again the noise stopped. I looked out and could see a figure on the compost bin. It jumped off and in the dim light I thought it was a cougar. Well, it looked up at me (from what I could barely see in the dark), jumped back up on the compost bin and then lunged at me scaring me to death. I just had a screen between us on one end of the window. I quickly closed the window when I realized it was the hugest raccoon I have ever seen in my life. He was fearless! He resumed his attempt at opening the tight trash can/compost lid. He did it too. I just told him to eat all he wanted but I was going back to bed. By this time it was almost 1:00 a.m. But…my ankle didn’t hurt and I had no trouble in going right back to sleep.
And then it is time to rise because I have a long driving trip ahead of me. I get everything ready and pack my car and I take off for the long way around. The long way took me through some of the most beautiful forest mounts I have yet seen. The road was very curvy but fun to drive. I only stopped for restroom stops and to eat once in the car. Another reason why I wanted to go the long way was that so I would have more time to eat. I needed to eat a lot before arriving to the boarder check to be readmitted back into the United States. I didn’t want to have my food taken away from me. They didn’t event ask me about what foods I had and believe it or not, I didn’t even say a word. I made it across without a glitch. And the longer drive was so worth it. So beautiful and serene and jagged and powerful. I never realized just how important mountains are to our survival. The mountain tops are the depository for the accumulation that will last for months and up to a year in order to store frozen water for water consumption. And now there is no snow and the rivers are drying up and people are still watering their lawns. On the other hand I saw many places with water in abundance, lakes that are high, and rivers flowing nicely… for now. Where is the water going to come from once the supply we have is gone? The snow is melted, there is no more water trickling into the streams and rivers, yet the waters keep on being used up without hope of rain in the future. I did see quite a few paces in Canada where the trees have died on that eastern facing rock.
Once I crossed over the border the terrain just seemed to be tamer. The trees are different, more roads, more traffic. I was so impressed with Canadian roads. All the ones I drove on were in impeccable condition. They have so many bridges and hidden areas that it is difficult to describe all I saw today. It was a wonderful driving day, clear and warm, no rain or winds. Just beautiful sailing weather so to speak. I said goodbye to an utterly beautiful place. The forest has caught my heart. Sorry Yosemite, I am two timing you! I fell in love again.
And now I am here. Here is Idaho in a beautiful little town in a beautiful area. My nephew lives here and I came to visit him. They have a two year old and a 2 month on baby, both girls. My nephew’s wife has a son from a previous marriage who is with them half time. Her son is delightful! Such a please young fellow. I am staying in a home that my nephew rents out. His sister Ericka and her daughter drove up from California so we could spend time together. Their father, David, came with Ericka. Dave was once married to my sister Faith. So I feel as if I am in the middle of a family reunion and enjoying every moment of it. I will include some pics and their two little girls with parent’s permission.
It is late again, it has been a long day and I am falling asleep. Must close again without a proofread. I hope I get a little rest this week to get myself ready to head home. I am wishing that my trip would go on longer but I know this must end. It has been an absolutely wonderful run. More about that later.
DAY IS DONE
Kathleen Martens
June 16, 2015
Day is done
With setting sun.
Sleep is next
I’ll not be vexed.
A long way
I have come
Now it is me
That is done.
Monday June 15, 2015 DAY 103 A PEN IN HAND
It is Monday and I keep wanting to believe it is Tuesday already. I will spend my second night here in Christina Lake and head out tomorrow for my nephew Bryan’s place. Bryan has a house that he rents out by the night or week. He invited me to use it if it wasn’t occupied. Actually I think he kept it open purposely when he found out the dates we (his sister Ericka and her daughter will be joining me) needed it. Ericka may not get there for a day or two after I arrive. When I am there I will make plans as to where I will go from there.
I must admit it has been interesting being out of the country and not being able to use my cell phone for calling, voicemails, or texting. I didn’t buy the service to use it. I will be back in the states tomorrow and hopefully everything will go back to normal. It just proves you can’t go anywhere without someone knowing where you are if you have your phone with you. It is actually sort of frightening when you think about the implication this could (and already does for certain purposes) mean in regards to the government keeping track of us for their purposes.
I finally fell into bed last night at 3:30 a.m. I slept till I woke up. I know that sounds like a weird statement because that is what most of us do but what I mean by that is that I did not get up with an alarm. I woke up at 9:30 a.m. when someone called my out of service cell phone, which was being charged. I got up, turned it off and went back to bed and slept until 10:30 a.m. Now that was nice! A full seven hours of sleep. Now let’s see if I can sleep tonight because I have a long drive day ahead of me tomorrow. I hope I am in bed by 9:00 p.m. I’ll let you know when I sign off. I still must figure out my plans as to which route I plan to take.
After eating breakfast at lunch time I soon ate another meal and my host volunteered to take me to see the Kettle River Gorge. I know now why she took me. It was a difficult hike to find. We hiked on places that were not meant for feet. It was steep, rocky, and I was a bit tentative at first whether I would do it or not. I finally got up the courage and took it slow and easy and made it. We hiked off the beaten trail and came to some of the most spectacular, scary and dangerous lookout places you would ever want to be. Every step was careful. The waters of the Kettle River were white with powerful rapids. The story is that several people have been killed in the river and when someone goes in there are no rescue efforts to be taken. The current is so strong and fast that you are gone before anyone could possible save you. After seeing the tumult of the powerful water shrinking through that small gorge and the racket and force at work I could see why no rescue would be attempted. Just seeing nature’s power was a thrilling event for me. I am so thankful that Gail, my host at airbnb offered to take me. I would never have seen the beauty of this day had she not been so gracious to use her time to do so.
Gail also took me shopping at Huckleberry Mountain Market. It was a small country store that held just a sampling of the basics of a larger grocery store. I bought some strawberries and then realized I may not be able to get them back into the US when I go tomorrow. I also bought some great fruit at the fruit stand yesterday and haven’t be able to eat it all up. I’ll just eat a lot of fruit on the way. Wonder what my border questions will be tomorrow?
After the market experience Gail drove me down to the water’s edge of Christina Lake. Oh my goodness, it was so beautiful there. The weather was perfect, the sky was blue and the big puffy clouds dotted the sky. And best of all, someone had left me an enchanted castle by the water’s edge. See the picture I included. We then came home, I wrote awhile then came in and prepared something to eat. I ate out on the beautiful patio again, listening to the gurgling water fall coming down the backyard slope. This house is incredible and I feel very blessed to be allowed to come here as an airbnb guest, trusted enough to be left alone and just enjoy the solitude of the evening after a totally awesome day. God has blessed me with such incredible places to stay and such wonderful hosts wherever I have been. When we arrived home I had an opportunity to get to know her husband Greg a little more. I asked him for his wisdom and he shot back so quickly: “MARRY A SMART WOMAN”. I could see by the way he talked about his wife that he knows he did just that. It made my heart smile to hear a husband talk so highly of his wife. And I can see what he is talking about. He did marry a smart woman.
Here is my poem I wrote earlier today during my first interlude of uninterrupted silence. I haven’t been able to spend my hours with the Lord everyday like I usually do when I am a home in more of a routine. This trip has been anything but routine! I’ve been writing most of my poems on the computer and it is not my favorite way to do it. So as I sat down to write my first sentence came out as a statement and then I realized it was the first line of my poem. Remember, I write about what is going on in my life at the present.
A PEN IN HAND
Kathleen Martens
June 14, 2015
Oh Man! A pen in hand!
With purpose and intent.
Dancing fingers on some keys
Does not make me content.
My mind composes best
In solitude and gentle peace,
A pen in hand is like a friend
And my thoughts never cease.
It seems my pen opens doors
That otherwise stay closed,
As if when I poise the tip,
To my heart, words, it shows.
And my heart sings a lovely tune
As my fingers scribble the words.
Quickly do I write down
The sounds my heart has heard.
P.S. It is now 8:11 p.m. Now I will get tomorrow’s directions situated.
Sunday Sabbath June 14, 2015 DAY 102 LIVING IN THE PRESENT
Slept until I woke up, got ready for the day, took pictures of my host before she had to leave and I prepared the car for takeoff. While I was packing my car a lady across the street came over to talk to “the traveling lady”. We introduced ourselves and she asked me to come over to her house. I asked when and she said now. Oh, I told her that I needed to finish loading my car and then I would be over. That was my first delay in leaving. My host had already left for the day so I closed up the house and went to Kirsti’s house.
I met Kirsti’s husband Wes. Both Kirsti and Wes are Finnish. I think I got that right. Walking up the path to their cottage by the river was like walking into a fairy tale. Roses were blooming, flowers climbing trellises, wicker furniture on the front porch, and a story book doll house to walk into. Both Wes and Kirsti were delightful to talk to. I would have enjoyed getting to know them better also. They invited me to come back and stay at their cottage and bring Dave with me. You never know, it could happen! I don’t know if any of you know about or buy Nestle Bottled Water but it comes from the same spring that they drink from in Hope, BC. She gave me a glass of water from the tap and it was the purist and most delicious water I have ever had from a tap. My interlude with Kirsti and Wes was my first delay in getting to my next destination before dark. But I was certainly enjoying the present. I asked for their wisdom. Here is wisdom from Wes: “Be honest and work hard. Wake up early and start working. It is my pride to do the best.” Here is Kirsti’s wisdom: “Do the best job you can do regardless what you do. Do the extra mile.”
I wanted to go down to the river and pick up rocks for my grandson Zacharia but the river was running fierce and high and I could not walk at water’s edge to do so. They let me to a beach a little further away. I followed them in my car and stopped there and sorted through river rocks to find just the right ones to bring home. That was my second time delay for the day.
Ruth, my host had told me about a location I might like to see. And she was right. I did want to see it. So I followed my nose and it took me to the Othello Tunnels. In 1890 the railway was being built in Canada and these are tunnels blasted through mountains so the rail cars could go through the mountain. They are over a river, probably the Fraser River that ran in front of Ruth’s house and behind Kirsti’s house. The sights and sounds were spectacular. It was amazing to know that those tunnels had been constructed over 125 years ago and were still intact. They were dark and in some places very mucky and slushy from the dripping water seeping through the rock cracks. I must thank my husband for his wisdom in packing a flashlight for me. I took it with me and it came in very handy. It would have been difficult to maneuver on the uneven ground without them. The hike lasted about 1 and a half hours but well worth it. My shoes will never be the same however. That was delay number three!
On the way back down the mountain Bossy took me on a shortcut to get to Highway 3 that would take me to Christina Lake. I saw a sign that said “Lookout point for The Hope Slide” and my car just went there lickity split. The Hope Slide happened on January 9, 1965. An earthquake happened at the same time the mountain side slid down so thus the cause was given to the earthquake. Four people were in the area at the time and all were killed, two whose bodies were never recovered. It was a massive slide and actually moved a lake higher up a mountainside. I don’t quite understand it all but I still wanted to see it. I’ll put some photos in the blog if they turned out. That was delay number four for me. And of course I met people to talk to while there. And thus, delay number four had taken its course.
Headed out again. Ended up being behind a huge truck with two trailers. It was slow going for quite some time until we came to a place to pass. Remember, I am traveling on some serious mountain roads. Delay number five.
Now I am driving and driving and driving and my eyelids are becoming very heavy indeed. I can’t take a chance of nodding off for even one second on roads like that. Actually I try to never do it even on straight flat roads. So, I looked for a big pull off place and did just that. I put the front window shield in to block out the sun and cuddled up with my pillow and my fluffy coat and slept for about 30 minutes. Delay number six was well worth it!
After that quickie I was perfectly fine until just right now and it is already 1:36 a.m. the next day and I’m still here typing. I already needed to have a potty stop before the nap and when I woke up it was even more urgent. The highways I traveled on were beautiful highways, wide, smooth, curvey and easy to maneuver but nothing is really easy when your bladder is popping. The next town was 36 miles away which translates into about 1 hour of driving time. I looked for a nice wide turn off and you got it! I did my part for the water shortage and watered a bit of the ground. So now the whole world (or at least those reading the blog) knows about my indiscretion. That was delay number seven but it was a short delay and oh so worth! By the time I got to the next town I had to go again. So from that point on I stopped at EVERY LITTLE TOWN I CAME TO JUST IN CASE!
The beauty of my surroundings were incredibe. It was one of those breathtaking days. How do I describe being INSIDE A FOREST? Not just walking in one but being IN IT AND ON IT AND UNDER IT. The mountains were incredible and made me feel so small and so insignificant. It was as if I was alone in a wonderland and I didn’t care if I ever came out. I did not want it to end. The only thing that would have made it better is if I had been a passenger so I could have actually looked with intensity at all that there was to see. The shadows and lights as the sun began to set were but puppets to the size of the mountains. At one moment it seemed as if it was getting dark and the next moment the bright sun was shining and the entire sky was lit up. I was going up and up and up and then down and down and down and around and around and around and then below me as far as the eye could see was a small city set in the midst of acres of agriculture land, green and lighted from a sun that was unable to touch some parts of the mountains. The town clustered around the banks of both sides of a large irregular long lake or a River. You’ll have to look it up if you are interested. The name of the city is OSOYOOS bc This mysterious city was way down below me on the floor of a high desert. Most the roofs were bright red. It would have made a great picture but it just wasn’t the time for me to whip out my red camera and start shooting photos while going around the mountain bends. It didn’t take too long to ascent into this magical land to find that all the architecture was of Spanish design, thus the red tiled roofs. Of course I had to stop again. Short delay (won’t count this one).
I drove and drove and I drove and I drove and then saw a fruit stand. Yumm…Maybe they had some cherries. I stopped, they did have cherries and peaches and nectarines and bananas and blackberry jam and I bought some of each. There was a lot they had that I didn’t buy. Another delay but they did have a bathroom so that was two for the price of one.
I finally got to the last little town before my destination and I had to go to the bathroom so bad that I first got gas, only to find out that they didn’t have a rest room. It was getting dark and and it was Sunday night in a small town and not much of anything was open. Even the fast food places were closed. I stopped at a hotel and they didn’t have a public restroom. I finally found a gas station with outdoor access doors. I walk into the station and the girl holds out the key without me saying anything. It must have been my grimace. Relief was just a key away!
And then I find the street of my destination in the next town and it is dark. First time I’ve driven to my destination in the dark and it was only for about 20 minutes but it was really dark on those back roads. I had my flashlight handy from my walk through the tunnels in the morning morning so I finally found my place by using my flashlight to shine on the houses and read the numbers. I made it safe. Actually, I wasn’t harried, frustrated, or even perturbed at myself. What happened, happened. I felt worse about my hosts worrying about my arrival time. They were very nice and welcoming and that made me feel a bit better. I was worried they might have closed shop by the time I arrived. I decided I wanted to get my blogs caught up tonight and sleep in late in the morning and then go exploring. I only have one full day here and then a long day to get to Couer d’Alene, Idaho on Tuesday.
Too late to proof read. I will send a few pictures which I just found out cost $1.30 each to send because I am out of the country. I might just send 3. That is going to be a hard choice because I have so many interesting places I’ve been today.
Good night!
Saturday June 13, 2015 DAY 100 HOPE IS ON THE HORIZON
Morning came and I had to leave the beautiful Island of Vancouver. So many, “I wish I had known” thoughts go through my head. I wish I had known how much there was to see and do in Victoria where I was staying. Had I know I would have stayed longer at the Airbnb there. The island is beautiful with lots of forests, wonderful shops, the farmer’s market, downtown Victoria, The Empress Hotel, the wharf, and oh so much more. But…I accomplished what I went there for and I will never forget my day at The Butchart Gardens. And so soon my time at the lovely Airbnb drew to a close. After leaving the residence where I stayed I drove down to Victoria, walked around on the wharf, bought two entrees to eat over the next couple of days and then headed out to the BC Ferry. I missed getting on the Ferry that was next out by one minute. So I waited an hour in line and took the 1:00 p.m. ferry back to Vancouver. The ferry layout is very interesting. The Highway you are on actually ends at the ferry yard. You drive through one of many ticket booths, pay your fee (for me it was $71 one way which included my car. You are then instructed to go to a certain lane number. The ferries stop at more than one place and how you are loaded is how you are discharged so you better be in the right lane to get where you want to go. I ate my lunch in the car while I waited, used the restroom and it was soon time to load up. The crossing takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. The road on the opposite shore begins where the ferry drops off. As soon as you get out of the ferry yard you are on the highway and away you go. Missing that first ship was my first delay for the day.
I never think it is going to take long to get someplace but I can always count on adding about two hours to any trip tick time. And it was more than true yesterday. I arrived late evening to the little town of Hope BC. My host, Ruth, was a single lady with three sweet cats, none (referring to the cats) of which took a liking to me. That was too bad because I love cats and they really missed out on some good petting. Because my car was loaded with “stuff” my host allowed me to park in her garage. Apparently there are a lot of drug users in little towns scattered in the back hills and she did not want anything to happen to my “stuff” while on her property. I thought that was very considerate of her. Ruth was an excellent host and interesting to talk with. She is a passionate woman and has some decided opinions. I found it very interesting to listen to her and get a better understanding about what is going on in Canada and its environment and the political arena in regards to the environment. I only wish I could have talked with her longer.
Ruth had created a wonderful retreat for me. Her yard was lovely and she had lots of blooming window boxes full of flowers on her back deck. Everything was charming. She showed me her garden and guess what! She picked raspberries out of her garden for my breakfast. WOW! More fresh garden fare. She also baked some delicious carrot/pineapple muffins without sugar that tasted delicious. She also made some delicious granola bars for me to take with me. They had some chocolate chips in them but ate around the chocolate and enjoyed every bite. I didn’t have much time to enjoy her house and grounds as I was there late, up early and had to leave again. It was a very comfortable place to stay and the bed was wonderful.
If you read this Ruth I want to thank you for opening your home to me through Airbnb.com. Everything was lovey. I enjoyed our short time together. Who knows, I may be back your way someday!
Friday June 12, 2015 DAY 99 BUTCHARD GARDENS
So much is said when the words “BUTCHART GARDEN” is uttered. So much that I will not be able to say it all in this blog no matter how long it becomes. For those of you have been to Butchart Garden you will have a better understand of what I mean.
I arrived at Butchart Garden at 9:09 a.m. The garden opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. I knew before I even went that I wanted to be there every moment I could be. I planned to be the last one to leave the park that day! That was my goal. I found out after I arrived on the island that starting Monday June 15th the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and later in the summer they are opened even longer. I would have waited to come next week if I had known that. I had hoped they would be open until dark.
Now, where to start? It is amazing just to see how it is set up for traffic flow. You pay from your car as you go through a ticket line. There are excellent signs to point the way to the parking. Parking attendants are all over parking the early arrivals the closest and so on. I was in the second row, very close to the entrance. The parking lot is huge and very easy to get in and out of. Think of the opposite of any parking lot in Wisconsin. The moment I walked through the open passage way into the park I felt freedom. It was so clean, so orderly, so beautiful and so spacious. At the end of the day I likened it to a Disneyland for adults! A PEACEFUL Disneyland for adults. Serenity would be an apt description.
As I sit here in a BC Ferry, being transported from Vancouver Island to mainland BC, the ocean is surrounding me with a myriad of small islands dotting the distance horizons. It too is peaceful and calm as the clouds languidly drift in an unhurried way and the panoramic view of them is breathtaking. But, I must keep my mind on writing this blog and can’t enjoy the view like I’d like. Well, yesterday that was all I did, ENJOY THE VIEW! Every time I turned around there was something different to look at. Colors that I have never seen before, both made by God and made by man. I have never seen such a variety of ethnic backgrounds, or heard so many different languages, nor imagined such magnificent attire on both men and women as I viewed in the park. I’m sure I fit right in. When I get WiFi I’ll be sure and download at least one pic that shows my (rather eccentric) Butchart Garden dress attire. I had on my beige pants with the colorful little polka dots, a muted pink top, a multicolored striped pastel blouse, red shoes, my favorite socks that are horizontally striped lime green, bright orange, true yellow, hot pink, turquoise, and dark green. I love them! Oh, also I had on a jeans shirt/jacket and my hat that I acquired from Bill and Lisa’s neighbor who thought my polyester patchwork quilt dress was the ugliest dress she had ever seen! Well, my hat that she gave me may very well BE the ugliest hat in the world now that it has gone a few thousand miles with me on this trip. BUT I LOVE IT! It is light and comfortable and cool and stays tight on my head in the wind. The hat topped my ensemble. Well, actually I need to say that I had my little purse with the long strap crossing my front and then MY RED CAMERA hanging from my neck to top it off. What a sight I was. But…my feet were comfortable, I was warm enough and my eyes were shaded from the sun without sunglasses and I didn’t have to keep up with a loose purse. Oh the comforts of being older, not really caring about the opinion of others. Sometimes it was comical to see their looks I received. On other faces I just saw sweet smiles smiling back at me. It is so good to live in my world.
Well, I must go back to my car as we will be debarking in about fifteen moments. More later.
It is now 9:00 p.m. and I’m back and my day is about over. But…I wasn’t really talking about today but yesterday. Yesterday seems like a long way off. And not only does it seem like a long way off, the day itself seemed like two or three days tied into one by the time it was over.
By arriving early I was able to get some up front views of a lot of flowers that would later be blocked by crowds of bodies all wanting to see he same thing. The first hour or so was awesome because the crowd was low. My one thought in my heart was how I wish I could be the only person in the park and no one else would be in the way. I sort of daydreamed about how nice that would be, how beautiful, how peaceful. I had that experience once many years ago at the Huntington Library gardens, 207 acres worth. When we lived in So. California I loved going there and became friends with an old man who was the grounds keeper. I mentioned to him one day how awesome it would be to be the only person in that big beautiful garden with no one else around. He told me that it could be arranged. I was shocked and surprised. Never in a million years had I even entertained the thought that it was possible. He said he had the key and could allow anyone in he wanted to on Sundays as the garden was closed to the public that day. I asked if I could bring one other person. I brought my friend Linda. We met him on a Sunday and he opened the gate for us, ushered us in and he said to let him know when we wanted to come out. It was so amazing. Can you even imagine such a thing happening in today’s world? Linda and I spent a little time with the old man and he had us stand aside and he sat on a bench. He held out his hand and wild birds from the tree above started coming down and sitting on his finger and shoulder, hoping on the bench beside him and perching around him. It was so amazing. He said he trained them with food. He put a see between his lips and a bird would gently take it and fly away. Somewhere I have a picture of this and it looks like the little birds are kissing him. The birds trusted him. I am sure he is long gone by now but I will never forget him for his great kindness to me to fulfill a desire of my heart.
I spent long and interesting hours exploring every corner, every pathway, going up and down flights of stairs many times (purposely for exercise), walking, walking, and more walking. I stopped and offer my services to couples to take their pictures with their cameras. So many were so delighted. One couple had a great Canon camera and I ended up doing quite a long shoot for them and got some great pictures of them. They were delighted. He jokingly said “How much do I owe you”. I said well if you had been a client it would have been (this much $$) but since I did it for fun it was on the house, besides, it was with his camera. Then I told him I had just retired as a photographer and only did it for fun now. About midway into my exploration I decided I was hungry and went to a restaurant which I had earlier read the posted menu and knew exactly what I wanted for lunch. I ordered a “Yam and feta salad with fresh baby greens, craisins and macadamia nuts with a delicious dressing. It was so good! I then bought a curry chicken wrap and took it to my car to have for dinner when I got back to my room. I always carry my cold insulated bag with me with fresh food to eat.
After lunch I did more searching and found several areas not yet covered. There are many different kinds of gardens. I can’t say which one was my favorite because wherever I was seemed to be my most favorite and intense place to be. Time was running short and I literally almost cried to think I had to leave at 6:00 p.m. I retraced most of my steps and went to all the gardens again. Believe me, that is a lot of walking. I went to the Italian Garden, the Rose Garden, The Japanese Garden, the sunken garden, the fireworks display area, to all the foundains, the star pond, the totem poles, the bog garden and the Ross garden. I went to the grift store and to the visitor center. I told the lady working at the information desk that I wanted to be the last one out of the park when it closed at six. I asked her how I could make that happen. She said, just be last one to leave. She also told me to hide out somewhere. Hmmm…so that’s what I did. Throngs of people started walking to the parking lot and I just got lost farther and farther away. The crowds died down and slowly they began to leave. It became very quiet. I went to the sunken garden and climbed 51 stairs to the highest point in the garden on top a towering stone. I stood there listening as the voices and noises of children became distant and soon altogether gone. No one was around. I was there all alone. So I sang my song again…”Somebody Bigger Than You and I”. There I was on top of the rock, the second, albeit much smaller, rock I had climbed in a week. I had already been to the top a couple times before but just wanted to see the sunken garden in its isolation before I had to turn myself in to the guards.
Well, to my horror, about that time a family with three noisy children came bounding into the garden. I was making my way back to the gate and spoke to them when I passes to let them know that I thought the park was closing now and we had to go back to the gate. After all, they needed to be out before me so I could be the last one to leave. They looked puzzled and said they had just arrived and the people at the ticket booth said they were opened until 9:00 p.m. Well, I had to check that out. That was something I didn’t know about. Imagine that! So I went to the information desk again (another long walk) and inquired. And yes, that family was right. Almost everyone one was gone from the day and a few other stragglers were now coming in. According to my book this was not right. Either I was really confused by what I had read online, or by what ticket takes told me at the booth that morning, or by what the information lady had told me. What was actually happening was that the park had received word that there were two cruise lines docking who had already paid for access to the park so the park would remain open. I asked if I could stay too. They said absolutely since I hadn’t left yet. WOW…there was God working his miracles again of giving me the desires of my heart. All of the restaurants were now closed but I had my food in my ice bag so I retrieved my food, took it to an isolated place at the park, sat it on the bench and took a picture of it. Isn’t it wonderful how God provides ahead for us when we don’t even know we are going to need it? One chicken curry wrap, one cold sparkling water and one fresh made granola bar. I was one of the farthest tips in the garden. I was at the water’s edge in the midst of towering trees that formed an eerily secluded shadowy darkness. It was awesome!
The cruise ship people came in a frenzy, some only had two hours. I had been there all day and doubt if I really saw all there was to see. I took lots of pics or them to take home on their camera. Throughout the day I met several interesting people and you guessed it, I have some of their wisdom to share. Oh, sad news to share. I took notes on my cell yesterday for all the wisdom and it is not there now. I must have done something wrong. It was good notes too. Can’t even remember all the names now. Bummer! So much for trusting my phone. Well, I’ll tell a little about the ones I remember.
I met three young ladies, all 14, who were there on a school field trip for many hours north. I have never been so impressed with three 14 year olds in my life. They looked healthy and fit, had good eye contact with an adult, did not mumble, were courteous, spoke with confident and respectful voice and were just delightful to talk to. One was named Prestin. I remember her name because one of the triples granddaughters of Larry and Charlene is name Preston. I don’t know her spelling. One young lady’s wisdom was: “you must first love yourself before others can love you”. Sorry girls, I can’t remember the other two wisdoms. If I gave you my blog address please send your wisdom to me and I’ll post it. I really want to do that. I really enjoyed talking with them.
I later met a family taking photos of their beautiful daughters, ages 12 and 14. Of course I honed in and asked if I could do a family photo of them. The agreed. Then I made some suggestions as to taking some different poses of their daughters. We had a nice conversation and I asked the girls for their wisdom. Jessica, age 12 was quick to come up with: “Don’t let anyone ever dull our sparkle”. Very perceptive from one so young. Jessica the 14 year old said: “Take advantage of every moment you have because it doesn’t last forever.” So little does she yet know how very true that statement is! Even this very moment I am typing will not last forever (for which I am grateful). In my heart I do know that someday even one more word will never be typed from these 10 fingers that can still do so much. Everything I can do, I am so thankful.
I also met Ovid who just graduated from University of Victoria. He was tall and handsome, wore sunglasses and had a three day scruff. He was dressed impeccably, suit and the whole bit. On his arm was a beautify lady with a great big yellow purse. They were each taking pictures of each other and so I called out from behind as they were walking away, “Lady with the yellow bag”, and she turned to look at me. The man translated for her. I asked if I could take a picture of them together. I thought they were a lovely couple. Well, later found out that that this beautiful “young lady” was his mother and he had a 31 year old sister. (I hope I got her age correct). His mother was there because Ovid had just graduated from college. Ovid’s mother’s name is Annie. I think Ovid’s wisdom is sound for all of us to take into consideration: “TACKLE ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME PROBEMS”. I say amen to that. Perhaps the first one I should tackle is learn to use my cell phone so I do not lose things I write on it.
Well, as much as I was saddened about having to leave the park at nine, I was once again thrilled to know that the time had been extended because another a third cruise ship was coming and the park would now be open until 10:00. And to make a long story short, the supervisor told me he would not start doing the final walk through sweep until 10:30 and that would take one half hour. I was given permission to stay in the park until he closed it down. It was totally dark now. The food lights were on, the shadows in the trees were now total darkness except where the up-lights highlighted a place of interest. Photo taking had come to an end, I was alone, and I could walk to wherever I wanted to go. I went to the sunken garden again. I was high above on the entrance landing and I could see the entire garden from my vantage point. The footlights below showed graceful curvatures along the winding paths. I thought back to my day when I arrived at 9:09 and how quickly I knew the day would end. Never in a million years did I dream that I would have another such desire fulfilled as I had all those years ago at Huntington’s Library in San Moreno California with just my friend and I all alone in acres of such exquisite beauty. It was happening again. Except this time I was really alone. The supervisor and assistant walked away into the distance and soon were out of sight and sound. I sang again. It is with such joy and praise to God that sing. All this beauty had been mine for this one day in my life. No one can ever take those moments away from me. My memory may fade but the truth of my being there, feeling the stirrings deep in my soul of the wonder of God’s creation and the vision of one Mrs. Butchart to design and oversee creating something so beautiful and lasting as her legacy to the world. From a former quarry to harvest the earth to make cement, the remnants of the severe jagged hole in the ground was formed to creating lasting beauty. It is easy to forget all the sorrows of the world when one is in a place of such magnificent beauty. It is too bad that kind of beauty is not available for all to see. I thank God that I had the experience I had yesterday.
I walked away. I left the park. There was my little Silver Fox, all alone in the parking lot. There was no fear. My heart was full of joy. I was the last guest to walk away from the place called BUTCHART GARDENS. So much said in just those two words.
And there is so much else I would like to write because I am still so “full of it”. My story is not finished. There are more exciting details left out. If you made it through to the end, bless you. If not, that is okay too, because remember, even if no one ever reads this I am writing it for myself.
Here is the poem I wrote after I arrived back to my room after 11:00 p.m. My 14 hour day. I will remember these 14 hours.
BUTCHARD GARDENS
Kathleen Martens
June 12, 2015
Hush and quiet
Of day’s end
Was like a visit
From a long lost friend.
Crowds and noise,
Sights and sounds
In organized chaos
Does about.
But the peace
That settles still,
Into my quiet
Places fill.
A stroll in a garden
A private retreat
But the masses
Do defeat.
The beauty there,
But hard to see
When the eyes
Can’t roam free.
So at dusk
Day is done
And all that’s left
Is only one.
And such joy
Floods deep within.
There are no crowds,
Nor noisy din.
A desire of my heart
To be left alone
In quiet peace
Free to roam
Is like a gift
Given to me,
For everything
Now I see.
And as I left
No other was present
And oh the feeling
Was so pleasant.
Like a jewel,
A priceless treasure
And my gratitude
Cannot be measured.
Thank you God
For again you amaze
All that you do
To brighten my days.
14 June, 2015 00:16
Dinner time sanctuary
Love my outfit!
Only me on the entire carousel
Looking up.
No words to describe
View from rock.
View from rock
Thursday June 11, 2015 DAY 98 I MADE IT THROUGH THE BORDER
I must have looked harmless. She didn’t. The border lady behind the window asked me a lot of questions. Why do you have the contents of your car covered? (For security purpose) Do oyou always do that? (Yes) What is that that you are using for your covering? (My blanket that I sleep with every night) Oh. Why do you have so much to cover? (Because I’ve been travelling so many months) What all do you have in there? (My clothes, books I’ve purchased, a silverware set that I purchased at an antique store.) Hmmm… (Skeptical look in her face) When did you leave on your trip? (March 7th) Why? (To take a trip) Are you retired? (yes) From what did you retire? (Professional photography–oh yes, I also have camera equipment with me) Hmmm…(eyebrows furrowed like she really wanted to pull my blanket back) Where are you going? (Vancouver Island) Why? (To visit the Butchart Gardens) For how long? (Until Saturday) Where else are you going? (Hope and Christina Lake) Where are you staying? (Have you ever heard of Airbnb?) Ummm…oh yes. (Well I am staying in Airbnb homes)When are you going back to the US? (On June 16th) Where will you be entering? (Coeur d’Alene Idaho. I may be going back into Canada but I haven’t decided yet) Hmmm…(She was looking at the line behind me, back at me, back at the line. I speak up and say, you can take a look at everything if you want. She looked mighty tempted with a deep scowl on her forehead. She looked right in my eyes and said) No. You can go. (So I went)!!!
I was told by all who gave me advice to not volunteer anything. Let them do the asking. She hadn’t mentioned food yet and I wasn’t about to go there unless she brought it up. I probably had a bit of contraband had she looked. I was sure hoping she wouldn’t. I had my RED insulated bag sitting on the front seat in right in plain view and she didn’t even mention it or food. I had three oranges I probably would have had to throw away. I would have had cucumbers, carrots, more oranges, cooked chicken from a restaurant leftover from last night’s fajitas, fresh peas, two tomatoes, but I ate all that a few miles back down the road before I got there because I didn’t want to throw them away. Had I known that I wouldn’t have had my food confiscated I would have eaten it later and brought the other two servings with me to eat later still. I ate very little last night and had three more large servings of leftovers to take with me when I found out I wasn’t supposed to bring in cooked animal products. Too bad I left it. It was so good!
So…I am here now. After leaving the border crossing, of which I include a photo below, I drove on to the ferry landing that would take me across the Pacific to Vancouver Island. It cost over $71 dollars one way. I was informed by my host that it will be a higher rate on Saturday when I cross back over to the mainland. It was a great ride. Just for you information Dave, I didn’t even get sick at all. I kept moving the entire time I was on board and walked in circles around the upper promenade deck to get some exercise in. I may have overdone it because I did it for well over an hour. The entire water passage was 1 hour 45 minutes moving time. The scenery was beautiful as the ship weaved its way through many small islands with beautiful homes dotting the shorelines.
It is beautiful up here in Canada. It seems clean and fresh. There are so many wooded ares everywhere,sort of like Oregon and Washington but with a bit different kind of woods. More northern woods, trees not quite so tall, more oak and birch and a lot that I don’t recognize. As I drove out of the ferry terminal and down the highway I realized all the speed signs are in klm/h. Fortunately my speedometer has both mph and klm/h. That helped. Also, there is a strip of highway bordering the ferry landing that has so many billboards on a curved road, it is as if where one ends the next begins. They go for a distance and then boom…they stop and there are no more. I wondered about that. Before the signs there was a warning sign that said “Illegal to use hand held devices in a moving car” A very eye catching sign that made you know there are heavy fines that go with it if caught. Then all the billboards. And of course I’m trying to read all the signs on a curving road which causes me to weave all over the place. I think, WOW, no hand held but instead, all these signs to distract you and have your eyes leave the road. I truly wondered which one was more dangerous. I mentioned that to my host and he explained that the property along that part of the highway is owned by the Indian tribe and they rent space for advertisements. Everyone wants their sign to be displayed so thus all the signs. There was one sign with an all white background with big black letters ” WE”…(THEN A BIG RED HEART)…then… “ISRAEL”. In essence saying “We “love” Israel That was all that was on the sign.
I left my last place in Kenmore Washington at 7:30 a.m. When I leave now it is as if I have to go through what a pilot must go through to take off (perhaps a little scaled down). My first thing is to say goodbye and drive away so my friends/hosts will go back to doing what they do when I’m not there. My next thing is to drive out of sight, get out my GPS, look up the address, input all the information needed and make certain I have made the connection so I know for certain where I am going. So I do that and then I plug my cell phone in so it can recharge as I drive and then just for safe measure I GPS with my cell phone too. Then I have bossy talking to me in her soft subtle way and them my cell phone blasting through my automobile’s speaker system. So far, every time I do that I get two different routes which I don’t find out about until about half way into the trip. That is confusing. I finally figure out the way I think I would go, keep at it and the other apparatus will respond accordingly and re-route me to the “correct” way. Well, after I crossed the border into Canada I quite using my GPS on my Iphone because I didn’t want it to rack up bills to pay. Just in case.
I arrived at the border at about 11:30 at the ferry crossing area at about 12:45 and bought a ticket and was on the 1:00 p.m. crossing. Arrived at 2:45 p.m. I drove a bit around Sidney, then GPS’d to the Airbnb without a hitch. And oh my, what a beautiful location. They have four dogs, a one year old beautiful German Shepherd. (I am not going to try to remember all their names), and two little black dachshunds that remind me of my Granddogs, Jackson and Cole. The are wonderfully cared for and kept at a slim body weight. The fourth is also a miniature dachshund but a beautiful red color. There are also two beautiful horses. The yard is a beautiful, country type surrounding with the city just a little ways away. The home is beautiful also. I have a parking place under a covered carport and my car is just a step away from the private entrance into my personal private suite, a large bedroom that has a dual purpose of being my little kitchen, a very ample room with a couch, some tables, and an L shaped office set up, and a complete private bathroom and closet. Nice open space, very comfortable.
I have met both husband and wife and they are very likable folks. I know I shall enjoy my stay here. My room is only $50 per night. I tell you that only to let you see how reasonable a wonderful place like this can be. There are some that are much more expensive but I try to stay within a budget by choosing to frequent the more affordable priced rooms. I have found that I can sleep well in any circumstance, bed size, hardness or softness, where it is or with what four legged creatures chooses to come and sleep with me. And that is where I’d like to be now.
After I was settled in my room I took off again and went to the town of Sidney by the terminal and attended an outdoor farmer’s/craft market on the main street. It was loud with lots of live entertainment with the guitar case top open (for donations), vendors selling hot food while you waited like lamb on a bun, lots of other delectable foods to buy like hummus, jams, breads, etc…I bought two tomatoes, a big box of cherries, 4 baby cucumbers, black bean hummus, and two granola bars that I thought would travel with me to the gardens tomorrow for a snack if needed. Then I went to a grocery store and bought one ripe banana, fresh Brussels sprouts, two peaches, one avocado and one carrot. I thought that would give me enough food for the next few days with what I already had with me. And it was good!
So now my saga is done. I am overtired but my teeth are already brushed!
Good night.
P.S. Remember DO NOT CALL ME ON THE PHONE UNTIL NIGHT OF JUNE 16.
Visions of Poetry 