Hello all,
The good news is that there is not much news. My health continues to improve, and I have been able to work. There has only been a few times in my life that I have really enjoyed working, but now I feel blessed.
The 2 story house is sold.... well, in the process of being sold. I have sold it for less than replacement cost. I am a bit disappointed in the RE market right now, but am a bit happy that I have a buyer at all. Anyway, it should close in 2-3 weeks, and I will be able to pay some bills. I know that it doesn’t sound exciting, but really, it is.
Along with my health, my urge for adventure is returning as well..... Woo Hoo I am packing up the motor home and the kayaks, and heading for the Owens river for a week of camping (I know that it really isn’t camping) and paddling. The Owens river is, coincidentally, in the Owens valley, which is on the eastern side of the Sierra mountain range. The valley is at about 4000 ft. elevation, and is over seen by Mt. Whitney which is over 14,000 ft. elevation. This makes the Owens valley the deepest valley in the USA.
I remember the Win women, Claudia, Nancy, and friend (forgot the name) hiked to the top of Whitney, so I plan to maintain the honor of the Win men by exploring the bottom of Whitney. I mean...... the top is very small, and the bottom, well, it is so very large and deep, and much more difficult to explore...... I expect this feat to be accomplished in only one grueling day. Starting out in Santa Clarita, I expect to maintain a 60 MPH pace for the first 2 1/2 - 3 hours, (difficult, but doable) then a rest stop for lunch at a local restaurant, see the sights, and then another 2 hour sprint to the campground at Bishop.
I know that this is an ambitious schedule, and I have been sick and unable to train properly, but I really think that I can do this, and crave that wonderful sense of accomplishment that follows any difficult endeavor.
The Owens valley is just full of good things to do and see.... many old western movies were shot in the Alabama Hills, which is an area just outside of Lone Pine, that is dominated by huge piles of huge boulders.... picture the good guys being ambushed by the bad guys. There was also a Japanese internment camp, ironically near a town named Independence, that was used during WWII. If you like geography, natural science, and history, it is a good place to spend time. I am going to try to leave early enough to at least tour the museum dedicated to the internment camp.
The California Kayak Friends have organized the trip, and are always good company.
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As most of you know, I have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. This blog is for information regarding my medical, and possibly my emotional, condition. Any entertainment value will be strictly accidental. I hope it will reduce the number of times that I will have to tell the same story, and will eliminate the need for me to remember who knows what.
5 comments:
JC, just wanted to say that you're sounding a whole lot more like your old self, and I'm glad to see it. Syl says so, too.
Brother Tim
Hi Tim and Sylvia, it is good to hear from you.
Yup, I am feeling much better. I now have a better understanding of what people go through when they get sick, and more respect for those who have been there.
JC
Hope you have a great time in one of my very favorite places!
Tim said what I thought as I read your post. You are sounding more like the old John. I'm glad you're feeling better and doing so well.
Enjoy your trip. Imagine the stories you will have if you conquer the bottom of Whitney! I hope you will keep blogging while you travel...post some pictures too.
How's the diet - you know, the one the doctor put you on that you insisted would not sustain life?
Peggy
Diana, I agree, one of my favorites as well. I have traveled this route many times and never been disappointed.
I have been forced to modify the diet in order to survive. I have been trying to get a handle on "what I can eat". Testing my blood sugar 8-10 times a day is tough on the fingers, but yielding valuable information.
Well, you never really "conquer" the mountain..... I will try to become "one" with the mountain, and hope that the weather holds.
As you might suspect, an expedition of this magnitude is usually attempted by much younger men. I only hope that my efforts will inspire cancer survivors everywhere to "go for the gusto" and to live the dream.......
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