Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Road Trip to Mt. Washington AND BetterU weekly report

We went for a drive up island this afternoon, hoping to find a beautiful view and some photo opportunities up on Mt. Washington. Along the way, Robin said "Look what's in front of us." It was the Google Earth car, heading north on Hwy. 19, filling in the blanks.




It turned out to be only 130 kilometers to Mt. Washington - we both thought it was farther - so even though it was after 1:30 p.m. when we left home, we arrived at the mountain with plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine and the view of everywhere. There was only one problem.



We were halfway up the mountain when we started talking about turning around because we could hardly see the road, much less anything else. There wasn't really any place where we could safely do that, so we kept going all the way to the Alpine Lodge, where I took these photos.




Oh,well. The best laid plans, and all that. We did enjoy our drive.



And then - and then - Oh, I wish you had been there with us. That way you could have seen something really cool.

This is what happened. I had one of my unusual and inexplicable moments of tidiness as we left the resort. I put my camera in its pouch and ZIPPED IT. Oy. Just over halfway down the mountain, as we came out of the fog, and while I struggled to unzip the camera pack, a black bear ambled across the road in front of our car and disappeared into a very deep ditch before, presumably, continuing into the woods. I did not follow him (her?), because I just don't need any picture that badly. Sorry.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, at least in that there were no more wildlife moments, and the sun shone all the way home. We stopped to pick up fish for supper, and I had my blood pressure checked - which brings us to Part II of this post - the BetterU report.

This morning's weigh-in was a happy event. My weight is now X minus 3.4 lbs. Hooray! Blood pressure is up to 125/76, but that is still normal, and my pulse rate has dropped from 79 to 69.

Meanwhile, I found this wonderful video, which I'm posting as a reminder to myself during this season of single-minded concern over the state of my body.

I found the video posted on Twitter by Virginia DeBolt. Thank you, Virginia, for a great inspiration.


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day. I love days like that - a spontaneous drive to Mt Washington, seeing nature at its best - awww...I am happy for you and jealous all at the same time!

Unknown said...

It's cool to see bears when you're safely out of their path. Especially this time of year not a good idea to take off after them into the underbrush! Sounds like beautiful country, & the Google Earth truck was pretty interesting to see & think about.

Sandra Leigh said...

Mornin', Audrey and John. Yes, I did enjoy the trip - even though I found out where the lousy weather is hiding.

I have seen people get out of their cars and stand around photographing a mother bear and her cub while they (the bears) fished in a stream. We had to manoeuver through a traffic jam out by the west coast one time, caused by just that. It made me shake my head.

Reya Mellicker said...

I always have my camera in my pocket, unzipped as it were. But the pics you did take are gorgeous.

How weird to encounter the Google truck! They're everywhere I guess!!

I remember this vid. Oh don't all of us worry about our bodies?

Sandra Leigh said...

Hi, Reya - yes, we do - but right now I'm trying to shed a few (lot of) pounds to give my heart and joints a break (well, not a break - a helping hand?) so I'm a little obsessed.

René Wing said...

Sandra, I have no doubt that you are absolutely beautiful.

and so is that Sarah Teasdale poem!

You have so many wonderful travel stories, you might want to check out Susan's place phantsythat... you could win won of her drawings!

Sandra Leigh said...

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Reya. ;>) phantsythat? I'll try to find it, thanks.

Mrsupole said...

Hi Sandra,

I am shamelessly promoting a project at my website for everyone to see.

Just click on my name and then I will also ask if you will join me to shamelessly join in and promote it too. The more who join, the more shamelessness for us all. This should be fun for everyone and we are doing something good.

God bless.

René Wing said...

Sandra, Here is the link for phantsythat, or at least the url, or you can find the link on my sidebar
http://phantsythat.blogspot.com/

Brian Miller said...

oh, love the fog in the forest pics...

Debbie said...

I never have my camera when I need it and when I have it, I never use it!

The Unbreakable Child said...

Oh, wow, seeing the bear!!

Yay, you, awesome on the weigh-in, just awesome and happy summer!!

Unknown said...

Hope you're doing ok; unusual for you not to post for a few days....

Sandra Leigh said...

Brian, yes - the fog was picturesque. It wasn't what we went to see, but nonetheless...

René, thank you - I did go check out Susan's place, just before I hit the wall (metaphorically), which brings me to...

John, thank you for worrying. I have been told that I tend to bite off more than I can chew. It's true. I keep piling jobs on my plate until they flow off the edges and then, suddenly, I can't handle it and I just shut down. One of these days, I may be found in a corner somewhere, rocking back and forth, mumbling incoherently.

Meanwhile, though, I've taken a deep breath. All is well. I will be keeping my walks down to an hour a day, not two, for starters. I think I was a little tired. ;>)

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