Kayaking in Liberty Bay

It seems to be a weekend of Independence themes. It has been a fantastic weekend. Not all good, but nothing bad. Some emotional stuff -- letting go of "things." All in all, a marvelous weekend. Even Hana has had a good time.

Today, my new friend Ahmis and myself rented kayaks in the Poulsbo Marina, and spent an hour paddling around Liberty Bay. The start of our kayaking there was a big Blue Heron on a log boom. As we paddled past we noticed a baby seal and not far away was mamma, and she popped up just as we were cruising by gawking at the baby. A perfect start to our adventure. Ahmis and I paddled down past the marina and did a bit of chit-chat. Circled around and on the way back got to watch a sea plane land. It was coming right towards us but was plenty far away that we just got to watch and experience the moment.

On the way back to returning the kayaks, baby and mama seal visited us again. And we had a great end to a perfect start.

Now, I'm on craigslist looking for a new kayak. Or rather a new-to-me used kayak. I think I'm hooked. This is what I've always wanted. To spend my time, kayaking, camping, climbing, and generally outside. I guess sometimes we give up some of those dreams for something different. I don't think you have to give up anything, you just have to know what your priorities are and take the time to make them happen.

Enjoy life.

Ka Boom!

I spent the evening with some good friends, and was introduced to some really wonderful people. Lisa & Marty, and Jennifer and Tony (I think I got that right) were fantastic dinner companions and their children were fantastic. Mark and I took the kayak out on the water for a bit, and then had a little photo contest. Here are my pictures. Enjoy!






Hope you had a happy and safe 4th of July!

Live Free or Die!

I love that saying. Happy Independence Day! Today, is a very emotional day for me. I have a friend coming over to help me liberate myself from years of comic books, magazines, books, and other trinkets. I wrote to another friend, Erin, that "Independence Day for me has been -- liberating. I am someone who holds tremendous sentimental value to things that don't matter. I'm purging them. I'm not forgetting them, but removing them." I continued with, "Part of me is tremendously scared. Seriously -- Scared. I don't really know or understand why but I'm imaging shedding my old self. I know there is someone great inside me and it is not defined by comic books, magazines, or trinkets...."

This got me to thinking -- I need to blog this! What an amazing day! I'm liberating myself from a box that I put myself in. Why was I so afraid to step out and see that there are other boxes, and bigger boxes to step into (and hopefully out of.) For years a dear friend of mine would tell me how she would love to just live out of her car. She'd be so happy to only have the stuff that fit in the back of her wagon. I would tell her that the cat box would be really stinky in the car. But Why! I didn't listen to that sooner I can only guess. I suppose that is something one learns from living on their own though. I have never in my life lived alone. I have always had a roommate, or family. Even now, I have the company of two cats and my dog. Today, I'm asking myself "Are You Living it?" and I am hoping if not, that I will be soon.

My dearest aunt has lived life very simply, and I'm striving to let go of the things in my life that no longer matter and cling on to what she can teach me. The things that truly matter to me -- I hope to find them again once I've cleared out all this junk.

Happy 4th of July!