All for numero ??uno??

First of all, I really don't consider myself to be 'numero uno' but most ppl know the saying...

So, I'm not into editing my posts, or explaining them so that people who choose to read my blog can understand them, but apparently there are times that we must clarify things for people to help them relax.

Rather than put my business 100% out in the open I speak much of the time in third person or code. It seems that you can write a bit more creatively that way. I don't really consider anyone else to be just like me, or feel that anyone else actually draws a parallel between me & themselves (or anyone else in the world,) but I suppose when you're really looking hard for something,

you can find it.

Anyway....just to clear the air for anyone who really wants to know....my blog is about me. M.E. ME!! I vent here. I blow off steam here.

I talk about my adventures here.

I talk about my struggles. I talk about my life.

I talk about my good qualities.

I bash myself when I am behaving pathetically.

There are some who read it and pray for me. (Thanks ^.~)

I think it's okay to have an awareness that pushes you into some

"self-bashing"

from time to time...too often may be a bit unhealthy, but occasionally could actually prove to be good for you? I don't know. I've ridden my rollercoaster for quite some time now, like...my whole life...so I think it has actually helped me when I realize how pathetic I am from time to time. If others care to draw parallels between me and them, I suppose that's their perogative....but when I'm self-bashing, it's fully intended for just that

--ME--

 and usually helps me to stop partaking in the behaviors that I'm bashing myself for doing.

If at any time someone happens upon my blog and decides that me writing about ME is offensive...my best suggestion is for them to stay off of my blog.

I write it for and about me!

(Well, and of course those who pray for me when I'm being pathetic.)

So....for all those ppl out in blog land who read this or any other blog...if you didn't like your visit, it seems that not repeating it is a superior idea.

Cheers!

Sand Art

"Alien vs Bender" by Carl Jara

 You never really know what type of adventure you might come across while walking around downtown Port Angeles...

So....a few days ago, I was walking on the Discovery Trail, and this is what I discovered when I hit the pier!

I was absolutely amazed at the talent these artists displayed in their work.

This is my favorite, titled "Alien vs Bender" by Carl Jara

                   

 "The Three Laws" by Damon Langlois (above)
1. A robot will not harm a human
2. A robot will not perform an action that will result in a human being harmed.
3. A robot will not harm itself unless in doing so, no harm will come to
a human.

"I'll Be Back" by Firat Uysal (Above)

"The Time Machine" by Dan Belcher (above)

"Planet of the Apes"  (missed the sign w the sculptor :/)

"Luke & Laia" by Sue McGraw (above)

A shot from a distance to show the actual size of the
sculptures. (Above)

Hiking Marmot Pass

 So...it's a gorgeous summer day in the Pacific Northwest and of course...I'm going to find a hike if I possibly can.
After surfing the net to find the perfect place, I came up with Marmot Pass.
It's next to the Big Quilcene River in Mid-SW Washington.
The day started at about 65 degrees, ZERO humidity...and ended up getting to about 75. Perfect hiking weather!

 Elevation started at 2400 feet. The air was crisp and clean. The Big Quilcene River was roaring on my left. There were posted warnings of recent bear sightings in the area, so I was equipped with my 'bear bell'  and was as noisy as I could be. So far, I have not been face to face with a bear in the wild and I don't think I'd want to! This is a 'self pic' taken with my little tripod. It's really coming in handy! I was probably about 2/3 of the way up the mountain at this time.
 

This is an (obvious) hand held self pic... the gorgeous mountains in the background are what I was privy to gaze at once I got about 1/2 way up the pass. This was the view on the left side of the path. The going was just starting to get tough about this time, so the treat of having such an amazing view was quite a helpful motivator for me!
Below is the view on my right. The flox and other wildflowers were in full bloom and just gorgeous with the rocky mountains to offset them in the background. There were several different colors to enjoy...2 or 3 shades of purple, yellow, red, white and orange.

Another shot of the beautiful, snow covered mountains with wildflowers in the foreground.  The elevation at the top was 6000+ feet...so the total climb was about 3500 feet. Fairly steep the entire way.      5.2 miles...one way. My legs were pretty much screaming "WHY are you doing this to us?" for the last 1/4 or so of the trip up! The views were definitely worth the hike. I probably saw about 15 people along the way.  I was feeling pretty wimpy off and on, but I'm a novice hiker, so it can only get better, right? I plan to become a PRO...and I am loving the journey. It is really rewarding when feel like you've accomplished something. I get very close to God on my trips just marvelling at His creation. It's amazing that He actually knows me and loves me. I feel so small when I look at all the wonderful things He created. SNOW!!! Yes, I ran into snow. I captured one of the 'tunnels' the snow made...and this is where I had to stop. :(  The tunnelling can cause you to fall through, frequently hyperextending knees, twisting ankles, etc. not to mention that there was enough snow, without footprints, or trail markers...and I lost the trail. Considering that I was in new territory (for me) I thought it would be best that I NOT get lost! I'd hate for someone to have to come looking for me all the way up there!! So, even though I didn't make it all the way to the top (a hiker who had been there said we were about 1/2 mile from the top when we hit snow)...I DID experience the beauty of God's creation, in complete solitude, and spent much of the day in prayer just thanking Him for allowing me to be there with Him and for the blessing of my health. I am so fortunate!!  

I must make a note to say that I was VERY happy to see my car...and the next day, I could hardly walk!! My gluts were more sore than they've ever been...but it was still refreshing and I look forward to heading up again in about a month to see if maybe the snow will be melted or if there's a more clear path to the top!! 

I wish Randy was here to enjoy this with me! I guess I've made him mad enough that he's not going to talk to me anymore. I'll just keep on praying & God will work it all out.   

An 11 mile hike...

A gorgeous day in Port Angeles & Sequim, WA afforded me the opportunity to take a lovely hike at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge down the Dungeness Spit to the lighthouse!

 This is completely a beach walk, 5 1/2 miles one way and flat the entire way. The difficulty comes in when you encounter the soft sand, which is, surprisingly, quite a workout to tackle.

Work out is what I need, and I was granted stellar weather in which to participate!

 To the locals, it was one of the hottest days ever on record, in fact, Port Angeles broke heat records both this day and the day before with temperatures of 90 both days. HA!

Having been in Arkansas for 20 years, along with my recent trip to Bible camp where there was 99 to 102 degree weather every day, 90% humidity and no air conditioning...this 90 degree, ZERO humidity day was most welcomed and beautiful in my book!

 The first time I took this trek, I was not in the best of shape and I only made it about 2 1/2 miles before realizing that the further I went, the further I'd have to walk back.....so I turned back without making it all the way to the lighthouse.

I have to say this is my favorite pic from the trip. I wish I wasn't so botanically challenged....lol....but I am so I don't know what type of flowers these are but they created the perfect, shapely contrast in front of the sharp edges of this antique lighthouse.

There is opportunity for locals to be "lighthouse keepers" should they choose to volunteer. This consists of learning the story behind the site, giving tours when people actually make it all the way to the site, and staying there in the peaceful solitude for an entire week at a time!

The seals bounce playfully in the surf daily, and the female seals pup in the are at the end of the spit. The only 'traffic' you receive at the lighthouse would be foot traffic and boat/kayak traffic. You have a magnificent view of the olympic mountains on one side and of the Strait of Juan De Fuca on each side of the spit and of Mt Baker across the strait on clear days. I may look into volunteering at some point! What an awesome way to get away from it all!

Independence Day

 I had the pleasure of going outside in the front yard and just standing there to watch the marvelous fireworks displayed in Port Angeles this year for the 4th....
Yes, I was alone, but I DID have my hubby on the phone when it started, so it didn't seem so lonely.

 I was pretty much oblivious to how my camera worked to take these pix, so I was adjusting settings trying to see which angles and settings captured the best. SO.....
enjoy the pix!
More on facebook!


I had NO idea that this would be a foreshadowing of a true independence day in my own life....not by my own choice--but my man told me he was done with me....
I'm still dealing with this....