Not very exciting or adventuresome is it?
But this too is part of life on the road. Things happen that we don’t expect. How do we handle it?
In this case it was to come to as much as a complete stop as possible. Reasonable when you can barely move, right? I’ll be staying at this park in this site as long as it’s available, which is until July 13 at which time a group is gathering here, probably for the local cherry festival which starts on the 14th.
Not a bad place to be holed up. Here is my view.
Getting here was hard and I just pushed myself through it and then for 2 days did nothing but rest and feed the three of us….just the basics.
Since then I’ve started walking Joy and Shiloh once a day for about 15 minutes (this morning was 20), and doing one task a day. One day it was a load of wash here at the park, another day it was shopping. I think today it will be a little bit of cleaning.
Somehow the dogs seem to understand and are not begging for more walks or making me feel guilty. (I do that on my own!)
I’m using my heating pad and an ice pack loaned to me by my neighbor. I wear an elastic support, known as a back brace most of the time I’m up. I do some simple yoga stretches that feel good, I read….and that’s about it….except for maps!
I’ve been pouring over maps, including Google Maps and Allstays, because I haven’t yet got a feel for where I’m heading next.
Joy helps…
But then I think she finds it rather boring…
(Actually I need to amend that….I just this morning decided on my next spot, which will be by Thompson Falls, MT. I managed to reserve a spot at a nice place for a week. Yay!)
I’ll still be wanting to take it easy (hook-ups!), and it’s the middle of vacation season, and lots of places are fully reserved at this point.
Meanwhile, I’ve reconnected with an old, young friend who lives in Kalispell now. We used to work together as RN’s some 12+ years ago (probably 12 +++ years), and have only been in touch through Facebook in recent years. We are going to visit and catch up on Monday, and I’m very much looking forward to that!
Wandering Spirit 
Back pain sucks. Hope your feeling well soon.
Thanks Ron! Very slowly, things are improving.
Thanks for the update…I was starting to worry when you hadn’t posted for a while. It’s good news to hear that you are up to a short walk everyday, plus one task. Do take it easy and don’t push yourself.
I especially liked the photos of Joy and the maps. I am a retired cartographer (from the Air Force) and camper….I love nothing better than to just look at my Benchmark (and DeLorme) atlases and just dream…..
Oh my gosh Sharon, you made maps! And you went and camped in an area as part of the mapping process? Wow! How interesting!
Yes, looking at maps has always been something I’ve loved doing…planning….dreaming…love it.
Yes, just trying to keep activity to a minimum at this point. Need to add a little more bit by bit though because it doesn’t take long at all before weakness adds to the back problem if it doesn’t get used at all. Finding the happy medium and slowly increasing is good…
Micky, even your “mundane” posts are fun to read. Nice photos, too (sweet doggies!). I’m glad you know what to do about your back, and are doing it!
Glad you are enjoying the posts Maureen. I’m feeling very content to just sit here and heal….heal being the key word.
Thompson Falls is fabulous!!! I hope you will be fit enough to get out and enjoy it!
And, yes, I agree with Maureen – ALL your posts are fun to read! I look forward to every one and jump for joy (in my head if not my body) every time I see a new one in my mailbox!
Hi Marsha, oh that is so nice to hear! That you really do enjoy these posts!
Yes, I sure hope by the time I get to Thompson Falls I’m ok to go out and play.
Hi Mickey, I left Kaiser (Sanata Teresa) 14 yrs ago, so am curious who you are mtg in Kalispell? Is he/she someone we both worked with there? Husband Paul was in the Jesuit seminary and we hosted 2 priests for dinner last night. ( I call them “his old Army buddies”) One is a retired missionary to the Native American tribe at Sacred Heart Mission @ DeSmet, Id. Tom Connolly.
I admire the way that you are bravely taking care of your back! Best Wishes! Marie
Hi Marie. Wow has it been that long? You were still there when I left Kaiser which was in 97. Actually I’m meeting up with someone I knew from CHOMP….Community Hospital Of The Monterey Peninsula. Her name is Karhleen. She was a fairly new nurse and learning L&D at the time. I just don’t remember the year. She will be able to tell me.😊 Now she’s a NP, moved a couple times, got married and has a little boy. We will have lots to talk about!
My back…Well yup, just doing what I have to do.
The photos and names (Kapispell) are reminders of our recent trip. We traveled some of the same roads you mention, in awe of the beauty and grandeur. Be well……
I bet you had a really nice time Carol. Yes there is so much beauty…trying to just soak it all in.
Thank you, yes, healing.
We will see you on the 3rd. Take care of yourself.
Hi Reine, Glad to hear you and Paul can make it! Looking forward to seeing you guys!
Micky, your posts are always “exciting”! So glad to hear that you are on the mend..just don’t over do. Isn’t it wonderful how our furry friends know when we aren’t at our best?! Your view there is beautiful. Hope you have a great time with your friend!!
Hi Pat (Freespirit)…Not in Texas much longer at all!
Not over-doing is the hard part. Way too easy to do “just one more little thing”.
The dogs are amazing. They go on instinct, intuition and because of their age, wisdom. What amazing brains they have. I could learn so much from them if only I could understand…
Spent some time in Kalispell when on my Cross Country bicycle trip. Also stopped in Noxon which claimed to be The town between Hope and Paradise. The same can be said for Thompson Falls; it also is between Hope, ID and Paradise, MT. I think you will like it there but 2 of the 3 times I have been in that part of the country I got rained on – a LOT.
Hi Ed, yes it sure is beautiful around these parts, and we’ve had rain both in Glacier and here in Ronan a couple days ago. Not so bad if I can keep the awning out, but if the wind picks up then I bring the awning in and our space is rather limited to say the least!
Hey we just make do!
Oh, that hope and paradise reminds me of something funny. While in Quartzsite, traveling to Yuma, there is a little ( very little) town called Hope. Past the town there is a sign that says “Your Beyond Hope”… And yes, “you’re” is spelled wrong!
When I did the bicycle tour there was a sign on the eastern town limits for Hope, ID that said East Hope, ID then maybe a mile past that was a sign for Beyond Hope. When I went back through there a few years ago I did not see those signs – it was too bad that they were gone.
You saw Glacier from the east side. If you had gone in from the west through Kalispell you would have passed through Hungry Horse, MT. I think the welcome sign is still there that says “Welcome to Hungry Horse, The Best Little Town By A Dam Site”.
Hi Ed, but I did go through Hungry Horse, on my way in and on my way out of Glacier. On the way in I stopped there for a little rest. About 25 years ago when I came through this area I stopped there too, and spent a night at The Hungry Horse Motel. I remember being uneasy there at that time for some reason. The motel is still there, and looks nice enough now.
Oh owie! I am so sorry about your back. I think you are very brave to just keep going. especially since you are far from home. Doggies are great company,A Nanna nurse dog would be good here.
Hi Elinor. Shiloh is pretty much a Nanna Nurse Dog. ☺️ He seriously watches out for me.
Well there aren’t a lot of options right now….just one day at a time, hoping to generally head in the direction of feeling better. I am, but it’s a slow process.