Marietta. The Storm. Marietta.

I have a bunch of writing I haven’t done!  So instead of catching up on the days (which has stopped me from writing at all), I want to focus on some of the towns that have been, well, extraordinary… starting with Marietta, Ohio.

Reverend Linda was the first to return my call (with the help from the church secretary, Diane).

I’d been starting to worry the churches wouldn't respond to my emails and phone calls, and now I know why… I needed the RIGHT church to be my first experience on the river.

The 1^st Congregational Church of Marietta Ohio.  What can I say that will do my experience justice?

To start:  I walked in completely stressed and tired. That ended immediately when Linda walked up, gave me a huge hug, and with awesome sincerity whispered, “Welcome Home.”

It was just that simple. 

After came an ‘Extravagant Welcome’ of singing, incredible piano/organ playing, a perfect sermon and then blessings.  Blessing to Marita and Bernie, to me and to my Henry.  They even got him treats and set out a water bowl… a small gesture, but to have strangers recognize his importance in my life was beautiful.

After the service I did my presentation.  It felt good.  In that painful, heart wrenching sorta way that comes with speaking your truth.

Then we went to a bar (Yup, these are my sorta church people), where I got to experience my first fried bologna sandwich at the Harmar Tavern.  Holy Hannah Batman… my bologna has a first name and it’s spelled M-A-R-I-E-T-T-A.  (Post service ‘Lunch Bunch’ folks, you are too awesome)

I went back to the hotel that Sunday overwhelmed- in the good way.

Then some headaches hit.  Credit card fraud and some other stresses took over and stole the peace of the day and the excitement of sleeping in a bed. I was left wanting to crawl back a few hours to my 1^st Congregational folks and hide… yeah…

(Henry enjoying the bed while I spent hours trying to figure out my credit card disaster)

BUT

The next morning we headed back to my boat (we had left it at the beautiful Sistersville, West Virginia, public dock) and I was off again.

(Sistersville Ferry)

This time ending at a little, clean, amazing RV/Campsite on the chute of an island in St. Mary’s, West Virginia.  Richard and his wife made sure we had electric and a code to the showers… Marita, Henry and I went for a swim.  Henry rolled in the mud.  It was hot and muggy, but a beautiful, quiet spot.

Then it POURED & STORMED & BOOMED.

I was a little worried about Henry, but he didn’t mind one bit, and slept right through.  Wow, dog. 

The next morning I found out Richard had been up all night monitoring the river, and with good reason… the river was high and fast (and my tent was filled with water... 4 inches of rain in a few hours was too much for my lightweight backpacking tent).

(that little dot is Henry watching stuff float by)

So we sat and stared at TREES, chairs, basketballs, tables and other rubbish fly past us. 

I was hesitant to go.  I called the lock right below us.  I called Jim the lock master at a previous lock to get his advice.  I sat and stared at another tree go by. 

I decided not to go…

Then I decided to go…

Then I decided not to go…

Then I remembered Lovely Judy from church that Sunday.  She had offered to have Henry and I stay the night when we got back to Marietta (we had stopped short before and drove in for church).

That got me to go.

A flood was not going to stop me from sleeping in a bed and doing laundry. Nope.

It ended up being a thrilling day of crazy sailing (a strong head wind mixed with the crazy current) and a boost in confidence handling poor weather on the river (for future river folks, my ‘kayak’ has 2 outriggers, a dagger board and designed for ocean conditions… I would not have taken out a regular canoe or kayak… in truth, I should have waited).

(Coming out of the island chute to The Ohio and the gunk at the lock)

I came to the end of my ‘Flood Day’ giddy I survived, mentally and physically trashed, and welcomed with open arms (again) by beautiful Marietta, Ohio.

The Mayor had come out (a Marine Veteran).  The Congressman’s staff came out.  My church came out.  The local news station did a story... 

... and after the welcome, my new friend Judy took me away to her beautiful home.

(Look at my happy boy!)

(My dog is sucker for a good bed)

That crazy day was rewarded with Manhattans, cheese and crackers, chicken salad, my laundry getting done, Henry getting to watch birds from a perfect porch and a beautiful new friendship… 

… Not just from my generous hostess, but from an entire town.

Just awesome.

Note on the River

My knees.

So I'm tall.  Maybe because of that I have the luck of being pretty athletic, but also the luck of The Clumsies. Which means I fall a lot... And my ankles tend to have a serious sprain or break a few times a year... However, my knees. My strong under appreciated stabilizers, have been   sheltered by my tumbles.  Now, these girls have the task of getting me down river.  With a boat+me+gear that's about 250 pounds... 

My ankles celebrate my seated position.

..

But my knees...

they ache...

they rash...

They swell...

And they are amazing.

I'm not the in-shape lady I was (I'll get back there- hell, I'm on that journey now), but I am looking at my knees, feeling them burn (almost like they're not connected to me), had a moment of 'I wish you looked prettier', then it hit me: you two are awesome. 

There, I'm feeding my knees positive vibes so they don't quit on me. 

We can do it, you dear Super Stars...

Day 5, 6 & 7

It’s been awhile!  Finding the river is harder for blogging than expected… more the lack of brain power at the end of the day.  Facebook has truly been a lifeline for me… seriously, if you’d like to follow the trip closer, follow me there!

I’m sitting at my friend’s home, Terry, in Huntington West Virginia, after a long, beautiful, hard week.  I had to take a quick moment and get down a few days…

Random notes:

·         My knees hurt *sigh*

·         I was completely ignorant on the significant history along the Ohio River!  I’m more an English/Scott history buff… and while I know the events, I didn’t put two-and-two together that it happened HERE.  Pretty cool.

·         Everyone had me freaked out on barges… um, stay out of their way y’all… seriously one of the easier river obstacles!  I found having a marine radio to hear their chatter and keeping a large rainbow umbrella open (boom, they can see me) when they come around a blind corner keeps us both safe.  For something to do, I’ve been keeping a log of how many I pass a day (me:nerd).

·         Henry isn’t liking the boat as much as I’d have hoped.  Mind you, it gets HOT on the river- and this with a cold spell- but I was hoping, needing him to be with me more.  I’m lucky to have M&B have the ability to take him, but it sortalotta sucks (and he’s not listening to me without our training and non-stop time together *deepsigh*)

·         Being on the river is easier than stopping.  I keep being asked if I get bored…. Haven’t yet.  Not a moment. 

·         I keep hoping I’ll be suddenly ‘healed’- it still hasn’t happened.  I find it frustrating.

·         I get heat/sun rashes that would make you blush… no bikini warrior princess for me!  If you see me on the river, I’m covered head to toe!

·         I got the names of the mayor and river angels!!  Heidi is the mayor in the town that let us camp in the city park.  Gerry was the name of the owner of the first marina we stayed at….and, drum roll… my river angels found me!!!  BOB & LISA (HURRAY!!)

Day 5

·         New Cumberland Lock

·         24 miles

·         Headwind. 

·         Beautiful, hot camping right on the river

·         Ended at mile 81.5- home of Rayland Marina

Hello Mayor of Ohioville!

Henry has the self control of a rockstar...wait! No! Not a rockstar...a, monk!

Hot, hot, hot...and a spoiled dog

Rayland Marina, end of day 5

Day 6

·         Breakfast at Pike Island Lock!

·         21 miles

·         Ended at mile 102 (I broke 100 miles!) in Moundsville, WV

·         Channel 7 News came out to do an interview

·         Tom the Lock Master and his amazing crew… can’t say enough… found friends and fellow contractors, veterans and dog lovers- Taught me it’s a good idea to stop now and again!

·         Saw the American Queen paddleboat in Wheeling West Virginia!  They had a loud jazz festival going on too- if I wasn’t so dang quirky, I’d a stopped for the day…waved to a bunch of kiddos

·         Wind cooperated, but that’s because she brought a rain storm!  Found I loved being on the water in the rain- no sun and cooler – call it my Scottish blood

·         Fell HARD while trying to get off the boat in the downpour… the men in the above bar later told me they all saw the spill (ugh, bruise, much?)

·         Had chicken wings for dinner and saw myself on the news...after falling on the deck, it was extra embarrassing

·         High Point of the day:  Tom and his guys at the Lock

·         Low Point:  The marina owner asking I leave through the back door so her guests wouldn't see Henry… I was too tired to take the opportunity to educated her on the law & service dogs

Lock view of my beauty!

Full Pike Island Lock

Lock Men!

Lowered water height at Pike Island

Now that's art...

Coming to Wheeling, WV

The American Queen

Henry stealing my bed

Watching the news at the marina

Day 7

·         Hannibal Lock

·         36 mile day!

·         Ended at mile 138 in Sisterville, WV and left the boat for 2 nights at the BEAUTIFUL new public dock next to the ferry

·         Drove to Marietta for church and a stay at the Comfort Inn

·         Unbelievably excited to sleep in a bed… so was Henry… he took the other bed all to himself

·         There was a parrot convention at the hotel!

To be continued…. Marietta deserves a post all her own (Linda, Diana, Judy…andandand…wow, you guys!)

Days 1-4 (Aug 4th through Aug 7th)

What to say…

I’ve been rolling over what to write and I’m lost for words…

The classic ups and downs of any adventure, traveling, then mixed with my ‘quirks’ have all been worth recording, but so much easier said than done.

There a wonderful people I want to thank, but can’t remember their name. 

There are beautiful things I’ve seen but can’t describe. 

There have been daily issues and anger, but I’m learning to let go. 

There has been utter frustration.

There has been hope.

There has been life over these last few days.

I’m just going to hit you with bullet points of the days and show you a bunch of pictures… because pictures do tell it best:

Day 1

Frustration.

·         Started the day by losing Henry’s vest (we then found it right before I got on the river)

·         Pittsburgh looks cool… but the roads and the difficulty in getting around made it unbelievably hard with a trailer.

·         I sprained my ankle- it blew up to the size of a baseball.

·         We finally found a good boat ramp that was not on the map!

·         A hard head wind, tons of recreational craft, and a nervous Henry because of it made for a serious panic attack.

·         After coming to ‘The Point’ to officially start the trip, the traffic and amount of people was amazing… but for me & a dog, very overwhelming.

·         Made an unplanned stop at Peggy’s Marina to take off the bimini top (we were moving backwards up the river) and to hand off Henry… I can’t tell you how heartbreaking it is to have that happen after all the planning and hope put on that puppy…  I’m grateful Marita & Bernie can take him, but I’ve learned the last few days how much I depend on him (and that’s ok)

·         After that, I TACKED the river.  Slowly, but surely, back and forth, one should never have to tack DOWNSTREAM (just say’n).

·         After hours of slow tacking, I came to the first lock and there was an hour wait… BUT, that allowed me to tie up to another boat… AND THIS IS WHERE THE DAY GOT BETTER….

·         They took me aboard.  They tied up Sans Peur (my boat’s name) alongside.  They took me through my first lock….. and then, they TOWED me to the first marina because I was so behind schedule (I would have never have made it until way after dark).

·         First night was at Groveton Boat Club on the Neville Island Chute at mile marker 9-ish.  The owner (I wish I remembered her and her daughter-in-law’s name!!), then sat down and chatted with me and then offered the stay for free…

I don’t remember their name, or the name of the ‘River Angels’ (stole that term from my friend Susan who ran into problems on the Mississippi River!)  They really did a great charity by helping….and it started the flood of beautiful people and help that has been the last few days.

Day 2

On my own.

·         Henry stayed with Marita & Bernie.  I learned my lesson, I needed to learn the river better before bringing him along

·         I did a lock alone!

·         I did 16 miles!

·         With no scheduled campsite, Marita was given the task to find one… that took her to the police station… they took her to the local park with a perfect dock right alongside!

·         Bridgewater Crossing is a beautiful little area on the Beaver River and it’s neighboring towns newspaper, mayor and police do an amazing job representing their community.

Fun Note:  The local paper sent out a reporter and a photographer!  If you’d like to read their article go to: http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/a-journey-to-raise-awareness/article_c5e7e760-8d62-59de-9dc3-833bd73b461f.html

Thank you Kristen and Lucy (see, I remembered names!)

·         The lovely local Mayor also stopped by with her dear dog, too (I can’t remember her name!! Please contact me so I can say thank you again!)

·         Even though we slept right next to the rail bridge out in the open, the community felt safe.  Thank you for your hospitality!

Day 3

Push.

·         I did almost 28 miles!

·         I went through another lock alone! (lock staff are great guys… haven’t been treated anything but awesome by all the locks!)

·         Not much to report other than stopping at a marina in Chester, West Virginia and the folks were nice enough to let Marita & Bernie drive down to the docks so we could switch out the sail for the bimini top… it got warm yesterday!

·         Wait, there is something to report!  I pushed miles so I could stay at Edgewater Park again!  Tom and his family are amazing, and haven’t accepted payment for the site (and we’re staying tonight too!).  I really can’t say enough about them or their RV/Marina/Camp…

Day 4

“Call The Mayor,” said the New Cumberland Lock guys, and then gave me his number.

·         I did 12 miles today (short, but yay!!)

·         I was greeted by a retired Coast Guard Chief, and he already knew my mission.  My dad is a retired Coast Guard guy too… so I instantly liked the lock.

·         They yelled down the number for Ohioville’s Mayor… now and he and his wife are coming to the campsite tonight for pizza & wine.  My kinda people already.

·         Because yesterday was a long day, today was a shorty.  M&B picked me up at Weirton Marina near Steubenville.  Weirton has been generous enough to let me keep the boat their overnight (thank you Sam & unknown motorcycle man! Go like their Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Weirton-Marina-Club-Inc/131352013590679?rf=171990422860094 )

That leads me to right now.  I’m sitting at a Kroger Starbucks with Marita catching up.

I’m tired: but I’m not in the basement.

I’m scared: but my fears are more current, and less the past.

I’m living.  It’s harder than before.  But I’m living.

For that, and for everyone who has been a blessing (and even a barrier), I’m grateful.

My Sans Peur at Edgewater Park

Henry and I out on the Ohio

The local news station came out and interviewed me (*blush*yay*)

My good boy

Best picture of Pittsburgh.... not because it's a great picture, but because Pittsburgh was so hard to get directions!

Marita helping get the boat down

Bernie keeping Henry company while we got things ready

Taking her down.... little did I know!!

You can sorta see the wind hitting Henry.  

Where M&B found us at Peggy's Marina just outside of Pittsburgh, less than 2 miles in.  Yes, I'm in tears.

After hours of tacking (pictures don't do the rough river day justice..nor say how cold it got), these dear angles took mercy on me.

My first Lock...the advice and help I got from these two have been priceless the last few days!!

 Finally there... after being towed... Groveton Boat Club, Thank you.

Morning Calm of Day 2

Heading out for day 2!

Ok, for more up-to-date photos and my location, please go to the facebook page:  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Awareness-Underway-A-PTSD-River-Journey

Blogging is a bit difficult, but facebook has been a great way for me to talk with folks.  Thank you...again, and again, and again... OH, and if I forgot someone here, please know I didn't forget you in my heart (cheese, I know...but true!)!

...and PLEASE, go to Purple Star Veterans and Families and sign their petition:

http://purplestarfamilies.org/

I didn't expect the river to be so busy at night.

We’re at a beautiful Campground/Marina/RV Park on The River, Edgewater Park on mile 40-ish, in West Virginia (just 40 miles from Pittsburgh… the miles start there), and I’m sitting in this late afternoon listening to the lazy traffic, birds, chirping insects and fish jumping…

…but at night, it’s not so peaceful to light sleepers. 

A VERY light sleeper. 

Yes, I know I need to ‘change’ that (I used to be a champ sleeper, now I have a host of ‘quirks’), but I was surprised how much happens on this quiet river at night.  From trains, folks coming in from night fishing to power plants ‘letting off steam’ (imagine a hot air balloon sounding blasts for 30 min straight at 2 am), she -the river- is a busy lady at night…

Lucky my companions slept right through the hustle & bustle, so did Henry.  He did perk up when he heard the men’s voices at 1am… for that I’m grateful… I also think I may need to get a machete to keep by my sleeping bag… just in case (I think I’m more terrified of raccoons than anything… damn raccoons).

But right now… right this very moment… with no one around but Henry and a gentle rain… it’s quiet.

As for my boat.  I took her out this morning, with all her custom additions, and she did awesome.  The backboard, the bimini top, and the back quarter deck all performed as expected.  Thank the Universe, and thank the people who helped me outfit her.

Notes:

-          Really, really… Edgewater Park is an amazing stop for RV folks and boaters alike.  Don’t be scared off by their low bridge into the small ‘bay’…they have docks right on the Ohio too.

-          Marita and Bernie road bikes to the grocery store on a pretty sketchy, small road… because of it, we get fresh corn for dinner *YAY*

-          Henry is having problems listening.  I haven’t been keeping up with his training and it shows.  I guess, like with children, the more I put in, the more I can expect in good behavior.  I’m hoping we can work on this in the next few days.

-          We’re on a little bay called Tomlinson Run and it’s proven to be a great testing ground.  However, all I can do is think about my cousin Anne with all these fish jumping…

-          I’m afraid of the dark.  How sucky is that?

-          Across the little bay there are 2 huge horses (on a beautiful cream color)

-          I got to talk to my therapist this morning.  I usually see him 3 days a week. To not have his guidance the last few days… let’s just say my brain is not the best at giving advice and having self-perspective.  I am grateful for him.

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(Photo Credits to Marita Hart)