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:
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:
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