I went to bed last night thinking of the dike trail at Kelso’s Tam O’Shanter Park; so, when I woke up this morning, I decided to do that … I haven’t been there in 2 years; last time I was there, Bob and I walked it with our little grandson (who is not so ‘little’ anymore). I miss them both so much ☹
I also decided to pop in at Lowe’s and see what kind of drills would be available/suitable for me to use handily 😉
I found one!
It may not look like much, but it will do what I need it to do 😊
Crossing the bridge from Longview to Kelso (near the Longview Courthouse), I saw a Bald-Headed Eagle sitting in one of the riverside trees watching the river; so, it is fishing the river, like the sea lions 😉
(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/01/sea-lions-riverside-dike-hike.html)
I parked in the middle parking lot of Tam O’Shanter Park, and climbed the access trail to the dike’s graveled trail … and began to reacquaint myself with the sights, and sounds I have neglected these past 25 months of solo lobo adjustments.
And, seriously; no one I talked with, seemed to know which river this was … or what trail (though it is an actual 4 mile hiking trail) this was (I researched it when I got home to find out the correct river and hike 😉).
Though Bob and I had been coming here off and on for decades, I always referred to it as “the Tam O’Shanter Dike Hike” … and Bob never corrected me; though I am sure he knew which river this was.
Bob knew everything about Washington and Oregon: e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.
He never got lost – because he always knew where he was. All I had to do was describe where I wanted to go, and he would get me there – without my use of correct terminology 😉 He knew the landscapes. And he knew the correct names, because when he discussed them with other people, he would use the correct terminology.
Bob humored me – a lot: my quirkiness did not annoy him.
But now, I am learning how to get around on my own. And I am wising up as to what is what, and where that what is located.
I noticed that this river does not get muddy, like the Cowlitz, in Lexington, does.
That is a plus, in this hike’s favor.
I didn’t walk any further; I only did about a 2.5 mile walk this morning. If I had continued, the trail would have taken me past the Mall, across the freeway, past DQ … and under several I-5 overpasses before I reached the tail end at Talley Way N (which is an Industrial Business Park).
I don’t think I’ll ever go that far on my own, again – not because I can’t, but because with all the transit evidence and graffiti on the overpass concrete that was evidenced the last time Bob and I went that far … I would not feel comfortable going it alone, without a being part of a group of hikers.
I no longer walk with a big, tall man – or a long, husky wolf.
I walk alone now.
Plus, as the trail passes under several I-5 overpasses – and flanks the busy freeway, the exhaust fumes would irritate my asthmatic lungs … that are 14 years older than the last times they had traveled that way.
I have to be more careful, now.
Bringing my thoughts back from past memories, I pulled my eyes off the graveled trail fading into the near distance …
… left the graveled dike trail; and was lazily walking back to the car, when I spotted this gorgeous deep purple leaf on the sidewalk.
When I got home, I searched the shed for screw sleeves (found some), and got busy charging my little drill.
Bob had BIG drills, that were heavy and bulky (he was a big man with big hands); so, in the Spring of 2019, I cleared the shed of all Bob’s saws, drills, sledge hammers, axes, ect.: everything that was to heavy or bulky for me to use … and stuff I can’t use here in the Park. I felt a little like I was giving Bob’s life away – but I knew the things I gave to Kerry were going to a good home, where they would be used and appreciated. I don’t think Bob’s son, Alex, will use any of it; he just wanted it, so I gave him quite a bit before I said, “Okay, that’s enough now, no more. There is still Stacey, Alyna & Azariah to think about, too; they may want some of what’s left”. That pissed him off – and I haven’t heard from him since. The silence is golden.
Tomorrow, I’ll see if the drill has been charged enough – and if I am brave enough – to tackle the window shade, and get it in place. My main concern is somehow ruining the plaster on the wall, and making a mess of something that seems so simple to do.
