This morning while I was enjoying my morning
cup of joy juice, I got a text from Trudy & Ed, asking if I wanted to go
hiking out at Willow Grove Park – I said, “Yes!” So, they picked me up around 9
AM and off we went. As I was buckling the seat belt, Trudy said, “Bruce will be
meeting us there.”
Bruce is the Hiking Club President.
A stranger – Trudy has spoken of him often, but I’ve not met him.
I was nervous. I knew I wasn’t being ‘set up’
because I’ve been pretty upfront with everyone – including Trudy – that I’m not
interested in dating. I’m still a married woman. I am still in love with my
husband, who now resides in Heaven for the past 17 months/20 days/55 minutes.
But, we were having an actual “Hike day”, and
Bruce is the Head Honcho. It’s important that I meet him and be comfortable in his
company. I don’t know what I expected, but Bruce wasn’t that. He was
laid back, easy to be around, and a fun personality.
When we arrived and parked, we all introduced
ourselves and it was comfortable. I felt as though we’d all been friends
all of our lives – it was that laid back.
Instead of walking the laid-out gravel trails
right off, we decided instead to add mileage to the hike by including a mile of
river beach hiking. So, we went off Park property and skirted the edges of private
lots to walk along the river. It was a nice leisurely hike; and we all
appreciated the beauty that surrounded us in everything and everyone along the
hike:
Private property boundary. Beach is open t the public.
Osprey nest. Female in the nest.
Osprey mate with something in its mouth.
Osprey nest, with a snowman in the background and planked beach walk on the right.
The best time to walk on the river beach is after the tide has gone out and hardened it up.
Wild roses.
Fancy, expensive houses in the background. Willow Grove was a farming community at one time - now it is a playground for the wealthy.
Ed & Bruce getting ahead of us gals.
We gals were lagging behind because we were
stopping to take pictures; and chat with a few fishermen, and some of the
private land owners – everyone was friendly and talkative. A chat with a stranger
can bring interest to the day ;-)
The markings on this short log reminded me of a sand dollar.
A ship anchored and waiting to be allowed into the Longview Port & Ship Yard down river.
End of our hike this way; Trudy, Ed & Bruce. 1 MILE. We would have walked further if that tree hadn't blocked the way ...
The guys were teasing each other for having
shaggy hair because everything had been shuttered for months, and Trudy said
she and Ed have hair appointments next Monday – masks required. I said that
yesterday I noticed hair salons downtown saying they are open, but the phone
numbers they have posted on their doors to make appointments by, “cannot be
completed at this time” … and there is NO furniture in the salons except the
barber chairs. If you dare go into a salon unmasked, you are screeched at for
not wearing a mask: which tells me they are not truly opened for business.
And those salons that have screeching chimps
for “professional hair cutters” have lost my future business.
I have asthma – people who suffer asthma already
feel like they are wearing a plastic bag over their faces: demanding they wear
a mask that further restricts their breathing and makes them feel suffocated is
demeaning, ridiculous, and shameful. I refuse to wear a mask. For any reason.
Most businesses downtown leave wearing a mask
optional – those places that allow freedoms and choices, get my business and
$$$.
I don’t mind looking shaggy to stand up for
my dignity and American Citizen Rights. Eventually common sense will reign
again, and then I’ll have my hair attended to by salons willing to take my $$
without making me feel claustrophobic or like a criminal.
The guys were a hoot today, with their ribbings
on each other and their general clowning around :-D
Me & the guys. Bruce trying to balance on the log – everyone ‘distancing’.
I’ve always had male friends, and I like male
companionship – I like the different energy males give out, and their weird sense
of humor.
As I mentioned earlier, Bruce was easy to be
around; and pretty soon we were talking, joking, and laughing like we’d known
each other forever. It was comfortable. It was good. I’m not looking to replace
Bob; no one can ever take his place in my life. I’m not shopping for a friend
with benefits; and I’m not in the market for another husband. As far as I’m
concerned, there isn’t a man alive that will ever fill Bob’s shoes. But
companionship – someone to talk with/walk with/someone to share time with/and
get a male perspective from, is welcome. I’ve been missing that in my life.
Days like today are okay for this married-married widow.
Bruce has been living a bachelor life since
2004; he was widowed in his mid-40’s – his wife had a sudden heart attack and
didn’t survive. He said he was in shock, and dated off and on over the years,
but that doesn’t go anywhere because he is sorta expecting those other women to
be like his wife; and of course, they aren’t and can’t be.
And I said that is exactly why I could never
date anyone … it would end disastrously and be unfair all the way around: I
love Bob. His body died, but love lives on. I can’t imagine myself doing
anything I did with Bob, with anyone else. A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G.: I
just couldn’t. Bob loved me so thoroughly and so satisfactorily, he spoiled
me for anyone else.
Bruce said he is coming to the same
conclusion in his own life situations.
Widowing people understand each
other; we can discuss things with each other that we can’t
discuss with our children, relatives, or close friends who are still couples.
We can discuss things – dicey things – with each other without feeling weird
about the discussions.
A chat with a stranger can bring interest to
a day.
Me: “Plus es ten vous” (there is more within you). Amen!
Ocean Beach Highway & Stella in the distance. This is the road I drive to get to Eden Valley.
Big tracks of a big bird: probably a Great Blue Heron
A lone little crab claw. We were surprised ... Willow Grove is a loooong way from the Pacific Ocean. I’m pretty sure there are no crabs this far down the Columbia River. It's a mystery.
A waterlogged and uprooted tree against the wooden piles wave break.
I have gal pals that I used to meet on a
regular basis before inslee put on his nazi uniform, ad put a halt to
face-to-face meets. I have monthly phone convos with 1; and have been enjoying
Sunday Suppers with 1 … but neither are into hiking. So, this Hiking Club has
been a true blessing to me.
After we left the river beach, we finished the
hike by walking the laid-our gravel hiking trails …
A brown wild rabbit hiding in the grass (in front of left boulder). Willow Grove highway is just past those boulders.
Something new on the river since we walked this way half an hour ago ...
Fella on top of the boat shed started waving at everyone watching the progression.
Today was a good day; we charted a 3 mile hike, chatted with strangers, and solidified budding friendships :-D
And I was invited to the local Bears Baseball Games when they start playing - I love baseball games! Baseball games was not something Bob or the kids got into; but I enjoy the sport, so I am glad to be included in the outings.
When I got back home, I looked up Camelback
Backpack w-Water Bladder to wear during longer hikes. It will be spendy, but
worth it. I’m aiming to have one in my possession by August – hopefully the
State will be more open by then, and life will start picking up again ;-)
