A Series of Unfortunate Events

Last Fall when it was decided that I really would be going on another long distance walk, a block of time was spent researching various trails that tempted my interest for both landscape and length (I HATE walking under trees and wanted wide open spaces with views to distant horizons, and no need to carry bear spray because of grizzly threat).  The South West Coast Path (Cornwall), the Pembrokeshire Coast Path (Wales), the West Highland Way (Scotland), and the Pennine Way (England) were all serious contenders.  After contacting a few of the agencies that make all the arrangements for accommodations for each of the trails I settled on Offa's Dyke and Glyndwr's Way because Celtic Trails UK Walking Holidays was willing to help me, and the others were not.  They were agreeable to working out all the details of a do-able daily walking distance for my pace, arrange all the B&B's, sent me 3 sets of maps and 3 guide books, and didn't mind that I planned to carry a backpack with all my stuff on my back rather than using them to transport large pieces of luggage from one location to another, for an extra fee.

On November 18 I sent Celtic Trails the deposit for my walk.  I was committed.  Began to get excited, and began to be extra careful so as to do any serious injury to my body because I had TRAINING to get on with.

First slight snowfall while on my usual morning walk going up Old Wausau Road I slipped on some ice hidden under the snow.  Crash down on my left knee, got up, and instantly crashed down on the same knee.  Hurt, but not too bad.  An Unfortunate Event.  Walked the rest of the roadway right in the center far away from ice lurking underneath the edges of the pavement.  The next day in almost the same spot I slipped and fell backwards on to the right hip.  Another Unfortunate Event.  After that I was very careful and always walked in the center of the road, when no cars were coming, where the pavement was higher and no chance of ice built up in the low areas.

During the night of December 14 some freaky accident happened while I was sleeping? or sleep walking? or walking to the bathroom?  No idea at all what occurred.  But what happened was somehow my body got itself up and over the stair railing and crashed about 10-12 feet below on the landing between the 3rd floor and the 2nd floor.  Three things flashed through my brain all at the same moment.  First the intense sound of the crashing and pushing a cabinet into the wall.  Second the INTENSE pain.  Third my mind wondering where I was and knowing something had seriously gone wrong.  Later I was told that I was lucky to not be in a group home for the rest of my life, and even luckier to still have a life.  This was a VERY Unfortunate Event.

Removed in a sling by the paramedics from where I was wedged on the landing to the ambulance where I had my first ride.  Couldn't even open my eyes to look around and check out the interior of my fast cruise to the ER, because of the pain.   Gash on the back of the head - stapled shut.  CT scan showed multiple rib fractures.  PAIN!  One week in the hospital.  Three weeks in Re-Hab at the Stevens Point Care center where learning to walk happened.  It wasn't so much that I didn't know how to walk, but walking was so painful that my legs and feet did fluky things which could have caused me to fall over, which would not have been a good thing.  So walking involved the use of a walker.  I am pretty good with that so one day in the far far distant future when a walker might become a permanent attachment to my arms, I will know how to use it with ease.  But that had better be far far in the future.  Eric and Gus my therapists at the Care Center had a great sense of humor which made the daily therapy a bit more enjoyable.

Holidays didn't happen for us this year in the traditional way as I was stuck in a bed in a "home" with many very elderly residents who were also in their own form of pain.  Gus said he always tells his patients with fractures that they should think in terms of 3 weeks and 3 months.  At 3 weeks after the accident a difference should be noticed.  At 3 months it should almost be history.  That was a good thought to keep in the brain.  And, it was true.  After about 3-4 weeks the pain was not quite as bad, medications were cut back, and the body moved a bit more, not much, but a bit.  At 3 months, March, it really was almost history.

In between the 3 weeks and the 3 months there were the many weeks spent in Physical Therapy with Kimara at Ministry.  That therapy was to get my extremely stiff, stuck and painful "chicken wing" aka shoulder scapula, moving.  The silly thing was sticking out from the back and making me look like a candidate at Notre Dame for a position replacing Quasimodo.  Chicken wing no longer troublesome.  Entering the arena of needing attention a couple weeks ago was a muscle causing pain deep between rib bones.  Back to therapy for a few tune-up sessions with Sara.

Trusting my version of a Series of Unfortunate Events (not written by Lemony Snicket) has come to an end, and the adventure will be able to move forward, with feet and back that work.

Why Another Long Distance Trek

Setting off in 2013 to hike across northern England on Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast (C2C) was begun as a celebration of turning a bit of a milestone decade in age (60), the desire to KEEP on WALKING when the typical yearly vacation hiking had come to a too early conclusion for me.

The C2C ended up with me feeling like some terrific personal accomplishment had been done...and...the urge to attempt another long distance walk, while I can still walk.  That urge was kept on the "back-burner" for a block of time. but the burner kept flaring up.  The idea was tempting to undertake another long trek while still age 62, rather than waiting until another monumental age had occurred such as age 65.

What if I can not even walk when that age 65 happens?  Why wait?  Some things need to be done while they still can be done, and enjoyed.

While they still can be done has been pointed out to me in a variety of ways over the past year.  First there was the death of my younger, and only brother, Paul, a year ago in May.  Granted Paul had numerous health issues, and as his doctors said, he was living on "borrowed time".  I miss my brother and especially the conversations we had the last few years of his life.  Paul and I spoke when I completed the first crossing of England on the C2C and arrived at Robins Hood Bay.  He was so proud of me, his big sister, for having accomplished that feat, and cheered on my return to the Irish Sea at St. Bees.

Then there was Woody Woodruff.  A fun loving acquaintance from Minocqua.  A fellow ballet parent with a connection to CWSB.  Woody was a healthy exuberant character very involved with civic activities in his touristy community of Woodruff, WI.  Woody died of a massive heart attack while working out at a gym, at the young age of 58.  Who would have guessed his life could have ended in the blink of an eye early one morning.

Then there are the multitude of Random Events of Chance.  Being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  A few that have stuck with me this past year:  Annapolis, Maryland a fire in a mansion that killed a family of 6 because their Christmas tree was too dry and caught fire.  A Georgia husband and wife out for the day to buy an antique car and are murdered by the fake seller.  The two Malaysia airlines that suddenly disappeared into the ocean with all their passengers.  The suicidal pilot on the German flight that crashed in France.  The earthquake in Nepal and avalanche on Mount Everest.  Maybe it was just their time to have It All End.

A phrase I read recently that made an impression in relation to why I should attempt another long walk was:  "It is better to die with memories than to live with dreams".  Dreams are important also, but to have accomplished the dreams a bit better.

The best reason for undertaking Another Long Distance Trek?  I LOVE to walk.

Wales is Calling

Wales, United Kingdom

Offa's Dyke Path marked in Red

Glyndwr's Way marked in Purple

This trek will begin on Offa's Dyke Path Thursday May 14 with the traditional dipping of the boots and collection of a pebble, in the south of Wales at Chepstow, on the Severn Estuary, which is connected to the Bristol Channel, which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean, which is connected to...America.  

The route (red) goes north following the earthen dyke which was constructed 1200 years ago by King Offa of Mercia along the border between Wales and England.  At the town of Knighton the route for this trekker will turn west onto Glyndwr's Way (purple) and make that horseshoe loop through the secluded hill-country of mid Wales.  

Glyndwr's Way is named after the Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndwr who lead a successful revolt against the English in 1401.  Looks like I will be getting a full dose of English and Welsh history while my feet move onward.  

Glyndwr's Way rejoins Offa's Dyke at Welshpool, about 30 miles north of where it diverted, here the route will continue north to Prestatyn on the Irish Sea.  Once the Irish Sea is reached, boots do the traditional dipping in the sea, and the pebble is tossed, or dipped in this case, and this person will turn around and return south on Offa's Dyke back to where it began at Chepstow and the Severn Estuary June 17.  35 days of trekking Wales.  Hope it can be accomplished.