Random notes

Not the greatest summer. Temperature has dropped. It has been overcast and rainy.

Friends of mine sold their home in Calgary and are moving to the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. They have a vague outline of a plan about what they want to do and how they are going to do it. They have no home to move to yet, they have not found a place, and no jobs waiting for them. They are going to crash with some friends and relatives until they get it sorted out. Any other people doing this I would worry about, they can do something with nothing and land on their feet. I drove down to squeeze in a visit and wish them luck.

I am having issues with my only sibling. Every once in a while every so many years somehow I get labelled with being responsible for some kind of vaguely defined mistreatment and get disowned for an indeterminate amount of time. The amusing part is I have really do not have much interaction and I have enough of my own problems without causing more. For the last few years I have been concentrating on my recovery and the last in person visits we had were enjoyable. Since I am not interested in indulging this I shall wait it out and see how long this latest instalment lasts. I am sure that I am not the only one with family issues.

I got out more this summer compared to last despite the lousy weather. My legs are stronger and I am more confident in my walking and gaining stamina. It ain’t great but it is incrementally getting better.

I made a recent visit to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton where I spent five months. I dropped in to remind myself how far I came. I saw a few nurses and therapists that I knew from my time there. I wanted to show them my progress and thank them. I still have a ways to go. For some reason I thought it was important to do this. Speaking to them just reinforced that I have to just keep at it one foot after the other and it will keep getting better.

Tried to catch some harvest lines

 

On the road

I spent last Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday taking a trip from Edmonton to Waterton National Park with a friend.

I met my friend Dave in 2024 when we were both on the same ward in the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. I was recovering from numerous horrible injuries and Dave lost a leg due to complications from diabetes. During one of our many conversations Dave mentioned that he was getting close to retirement age and had no idea what he was going to do as he had no hobbies. Well, he kind of had an activity or two that he could no longer pursue with a prosthetic leg. I kind of off handedly told him to get a motorcycle. He said he could not ride one. I countered that he could ride one if he bought one with three wheels, like a Can Am Spyder. Dave got intrigued by the idea and bought one last year and quickly got his motorcycle license.

Last year and this year we went out for a few day rides. This last weekend was the first multi-day trip. I learned a few things. There is no way I should have attempted anything like this last year. I wanted to last year but I did not. I was not good enough physically. I managed okay this year. I had some minor help here and there from Dave. There is a big difference in my physical condition this year and next summer I believe I will much better.

The trip was a success. There was about 1,400km in four days with lots of breaks, which we both needed. There was good food and good beer. Weather was fine, except for running into some rain on Sunday. There were plans to do the Highwood west of Longview, except we found out it was snowing at the summit. If you have plans be flexible, lots can happen. Stayed in Blairmore and fit in Waterton Park and around Cardston area  

I am a little stiff and sore in a few places and not hurting as much as I thought I would. Dave has not retired yet but he is planning on not working next summer. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip and is looking to do a lot more of this next summer. I will have the winter months to get even better so I can attack next riding season. I will close out this fall with some riding for a few hours around my home area.

Elevator Friday - Parkside, Saskatchewan

From Dale Redekopp.

Not much happening

Some plans got trashed. Some plans got changed.

Met with the lawyer and settled my lawsuit. I am not getting rich nor am I getting what I think I should be getting. Apparently my injuries are not worth as much as I thought in Alberta. The lawyer takes their cut and then their disbursements on top of that. Lawyers are a necessary evil but you just cannot help feeling screwed at times, even though they get you more than what you would have got on your own. I had the option of taking it to court to fight for a bigger amount however a court date is at least two years in the future. I believe they want to wait me out. I do not need the funds now but I am in my early sixties and I might as well take it and invest it for the future for when I do need it. Sometimes you need to move on.

In the meantime I did manage to get out for a bit. I have a weekend trip planned and I did manage to get to Waterton, Alberta. Always worth going.