Green Flash have you see it????

Until 2011 I had never heard of this thing called a green flash, then one day everyone was talking about it.

 I was in the Caribbean Sea sailing on the Sorlandet Tall Ship.

A green flash sometimes occur right after sunset or right before sunrise.  When the conditions are right, a green spot is visible above the upper rim of the disk of the sun. The green lasts no more than a second or two.

As I had no camera that would get this picture, I relied on my eyes, and yes one night did see it.  This picture is as close as I got.

On my travels back to Canada, I stopped at a favorite place of mine, Fort Bragg California.  This place has incredible scenery, and a local photographer Paul House put up a picture he had captured on his facebook page, there it was in all it’s glory.

Everyone should learn something new, so today, you know about the green flash, want to learn more, input Green Flash into Google and see what happens, isn’t it fun to see something new.  

for being able to see the green flash, and many other things on that trip.....more to come about it!!!!

hugs always

karen and charlie

Running Away or Changing Directions?

Many times in our lives, we come to a point where it seems to be easier to run away, and start over.

OR

Would changing what you are doing be better?

What path would you take?  There is a fork in the road, choose wisely, take the path less travelled, or the one you continually take.

When I go away to tick things off my adventure list, it is me doing my running away my way, I come home.

One adventure, I went on a couple of years ago,  made me come face to face with the reality that I could have stayed and never looked back, if that water taxi had been late!!!  I actually looked up my realtor’s number, and had it ready, I would say sell sell sell, send me the money, I am not coming home.  

Caye Caulker, Belize is the place www.gocayecaulker.com 

A 45 minute water taxi ride from Belize City.  No cars, just golf carts and bicycles. The roads are sand!  The people were so friendly, laid back, and happy, I wanted it.

The island motto is GO SLOW.  

I did come home, but knew I would return one day, and maybe stay a month or two.  

On the island you can take a yoga session on a platform in the Caribbean, go scuba diving at the world famous Blue Hole, sit, swim, read a book, talk to people, learn something new, volunteer at the library, sail, talk to locals about where you are from, ask about their lives.

The food will absolutely astonish you, I ate off the local food carts, without hesitation about what they were serving, never had an upset tummy once.  Fresh Fresh Fresh.

On the island you were in tshirts, shorts, and thongs.  No one was interested if had 2 cents in your pockets or 2 million dollars.  Everyone has smiles on!!! Everyone is equal.

The cost for a hotel range $30.00 per night to about $250.00+.  G Adventures gadventures.com has used Ocean Pearl Royale Hotel,  $30.00 per night,  owner is Gertraud Novelo, oceanpearl@btl.net, I am sure you won’t be disappointed.  Also check out TripAdvisor tripadvisor.com for further suggestions, and information.  Airlines do fly to Belize City, and you can jump on a commuter plane to Caye Caulker.

So the next time you are at the end of your rope and want to change directions, why not get away for a bit to somewhere new, and have an adventure just for yourself, and think about what your next direction should be.

hugs always
karen and charlie

Fuck Cancer

It's Sunday night, I have had a lovely dinner, and settling in for a quiet evening. 

Excuse the language, but I am mad!

Then I get the message below:

"Now I have some terrible news. Elise's cancer has metastasized again. The tumour has grown and she has cancer in her bones again. We're back in Vancouver next week, hoping to start chemo on Wednesday. We're beyond devastated."

I just had breakfast with them a few days ago.

Elise is my cousin's daughter, she is a lovely, funny, smart 17 year old, and this is the 2nd or 3rd bout of Neuroblastoma Cancer, which has been going on for 5 years.  WHY WHY WHY.

I get so angry, as I don't understand why bad things happen to good people.   

If one more person says to recite the serenity prayer I will scream,  I know there is nothing I can do, but right now I just want to hit something.

So now everyone, thank you for letting me vent.

Have a great week everyone, hug each other, and be thankful for good health, good friends and family who will be there to support you no matter what.

hugs always

karen and charlie

Kayaking on Monterey Bay, California

AH!!! Just thinking about it now a few months later, evokes memories of peace, and laughter.

On my adventure list last October, was to treat myself to kayaking in Monterey.  I contacted Monterey Bay Kayaks (www.montereybaykayaks.com)   they have daily tours out into the bay, and back!   They have all the equipment, and wetsuits for all.  You can even just rent a kayak and go on your own.  

A few years ago I was at the Monterey Bay Aquarium www.montereybayaquarium.org having lunch, and my eyes wondered outside to the bay watching kayakers, I thought I would love to do that.  The group I was with this would not have been on their radar, so I put the idea on the back burner so to speak. Below is the kayaker from 2008 I saw!

You leave on your tour with an expert guide/historian Joel, and head out toward the Aquarium area,  you pass the boats in the bay where people appear to be living.  The sea lions would wake the dead so to speak.  All the activity in the area you are observing from the water, and not the street, a real surprise in some ways.  One of the hotels right on the bay appears to have a cave under it, but in reality it is a cutout to bring your own kayak into, then up to your hotel room.  

Joel tells us the history of the animals, and area.  I just want to paddle and observe the area I am in, the kelp is a living organism that appears to have a life of its own, and as with mother nature, it will win in the end.

What a delightful way to spend several hours.  When you get back to shore, don’t just change and get back in your car,  sit and soak up the activities that are going on around you.  People watch, relax, talk to others.  Learn something new. 

When going to somewhere new,  look up what events are going on in the area while you are there,  contact activities that interest you for specials, or further hints on something you might not have thought of.

I shall return, as I look out into the wide blue yonder, and wonder what the next adventure will bring.

hugs always 

karen and charlie