StatCounter

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Health Progress



A friend drove across the state to visit for a couple of days. Tuesday the weather was bad so we stayed inside and caught up. Wednesday the weather was nearly perfect. He and I and the dog went for a good walk. I’ve slowly built up my endurance so was able to handle a two mile walk. Half of it was level ground the other half was rolling hills. That’s a big improvement over the short five minute walks I started with after my hospitalization.

Now I know a two mile walk isn’t climbing Everest, but it’s a start. I’ve feeling pretty good about being able to physically handle an extended sailing adventure by the fall. Those of you who’ve never cruised on a small boat won’t believe how much walking is involved. Mainly, you don’t have a car and rides cost money. Just about everything involves a walk: groceries, hardware, and laundry are some of the most common errands run on foot. How many grocery stores do you see with a boat dock? Darn few.

One marina I stayed at involved a quarter mile walk on the docks to my boat. The place was huge. A trip to the marina restrooms and back was a half mile hike. The grocery store was about a mile past the marina. Restaurants were way off in a different direction. Without even trying I could easily walk a half dozen miles. Sometimes it was quite a bit more. No wonder I slept so well by the end of the day.

After my buddy left my lovely wife and I did a little boat project. A scupper hose had to be fixed. My large low land gorilla hands had a hard time in the cramped space. My lovely was able to get the parts aligned with her delicate digits. She’s a pearl beyond price.

More bad weather is predicted so it’s back to indoor projects for a bit.

-Sixbears

12 comments:

  1. I should walk more, but I don't. I should follow your lead, I reckon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I can walk, generally I can stay healthy.

      Delete
  2. I used to hike in the mountains and all over the local hills. Now my feet prevent me from hardly walking at all. It sucks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That does suck. Still, do what you can. Like a friend of mine says: I do what I can with with what I've got . . . left.

      Delete
  3. Two miles in one go ? Yeah maybe I could...sucks going from indefatigable to being such a whimp as I am now...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are the last person I'd call a whimp. It's a miracle you are able to walk at all and you earned it the hard way.

      Delete
  4. I was curious how you brought groceries to your boat on previous trips. Do you have one of those two wheeled collapsible carts, a pack or just carry them in the shopping bag ? Would a bicycle be too bulky kept on the boat ?

    I saw this PolyMule product mentioned on another blog and wondered if it would be useful to you. A bit pricey at $400 plus, but the uphill assist could be of some benefit.

    https://polymule.com/

    I don't own one, but a smart DIY person could figure how to build one themselves I think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usually it's a backpack and cloth shopping bags. We now also have one of those folding two wheel carts and they can take a good load. When we were in Marathon we'd walk to the store and take a cab to haul the groceries back, but cab prices are cheap there. The poly mule looks pretty cool. Some people take folding bikes on their boats. My sailboat is a bit small for that. Also, the salt is murder on bikes.

      Delete
  5. There is a lot more walking involved in a sailing trip than most people would ever imagine. At least you get your exercise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I get in pretty good shape, between the work of sailing, paddling to shore, and hiking around for basic errands.

      Delete
  6. Glad to hear you are headed in the right direction bathrooms and groceries are of about equal importance, wouldn't want you to have to choose between the two:-)

    ReplyDelete