Turning Ten

Today is the 10th Anniversary of "Walking With Friends Down Under" and my 532nd post!

My first post was short and sunfilled.

HOW IT BEGAN

 November 10, 2009, saw me unexpectedly travelling to Banff, Canada with Jenny Davies, whom I had briefly come to know, as she was a teller at my bank. I visited the bank in late September, after declining a flight, organised by my husband, to visit my son in Banff. Stuart had been away 3 years, but my husband and I were both seeing him in May 2010 and the flights were complicated. I really didn't need to go at that point.

Well long story short, this morning, Jenny said in conversation that her son was in Banff too. She wanted to visit him but her husband didn't want to go. I hesitated, took a deep breath, explained the flight and suggested we could fly together. My gut feeling had been correct. We travelled, had the most wonderful two weeks in Banff with our sons and have been very close friends since.

I got busy googling where to hike in Banff and stumbled on the blog of Leslie Gerin, "Banff Trail Trash".[No longer a working blog]

This was my introduction to the world of blogging. Very little hiking was done on our visit, because snow magically fell the night of our arrival, creating conditions unfamiliar for these tropical, Aussie girls. 

I was, however, able to return time and time again virtually. The names of other bloggers became familiar in the 'comments' on Leslie's blog. From time to time I would click on the blogs of these people. Some I began to follow regularly and consequently found new bloggers to follow through their 'comments' section. It has been amazing to travel to England, Finland, Sweden, France, Slovenia, the United States, Canada and other parts of Australia, almost daily.

I began to read "Making Waves".  Andra lives in Calgary and like Leslie, had me captivated by her enthusiasm and love of the outdoors, along with her writing and photography skills. It wasn't until Mar 20 2012 that I actually left a comment.

About a year later, Alexandra, suggested I should share my hiking adventures in a blog. 

Alexandra kept encouraging me.

A very big thank you to Alexandra as I say Happy Birthday to "Walking Down Under With Friends." Not only has blogging allowed me to visit faraway places virtually, but it has enabled the growth of some very special friendships across the waves. It has been wonderful to actually meet four of these lovely people in person. 

In 2011, Leslie Gerin came to visit me here in Australia. I can't believe that I can't find the photo of the event.

"Got to meet Helen, my blogging buddy and her family!  Yaaaay!"

In 2016 my husband and I visited Stuart and Kim who were still living in Banff at that time. Alexandra invited me to join her on two hikes with her friends. 

The first was the Larch Trail from Moraine Lake.

My comment on Andra's blog soon after.

Helen May 29,2016 at 10:41 AM

Andra, it is absolutely wonderful to sit here and read your blog this morning, no longer imagining what it would be like to hike with you, but knowing that I had been right there with you, enjoying this sensational, magical day! Your photos are brilliant!

Ptarmigan Lake trail

Andra's comment

While I wanted the stars to align today for each of us, I truly wanted it for my blog friend Helen visiting from Australia. Our day turned out to be more than I could ever have expected on this day in very early June. As I look at all my photos, I still wonder was all that for real! Thank you for sharing in making this day what it was, for each of your adventurous spirits and playful personalities. Memories from today will forever warm my heart!

Helen June 5, 2016 at 10"26AM

The climb was gradual, the scenery constantly exploding with beauty, the bears stayed away and the games we played were awesome. Hiking with the 'Making Waves' Gang couldn't have been better. 

T H A N K S !

I was not only fixated on reading Aleaxandra's blog but through her, discovered "Linda's Lens". Linda lives in Portland, Oregon, and like Alexandra, loves to hike and explore her beautiful state. In planning the holiday to Banff, I insisted that we had to return to Australia via Portland and the incredibly beautiful Columbia Gorge. Hearing of this, Linda took a flexi day off work and drove me the nearly 2 hours to the magnificent, Mt St Helens National Park. We hiked the Johnson/Harry's Ridge trail of 14 km, in quite hot sunny conditions. Thankfully it wasn't the 38C temperature of the day before and I was so grateful that the wildflower explosion I got to witness, hadn't wilted from that heat. 

Just as in hiking with Alexandra, I was soon transported to magical vistas making amazing memories, on trails I never imagined I would be capable of hiking. Thank you. Thank you both!

For many years I had followed the blog 'Farm-ily'. [no longer active sadly] Lynda lives in the Riverina district of New South Wales and posted a daily photo of farm life and the beauty of nature where she lives. In May 2020, Lynda asked her readers to comment on where they lived. This resulted in my excitedly beginning to follow Marie of 'Island Musings' who lives on Prince Edward Island. Such a wonderful connection to the beautiful island where my son and family live.

Sadly it would take until May 2022 before we could again visit our family. A couple of weeks later we were able to meet Marie and her husband. Marie then organised another two wonderful outings, sharing her favourite beauty spots on the island. 

French River - You may recognize Marie's, 'Island Musings' header photo.

It was so difficult to start this blog, but here we are ten years later. I am so very grateful for Alexandra's encouragement. I love that I can share the beauty of the Australian bush and that I can journey daily, to friends around the world. Alexandra and Linda have followed me from the beginning but I would also like to mention Bill, 'Out of his Minds Eye' blog. We haven't met, but he has been a constant follower. He thinks I'm nutz, but I can cope with that!

Another ten years? Who knows. That could be a lot of hiking with the zimmer frame!

I would love to read your comment.