“My spirit is broken.” This is what I told my specialist the other day. Some might say that’s dramatic, especially since I appear to have such an awesome life. It’s true. I have a great life. I get to spend the majority of my time not working, playing outside instead. I paddle, hike, ski. I…
Tag: Lupus
2019 NWT Paddling Trip Recap
This summer we traveled into one of Canada’s newest national parks, Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve. It is a wilderness not accessible by road and because of this some have questioned its value as a national park due to its lack of accessibility. It’s true. It’s a tough place to reach. Not many will see…
Napping
Long distance, remote adventures are tough. They are made immensely more challenging when living with an autoimmune illness. People express their bafflement that I can tackle a multi-month paddling trip and still claim to struggle with lupus but there are many ways I have learned over the years to cope with my illness. One of…
Time Unused
Sailing the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound six years ago was the first time I experienced lupus symptoms. Since then I have learned how to adjust my life to accommodate her. “When the body is rendered useless, the mind still runs like a bloodhound along well-worn trails of neutrons, tracking the echoing questions: the confused…
Weather And Moods
I hate to admit the weather affects my mood. I can endure the rain and cold for some time but these past few weeks of traveling the Oregon Coast have been particularly cold and wet. While I have enjoyed trail runs and beach strolls the cold rains have knocked my enthusiasm from traveling a little….
A Simple Happiness
What a happiness to find myself on the Pacific Coast, among old-growth redwoods. After two months of hiking and camping in the desert the lushness of the north coast rainforest is intoxicating. The shades of green are jarring. Whales and seals and sea lions swim offshore. Elk and cougar roam the forest. Spotted owls and varied…
Trail Running Canyons
Until lupus interrupted my life five years ago I was an avid trail runner – when I wasn’t consumed and obsessed with backpacking, that is. I have continued to run but not with any consistency or with the endurance I once held. Instead of celebrating a strong forty-kilometre Sunday trail run I have had to…
