The Gimpy Girl Who Could

On Saturday we celebrated one of my best friends birthdays. She requested a day hiking through Subway Caves. I was excited to be invited to come along and up to the challenge.

I had such an amazing day hanging out with Kari and everyone. Sometime its nice just to "be". Driving down the road singing to The Judd's and other 90's country with Kari and Shell just makes everything right. Although it realy made us miss Rylee.

It was a beautiful day. Bits of snow on the way over and fall colors everywhere. The caves were nice and chilly. I came prepared with a flashlight, my walking stick, oh and baind aids... lots of baindaids and a few choice essential oils and a little chair to carry along... but lets be honest, Nessa ended up packing it for me lol.

My sassy little niece, Alyse 😘

There was a few flights of stairs to get to and into the caves. Once in the caves its pitch black and the ground is very uneven. The caves its self is actually lava tubes from Mt. Lassen. For "normal" people its not much of a hike. Just a nice little .6 mile stroll.

Kari, myself and Shell

Me, Shell & Alyse

Alyse loved the caves or as she called the "cages" and didnt want to leave.

It was a nice challenge for me and just plain awesome to be able to do something with my friends that they actually want to do without modifying it to my gimpyness. To top it off, I only fell once... Winning!

A close up on how rough the ground was. This was the smoother part.

But as predicted, I over did it. Im currently writing this cuddled up on my couch in my dark living room. Living with a chronic illness sucks but hey... Im living. Just look how far I have came and remember. "Normal is just a setting on a washing machine."

Here is a link for more info about Subway Cave in Northern California https://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/subway-cave-lassen-national-forest/sieaebfa4539547a2e5a

This summer involved lot of time in the sun and water. Just like every good summer should.

Time on the beach, kayaking, water parks and more. So many cherished memories were made. Thats what living is all about.

Heres a little look into my summer adventures with a whole lot of selfies lol.

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Im pretty belessed to have my niece and nephew, Hadlie and Hagen nearly every week durring the summer. We mostly spent that time at a local water park. A few times we lucked out and friends came with us.

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Durring June we spent a week in Fort Bragg, CA with some of my family. I love our traditional Fort Bragg Trip.

Luckily MacKerricher State Park has a sand wheelchair that they always let me use. Its a chore pushing me up the hill but its so nice to be on the beach.

My dad and I snuck off and went kayaking on Noyo River and through the harbor. It was amazing. I cant wait to bring my personal kayak next summer and do it again.

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I spent some much needed time with my best friends while Rylee was down from Washington. We went to our favorite swimming hole in the mountains. We spent many hours up there as teenagers.

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I said good bye to my family's ranch and finished getting everything from the barns. Im pretty lucky to have such amazing people in my life who sweated their butts off for me in worked in hot barns to get the barnwood that my Papa gave to me years ago.

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I celebrated my birthday with some of my favorite people.

Kari even made me a piniata!

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Had fun with little miss Cailynn at the Tehama County Fair in July. Its always a great time seeing old friends and support the 4-H and FFA.

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I sent my power chair, The Hot Mess Express to a new home.

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All through high school my Aunt Terri would take me to a country music festival in Oregon.

For my birthday she got tickets for me abd my.friend Diondra. We had a great time... but veing in.the hot 100 degree sun for 4 days did kick my butt. I was on the couch recovering for over a week. But it was so woth it.