What I’m up to – Leaving Battle Ground 

Well just for a couple of days. I do enjoy living here in Battle Ground but I do like to wander. My restlessness settles in and I have just got to go!

I love to explore. To find new places and wander. Covid has put a damper on that but last weekend my sweet hubby planned a spontaneous overnight get away which fed my soul! He booked us a room on Bainbridge Island and found a puppy sitter for Lucy and we set off early Saturday morning. While I was thrilled with his initiative I was anxious as well. While I can walk I can’t walk nearly as far which limits my exploring and frustrates me. I was afraid I would spend the weekend feeling limited and frustrated by my boot.  Happily we had a good time.

Saturday –

When something looked interesting we stopped, explored and took it in. We walked around the capital in Olympia, something Jeff had never done. I like how DC it is meaning the buildings are huge and built out of marble and it looks a lot like a mini WA DC. We stumbled upon a farmers market in Olympia and ordered Paella – Jeff had never had it and I hadn’t had any since I went to Spain. We found a park bench near the water and chowed.

Next stop is my favorite bakery! Sluys has the best maple bars – the best part is they are HUGE! We made our purchase and walked down the main street  Poulsbo- it is such a cute town along the water! Then we drove towards Bainbridge Island. We made a random turn towards a park and spent several hours enjoying a beach and having a picnic that my thoughtful husband packed for us. 

Sunday –

Sunday Morning we ate in a diner and then headed north. We explored the adorable Port Gamble – filled with shops, restaurants and amazing views of the Sound. Then we found another beach and spent several hours soaking in the sun and enjoying the views along the shore.  It was relaxing and it just felt so good to see new places and get out of the routine. Then it was time to head home to good old Battle Ground. I have to safe I do prefer the traffic down here!

What I’m reading – 

It Ends with Us- Colleen Hoover

This book is just not my style. Did it hold my attention? Yes, I did finish it. But I just felt like it wasn’t for me. As I was reading it I kept wondering why I bought it? 

It deals with domestic abuse and it does bring out some important points of view. Other than that all I can say is I liked the ending. 

2 stars

To Shake the Sleeping Self – Jedidiah Jenkins

I love to read books about people who challenge themselves physically. Which is why I picked this book up. Jedidiah the author made the decision at age 27 that when he turned 30 he would ride his bike from Oregon to Patagonia.  Just think about that for a minute… I’ll wait, Oregon to Patagonia – check a map if you need to. So naturally I had to read it!

The first thing that shocked me and frankly frustrated me was the revelation that the man didn’t even own a bike until days before he left on this adventure. He did zero training and actually clipped into his petals for the very first time as he was beginning his ride! As a bike rider myself I find it very difficult to believe that someone with zero biking experience would stick it out to the California border let alone all the way to Patagonia!

He does a lot of sole searching during his ride and talks about that quiet a bit in the book. I do wish he had written even more about the actual experience of biking but he does a fair share. 

Darien Gap –

I enjoyed learning about some of the topography as he described some of the areas he rode through. For example – did you know that you cannot ride or drive from Panama to Columbia? Panama and Colombia are separated by a stretch of roughly eighty miles (maybe a hundred miles, no one really knows) of absolute wilderness known as the Darien Gap. The impenetrable, untamed jungle is home to indigenous tribes, antigovernment rebels and the drug trade. Jedidiah took a boat around the Darien Gap. His descriptions of Patagonia only increased my desire to go there and made me wonder if I should take my bike (notice I will not be starting my journey to Patagonia in Oregon!).

5  Stars

If you curious about reading more about the Darien Gap (like I am) just Google it or here is a link to one I read https://expertvagabond.com/yaviza-darien-gap/

What I’m photographing – 

I have been booking Class of 2021 Senior Sessions – One of my favorite parts of working with Seniors is to talk with them about what they want. I also enjoy trying to match the Seniors location to their personalities. There are so many varied backgrounds not only locally here in Battle Ground but also in general here in the PNW and I like to use as many as possible. A recent booking is a Senior who dresses in black and has more of an edge so naturally we will be doing an urban shoot with him.  I will be looking for metal, brick and concrete backdrops it will be fun!  

Today I booked a super fun session! A family wants pictures of themselves water skiing all together which I think is so cool! I am very excited about this session! Anytime clients want to do something unique I am in!

My Current Favorite – 

All I can think about is getting rid of this boot! 

Tuesday is the day. My appointment is at 9 am. I guess I need to remember to bring my shoe with me. Perhaps I should try wearing a shoe before I go? I’ve only walked on it barefoot. I’ve been so anxious to not do anything to hurt my progress that I have actually behaved myself (for the most part). The Dr. will x-ray my foot and I’m praying she will then give me the green light to go forth and tiptoe through the tulips. I can’t explain how thrilled I will be to have this behind me! It can’t get here soon enough! 

PS – This boot is HOT!

Garden tomatoes are in! Here in Battle Ground we don’t always have the heat necessary to grow tomatoes but this year it is working out nicely for us! We are enjoying fresh tomatoes every day! I’ve made fresh tomato soup and salsa but mostly they just end up on a sandwhich!

Goal Check – 

Fill up my Fall calendar! While I have been booking Senior Sessions I am anxious to book more Family Sessions for the Fall. I am so excited about finally getting back into the swing of life! With my boot off I will be free again! I realize I will need to work my way up but just knowing I can go for a real walk in a real shoe thrills me! 

Here is a blog post I wrote explaining what you can expect during a Family Session with SFP click here https://shellyfryphotography.com/my-everyday/family-sessions-at-sf_p-shelly-fry-photography

Building back my stamina – with my new found freedom I get to begin wearing a shoe on my left foot. I know it will take some time to build up to where I was but I will be working hard on this goal!

Take Care Friends,

Shelly