tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47611261264833431402024-03-13T12:34:26.326-07:00Lilly's Armchair TravelersThis is the place where you can keep up with our travels by following the WEEKLY BLOG, and viewing our VIDEO LOGS. July of 2014 we crossed over the Canadian border into Alaskan waters, aboard our sailboat the GLORY B., in search of a "divine assignment." We are still there. I hope you will stop by often as the adventure continues...Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-87359312685211074252018-04-17T15:26:00.000-07:002018-04-17T15:26:13.370-07:00Where is Lilly Now?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcZ4oe8i_N9KyphlodpzoMoQqhDIa9LvHuF3xY1PKViMUy6tf7BOSZDs2jIei1x6cMTPlglS3Ib1qgdCgshsN0siphJc4Tk3eidTy6hFALlJFPxcmjyTkB04wQHyfMIzeBl-QijRddUlZ/s1600/Liberty+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcZ4oe8i_N9KyphlodpzoMoQqhDIa9LvHuF3xY1PKViMUy6tf7BOSZDs2jIei1x6cMTPlglS3Ib1qgdCgshsN0siphJc4Tk3eidTy6hFALlJFPxcmjyTkB04wQHyfMIzeBl-QijRddUlZ/s320/Liberty+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">Goodness, one never knows these days. But I have heard rumors that she is in Ventura, California (after being held captive there for the winter) about ready to set sail on the good ship <i>Liberty</i> (that name means everything to me, now), north to Seattle, then by air to Thorne Bay, Alaska and back to the <i>Glory B</i>. As far as I know, this is true. Plans are to leave on May 8th, and I have every intention of taking along all armchair travelers who wish to come with us. It all happens right here. We will be updating as often as we can and wherever there is Internet for us along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">For those of you who came along on our earlier trips (both time travel--hello fellow <i>Titanic</i> passengers!--and real-life, our 750 mile sail to Alaska), you may remember that communications were suddenly cut off due to my falling overboard with my computer, cell phone and passport. But that is another story and all is well, now. Thank heavens, because here we go, again. But I am a smarter sailor these days who ties herself to the vessel even in a flat calm, no longer caring what looks good on film or lives forever on the pages of books. Looks aren't everything.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">Anyway, we have some great surprises and activities lined up for everyone along the way, so I hope you will join us. Just subscribe to the blog (if you haven't already) so you can be notified whenever there is an update. I promise it won't be three years before I post, again. It actually took me that long to figure out the true meaning of living on a remote island. Odd thing is, I absolutely love it. So, what can I say?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">Except, "Welcome Aboard!" and promise it will not be boring.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">Lilly</span>Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-241166405967656642017-10-03T13:46:00.001-07:002017-10-03T14:25:26.222-07:00Whatever Happened To Lilly?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeWo7WP7sCVpm2GDXOTALu4feVEv2w1BYIlZ8eeWJBpsbZ7TIGPKR46lBPYgCTdrPy-HRBiCNaW4nyxaz1O_g5MpKfD-1upkaTI5EJJ_sdA6FJ5caw2QIMW4QSUnbukmNWQV8aneZ6hL8/s1600/Lilly-wondering.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeWo7WP7sCVpm2GDXOTALu4feVEv2w1BYIlZ8eeWJBpsbZ7TIGPKR46lBPYgCTdrPy-HRBiCNaW4nyxaz1O_g5MpKfD-1upkaTI5EJJ_sdA6FJ5caw2QIMW4QSUnbukmNWQV8aneZ6hL8/s200/Lilly-wondering.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today, I am in Oak
Harbor, Washington, on Whidbey Island. The Captain and I are on our 2017 Holiday Circuit “down south” (as they say where we live in
Alaska), getting ready for our first SIP Holiday Authors Retreat. SIP
stands for </span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.summersislandpress.com/" target="_blank">Summers Island Press</a></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, which the Lord directed us to
start about two and a half years, ago. It has been quite an intense
experience, so far. But at this point we have some lovely
</span><i style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“mysteriously different books for children,”</i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> as well as an
adult imprint known as </span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.lightsmithpublishers.com/" target="_blank">Lightsmith Publishers</a></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (we kept running
into wonderful adult stories we thought should be published, too),
and another called </span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><a href="http://summersislandpress.com/finding-treasures.html" target="_blank">Wilderness School Press</a></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, which deals mostly
with the subjects of nature and survival skills for young people.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://lightsmithpublishers.com/glory-b/the-restoration-begins#comments" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1122" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFZQmqWzFDOhw48hiNwP-XviFr3IMwDNTKjzjMWiHoLh9O-aB1PmeBtuTRk0izhPiqXW5jjW5vEFKDLg6khSoSWYxUlO5ESs_M-6C3FuLbtJJTxEuIchSo2i9Fq5xwPHKUTN-Qd4tA4Rr/s320/GB-cover-best-10.jpg" width="224" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lightsmithpublishers.com/glory-b/the-restoration-begins#comments" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Coming Soon!</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, I've been
gone so long from my own writing a lot of people think I must have
been lost at sea. Well, we were lost a couple of times on our own
great adventure—which started out to be a summer book tour and
turned into something else altogether—but we always ended up in
some civilized place sooner or later where we could get oriented
again. We also learned we could endure quite a few catastrophes
without being killed. Something that went a long way toward giving us
the courage to start such a big project so late in our lives. It is
also reassuring to know that if it was God's project to begin with,
He would certainly bring plenty of capable people alongside to handle
things when we are gone. To tell you the truth, we're gone quite a
bit.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">There are always new
adventures calling. Which is why my thoughts have turned back to all
the wonderful “Armchair Travelers” who enjoyed that first
mysterious book tour with us which started everything off. So,
whether you are one of my dear readers who joined me last time or
someone new who just stopped by...welcome aboard.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Here we go, again!</span></div>
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkT1gARHWS5-_ufs7Qx1SFl6YLs_fR_DBAZ_q4aROdF5ITu0-fNvS1OzXmMzE3G5MX1asFnHx7AhnsvlDpbNO2LqLXukykCfxyOR9yxucPoxW3-siCpGMwAg1NEwRX3rNhJq41EFSXj3V/s1600/New-Spy-Boy-overlay-final-fix-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkT1gARHWS5-_ufs7Qx1SFl6YLs_fR_DBAZ_q4aROdF5ITu0-fNvS1OzXmMzE3G5MX1asFnHx7AhnsvlDpbNO2LqLXukykCfxyOR9yxucPoxW3-siCpGMwAg1NEwRX3rNhJq41EFSXj3V/s200/New-Spy-Boy-overlay-final-fix-sm.jpg" width="142" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>What I am working on now:</b> Presently working in close collaboration with the mysterious <a href="http://cousinsummers.com/index.html" target="_blank">Cousin Summers</a>, an author who writes books for children of all ages. Next release is Book 2 of the Young Heroics series, titled <i>Spies For Life</i>.</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-60167608774709687032016-06-14T01:15:00.000-07:002016-06-14T01:23:57.633-07:00Straightening Up...<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cIBZ4ose7spQWhviZu7sViqNT8cbMDkpsiJkQcU9vlo0UBrPoMhTw8oDoLsEvgd-phFY9eeAMz75AmkM_7bnuezyHh3yOXynaGLbPdJAW-ITuuxgrE5a9g-fzW1hN0fBwME9wvZQlrS7/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cIBZ4ose7spQWhviZu7sViqNT8cbMDkpsiJkQcU9vlo0UBrPoMhTw8oDoLsEvgd-phFY9eeAMz75AmkM_7bnuezyHh3yOXynaGLbPdJAW-ITuuxgrE5a9g-fzW1hN0fBwME9wvZQlrS7/s400/Unknown.jpeg" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">It has been a long time since I've been here, and I can see it needs some dusting and sweeping up. Much like myself. But all looks delightfully familiar and I think we will be able to get back into the swing of things in no time. A lot has happened since we last talked, as I'm sure it has with all of you, so it might take us a few posts to catch up. Meanwhile, I'll just putter around putting things in order while we chat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">First of all, I should probably give an update on my Mystery Tour, which is still ongoing. Oh, yes, indeed. There have been many setbacks (which happens in all adventures) but we are still moving ahead into what just might be the greatest adventure of all. Nothing to compare to flying to the moon, or sailing around the world non-stop (Heavens, I like to stop everywhere), but one's own travels usually turn out to be everything they have--or haven't--been able to cope with. It's all in how you look at it. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBXXRd0TPU4n2SGSnZJSOoKefcRE2mK9I2E3claCON6upu3siPqRNYBxPTCWhfjC1WAquX7mW70cAVqIbn4a3LkUuukT0kh0Oqodp415HPgM9shBS7jukYapgr-AD9HQ058vsQACKbmky/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBXXRd0TPU4n2SGSnZJSOoKefcRE2mK9I2E3claCON6upu3siPqRNYBxPTCWhfjC1WAquX7mW70cAVqIbn4a3LkUuukT0kh0Oqodp415HPgM9shBS7jukYapgr-AD9HQ058vsQACKbmky/s400/thumbnail_IMG_1269.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things I've been looking at lately.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">More on that, later.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">At the moment, I'm making myself a little nest onshore in Thorne Bay, Alaska, while the Captain tackles the huge project of restoring the </span><i style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: x-large;">Glory B</i><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">. That beautiful 32' ketch we sailed up here on. The one that sank at the docks while we were "down south" visiting all our homes for the holidays, last winter. Not being here to stop it was a terrible shock. So terrible, in fact, that I still have not been able to look down inside. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2TN0PnaVSbx8gNn4XLmud3i53Vmurd_CRbaKI-Fy2SalyXQIHbXyYd3Qtui9YOpwEc84vhePBh000SGaFZWjGhF9fMjWxmX6jJlqSu9eEQe4hYrpDuS-_ECL_61VYXMaKLymNl-KxEfB/s1600/thumbnail_FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2TN0PnaVSbx8gNn4XLmud3i53Vmurd_CRbaKI-Fy2SalyXQIHbXyYd3Qtui9YOpwEc84vhePBh000SGaFZWjGhF9fMjWxmX6jJlqSu9eEQe4hYrpDuS-_ECL_61VYXMaKLymNl-KxEfB/s320/thumbnail_FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Captain on his way back from the Glory B.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">One quick visit to see the broken and bruised outside, and then I had to leave. Better I busy myself with the sort of work I know best how to do. Which is writing stories. So, if any of you are interested in the details and technicalities of the restoration, you will have to get those from the Captain over at </span><a href="http://lightsmithpublishers.com/glory-b.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b>his blog</b></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">. Because the only thing I can tell you is that--at this point--he is still coming home all covered over with oil.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTRJxiKRsow2QfT5nC3IpqyOQG3cyt4Rp65gc-_EoUvfMXM2x971NbpLJq46WZoOeln03Vsw88k5NHumkA3Di_nZxPMZg8l7pQkmIKHeRxFQrt53DniKur__2EJnmSNSfHOb5DGucXb62/s1600/NL-cover-ST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTRJxiKRsow2QfT5nC3IpqyOQG3cyt4Rp65gc-_EoUvfMXM2x971NbpLJq46WZoOeln03Vsw88k5NHumkA3Di_nZxPMZg8l7pQkmIKHeRxFQrt53DniKur__2EJnmSNSfHOb5DGucXb62/s320/NL-cover-ST.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming Soon.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I will be putting the finishing touches on a book, or two, that have been gathering dust for want of an ending. Hopefully so I can make launch deadlines in time for some of the lazy days of summer we are all moving into. I'll tell you more about those next time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Promise.</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-839110507739034812015-01-21T18:43:00.001-08:002015-01-21T18:43:21.293-08:00Getting to Work...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eKYn3psZTaGKxB5PmVNVyzgBKJmJc8gDrXZkv6stn5TIZ91E_6n-XNFHV8Eyd_fbr4rCDBgZwetV1bCuP_OthzITromqjhBNo2XyVTpZ_B_85nWfPeZCADBBhYLsoujVfHORpwFfCQZd/s1600/Lilly-ak-beach-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eKYn3psZTaGKxB5PmVNVyzgBKJmJc8gDrXZkv6stn5TIZ91E_6n-XNFHV8Eyd_fbr4rCDBgZwetV1bCuP_OthzITromqjhBNo2XyVTpZ_B_85nWfPeZCADBBhYLsoujVfHORpwFfCQZd/s1600/Lilly-ak-beach-2.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Settling back down into serious
writing after Stella Madison and friends reeked havoc with my psyche
during our great adventure, has been harder than I thought it would
be. Not to mention working while adventuring was also harder than I
planned. Not being in my own cozy little office I left nearly three
years, ago, hasn't helped, either. But I think I'm onto something.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I only hope I can survive the impact of
such a discovery. A great element of which depends on making some big
changes in...um...me. More about that, later. Today, I am sitting in
my “virtual office,” while I'm really in the middle of a
rainforest. Not a hardship, since I also discovered that I absolutely
love rainforests. The sound of rain on the roof always stirs my
creativity. The remote aspect has been something of a problem, but I
think I've got that covered, too (Thank you, God).
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1uvz6lWw_Vg59pwsOuR-U4YxaRrsLhCuqzXCKwnyw_EHGelRA_tcVb_h_XaiwADyBM2R_CaYheIFFIsrWJ4E3T0L3S5jcM4joimgy_pH3tg3MvT0-fKBbnvZdzO6iBGceLpryxQ-7lPx/s1600/warning.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1uvz6lWw_Vg59pwsOuR-U4YxaRrsLhCuqzXCKwnyw_EHGelRA_tcVb_h_XaiwADyBM2R_CaYheIFFIsrWJ4E3T0L3S5jcM4joimgy_pH3tg3MvT0-fKBbnvZdzO6iBGceLpryxQ-7lPx/s1600/warning.jpeg" height="135" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">The only trick is going to be to find
some way to balance my wonderfully exciting new story with the real-life
adventures that have no regard for the <i>“do not disturb—writer
at work”</i> sign I usually hang out. But if I do that, I might
miss an adventure. Or an insight. Or a new article idea. Or the
Captain reminding me how much we like to walk in the rain.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But for now, I'm off to spend some time
with my new characters. Who were here a few minutes ago, but seem to
have disappeared somewhere. Hmm...that reminds me how much more difficult
it can be working with the younger ones. Easily distracted, always
interjecting their own ideas, and too quick to take off in the middle
of something important. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIEFDxzJKnk7Bw7Acbmv5DD-6G01BQFSWpOjIxW7Gx1x5YiZ0dqz_HYo4FFPxc1nhgZKizOk83RRV4chWs93W4ztGxsqF4ebOCRz3ROHkPEtmilM6EtTPZw9k2Men6Iv_q-uyJlM7wivY/s1600/Kids-rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIEFDxzJKnk7Bw7Acbmv5DD-6G01BQFSWpOjIxW7Gx1x5YiZ0dqz_HYo4FFPxc1nhgZKizOk83RRV4chWs93W4ztGxsqF4ebOCRz3ROHkPEtmilM6EtTPZw9k2Men6Iv_q-uyJlM7wivY/s1600/Kids-rain.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Now, that I think about it, I recall spending
a good deal of my time on that last project we worked on together,
just trying to round everybody up. Shouldn't be as hard in this
environment, though. Because I'm pretty sure I can guess right where
they are. Out walking in the rain with the Captain.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">The hardest thing about working is
getting there.</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-76652682643874070922014-12-15T12:48:00.000-08:002014-12-15T12:48:08.502-08:00Homes for the Holidays...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/491035" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" free ebook" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2rtFMcvrmJqEKweUJg_xC_dB3uY1AuxwsVtgfiSnanccFzMolrB5GeGdZ5LrqmiAxHJuWdcvJ96GBn3-1ZXdeKVhE4fEHSXAN0zyBNCCZtg4CGaHIDhIySRQAfy0yPkT22s8CHeUGQQz/s1600/SM-gift-sm.jpg" height="320" width="149" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I have not been home in over two years.
Lately, I've been thinking I might never go back, except maybe to get
the things I left there. However, I seem to be drawn to the idea of
homes, in general. Especially during this wonderful Christmas season,
as we make our “friends and family” circuit for the third time
since we set out on our great adventure.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Each time we come back into
civilization, I notice more changes. In ourselves, mostly, as many of
the places we visit seem to be clipping along at the same pace as
when we left, with the same activities. Getting caught up in it all
is much like slipping into an empty space of freeway: one must either
keep up, or get run over. I don't like that part. But I don't see how
one can visit those places without getting involved. I would
seriously contemplate going virtual, except half the people I need to
see can't operate a computer.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfP5_WRaMaUZvNTJA8rfaprzD65DaiD890nVCrQjKfc8CDIJh-VoIO_UU4ZzVfy5cKeuONo01CnOC420oUUQpTbC2ssD75GUekOVW8rUsDuBQmA3jVZV0YusI_zLtK9t_pNDuShk6YhqL/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfP5_WRaMaUZvNTJA8rfaprzD65DaiD890nVCrQjKfc8CDIJh-VoIO_UU4ZzVfy5cKeuONo01CnOC420oUUQpTbC2ssD75GUekOVW8rUsDuBQmA3jVZV0YusI_zLtK9t_pNDuShk6YhqL/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="111" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">This year, we have had to speed up our
normal routine and widen our loop, in order to accommodate family
members facing some medical issues. Which led to bouncing in and out
of the other homes at the rate of watching a movie on fast forward. Still, I
have not missed out on the fun things of the season. With Christmas
shopping in one city, tree-decorating in another, the Captain and I
are now off to Texas, to enjoy the delight children take in all the
little things (my absolute favorite, too). Like gingerbread
creations, neighborhood lights, and holiday programs. And while each
house is different, I can still feel the heartbeat of each home, as
well as the love and warmth of family and friends.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">God is so good to have brought us such
a long way without having to miss out on any of these special family things.
Hmm...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAdliichoenk-uba1X9nbVT4MsLAGItpdFppagy-Q54egFNrUO2a_RipG7kfdtFgmuLfJB4wD2_w5rbLydU_MS6IULtVP3Yz6saYRfbMKbTchqSVMs4gLpnNnfltBXBJE1Vg6NdbiBmrD/s1600/Lilly-close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAdliichoenk-uba1X9nbVT4MsLAGItpdFppagy-Q54egFNrUO2a_RipG7kfdtFgmuLfJB4wD2_w5rbLydU_MS6IULtVP3Yz6saYRfbMKbTchqSVMs4gLpnNnfltBXBJE1Vg6NdbiBmrD/s1600/Lilly-close.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I wonder if maybe all of life isn't
supposed to be something like that, too. Being on this long journey
and out of touch most of that time has changed my perspective a
bit. Having to leave so many things I was responsible for completely
to heaven, has led me to discover how much better God can orchestrate
my life than I can. Without all the worry and anxiety attached. Not
to mention I suddenly have more time on my hands to do those things only I can do. More time to think and write the stories that are truly on my
heart. Oh, yes, and I'm thinking a lot about home, these days, too.
But not the one I left behind...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">It's the one I can see just up ahead.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;">GLORY REPORT: The Lord has delightfully
restored the computer and phone that fell into the ocean with me in
Canada, and I am well on my way to being “back in business,”
again. So, in the next few weeks, I'll be sharing about the
many divine appointments, footsteps, and out-and-out interventions we
have encountered since the last time I posted. As well as what's
coming up next for the Captain and I... something that might turn
into our biggest adventure of all!</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-4469440816477105532014-09-26T17:25:00.000-07:002014-09-26T17:25:29.532-07:00Are We Lost?
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLev2z1PKOJCtgD7vKyNfZi23u5CdLXXfohGH-vJA_sx7ZaIXK8lUO-nJaFlsj4WiOBAKxrIbPM1DXZyAz-aLJB2mlT31DOOtIrIiqInA-rmGHZS_6JVQ-xhF9dM6Nhwy71faiOZcjqhd/s1600/ak-beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLev2z1PKOJCtgD7vKyNfZi23u5CdLXXfohGH-vJA_sx7ZaIXK8lUO-nJaFlsj4WiOBAKxrIbPM1DXZyAz-aLJB2mlT31DOOtIrIiqInA-rmGHZS_6JVQ-xhF9dM6Nhwy71faiOZcjqhd/s1600/ak-beach.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">There are a lot of
definitions for being lost. You can be terribly lost in a strange
city if you can't find the particular place you're looking for. You
can be frightfully lost in a dessert if you step off the road without
a compass and pass the point at which you can still see that road
(people have died in similar ways). Lost also pertains to something
of value that has gone missing and might never show up, again. On
this trip, we have been in all three of those situations, and...
guess what?
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We are not dead.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Even though we could
have been. Many times over.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We have also been in
situations where good intentions (even REALLY good intentions) did
not count. It has something to do with being relevant, which so many
of our reasons for even setting out on such a voyage, were definitely
not. Things like not knowing our propeller was in a state of decay
even before we left, because we never looked underwater. Of course,
we had every intention to. Just as soon as enough money came in to do
that thing. Which didn't make one bit of difference when two blades
eventually fell off in all those forceful tides and currents we kept
plowing through.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjkue6yL81hM3i_p05MsRTiYXbbpr4rNLyO6KlwFEYbsCnvts8Rf3MiF2_4o2j2HEPATBwhjXP7qbRuHUJ6v3agfHeicPsTddR3At1bYQM9_kfW9mhKcPC4_GyoeZfOIOLaAzhY5_OQlm/s1600/GB-Johnstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjkue6yL81hM3i_p05MsRTiYXbbpr4rNLyO6KlwFEYbsCnvts8Rf3MiF2_4o2j2HEPATBwhjXP7qbRuHUJ6v3agfHeicPsTddR3At1bYQM9_kfW9mhKcPC4_GyoeZfOIOLaAzhY5_OQlm/s1600/GB-Johnstone.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">At other times, we
skimmed over dangerous reefs, bumped over rocks, and flew past places
we were sure we couldn't possibly have reached, yet... only to end up
somewhere else, instead. In short, we were lost. Really lost, when
you consider we were out of radio range, and no longer had any
electronics to double check, against. We did have a “red button,”
however. Some satellite thing that would alert emergency services
anywhere on the globe. It also kept a running account (via little
dots) as to where we had been. It was a system we held in reserve for
life-and-death situations.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">So, why didn't we use
it during life-and-death situations? To tell you the truth, we didn't
even realize we were in one of those until we got ourselves out of
it. As for the dots? We always knew where we were, after we got
someplace. What was ahead of us, is what we couldn't always figure
out.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Sort of like life.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">At one point, we even
thought our compass had busted (what next?), because how else could
one explain getting so confused all the time? Later, we learned there
were areas of “extreme magnetic disturbances” we had to pass
through, but we didn't know about that then. Something that didn't
make any difference, either (it was irrelevant), because our compass
was still effected as we slipped by, whether we knew about those, or
not.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Sort of like life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Now, it has been a long
time since I posted a blog. I could tell you it is because I have no
computer, no phone, no Internet, no car, and the nearest city is
seventy miles away. But that would be irrelevant. I could tell
you—for all practical purposes—I am lost without all those
things, except that, too, would be irrelevant. I know exactly where I
am. On a remote island, in the middle of a rainforest, in a place so
expensive it will take months to save up enough money to even fly out
of here. Because—like Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz—we can't get
back the way we came. At least, not until next summer, after some
major repairs to the <i>Glory B</i>. And more electronics.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Wilderness-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00MYSD0N0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411773165&sr=8-1&keywords=lost+in+the+wilderness+by+lilly+maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Lost in the Wilderness" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPdJGZrixWZxB2LeYPpd24HvPjDLnxjj3uhwZxmOvvJVl0wcvrDD1kIiF_XPm9azPW-s19jo4R256CFiwFZ3BHZCjgz0TqioF3ClvOIG3gKwiMbBU4j9ocNhKbK7cxrH-_SEHhjNmj8Ne/s1600/Wilderness-5.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">I might even go so far
as to say my path DID actually converge with my fiction in Stella
Madison's plot-line, considering I have personally experienced <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Trials-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00KEBH6A2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411776615&sr=8-1&keywords=sea+trials+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank"><i>SeaTrials</i></a>, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushover-Plot-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00LU7K5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411776801&sr=8-1&keywords=the+pushover+plot+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank"><i>Pushover Plot</i></a>, being <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Wilderness-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00MYSD0N0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411773165&sr=8-1&keywords=lost+in+the+wilderness+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank"><i>Lost in the Wilderness</i></a>,
and having to use my very <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Resort-Stella-Madison-Capers-ebook/dp/B00NTD5EX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411776996&sr=8-1&keywords=the+Last+resort+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank"><i>Last Resort</i></a> to even get out of here.
All of which could easily be pronounced “irrelevant,” too,
because it's all in how you look at it. Almost like faith. There's
always some logical explanation for how you could have survived
something, even though it only happened after you prayed for help.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">The facts are, we made
it to our destination, we are not dead (thank you, God), and my
Stella Madison Capers are finished (a miracle!). And even though I
have sworn never to get myself into these kinds of situations ever,
EVER, again, and to forget about trying to “live out” my
character's scenarios before offering them up to my readers (whose
idea was that?)...
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrNLkCCW3rGqEfLjglG_dCD-X6Hz5H6giMv9FFyYFHfIp5WCJ_tgojSlAlOrcKQKL-R5PDB84I2AW_NE_VbAy6yDmid7qqPEMvgZcLbmjcshFXfBrXFj4hFOyzU77fRRkYQCOU-Blwa0-/s1600/Lilly-ak-beach-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrNLkCCW3rGqEfLjglG_dCD-X6Hz5H6giMv9FFyYFHfIp5WCJ_tgojSlAlOrcKQKL-R5PDB84I2AW_NE_VbAy6yDmid7qqPEMvgZcLbmjcshFXfBrXFj4hFOyzU77fRRkYQCOU-Blwa0-/s1600/Lilly-ak-beach-2.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">I have heard of an
incredible place I could call home (just a rumor, really), that bears
looking into before we leave. The only way to get there is by boat,
but it isn't too far from here. And considering it might possibly be
the next piece in this puzzle of why we ever set off on such a crazy
journey in the first place, just to maybe prove (to ourselves) that
not only do our dreams actually exist “out there” somewhere, but
they have been created especially for us by a loving God... One who
might really have that wonderful plan for our life He promised to
give us, if only we will trust Him to get us there... Now, I'm
thinking, what could it hurt just to look?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We came a long way to
look, so we might as well. It's only logical.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Sort of like life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"></span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-19949944573218134342014-08-14T17:59:00.000-07:002014-08-14T17:59:57.750-07:00Slightly Exaggerated...<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP55jsfSFiEPv5TqSQ8kQKLJ_nKEo_pqduOfYCPcPwHe9YbYR4FWbzmwTWrdBcYJtDQ8lKGAgmrRj1xFaxuCJqpbsPRnwNSn4v-6FiXgGA-NltDjcu1mwFIMDMql2jBHtbf-x79XhCHX7/s1600/Lilly-helm-wave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP55jsfSFiEPv5TqSQ8kQKLJ_nKEo_pqduOfYCPcPwHe9YbYR4FWbzmwTWrdBcYJtDQ8lKGAgmrRj1xFaxuCJqpbsPRnwNSn4v-6FiXgGA-NltDjcu1mwFIMDMql2jBHtbf-x79XhCHX7/s1600/Lilly-helm-wave.JPG" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">We came to this town
because it seemed a perfect fit for us <span style="font-size: small;">(according to the guidebooks)</span>.
When you come in from the water, across a space of wilderness that
takes at least two days to get to the nearest place that would
commonly be recognized as civilization, you have to make sure of
these things. Because nothing is more disappointing than facing
cantankerous seas, scouting out anchorages at some wild half-way spot
<span style="font-size: small;">(that aren't harboring dangerous rocks just beneath the surface)</span>,
then finally pulling into a destination that absolutely couldn't be
the one you were looking for. But it is.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOTcnMFh8TtR2gKCECyJxzmOucx5FoH8lUG_NTCkR5K-L2JYT96o7nIgw8Q71LotQ18gUlsR2gZj5AOeDx5dQWg9h4EwQVUQzwIJ0QD9S8lsJVdLNJWStBlEu1bTdJ4w_B3NguVQ8NMek/s1600/Harbor-risk-CC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOTcnMFh8TtR2gKCECyJxzmOucx5FoH8lUG_NTCkR5K-L2JYT96o7nIgw8Q71LotQ18gUlsR2gZj5AOeDx5dQWg9h4EwQVUQzwIJ0QD9S8lsJVdLNJWStBlEu1bTdJ4w_B3NguVQ8NMek/s1600/Harbor-risk-CC.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the time we finally
got here, I had a mountain of deadlines looming, and some that had
already toppled over. A few people even thought I might be dead.
Internet at the docks? Well, it was in the works, but the committee
voted the cell tower down, again, because of the expense. However
there was a library “just up the hill,” where—even if they
weren't open—you could still get reception outside the building.
Grocery store? Other than a sort of mini-mart, the
closest was about eighty miles away.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQwkKneBQpt8CX0NfPcm5m09FdDL3-XJzv9IDgqtFs5D0gY0GfHVQ6Afu-t6wE9Lpx-bURrym9UFpX3EFU_PWJrKRDJ8ePL1e4kf1r36TWOm0LDRzo1-htXE3ncPN5Uvwm2Ze3lQMEXdw/s1600/BlackBear-POW-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQwkKneBQpt8CX0NfPcm5m09FdDL3-XJzv9IDgqtFs5D0gY0GfHVQ6Afu-t6wE9Lpx-bURrym9UFpX3EFU_PWJrKRDJ8ePL1e4kf1r36TWOm0LDRzo1-htXE3ncPN5Uvwm2Ze3lQMEXdw/s1600/BlackBear-POW-Island.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Considering it would
take a two-week camping trip to hike that far—and the return trip
with groceries would be as good as a sign on our backs in bear
language that read, “VICTIM HERE”... walking it was not an
option. Neither was hitch-hiking <span style="font-size: small;">(although it was tempting)</span>, since
when we finally did make that trip, we did not meet a single other
vehicle on the way, and only a couple returning. So, we reluctantly
decided we would have to spend the extra hundred and fifty dollars to
rent a car for the day <span style="font-size: small;">(only suburbans, vans, or trucks available
because most roads were only gravel logging roads)</span>, and buy an entire
winter's worth of food all at once. But, alas... none of them were
available. Even though there were five agencies listed in those
guidebooks.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">The local company was
run by a man who also worked for the ferries<span style="font-size: small;"> (everyone does two, or
three, jobs to make ends meet around here)</span>, so he was gone every
other week. We called several times to make a reservation, until
someone informed us that his wife was visiting family off-island for
a couple of weeks, so there would be no one to answer the phone. And
while the other businesses were scattered around the island, our best
bet was probably in that town we were trying so hard to get to. But what about that “Rainforest Ferry,” the guidebooks <span style="font-size: small;">(Who wrote that thing?)</span> said left
from here, and ran between Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Petersburg? A new dock was ready and waiting, but they hadn't
found the right kind of ferry boat, yet.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbdkkKhb7NuBLH-acZX8WvErPq0UVcbmr_vjHeXWqs-NAfKXi_3KLedrw0C4ZV40_K7HeHtOO8JufSXToGvkrXhhyphenhyphenucPVfeCB515HDCLCIQxDC3rQrnJYMXc9yZ_yvokoeZj5DY6pZUFJ/s1600/GB-cove-TB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbdkkKhb7NuBLH-acZX8WvErPq0UVcbmr_vjHeXWqs-NAfKXi_3KLedrw0C4ZV40_K7HeHtOO8JufSXToGvkrXhhyphenhyphenucPVfeCB515HDCLCIQxDC3rQrnJYMXc9yZ_yvokoeZj5DY6pZUFJ/s1600/GB-cove-TB.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of which was
getting frustrating, since we were planning on making a few repairs
<span style="font-size: small;">(something about a leaky shaft seal and a busted motor-mount)</span>, before
setting out over the big water, again. And why hadn't we been able to
find that town fifty miles before this one, that was bigger? We
searched over an hour for it, before we had to give up and catch a
tide that was favorable, or stay another night “out of touch”
after so many. What's up with that? Not only could we not find the
town, we couldn't find any “divine footsteps” around there,
either. Not then.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because they were in
this town.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">So it was, that as the
Captain and I were in the middle of our morning prayers<span style="font-size: small;"> (telling the
good Lord how much we needed a car, that day)</span>, a pastor from Forks,
Washington <span style="font-size: small;">(who had brought a work team up for a week to do Vacation
Bible School, or anything else they could help the churches around
here with)</span> came down to the boat. He said he needed to go to town, and did
we want to ride along? Did we ever! And while it brought us
dangerously close to our “choking point” to have to buy so many
groceries all at one time, there happened to be an extra ten percent
off your whole bill at the grocery store—that day only
<span style="font-size: small;">(What? Whoever heard of such a thing?)</span>—which saved us a considerable
heap.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzuDcJeiklGIXCG4iQkZc8vgQilTCtHLIa9A7eFuD4WomH4WQgLRCMzNlf_JUPAYbCRycCh6v4mVoCoC0Qvs-SXUs8nJwnrsZCbfDcL4SsFedxxnJf426MvlzXY5_iU4CkfriT21O8Utk/s1600/POW-road-view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzuDcJeiklGIXCG4iQkZc8vgQilTCtHLIa9A7eFuD4WomH4WQgLRCMzNlf_JUPAYbCRycCh6v4mVoCoC0Qvs-SXUs8nJwnrsZCbfDcL4SsFedxxnJf426MvlzXY5_iU4CkfriT21O8Utk/s1600/POW-road-view.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful fellowship
and beautiful scenery, all the way <span style="font-size: small;">(thank you, Pastor Bob!)</span>, and a
comforting peace that comes from knowing God is still in control of
this “expedition of the <i>Glory B</i>,” even when we doubt it.
Somewhere along the line I got the sense I should quit fussing about
who wrote the guidebooks, too. Because we were brought here to
see something. Not the fact that places might be closed, even though
posted hours said they weren't. Shh... be still. Watch, and listen.
They are on “island time,” here.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">And maybe there's
something I need to know about that.</span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-3222360843831302012014-08-01T17:20:00.001-07:002014-08-01T17:20:57.492-07:00Back in Touch...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2iLtXfyJhaRxFhJFePOqV1H7q-zvX9zgHdewHPJDf5xSfSUUXp3Mpg4BMne9JNu_tvak1mQ1QzdEY3mtq9WyppFh3K0ffwwBiaHLUFFyCmN37EL6W6KvgnoDCq1Ctocps5nBl1OX0rc1/s1600/InsidePassage-door.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2iLtXfyJhaRxFhJFePOqV1H7q-zvX9zgHdewHPJDf5xSfSUUXp3Mpg4BMne9JNu_tvak1mQ1QzdEY3mtq9WyppFh3K0ffwwBiaHLUFFyCmN37EL6W6KvgnoDCq1Ctocps5nBl1OX0rc1/s1600/InsidePassage-door.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We have been traveling
through wilderness places for about two weeks, now. Until somewhere in the
middle of our last dangerous stretch of big water<span style="font-size: small;"> (known as the Dixon
Entrance)</span>, we crossed over the boundary line of the U.S. border,
again, and were finally in Alaska! Our long-time dream turned to
reality. But there was no time for celebrations, just then, other
than a very heart-felt, “Praise the Lord!”
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Because we were on a
time schedule relegated by the tide and winds, moving over a sea that
could change from beauty to beast within minutes. We also had a
gauntlet to run at the end, which we had no idea about. But it was
better that way, since the added stress would have probably been too
much at that point. Something about the Lord protecting us from more
than we could handle at any given time. At any rate, he had us
covered<span style="font-size: small;"> (thank you, God)</span>.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">It was day two of the
commercial salmon season. And while we were picking our way along the
coast of many islands, moving in and out of fog patches, and praying
the “chop” didn't get any higher than two-to-three feet before we
could scurry back into another piece of the Inside Passage,
again...there suddenly seemed to be fishing boats spread out from one
end of the horizon to the other.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN0S7Do3EE2FOYteLjSw6R25jRnjZl4tdW0Dq8haAnlQTRY485vS-rgPuBn1QkXGd4wy57nynt3Cej2DFxJSDftHger5c2QO2dANs0V1aarE2Mc_NYwZ1YK6jtYUQWPOAg2jGX6SLoXPm/s1600/fishing-boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN0S7Do3EE2FOYteLjSw6R25jRnjZl4tdW0Dq8haAnlQTRY485vS-rgPuBn1QkXGd4wy57nynt3Cej2DFxJSDftHger5c2QO2dANs0V1aarE2Mc_NYwZ1YK6jtYUQWPOAg2jGX6SLoXPm/s1600/fishing-boats.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Trying to decide the
least crowded place to slip past, we finally got close enough to see
that those “blank spaces” were not blank—they were nearly two
thousand feet of net spread out behind the back of each boat. So,
there really were no blank spaces. Only narrow paths signified by
bright orange balls <span style="font-size: small;">(that disappeared into the chop if it was much
over a foot)</span> that one could only pass on the right. Should you fail
to notice where that was, there were smaller runner boats that would
zoom up in front of you, manned by one, or two crew-members hollering
for you to turn back, or go around. And should you come close to
actually crossing over the net, the air would turn blue as they
clarified themselves more distinctly. We didn't run over any nets
<span style="font-size: small;">(thank heavens!)</span> but we were turned away more than once, in no
uncertain terms.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJoo1jVdgh3r-YHtb9ivNe6KCfeOXd4u9sbZ6lt3IK6PAgmw0mRPE1eUUjy4FUM-oSLBnrxI9wNpv_DYHpC55cb_NQeWTU67Y16lvIqqvUNWsuCbiZokcYwaAThEDg1ef8jvfFNHFGFWU/s1600/Ketch-harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJoo1jVdgh3r-YHtb9ivNe6KCfeOXd4u9sbZ6lt3IK6PAgmw0mRPE1eUUjy4FUM-oSLBnrxI9wNpv_DYHpC55cb_NQeWTU67Y16lvIqqvUNWsuCbiZokcYwaAThEDg1ef8jvfFNHFGFWU/s1600/Ketch-harbor.jpg" height="200" width="167" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Coming into
Ketchikan—our first Alaskan city—was only slightly less
mortifying. It was situated on a long narrow channel crowded with
cruise ships coming and going, sea planes landing and taking off from
every direction, a few tugboats hauling huge barges, and more fishing
boats. Oh, yes, and the ferry. Our only consolation was that these
northwest people could drive and park boats, no matter what size,
with about the same ease as we ordinary folk slip into a parking
place at our local shopping centers. But it was still nerve-wracking
because we didn't know where to go.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">The guidebooks said to
call ahead and customs would tell you where <span style="font-size: small;">(there were at least four
different docking areas in view, all full-to-bursting with commerce)</span>.
But we didn't have a phone. Because I, um... dropped it into the
harbor back in Canada. We did have a VHF radio turned to the
appropriate channel, but the officials on the other end weren't
answering theirs.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">In the end, we tied up
at the first empty place we could fit in, and the customs agent came
to us. Everyone was friendly, more than helpful, and incredibly
laid-back. It took two days to catch our breath and figure out the
next step. Because a phone call to the Wrangell harbor <span style="font-size: small;">(which had
been our goal)</span>, placed from the local grocery store, revealed there
was no place for us there <span style="font-size: small;">(for at least two years)</span>, and no place to
anchor out, either. So, back to the guidebooks, to devise a “plan
B.”</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetoZRW1lQsbJ_KXSb2lgPdm1LlT9q0pKgUK76_BeDMXxb60PGR3Lf1ZdciYXgVELp2QYOENDydhoIiiaWcRmZ8I3ISKoA0rdeSrZYhK0RTSAR74_p5co_Ms6aYmuT5KInPw5r-iUS_7n0/s1600/Lilly-drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetoZRW1lQsbJ_KXSb2lgPdm1LlT9q0pKgUK76_BeDMXxb60PGR3Lf1ZdciYXgVELp2QYOENDydhoIiiaWcRmZ8I3ISKoA0rdeSrZYhK0RTSAR74_p5co_Ms6aYmuT5KInPw5r-iUS_7n0/s1600/Lilly-drive.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Which is how we came to
discover a little <span style="font-size: small;">(very little, only 165 people here)</span> town on a very
huge Prince of Wales Island <span style="font-size: small;">(fourth largest in the U.S.)</span>, where they
not only had room for us, but it was even affordable. It was only
about seventy-five miles away, across the notorious Clarence Strait,
where a good day means anything under three feet of chop, less than
twenty knots of wind, and visibility at least half a mile <span style="font-size: small;">(due to the
persistent “patchy” fog that lives there)</span>. A good day just
happened to be coming up for us, the very next morning.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">So it was that we
scurried into Coffman Cove, two days later, mere minutes ahead of yet
another patch of fog and changing currents, to finally tie up at a
lovely little marina for some much-needed rest, relaxation, and
repairs, after our very long voyage over hundreds of miles. Which I
will tell you more about during the next couple of weeks, as we start
to explore this island. But considering I just heard there are old
gold mines here <span style="font-size: small;">(one of which is under speculation to be commercially
reactivated)</span>...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJj7cYVxp9WhGQMw9pzzFYC8-cP9YPCqgwhp_i8vJRrYomVPXbLu2qEUaW9PuWkntOwO1FyznCq_ZpsD83fMndsWJO5mP8rbgR1Wmzc7ht2M5va0Mz6M3u1LsqStzXLvZrDgnbwYShlwt/s1600/C-finally.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJj7cYVxp9WhGQMw9pzzFYC8-cP9YPCqgwhp_i8vJRrYomVPXbLu2qEUaW9PuWkntOwO1FyznCq_ZpsD83fMndsWJO5mP8rbgR1Wmzc7ht2M5va0Mz6M3u1LsqStzXLvZrDgnbwYShlwt/s1600/C-finally.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Good heavens, I'm
feeling better, already.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">So, let the adventures
begin.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Finally!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-4636258591811274092014-07-18T01:30:00.000-07:002014-07-18T01:30:01.421-07:00Catching Up With Stella...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushover-Plot-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00LU7K5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405529534&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Pushover+Plot+by+Lilly+Maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Pushover Plot by Lilly Maytree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtVWi0BHsxDNtueNRUjQkgcvODxwnKkYcXqc_35cQ2GlBurCZ9uqKVz2bYNTTAl2zCuX4B8F0luUXVNloCWhLLSU_2tHoaL7ZZ6RyGI3JrOLhp4kwwv4WWrQojj-1kSmPTUl4lJb7FVRX/s1600/PushoverPlot-4-L.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I first started talking about
taking Stella Madison along on this trip, it was sort of a
tongue-in-cheek way of explaining that I would have to bring one of
my “works in progress” with me in order to keep up with my
writing schedule. This because our plans of going up and back to
Alaska one summer, stretched into two years. Little did we know the
<i>Glory B</i> was about as unprepared for such an enormous
undertaking as we were.
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like us, she had been sitting in one
place too long. The stresses and strains on moving parts that had not
moved in years, brought a lot of things to the breaking point. But
she was the perfect boat for us, we loved her, and it was no small
thing that God had brought her to us in such a miraculous way*. So—as
is the case in similar situations—we kept fixing things, and fixing
things, in order to just carry on. Most of our money went in that
direction, too. Because when you love something, it doesn't matter so
much what it costs, you simply don't want to lose it.
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not to mention, there was a dream
attached to the <i>Glory B</i> that we might experience something of
a resurrection, ourselves. One that would allow us to fulfill some
“divine assignment” the Lord was still holding open for us. If
only we were brave enough to step out, and fully put our trust in
Him. There was a lot at stake. And the harder we worked at it, the
more valuable the whole idea became. So—necessity being the mother
of invention—I came up with an interesting <span style="font-size: small;">(I thought)</span> way of
breaking an entire novel into parts, and literally “living out”
the background and research as I went along. It would be fun. And
just as much fun<span style="font-size: small;"> (I hoped)</span> for readers to share in those experiences
along the way.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was going to mingle some truth with
my fiction. Goodness—had that ever been done before? Yes. Of course
it had. About as much as when I thought I had personally invented the
genre of Inspirational Adventure Fiction, before I realized how many
other authors had been turning out similar stuff for years. Anyway,
it was new to me. What I had no idea of <span style="font-size: small;">(or I would have thought
twice about attempting such a thing)</span>, was that there are many worlds
other than our own individual spheres, co-existing all around us.
Which is fine if you stay where you belong, and don't make any
unnecessary waves in the great sea of shared atmosphere we all live
in. However, if you do...</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">You sometimes get a reaction similar to
splitting an atom.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">At least, that's my theory for why
things began happening to us that were way off our charts. In
bunches. As if we had unknowingly stepped out from under our umbrella
and got drenched beneath some deluge we didn't even realize was going
on out there. It reminded me of that old movie, <i>Back To The
Future</i>, when the Delorean reached enough speed to intersect with
enough electricity to crack the time barrier. What in the world had
just happened to us? More importantly... where had we ended up?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXEztQorTKqsPpRjrnpjE2MA_oy92pq1v6jjgVbmDzqbY8OHCOmjjp7womun2E9yfrLYnU4K6L9gyJgSPa0Tt3hbt8h_T88fA7upW9hZpuT4Z5Z0RcM5AtcX3p8wZVfQ3lZtwGuneXhsG/s1600/frazzled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXEztQorTKqsPpRjrnpjE2MA_oy92pq1v6jjgVbmDzqbY8OHCOmjjp7womun2E9yfrLYnU4K6L9gyJgSPa0Tt3hbt8h_T88fA7upW9hZpuT4Z5Z0RcM5AtcX3p8wZVfQ3lZtwGuneXhsG/s1600/frazzled.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a lovely little cove where I had
just about finished with my next Stella Madison Caper. I was getting
ready to head over to the local library and put the finishing touches
on, connect up to Internet, and send it safely to myself until
publishing day. I climbed into the dinghy and sat down <span style="font-size: small;">(as I have
hundreds of times over the last two years)</span>, and was waiting for the
Captain to hand over the things we were taking with us before he got
in. All of a sudden, I was in the water. The dinghy had tipped, as if
by some giant hand <span style="font-size: small;">(we weren't even in rough water)</span>, and I rolled out
like a fried egg being slid out of a pan.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oddly enough, the water <span style="font-size: small;">(which is
supposed to be frigid in these northern latitudes)</span> was not cold. And
I remember thinking I had forgotten how wonderful it felt to swim in
salt water. But then the Captain, who was now leaning over from the
deck of the <i>Glory B</i>, said, “The briefcase—get the
briefcase!” At which point I realized it was floating right next to
me, having flown off the deck of the bigger boat at the very same
time. I grabbed hold and handed it up. But even though it had been in
the water less than a minute, my computer, my smart-phone, passport
and other important papers, were all drenched. And while the passport
and papers eventually dried out, all those state-of-the-art
electronics were never to rise, again.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Which is why we are halfway through
this journey, and you haven't seen any videos, yet. It is also why I
had to write that Stella Madison Caper over, again, from scratch,
with the help of the Captain's little Dell mini, and an old
fashioned notebook and pen <span style="font-size: small;">(during the times we were without power)</span>.
However, the worst part of all was the discovery that Apple Care
<span style="font-size: small;">(which I switched over to specifically for this trip, in case I ran
into any problems) </span>does not cover accidents. Why didn't I know that?
Let's just say I come from a different era, when the word insurance
meant it covered everything except an act of God. So, all that new
equipment my wonderful husband sold his last truck to get me, was not
only gone, it was good and gone. A sobering thought that took days
for the shock to wear off, even to sink in.
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, we were being stretched at
every turn, physically, mentally, spiritually, and monetarily. Not
only that, we seemed stuck in place like a perpetual rerun of the
movie, <i>Ground Hog Day</i>, as week after week continued to pass
by. And I don't mind saying I was even beginning to have some
hesitations at writing the next Stella Madison Caper, too. Because I
suddenly didn't like the name of it one bit. <i>Lost In The
Wilderness</i>. If the cover hadn't been done, already, I'd have
changed it. Which was probably just a result of having to travel past
places with map names like <i>Raging Rapids</i>, <i>Whirlpool Rapids</i>,
and <i>Desolation Sound</i>. But I still felt that way.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, have we caught up with Stella?
Let's just say we are perfectly in-sync at the moment, as both of us
travel the same territory on our respective paths. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushover-Plot-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00LU7K5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405645491&sr=8-1&keywords=the+pushover+plot+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank"><i>The PushoverPlot</i></a> is about maneuvering one's way past the darker side of
supernatural. Whether, or not, we have actually “converged”...</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will leave for readers to decide.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/21-Stories-Faith-Real-People/dp/061598973X/ref=la_B005TLGLGC_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405645549&sr=1-1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="21 Stories of Faith" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEGApX8SoolDCx9XuBucmPam5E5zP0OSEheZMMG0t7QRMkNnMGqbFPvGu2_8cybTxQ3TEroJoxZP7rVWxQRXkDDXgS6Pr-gKxk4D_pp9Vo2O9t8N4q9BFKwFIgW9Q5mASE8K4CHfR_l-z/s1600/2380e4d694fcb6493a42484afb2b4e3857d78cae-thumb.jpeg" height="200" width="144" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">* The miraculous story of how we got
the Glory B is in the ebook</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/21-Stories-Faith-Real-People/dp/061598973X/ref=la_B005TLGLGC_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405627945&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><i>21 Stories of Faith</i></a><span style="color: #fce5cd;">—which is
FREE TODAY over at Amazon. It will cheer you up in 21 different ways!</span></span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-90096620698365871932014-07-16T11:23:00.001-07:002014-07-16T11:23:41.912-07:00Door to the Wilderness...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZybcQHQv-PTfrOLAjc5uHVgOImcRjfREj_HAA8mgA4B7K72zA1tPHrt1fjknMXtKhDJWsWD8hg5xP1PE1Jet6VQ85DCzTQblA9w9jFIDEaAtKO6Zu-4FS4Qa6tAA2KD8-etoBW0zvIlVK/s1600/GB-J-strait-best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZybcQHQv-PTfrOLAjc5uHVgOImcRjfREj_HAA8mgA4B7K72zA1tPHrt1fjknMXtKhDJWsWD8hg5xP1PE1Jet6VQ85DCzTQblA9w9jFIDEaAtKO6Zu-4FS4Qa6tAA2KD8-etoBW0zvIlVK/s1600/GB-J-strait-best.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">“<i>After the uproar had ceased...
they sailed on... and sailed on...and sailed on...”</i> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Taken from
somewhere in Acts, when we flipped open our Bible for a bit of
encouragement, during a particularly despairing moment. It was a
moment that we couldn't imagine how we could ever “sail on” from
there. And, yet...
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Today, we had the most perfect day of
traveling since we replaced the propeller. There have been others,
but they were heaped with hazards. Strong winds <span style="font-size: small;">(blowing right on our
nose, so we couldn't make use of them in such narrow places)</span>, choppy
seas, and swift-running currents that mixed and swirled, and felt
something like slipping on a patch of ice in a car—only in slow
motion—when you ran over them. A couple times, we had to pull off
into some cove and wait for things to change, as we were making no
headway, at all. Once, when the weather reports were bad, we waited
two days before moving on.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">It was in a lovely place called Beaver
Cove, where we were tucked in behind a little island, surrounded by
mountains and pine trees just before the end of Vancouver Island<span style="font-size: small;">
(which is around 300 miles long)</span>. We anchored there, in about a hundred feet
of water, and listened to the wind roar through the trees above us,
but felt little of it snuggled into our protected place. A few other
boats found their way there, as well. From here on, the towns will
get fewer and farther between, giving us the sense we are finally at
the door of the wilderness.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ugrlCay157j50mK23OYZD_Y6_ZWF9FNgKAc_T8LdhCObwvKnVH-iRhx8xNZ8qeikqOLT-hohcq4_9NQ9SbGpTS6MRzYyLnH-agcH-5YgjTPaTKFE83tcDDxIPzbP2xWjawWBMYgBtxOl/s1600/C-deck-log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ugrlCay157j50mK23OYZD_Y6_ZWF9FNgKAc_T8LdhCObwvKnVH-iRhx8xNZ8qeikqOLT-hohcq4_9NQ9SbGpTS6MRzYyLnH-agcH-5YgjTPaTKFE83tcDDxIPzbP2xWjawWBMYgBtxOl/s1600/C-deck-log.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Today, it was a special blessing to
find the water of that notorious Johnstone Strait, smooth as a pond<span style="font-size: small;">
(just for us?)</span>, all the way to the end <span style="font-size: small;">(thank you, Lord!)</span>. So, it was
a nice reprieve from the stress and disasters of the last few weeks.
And, at last, we are “sailing on,” just as the scriptures
implied. Even though we couldn't see how it could be done before.
Another miracle the Captain can write down in the log of the <i>Glory
B</i>. Along with what we like to call our “miracle of the tools.”
People have been literally coming down to the boat with tools for us
to use, just when we needed them.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZV_995sWnBWzhMcIUG7iqciusjse7i42zrGwyTAsPXVkvZnLIljXwjqJlsD2DY9MqmOZXhJ7q0f75rxsoL0qTwRK0yyuJmreCcOKX7NkNegA_B3RQlEckCzq-OnR2s-u-dgZtImQ6OUM/s1600/men-prop-fix-talk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZV_995sWnBWzhMcIUG7iqciusjse7i42zrGwyTAsPXVkvZnLIljXwjqJlsD2DY9MqmOZXhJ7q0f75rxsoL0qTwRK0yyuJmreCcOKX7NkNegA_B3RQlEckCzq-OnR2s-u-dgZtImQ6OUM/s1600/men-prop-fix-talk.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Like when we were on that remote grid,
hours away from any town, and the two men who were with us <span style="font-size: small;">(who knew
a lot about boats)</span> said the propeller wasn't going to fit. That we
would have to get another one <span style="font-size: small;">(at a cost of $400)</span> and have it flown
out to us by sea plane <span style="font-size: small;">(I can't even imagine how much that would be)</span>.
Because our propeller didn't need to just be widened, it needed to be
tapered. So, the Captain and I said a prayer. Not long after that, a
man who lived in a boat across the bay, drove over in his dinghy with
an assortment of tools we might be able to use. One of which was a
rat-tail file... with a taper! And it worked.
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Or, on the next grid, when the man who
owned the marine store, came down with a special pulling tool to get
it off, again. Then there was the matter of a certain L-n wrench that
we dropped in the water at the worst possible time, and another man
brought one over from his shop. All of which makes me think of Noah
and the Ark, when the Lord brought in the animals, because it would
have been almost impossible for him to go out and get them, himself,
at that particular time. But it especially encourages me that God
has no problem getting anyone from point A to point B. He actually
specializes in that sort of thing.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Now, tomorrow, we will head for a place
called Port Hardy, where we will say good-bye to the lovely and
amazing Vancouver Island, and get ready to cross a stretch of “big
water” before catching the next set of inside passageways north,
again. We will wait for favorable conditions, and get across in one
day. But they aren't quite as scary as they used to be, considering
some of the things we've been through, already. Probably the effects
of that extra training we were in need of before we took this
gigantic project on. Even so...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Getting all the way to the end will be
a miracle.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushover-Plot-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00LU7K5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405529534&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Pushover+Plot+by+Lilly+Maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushover-Plot-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00LU7K5BG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405529534&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Pushover+Plot+by+Lilly+Maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Pushover Plot by Lilly Maytree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzySDrLqTuvphad6gOjGAOoXsjW0qpjZex8g81PhzbXrS12qlY2UwlOFmnNUr88uMw-AsmqLB6J7FleOx89hNvW2OKO5YtLjW7P7OkwPxLNJVxFqm-6bnuWR7S99rI7O9Fazn44lDWev2/s1600/PushoverPlot-4-L.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">NOTE: Today is publication day <span style="font-size: small;">(finally!)</span> for THE PUSHOVER PLOT, Stella Madison Caper #4. Another miracle <span style="font-size: small;">(I lost the files and had to write it all over again)</span>, which I will tell you about next time. However, I will say that our paths have definitely converged...</span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-4085323658097202592014-07-04T15:00:00.002-07:002014-07-04T15:00:49.936-07:00Only Believe...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHc1PP9c5VTLRJRjS8_rul2ze6oZnD6yUZhuMwP8ycpmyK2kQzwIqaAfHCGnU7s101WMM3ndYjQ0fs_-H_QVPszjEyjwGkFEGGFyua_Bhu-HZPQt-o0OgTWqxyAgqAAXxMBgyCbm4MwVt/s1600/CR-chart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHc1PP9c5VTLRJRjS8_rul2ze6oZnD6yUZhuMwP8ycpmyK2kQzwIqaAfHCGnU7s101WMM3ndYjQ0fs_-H_QVPszjEyjwGkFEGGFyua_Bhu-HZPQt-o0OgTWqxyAgqAAXxMBgyCbm4MwVt/s1600/CR-chart.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We have gotten into a lot of trouble in
our lives, simply because of the things we have chosen to do. Up to
now, our philosophy has been that there are troubles to deal with
everywhere, so we might as well be doing what we enjoy as we go
along, rather than something we don't. And—after many years—we
still feel that way.
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">In the early days, our troubles were
mostly self-induced. Inexperience here, a wrong choice there... and
suddenly we would end up in a rainstorm we had created all by
ourselves. But as we got older, the storms got fewer and farther
between, and we even learned a great many “survival ticks” along
the way. The most important being that God will always do what He
says. Always.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Walking around in the Kingdom of God on
earth <span style="font-size: small;">(which is really what we Christians are doing here)</span> is like
being an ambassador in a foreign country. You live in that country,
but are paid by your own, and are not subject to the laws of their
land. In fact, your embassy <span style="font-size: small;">(the place where you live)</span> is even
considered the soil of your own native country. According to
international law, it becomes a place of protection that the host
country may not violate. Occasionally, there are wars and casualties,
and—depending on political relationships—you might even be asked
to leave. But that's how it works.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eKoIF4XsdI3_FQmLJg7nttNBYOix-PloZw9oLuNZKnufqOIw_Wj_n38izh_nQ2eEz8zwWWWYAV8B2pF6yOqGOB-NQWbmEA3-tY4ZFJ1l53nUviva_NIDOWhUgtstJsZ6ZSsB3TJuSDwV/s1600/jpromiseland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eKoIF4XsdI3_FQmLJg7nttNBYOix-PloZw9oLuNZKnufqOIw_Wj_n38izh_nQ2eEz8zwWWWYAV8B2pF6yOqGOB-NQWbmEA3-tY4ZFJ1l53nUviva_NIDOWhUgtstJsZ6ZSsB3TJuSDwV/s1600/jpromiseland.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">All that to say our “currencies of
exchange” are vastly different. In the Kingdom of God, it is
promises. Not that we don't use money <span style="font-size: small;">(you need to exchange your
currency for theirs in order to do business, here)</span>, we just get it a
different way. We get it by having faith <span style="font-size: small;">(or trust)</span> that God will do
what He says. He will keep His promises. That's how it's worked for
us all these years. People look at our lives and think we are either
very smart, or total idiots. But the thing about living in the
Kingdom of God is that it doesn't matter which of those you are. You
are still a citizen, covered by all the rights and privileges that go
along with it. At least, that's how I look at it. It helps me to have
something I can relate to in order to hang my faith on.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">However, I can't tell you the “whys
and hows” of exactly how God does all this. Which is why I have
resorted to simply making a list <span style="font-size: small;">(or, an account)</span> of everything He
has done for us, and let people decide for themselves. When
catastrophes began to happen on this trip <span style="font-size: small;">(they came in bunches)</span>, we
did not see a way out. We were in spots we simply couldn't get out of
by ourselves. Yet, I knew God would show up, eventually, and
straighten things out, and promised to tell you all about it when
He did. So, here's the current list:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">At our third stop after the border,
where we were going to restock and refuel, there were no funds
waiting for us because our renters skipped out without telling us,
and left the place a disaster. To go back and fix it up would have
taken all the funds we needed to get to Alaska. So, we turned that
situation over to the Lord. <b>Answer:</b> Within two weeks, it was
rented to someone who didn't have enough funds for a deposit, but was
willing to clean it up for a fully refundable one. Everyone was
happy. <b>Extra Blessing:</b> The neighbor who was showing the house
for us discovered the new lady was a woman she had prayed with and
taken care of in the hospital where she worked, and the two were
overjoyed at the thought of being neighbors.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rcVgDiMfAsikB2q_bCI-w4LP87VSfQRbLLERFgugPXkFYIp_kBzBqAV1P9eaUOQ6rBLLUpwh0X8TonT4hbCQV9mWijnAQVTZrQGJo_zxQfSB0qxrHEfE-bcJiJ46VgTdKj7IjUWZSIsZ/s1600/GB-ReedIsland-grid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rcVgDiMfAsikB2q_bCI-w4LP87VSfQRbLLERFgugPXkFYIp_kBzBqAV1P9eaUOQ6rBLLUpwh0X8TonT4hbCQV9mWijnAQVTZrQGJo_zxQfSB0qxrHEfE-bcJiJ46VgTdKj7IjUWZSIsZ/s1600/GB-ReedIsland-grid.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">While we were waiting for the above
situation to resolve, the Captain discovered two blades missing off
our prop. Oddly enough, the repair for that was going to cost... the
amount of funds we needed to get to Alaska. We turned that situation
over to the Lord. <b>Answer:</b> There happened to be a usable
propeller in the corner of a shed at the local boatworks, at a price
of $75 instead of $400. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi832r3gp_g0IB2atZmfLpnMcRlTPoaZBMDdLOWFMijChzSt9vxjM6lagti22Fb6BfDt8LzJQMIm3Y4a5l0D_9kKyZt_Lpnqeig5svYHwBHBLj_1hcgBrsgPib6JJOCuWj0mWnFtWajqqwA/s1600/prop-fix-men.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi832r3gp_g0IB2atZmfLpnMcRlTPoaZBMDdLOWFMijChzSt9vxjM6lagti22Fb6BfDt8LzJQMIm3Y4a5l0D_9kKyZt_Lpnqeig5svYHwBHBLj_1hcgBrsgPib6JJOCuWj0mWnFtWajqqwA/s1600/prop-fix-men.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">An islander the Captain made friends with
knew of a grid <span style="font-size: small;">(a place with a cement slab and pier to tie up to that
leaves you “high and dry” to work on the boat between tides)</span> we
could use for free instead of another $400. It was four hours away
and we had no engine, but he towed us behind his boat, stayed
overnight, and helped us work on ours <span style="font-size: small;">(thank you, Dave!)</span>. <b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7tBJfe_eiXfX19uAO4DI_nHzA1u5sEvwr_-j23Gcw8omNdnuzzm5PdVxN0ZSHUHAwL-wKo50JTsLwSzx3Ne0QyfhXhYh86uJDq_1ARfJgWrQTSOEWg03HsFaL0ZCuTbUWOTsbBTWx2oC/s1600/water-ghostown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7tBJfe_eiXfX19uAO4DI_nHzA1u5sEvwr_-j23Gcw8omNdnuzzm5PdVxN0ZSHUHAwL-wKo50JTsLwSzx3Ne0QyfhXhYh86uJDq_1ARfJgWrQTSOEWg03HsFaL0ZCuTbUWOTsbBTWx2oC/s1600/water-ghostown.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><b>Extra
Blessing: </b>It was the cutest little ghost town of a community,
with boardwalks between the buildings, of the sort I was looking for
<span style="font-size: small;">(but couldn't imagine)</span> for a certain group of people I am writing
about who are on their way to one of those. I would have missed it if
we hadn't gone there specifically, as it was not on the same route we
were originally taking.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">There's more, but this post is getting
too long, so I will add to the list on the end of the next one. And
the next one, and the next one, until there aren't any more “divine
interventions” to report. But something tells me that will never
happen.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Thank heavens!</span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-29380988922457193682014-06-27T14:58:00.002-07:002014-06-27T14:58:31.725-07:00Changing Hands...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFphd97J7ekIEwcChhZtMgf8oe0eGmnWI99nw-qf2UnCA9jPg_ZzIh-9cjbaqg2sGJz65KPT9963FT0WdgqctbZnSF7VpW-1DBH7E0PP616xOcvolv6PAYxYCS0advw58GeBCFrZbqI5B/s1600/handshake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFphd97J7ekIEwcChhZtMgf8oe0eGmnWI99nw-qf2UnCA9jPg_ZzIh-9cjbaqg2sGJz65KPT9963FT0WdgqctbZnSF7VpW-1DBH7E0PP616xOcvolv6PAYxYCS0advw58GeBCFrZbqI5B/s1600/handshake.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Putting things into God's hands is like
your company being sold and a new CEO comes in. There are a lot of
changes that have to be dealt with, most of which are uncomfortable.
Simply because that's not how you would have chosen, if it was still
up to you. Only it isn't. So, while we were waiting for the dust to
settle on the rental emergency back home...
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We decided to take advantage of the
“layover time” and get a few things done on the boat we still
wanted to do. Which is how the Captain happened to be busy scraping
the barnacles off the bottom <span style="font-size: small;">(only as far as he could reach with a
brush on the end of a pole, while floating alongside in the dinghy)</span>,
when he looked down into the clear water and noticed there were two
blades missing off our propeller. No wonder we were making such
little headway against those strong currents!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BRGiHWcEe3eNymhIkqupUAy_KzNQ6Kwe3YbGy6ZNjKXxfKV5IktoU19Z2V-NvYyFgWAM5wcFhVTvAjdXhfbcz5iomwEftbW5vkuMdH373Dhnyn1SL6vSFfwwPsG0sCdS8QlCjpPFMJZU/s1600/sj-rowhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BRGiHWcEe3eNymhIkqupUAy_KzNQ6Kwe3YbGy6ZNjKXxfKV5IktoU19Z2V-NvYyFgWAM5wcFhVTvAjdXhfbcz5iomwEftbW5vkuMdH373Dhnyn1SL6vSFfwwPsG0sCdS8QlCjpPFMJZU/s1600/sj-rowhome.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Thinking back, we knew just when it had
happened. Somewhere near the end of the Georgia Strait <span style="font-size: small;">(after two
days out on that big water)</span>, we began to feel an unusual vibration
that hadn't been there before. We hadn't bumped or run into anything,
so we figured the bearings might be wearing out on the shaft...
something else to check on when we finally got the <i>Glory B</i>
hauled out to paint the bottom. Which we had every
intention of doing. In fact, we made <span style="font-size: small;">(and had to cancel)</span> reservations
to do that several times in different places along the way. This last
time, as recently as the rental uproar.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">What a wonderful boat we have to get us
to a safe harbor <span style="font-size: small;">(with the help of angels, I'm sure)</span> on only one prop
blade. But goodness, what an unexpected expense this is going to be!
Not unexpected to our new CEO, however, who already knew beforehand
the thing had been wearing away from years of neglect, and that this
area around the town of Campbell River <span style="font-size: small;">(just across the bay from our
little cove)</span> is the last good place for parts and hauling out for hundreds
of miles. Not to mention the currents will be stronger, weaving
through all the islands scattered in front of us during the next leg
of our voyage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hsx7hnUNXk8UJh8u9rBLuCs-UVHSfgbMDjJ9ZgF2OUlWgVXJmlSmC6Pg0LztN6HCSGYeyE-af6qsrlHUYW_mEA-dccLILMEx9UKvOaR9dDzq5_zG2o4NvcEdubG41tFeigjIg7B-fzST/s1600/ch-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hsx7hnUNXk8UJh8u9rBLuCs-UVHSfgbMDjJ9ZgF2OUlWgVXJmlSmC6Pg0LztN6HCSGYeyE-af6qsrlHUYW_mEA-dccLILMEx9UKvOaR9dDzq5_zG2o4NvcEdubG41tFeigjIg7B-fzST/s1600/ch-1.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Which is why I am seriously considering
writing a boater's manual on what NOT to do, when preparing for a
cruise. I figure if there had been one of those handy, we could have
saved ourselves a majority of the troubles we have encountered, so
far. Of course, we have read piles of the ones that tell you what
should be done, and felt we had pretty much everything we needed
for a day's journey. Which is all the farther we ever planned to go
at one time.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">So, we are back to following “God's
footsteps,” instead of trudging through unfamiliar territory on our
own limited intuitions. Which can be deceiving at the most
inopportune times, simply because they spring out of your very own
brains. Myself, I can imagine any number of ways to do something—most
of which turn out to be wrong. Sad but true.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">At any rate, we are now on a hunt for a
propeller to fit our near fifty-year-old boat, and the means to get
it put on there. But we're not too worried. The Lord has a lot of
people in this town, many of whom are experts. One of the reasons I'm
sure we ended up in this particular place. To fix something a lot
more important than just having enough gas in our tank to move on.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Story of life, isn't it.</span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-69850828919631133212014-06-20T16:07:00.002-07:002014-06-20T16:07:26.734-07:00Promises...Promises...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p933g-vV0D1kzi9d95qcVGriUyu4x6X9Y5Tzsv38md2mkEr4b6eKZ420Ppsx3d800QNRUFutifw1iEKYEKnHxfCnc1bpM2qElaJjD5VgMw5R1HwP6RGjQ1JsuYTHTLb_EEeXW5MiesRa/s1600/wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p933g-vV0D1kzi9d95qcVGriUyu4x6X9Y5Tzsv38md2mkEr4b6eKZ420Ppsx3d800QNRUFutifw1iEKYEKnHxfCnc1bpM2qElaJjD5VgMw5R1HwP6RGjQ1JsuYTHTLb_EEeXW5MiesRa/s1600/wave.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">I have promised a lot of things on this
blog, most of which has not been delivered, yet. Not because I have
changed my mind, or had second thoughts, but because things happen.
Unexpected things. The kind you wouldn't dream of because it isn't a
part of your life. One can't exactly plan for things they can't
imagine.
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Which is why we are still on Quadra
Island, anchored in Quathiaski Cove. Due mostly to some unexpected
pitch “out of left field” from an enemy camp. The sort the
Captain and I don't usually deal with, because we don't live
in those realms. So, we were completely caught off guard when our
renters, back home, skipped out on us without paying, and left the
house in a condition no one else would want to live in, either. I
don't have to tell what that did to our plan of traveling as far as
we could on what supplies we had, and then waiting for the next
payment in order to move on.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"> However, part of being on an adventure
of this type is the necessity deal with the unexpected. No matter
where it comes from. And while we have experienced much of what could
happen as far as boating goes, I tend to forget life is still
going on around us (and in spite of us) everywhere else, because I get
so caught up in my own tunnel vision. But what to do. It is a long
time until another check, which would not be enough to get us all the
way home to clean up the house, anyway. If we did, getting back here,
again, would cost even more, and we would miss yet another
“weather-window” to reach Alaska. For the second year in a row.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1CrtLE5oi-algOlY1jks5WYmz7tJV6gF-kjeJ0JeygYi1-lxbQVsWXLWXVlprTbW6_1U-qE0pkbAgGQwmD-Vfq_q1itG5KgE3EC3WmN16_gL20TG5jmldLmMtvwaBulYXxhKiI2vsa8_/s1600/blessed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1CrtLE5oi-algOlY1jks5WYmz7tJV6gF-kjeJ0JeygYi1-lxbQVsWXLWXVlprTbW6_1U-qE0pkbAgGQwmD-Vfq_q1itG5KgE3EC3WmN16_gL20TG5jmldLmMtvwaBulYXxhKiI2vsa8_/s1600/blessed.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Of course, it was devastating. There
have been other devastating things as a result, too, but—I'm
convinced—the important thing is how we deal with them. Maybe even
more important than the things, themselves. The Bible says we should
rejoice when such things happen because it opens the door for the
Lord to work things out on our behalf that we couldn't possibly
have worked out by ourselves. So, here's the deal...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChct9aUPNmT3XkQbQIqSWW1kk2YxxRKTX_q8STGows22k_juXKXrS-MY0upgJffAFP-sI4BYF3fCUTWKbT0JneHL0yflA9Sys3c1IvQWUISYdY8sADw0tT21lzUUU5hKVeNVexsGbEqJA/s1600/j-hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChct9aUPNmT3XkQbQIqSWW1kk2YxxRKTX_q8STGows22k_juXKXrS-MY0upgJffAFP-sI4BYF3fCUTWKbT0JneHL0yflA9Sys3c1IvQWUISYdY8sADw0tT21lzUUU5hKVeNVexsGbEqJA/s1600/j-hand.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Since God always keeps His promises, we
have tossed the ball into His court on this one. Not only does He
have better ideas, He is never caught off-guard. And in the meantime,
we will try to rejoice in His salvation (out of circumstances such as
these), and keep on working at our “assigned tasks” while we wait
for Him to show up on the scene. At this point, I have no idea what's
going to happen. But I do know it's going to be good.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
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</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">And I promise to tell you all about it.</span></span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-47483910196327655262014-06-13T15:51:00.000-07:002014-06-13T15:51:11.453-07:00Hello From the Glory B!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVzzSgFwQeFHhi7PWQVIp_606TxX9A96Y9GXd3S-qth67NHGcFJo-FIRkxG7vPtvG38b8zTnLbmkHE2G6WTYKFM8VCUkcuC4_Um7sJlU4K3JF-WELRpM_KjQHZWouANZpmyPZ3TarlWoC/s1600/coastmap-QIVacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVzzSgFwQeFHhi7PWQVIp_606TxX9A96Y9GXd3S-qth67NHGcFJo-FIRkxG7vPtvG38b8zTnLbmkHE2G6WTYKFM8VCUkcuC4_Um7sJlU4K3JF-WELRpM_KjQHZWouANZpmyPZ3TarlWoC/s1600/coastmap-QIVacation.jpg" height="320" width="296" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Quadra Island, Canada</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;">June 12, Aboard the <i>Glory B</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Well,
an entire week has gone by since I last checked in, dear readers, and
much has happened since then. To begin with, the engine is running
beautifully, as long as we don't push the RPMs and remember to keep
her hydrated </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(she's fifty years old)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. We made the border crossing
with no problems </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(Praise the Lord!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, got our official "visitor
number," and ran up our courtesy Canadian flag. After which, we
set our sails to head north along the east side of beautiful
Vancouver Island.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Which is a huge island, about 300 miles
long. Our first right of passage was
a little dog-leg stretch called the Dodd Narrows. The current runs
through there at around nine knots, and considering we only make
five, you can see how we needed a slack tide to even attempt it.
There were other sailboats waiting for the right conditions, too,
along with a couple of small motorboats that shot right through,
without waiting at all, because they had more than enough power to
back them up.
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsznKSQJ1KTRctghoKDN56Qtmz9ahKlDKplCsyVhwdwPhBiy60jH5pNuxN1E1zogBBheOzOqULQKWLNIkf3eFvt6KVaxV46zxdPrYY2KzFhBQPZImwY-3FXnYhaospUUSY_hSaae1C2uR/s1600/Dad-DoddNarrows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsznKSQJ1KTRctghoKDN56Qtmz9ahKlDKplCsyVhwdwPhBiy60jH5pNuxN1E1zogBBheOzOqULQKWLNIkf3eFvt6KVaxV46zxdPrYY2KzFhBQPZImwY-3FXnYhaospUUSY_hSaae1C2uR/s1600/Dad-DoddNarrows.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Still, it was like a fast-moving
shallow river, with rocks on both sides, close enough to spit over
the rails and hit them. But we made it through at about two knots
</span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(think mph, it's easier)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, with only a few slippery moments. Whew!
Then on to our first port on Vancouver, which was the city of
Nanaimo. Big City. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">We stayed an extra day because the marine radio
said there was going to be gale-force winds out on the Strait of
Georgia, the next day, and we were at the door. We needed to go
nearly a hundred miles on that big water. The locals said, it would
be no problem, as long as we stayed off it whenever there was wind.
This because it is not like the ocean.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">On the ocean, when there is wind, you
get big swells. I don't like those, but at least you can sail up and
over them. In tighter places like the Strait of Georgia, you can get
eight foot seas roaring with hardly any space in between, and it can
be very dangerous. So, we decided to listen to the radio everyday and
stick with the fair weather. Which is why we made that long transit
</span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(took us three more days) </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">with fair winds and following seas. That
is, light airs to fill the sails, and water ripples that are headed
in the same direction.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Eight to ten hours a day, and because
it was our first week of that many hours of wind, sun, and motoring;
we didn't do much more than eat and sleep between times. Especially
with the added concerns of traveling through unknown </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(to us)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">
territory. Ah, but I am happy to report that we are
adjusting more each day, and actually beginning to talk and think,
again, too. So, the Captain says we are looking at two weeks to
Alaska, from here, if we don't have to wait out much bad weather.
Internet will be harder to come by after this </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(I thought it was hard,
already)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, but I will do my best to find some.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, we are resting up a bit here
in a lovely little cove on Quadra Island, across from the large city of Campbell River, before we continue on into Discovery Passage. I don't know
what's ahead, but I don't like the names on this part of the map.
Things like Whirlpool Rapids, Desolation Sound, Blind Channel, Dent
Rapids, Race Passage, etc. So, if you think of us before you fall
asleep at night, please say a prayer that we have made it to a safe
harbor to drop anchor in. Because God hears every one of
those--indeed, He does--and we have definitely felt His hand on us
during a couple of close calls, already.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">And what a wonderful feeling that is!
We'll share it with you as we continue to pray for all the prayer
requests that are coming in to us, via the prayer list box on the
sidebar of this blog. So, until next week, or before, fair winds and
God's blessings on all of you, fellow travelers!</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EY-KBdogFfohW0GJ2ZAbe0KBBDJ_jTL3wqkYj-ATRB488PsnzNNfjDuG0B4zCWzOVnsORu6Kc96Ehj36KuHjPES1lNEL095pbqEIEx8QD5sW_JNFr_1bYviSIcp1vXBcBPvBwGuyMsUp/s1600/PushoverPlot-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EY-KBdogFfohW0GJ2ZAbe0KBBDJ_jTL3wqkYj-ATRB488PsnzNNfjDuG0B4zCWzOVnsORu6Kc96Ehj36KuHjPES1lNEL095pbqEIEx8QD5sW_JNFr_1bYviSIcp1vXBcBPvBwGuyMsUp/s1600/PushoverPlot-4.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">PS... Stella Madison is still ahead of us, but we should be catching up with her, anytime. Coming in July is </span><i><b><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">The Pushover Plot</span></b></i><span style="color: #45818e;">. Oh, dear... now what has she gotten herself into?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>NOTE:</b> Blogger comments are not
working on any of my blogs, but I will try to fix that before next
time. But many thanks to all of you, who I know are "traveling
with us."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-205535965409229802014-06-05T14:37:00.000-07:002014-06-05T14:37:38.617-07:00One Step Away From...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjecjcYCavtQ90zXqEbgpF_TxpI3l47cRaTbywlANo75TzIxGmmHXPlf_jyNCLnGasFhZQ40f84GdMsl2vVa8pPwVcMojh3fcjVXSvdnz8zZWm5Q1CJpQojznbYWMIpBRMFdFyjDJzPeg0/s1600/quiet-harbor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjecjcYCavtQ90zXqEbgpF_TxpI3l47cRaTbywlANo75TzIxGmmHXPlf_jyNCLnGasFhZQ40f84GdMsl2vVa8pPwVcMojh3fcjVXSvdnz8zZWm5Q1CJpQojznbYWMIpBRMFdFyjDJzPeg0/s1600/quiet-harbor.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">It is the eve before our departure </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(Mystery Tour #3, Canadian border crossing attempt #2)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, and ready, or not, here we go. The engine hums like never before, the stores are aboard, and the <i>Glory B</i> has a new coat of paint and varnish to mark the occasion. Computer behavior: acceptabe. Am I caught up on my work? Ah, no. But the nice thing about working from home is that your work is always at hand.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">The two things I was going to do before the next phase of our adventure began, was to make my last Alaska report from my "Walk Alaska" tour I went on this spring, and to finish up the voting campaign for whether, or not, Stella Madison should be allowed to travel along with us, this summer. Which </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(I am sorry to admit)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> is entirely out of my hands, now, as she has taken off ahead of us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Trials-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00KEBH6A2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402003037&sr=8-1&keywords=sea+trials+by+lilly+maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jYQkEwEiT9pSuPE36Yxc-Xr0gQT0m1UeU5OZz3z3x2xohxlpUS81jr6eoiWmRtWAdZGb7TCXulrFlA_v3vc2BaIda6zt3s7WPpkIn7GD8xvFJQ-9jXu2s-tFNVgobL7cjAjtw_elRPnT/s1600/SeaTrials-3-n.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">She crossed over the border during caper #3, with the publication of <i>Sea Trials</i>. I'm hoping we meet up with her and her crew before we get to Alaska, but I'm done making promises. Mostly because it's embarrassing when you can't keep them. Now, I know the meaning of that scripture that tells you to put "if God wills" on the end of all your promises to others. Not because we don't always know what He is going to do, but because we are rather unprepared for what our own reactions will be when something goes amiss and He has to get us out of the soup, with a switch to plan B. Our choice, not His, but He is ever-faithful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Praise the Lord--He always has things covered </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(He knows the future, and that's a huge advantage).</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> Our part of this faith venture seems to be in trusting Him that "our steps are ordered," and He has orchestrated all the details beforehand. It takes a great weight of worry off, actually, as there are no worries when you remember to let Him do the driving. Now, there you have the lessons of our last two years in a nutshell, and...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">We are are officially off at dawn tomorrow morning. High tide is then, which we need to get out of this bay we have spent the winter in. At the moment, my goal is to update this blog once a week </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(if God wills)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, and more if we are somewhere to get Internet. When we cross back into the U.S. near Ketchikan, Alaska, I will then be able to use my hotspot, and communications will be pretty much back to normal, again. We are aiming for the first week in July...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">If God wills!</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-15727515952844613542014-05-19T13:00:00.000-07:002014-06-04T01:00:06.535-07:00Lost in the Swamps...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHL0hfj1oey0nixhRiqBXJ7z2WkRnqaU0PJl3Q0CdzLNdH0d6xp0BAJU0S4oU3WfWR7TpKLGyKKG5N7jFQxyPq7otcwHQvsmmNzIrFUb5trv0T9PGKao_BIbNBEj3i14AGcziaLDeccveI/s1600/frazzled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHL0hfj1oey0nixhRiqBXJ7z2WkRnqaU0PJl3Q0CdzLNdH0d6xp0BAJU0S4oU3WfWR7TpKLGyKKG5N7jFQxyPq7otcwHQvsmmNzIrFUb5trv0T9PGKao_BIbNBEj3i14AGcziaLDeccveI/s1600/frazzled.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">It has been a long time since I visited
my own blog. Sad but true. Not because I don't absolutely love
sharing my adventures with readers, but because I have run into a
series of obstacles lately that pretty much got the better of me. One
was yet another computer crash (we've all had those, so no need to
explain) and the other was a broken foot. Also sad but true.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I wish I could say it happened on some
exciting adventure, but I was only going to meet a friend at a local
restaurant and missed a step. I don't know where that step came from.
Except to say I didn't see it for the same reason I don't drive:
little to no depth perception. Over the years I have learned tricks
to distinguish such things as a bug flying in front of my glasses
from a bird passing in the near distance. I also try to hang on to
something, or somebody, when moving through strange places.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I have even learned to ignore most of
the audacious things I see, because they are usually not true. Like
the time I saw a full-grown hog on a freeway that had been dead so
long all four legs were sticking up in the air. It wasn't until we
passed by that I learned it was only an oddly shaped strip of rubber
that had torn free from an eighteen wheeler. Things like that. I am
also easily distracted, and have been known to miss some very
important things, entirely.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">At any rate, languishing away in the
depths of despond aboard the <i>Glory B</i> for the last five weeks
has been a real wake-up call for me. I am incredibly out of shape!
The Lord has been trying to nudge me about this, but my response was
always, “I'll get to that, just as soon as I finish all this work
I'm behind on.” I know now that I am behind because I'm out of
shape. I mean, how can one expect to “run the race to get the
prize” if they can't even qualify to enter?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Not to mention hopping around on one
foot (when you haven't done that since grade school), or having to be
hauled up to the car in a dock cart if you need to go somewhere is
highly embarrassing. Which is why it has now become my number one
priority to get in shape and take this entire adventure more
seriously. Especially if the Captain should ever need me to haul on
some line, or jump onto an approaching dock in a hurry. Things that
happen in the boating world all the time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.deepershopping.com/item/lilly-maytree/sea-trials-a-stella-madison-caper/6174251.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm5DL96SBlcSzOoInEAG1XlgjwdhyMVGHA34Sz3lkNFGjjvMDPBh1euBC8bBBvYIoe5CXHO-8a2Ac1S-3uVE0Na5sSfpJrTvjsXTAHhNugk0GrKZmkB8fd3uBqSuqp5ii6_JwNWKz9poy/s1600/SeaTrials-3-n.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Anyway, I have finally found my way out
of this mess I've made and finally able to hobble around enough to
pick up where I left off. Which is to finish up with my Alaska
reports, and get Stella Madison back on the “campaign trail” to
see if she will be coming along when we set off on our 2014 Mystery
Tour, the first week in June. She has taken off ahead of us with the
publication of <i><b>Sea Trials</b></i> (Caper #3). Which—since she
is coming from California-- will still coincide with our own
departure from the San Juan Islands.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But more about all that, next time.</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-27490300306999017902014-04-02T14:49:00.000-07:002014-04-02T14:51:32.259-07:00Alaska Report #6…Deep Places.<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZMt9bMBqhrOwEcW7g9x8wetZO06YN09_GrFWHjnIVgVHeDblrQdrxW1ZOlUfRXj2nHnIF6ccKOf7xSSbB5Etx2EuAjLtzbIwXj75Dl8I6ytJwtLQMH3ikp6H15oLRCl3YIznDEHi42yF/s1600/WalkAlaska-logo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZMt9bMBqhrOwEcW7g9x8wetZO06YN09_GrFWHjnIVgVHeDblrQdrxW1ZOlUfRXj2nHnIF6ccKOf7xSSbB5Etx2EuAjLtzbIwXj75Dl8I6ytJwtLQMH3ikp6H15oLRCl3YIznDEHi42yF/s1600/WalkAlaska-logo-6.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Wrangell was my favorite Alaskan place. Mostly for what I didn't see. I find when I visit a location--any location--the first thing one sees is, today. It is the "surface layer" that blankets all places, and most tourists never venture too far out from there. After all, it's the most "alive."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">But beneath that, there is the terrain, which encompasses the nature of the place. Those who live here are more illusive. They live on different levels than the "today activities" that seem to stick mostly to today. The today people are interested in where they need to go next, who they might meet, and where's the best place to eat. All very good things, but they are not the only ones.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Living as close to nature as I have for the past two years, I have discovered that local animal populations not only have their own schedules, but also their own protocols. What a surprise to find out they are interested in the same things we are. Where they need to go next, who they might meet, and where's the best place to eat. They are not stupid </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(far from it!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKNKi0UGE_q6HmCtRK2BkHemL1do8dhyphenhypheniykrFhyphenhyphenbBWbLI8U_JY3CHjoBEL51tbGUP9OW4yeqW701in46QnnpG2ayftONpla9Rn8ubazv9faFIbMtFHFGqRGDdHs_fZiE0ckeFdE9gnWcU/s1600/squirrel-badday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKNKi0UGE_q6HmCtRK2BkHemL1do8dhyphenhypheniykrFhyphenhyphenbBWbLI8U_JY3CHjoBEL51tbGUP9OW4yeqW701in46QnnpG2ayftONpla9Rn8ubazv9faFIbMtFHFGqRGDdHs_fZiE0ckeFdE9gnWcU/s1600/squirrel-badday.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some days are hard</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">They know to differentiate days of the week enough to "lay low" </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(or go somewhere else)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> on weekends, when places like parks and waterfronts have a lot more people milling around. They actually spend a lot of time watching us, to figure out what we're doing, and if we are-- or aren't-- a danger. And what a surprise it has been to find out how communicative they are.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Did you know if you are passing a pigeon on the rail of a pathway, and look right at them they will fly away--but if you turn your head away as you pass-- they won't? That's how you communicate to them you are friendly and just passing by. They understand that. All of which is fascinating, and I could go on about animal behavior forever. But I wanted to tell you about another "place layer" that draws me even more, and that is the past.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdXtQj30oLuJ2PDnTEifagXPtviqbTzccvQioJC4FwLKd5-rgOizCb5HIJkeZhbL0qcs2ZxbEKqaoVE40ZH3tEl6X2s4YvtL5PmCAxeQQhvNGqz-y8bnCmyeqbJh3L5CUFWPHx1lQcQoo/s1600/ChisanaGoldRush-couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdXtQj30oLuJ2PDnTEifagXPtviqbTzccvQioJC4FwLKd5-rgOizCb5HIJkeZhbL0qcs2ZxbEKqaoVE40ZH3tEl6X2s4YvtL5PmCAxeQQhvNGqz-y8bnCmyeqbJh3L5CUFWPHx1lQcQoo/s1600/ChisanaGoldRush-couple.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chisana Gold Rush couple</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Who lived in this same space and has gone on, already? Did they leave anything lasting that is still effecting us, today? I have found that the things left over from former times are often "connecting points" for not only trading knowledge, but for sharing amazing experiences, as well. Almost like time travel. The fact that the same kind of people are most often attracted to the same kinds of places makes those who have "gone before us" even more interesting. We usually like the same things.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">So it was that I went to Wrangell, not looking so much at the today layer, as the what and when ones. It's a city that has drawn me most for its history--having been a major factor in all three gold rushes. </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(NOTE: For those of you just "coming aboard," I have a major case of gold fever, and it is one of the first things that draws me to a place.)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> That and the Stikine River, which is said to run through one of the last truly wild wilderness areas on the continent. One which its native Tlingets call "Deep North." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">All that to say I am ready to make my conclusions about this lovely "walking the route" experience I have been so blessed to take before we actually set our sails north aboard the <i>Glory B </i>within the next few weeks. I have seen what I came for, and it will be much easier to make so many of our all-important decisions, now. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Which I will share with you, next time, as we are set for a 10pm ferry departure back to Juneau. More about Wrangell, then, too, as I felt I should explain about the "layers" before I went dragging you around in them. Oh, yes, and there was a "divine appointment" there, as well. Such fun I'm having!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Hugs and blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: x-large;"><i>Lilly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;">(who is waving hello to my lovely family, today. "Ahoy, dear ones! Turning back, now, and should be headed for the <i>Glory B</i> sometime late tomorrow… can't wait to see all of you!")</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-6339440178190842982014-03-25T17:45:00.000-07:002014-03-25T17:45:11.842-07:00Alaska Report #5… A Whale of a Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z1uk1GdyP2jHHDV8knPXnQjeZuxzYSzvvJAoVnu_YNVTc6GAbn25iiPJJHIQZ62flBcPlD6f2S5xKB2AWbCbVo4SEhbQryb7yOW5QfvXANU8B4nM5JGSnP_vydsIG7_2A_BuovFGPy4x/s1600/AK-logo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z1uk1GdyP2jHHDV8knPXnQjeZuxzYSzvvJAoVnu_YNVTc6GAbn25iiPJJHIQZ62flBcPlD6f2S5xKB2AWbCbVo4SEhbQryb7yOW5QfvXANU8B4nM5JGSnP_vydsIG7_2A_BuovFGPy4x/s1600/AK-logo5.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">The ferry ride to Wrangell was the best </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(for me)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> for many reasons. Not the least of which was that I caught my first-ever glance of a whale's tail </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(several of them!) </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">sweeping up out of the water. Until then, I had seen a bit of back and fin rising up and over, almost like a giant wheel rolling by. Or a blast of mist as one came up for a quick breath of air and went down, again. Once--at night--I even turned in time to see an entire head of an Orca pop up behind us to watch as we passed by.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">I have also seen many of the small white Beluga whales that frequent the Cook Inlet in Alaska. I am always looking for whales. Even when I fly in airplanes, low over water, I am looking for them. Which is why I am embarrassed to admit that I did not recognize my first glimpse of that whale's tale for what it really was. This because I was so busy watching antics of the ducks and birds we were passing by </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(it was dusk, and dinnertime for most wildlife)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> that I thought I was looking at some giant eagle that had picked up a fish too big to carry and was floundering. Can you believe that? Too true. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">But then I saw a back and a fin, and a spout of steam, and--"Oh, my gosh, Shale--come and see!" They were all over the place. We saw them all along that particular passage. But try as I might, they were always too far away, or the ferry was too bumpy, to catch them on video. But I'm going to show you a picture from tour guides, to show you exactly what we saw. It was all very exciting, and one of the high points of the trip.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">After the sun went down, however, everyone settled in for the long voyage. We had a sports team of high-schoolers aboard, along with many of their families. You could tell they were old hands at this form of travel, as they spread themselves all over every nook and cranny of the the ferry. Lots of family groups sitting in stairwells, while toddlers enjoyed running up and down cabin corridors, and one had to step over many sleeping forms to get to the vending machines if you wanted a snack before bed. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, Shale and I got a lot of work done on our respective agendas. It was marvelous, really, to think one could continue a work schedule in the middle of large stretches of wilderness, with absolutely no towns, or villages, for miles and miles. But I did have one amazing incident during this time, that proved to me--beyond a shadow of doubt--that here is nowhere on earth where the good Lord cannot get in touch with you. Because in the middle of the night, with no cell phone or Internet service--I got a voicemail from a family member who needed some immediate prayer. I tried calling right back, but couldn't get through. But I prayed. Which was the important thing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">By the time we came back into civilization, the crisis was over. But I knew I was meant to get that particular message, and lend my prayers to others. Something that went a long way in convincing me that no matter how far one wanders, for any reason, one is never out of touch with the Lord. More importantly, I will not miss anything that He wants me to participate in. Even if I have to tap into "heavenly circuits" to do it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Probably one of the most important lessons I've learned out here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Thank you, God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Tomorrow, we dock in Wrangell: gateway to what is known as "deep north."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Hugs and blessings,</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLA_qwEa-87jtWPXxsrp5wpD-QZwoy7qXJduGfbVKQFb-hb3Q4DsTc5eizO2ckbef5iu0gjwOPhe6YEd_eKftAVhP-fWO1RnpXsq6depqL_jwDfNgYedcVNSrGzKF6LrdoMZQPPiMezha/s1600/Lilly-wave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLA_qwEa-87jtWPXxsrp5wpD-QZwoy7qXJduGfbVKQFb-hb3Q4DsTc5eizO2ckbef5iu0gjwOPhe6YEd_eKftAVhP-fWO1RnpXsq6depqL_jwDfNgYedcVNSrGzKF6LrdoMZQPPiMezha/s1600/Lilly-wave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLA_qwEa-87jtWPXxsrp5wpD-QZwoy7qXJduGfbVKQFb-hb3Q4DsTc5eizO2ckbef5iu0gjwOPhe6YEd_eKftAVhP-fWO1RnpXsq6depqL_jwDfNgYedcVNSrGzKF6LrdoMZQPPiMezha/s1600/Lilly-wave.JPG" height="104" width="200" /></a><i>Lilly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">(who is waving hello to my good writer friend, <a href="http://www.revell124.plus.com/clarerevell/" target="_blank">Clare Revell</a>, over in England, today… "Ahoy, Clare! Alaska is a fascinating place to send a character to for a bit of adventure… even if they have to come all the way from Headley Cross!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazlxGMKnpEYgEel64WueISk5OrNixDTyOt8hlRvjhT0BeJVG7ZuLnTOZVEIIRuz4df5PW_L1dmO3ACvlkrquQT7w4j8nugZ2QyXjVMubXNeqUIVb_Hc9aabYu53UVtQXoGnf7C0y7o3bB/s1600/AKReport-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazlxGMKnpEYgEel64WueISk5OrNixDTyOt8hlRvjhT0BeJVG7ZuLnTOZVEIIRuz4df5PW_L1dmO3ACvlkrquQT7w4j8nugZ2QyXjVMubXNeqUIVb_Hc9aabYu53UVtQXoGnf7C0y7o3bB/s1600/AKReport-4.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Shale Kenny and I arrived in Sitka and took a bus into town. We were the only two people on the bus. Never-the-less, the driver gave us a splendid tour, complete with historical facts and unusual stories thrown in. I don't know if we were the only people in the hotel, but it seemed like it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Friendly people, though, whenever we met any, and that is what I will remember most about Sitka. That and they had the most beautiful location for a library I ever saw in my life. They went all out for their children's department, too. But--unless a child was over ten, I wouldn't advise them to look up</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVjnxAbci8jIjHyEmXrlpz1dk0n3YeOmIuS7-r5H6lsWSOBh0IvcYEkVS25U7wyo_TTYyphc94RDPDvdkfTza-pqsZUXaLzULbCQXjiSIP2qNSM7uQEvyHxJBYtX2RwdRATLvJJvv60Vv/s1600/Sitka-library-view.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVjnxAbci8jIjHyEmXrlpz1dk0n3YeOmIuS7-r5H6lsWSOBh0IvcYEkVS25U7wyo_TTYyphc94RDPDvdkfTza-pqsZUXaLzULbCQXjiSIP2qNSM7uQEvyHxJBYtX2RwdRATLvJJvv60Vv/s1600/Sitka-library-view.jpeg" height="135" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">I took a picture of the outside bench from inside </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(where it was warm)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> but--as you can see--it would be more heavenly on sunnier days. I am told they do get some of those there. Except they also say the sun only shines about seventy-five days out of the year. The rest of the time it's raining. Or snowing. When we were there, it was what one might call freezing rain. blowing ahead of fifteen to twenty knot winds.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dmGmjVmXbJP56g8tOVaVl9w2xl_KfLPf7eqEw1gGznz1ffU5_peIG1nNwYPcwB91hqbOuZSJk7aPLg5qCZcF-NXA5JBWIB_NtSBBc21cYPKqvw8Z7n8nEUN_aKTGFIl6jVFtaS0xZaBD/s1600/Sitka-bridge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dmGmjVmXbJP56g8tOVaVl9w2xl_KfLPf7eqEw1gGznz1ffU5_peIG1nNwYPcwB91hqbOuZSJk7aPLg5qCZcF-NXA5JBWIB_NtSBBc21cYPKqvw8Z7n8nEUN_aKTGFIl6jVFtaS0xZaBD/s1600/Sitka-bridge.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">On to have a look at the boat harbor, where the Captain and I would put in with the <i>Glory B</i>, next summer. They said it was "just over the bridge." Have a look at the bridge. We were nearly blown off trying to cross it, and felt as if we had accomplished something huge just making it back from the other side. My ears were freezing, even though I had a hat on, and--poor Shale--she hadn't worn hers because she wanted her hair to dry after a wash. Let's just say there was no opportunity for that until we returned to the hotel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, everything was pretty much closed up in Sitka. Well, almost everything. The post office was open, along with some sort of pizza place that doubled as an espresso stand. But as for the museums, the parks, and the dozens of other tourist attractions, it wasn't going to happen. Lots of roadwork and renovations going on, too, as everyone was gearing up for the first salmon run in a couple of weeks that would kick off another tourist season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">There were many lovely trails we could have taken that meandered through rainforest, beaches, and around lakes. But since they were measured in miles and we nearly got brain freeze just walking over the bridge, we decided not to top off the visit with having to be brought in by search and rescue. After that, there was only one thing left on my list to do. Since we were in one of the most popular fishing locations in the world, I wanted to try a bowl of their clam chowder.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChBxx8XzEYcvu5cuFqE3FqNhRvndMFrJPmPppyJ8D7x94kVDKk6fGAhvnk5bgn2Er7tglKLlxldM6kj50crrbK-v55KGbAgRvYvoPrP9gccYqOZiVEJ4DvUNqe4Axb7IPXfvSTLFTyFP2/s1600/StMichaels.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChBxx8XzEYcvu5cuFqE3FqNhRvndMFrJPmPppyJ8D7x94kVDKk6fGAhvnk5bgn2Er7tglKLlxldM6kj50crrbK-v55KGbAgRvYvoPrP9gccYqOZiVEJ4DvUNqe4Axb7IPXfvSTLFTyFP2/s1600/StMichaels.jpeg" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">We were told there was one place open that had such fare. So, armed with a couple of umbrellas </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(freezing rain, again)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, we set out to brave the two blocks we would have to walk to get there. Except it turned out to be closed, too. It was rather like being on an empty movie set. Because behind St. Michael's, a Russian Orthodox church standing in the Middle of the main street that had been there since the eighteen hundreds </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(which I dearly wanted to look in, but it was locked)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, all the way down to the water, the streets were empty. But, no… wait…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">A block and a half away, a lady was walking her dog. So, we hurried to catch up with her. Oh, yes, there was a very good place open, and she said she would take us there. Which I thought was truly going above and beyond, until she took us down a side street, between a couple of buildings, and into the back of another with no sign on it. Where inside…</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFc39MRtt4nHaMnZilRyjy8lz9Crc1Az8h2u5kUD6ZwAvd1koj-HXe3ZrFKDITuEzdeWlPTe5RKfHaz6W7aUHWcD11jBVl_dkLQ6Ik4ZE4w1qUhM478KHX7BWrd_TpbyhBsEvjg2uvR3q/s1600/LarkspurCafe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFc39MRtt4nHaMnZilRyjy8lz9Crc1Az8h2u5kUD6ZwAvd1koj-HXe3ZrFKDITuEzdeWlPTe5RKfHaz6W7aUHWcD11jBVl_dkLQ6Ik4ZE4w1qUhM478KHX7BWrd_TpbyhBsEvjg2uvR3q/s1600/LarkspurCafe.jpeg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">It seemed like half the town was crowded in, a lovely folk band was playing </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(fiddles and everything)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, and they were serving up some of the best food I have ever tasted. Ever. Including clam chowder. They knocked six dollars off the bill </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(maybe it was the off-season price)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> and there was enough food left over to cover our next two meals. And it did have a name. It was called the Larkspur Cafe.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Such were our adventures in Sitka. Up next: an overnight ferry ride to Wrangell… the first-ever outpost in Alaska. I'll be back Monday to let you know how that goes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Hugs and blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lilly</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLA_qwEa-87jtWPXxsrp5wpD-QZwoy7qXJduGfbVKQFb-hb3Q4DsTc5eizO2ckbef5iu0gjwOPhe6YEd_eKftAVhP-fWO1RnpXsq6depqL_jwDfNgYedcVNSrGzKF6LrdoMZQPPiMezha/s1600/Lilly-wave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLA_qwEa-87jtWPXxsrp5wpD-QZwoy7qXJduGfbVKQFb-hb3Q4DsTc5eizO2ckbef5iu0gjwOPhe6YEd_eKftAVhP-fWO1RnpXsq6depqL_jwDfNgYedcVNSrGzKF6LrdoMZQPPiMezha/s1600/Lilly-wave.JPG" height="104" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">(</span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">waving hello to the amazing Sally Apokedak, today… who is probably off traveling somewhere, herself. "Ahoy, Sally! What a wonderful place for a writers retreat a ferry would be!"</span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">)</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-15279698740166743562014-03-19T23:36:00.000-07:002014-03-19T23:36:02.892-07:00Alaska Report #3… A Sailor's Eye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fDnULfsUMkf0Q66ZG7Y4uZG4E0-twrzNg7AxtpbtaSDldK_uhkHPZG8lFUwEdmkAbYghiOXEOXO1ZwlFTfiFKfPHe8NSfnki0oGeia7sv8-yQ5Km2nEZkmilGnYzZveVneU7g9rDpuUm/s1600/WalkAlaska-logo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fDnULfsUMkf0Q66ZG7Y4uZG4E0-twrzNg7AxtpbtaSDldK_uhkHPZG8lFUwEdmkAbYghiOXEOXO1ZwlFTfiFKfPHe8NSfnki0oGeia7sv8-yQ5Km2nEZkmilGnYzZveVneU7g9rDpuUm/s1600/WalkAlaska-logo-3.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">By the time the sun was high enough to finally reveal where we were… Shale Kenny and I were traveling through the middle of nowhere. A breathtakingly beautiful nowhere, but nowhere, never-the-less. The <i>Taku</i> was making a steady sixteen to twenty knots through wide choppy channels </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(hold on!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, or slowing down to about six when it wound its way through such narrow passageways I could have spit over the rail and hit dirt. Except the icy wind </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(eighteen degrees) </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">would have blown it right back at me. No one was out on deck at that hour.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Instead, they were either sleeping, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee in one of the observation lounges, or heading toward the cafeteria for an early breakfast. People were sleeping all over the place </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(you get to do that on the ferry)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. Some even brought their own pillows, sleeping bags, and blow-up mattresses. Should you be the more private type, they will even let you set up a tent. Which people do mostly out on deck during the summer, when it's warmer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traveling by ferry seems to have the same effect on people as being snowed in, or stuck in an airport with all planes grounded, due to weather. One simply settles down for the wait. No one is in a rush to do anything else, and they are all very friendly. On the </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Taku</span></i><span style="font-size: large;">, there is a movie room </span><i>(large comfortable seats with headrests),</i><span style="font-size: large;"> a computer room </span></span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(lots of little desks and plug-in areas)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, and several various observation areas surrounded by windows for the best panoramic view. All very relaxing and enjoyable. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Until sometime mid-morning, when there was a drill. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">First there was a blast of emergency bells, followed by the directive to disregard all announcements until a second round of the bells. Between those bells we heard running feet </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(all hands to stations!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, "Fire on the car deck!" </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(roll out the hoses!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, and other various scenarios played out and practiced for. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_PPY7GnpZmQAGKcOhZH2H9gavxWAoCXM1n_kMmhZyIdn2ZlDMI_a21gXnkgAI1LtchbYJiFiBmRD2bnINEhDygtWh8S9xowGhX-Pn5GV8sRNrOGEjkI8vZqknJJ3RVLjv7ScTLgWhSy5/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_PPY7GnpZmQAGKcOhZH2H9gavxWAoCXM1n_kMmhZyIdn2ZlDMI_a21gXnkgAI1LtchbYJiFiBmRD2bnINEhDygtWh8S9xowGhX-Pn5GV8sRNrOGEjkI8vZqknJJ3RVLjv7ScTLgWhSy5/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="123" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">When it was over, everyone went back to whatever they were doing while the huge </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(really huge)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> spectacular scenery continued to roll past the windows. Like a movie. Because those big, rugged, snowy peaks were outside. And inside--where we were--was a comfortable seventy degrees throughout the entire vessel. However, I couldn't really go back to enjoying that scenery until I had a closer look at the emergency instructions glued to the back of our cabin door…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">YOU ARE HERE</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. In red. With an arrow pointing to our cabin. Then "Should you hear the emergency alarm, dress as warm as possible, proceed to the nearest muster station, then wait further instructions from a crew member." Hmm… two muster stations…upper decks…surrounding the lifeboats. Little red dots leading to the closest route up there </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(a person can get lost in all these corridors and stairways)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY7Qwr8KN_VJAkS2fRoWHS_4QdnTKGh_4nCfdQI6zVkqUelrHOubJHNn4T8dCsBVS_Zg7Xgy2n-XTSdjDrhCQvGlJbpCZmUovIOnvj854nujDHUr4eHq0u9zdCaLhAZ0SwnCyFEa_8sid/s1600/lovelyCove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY7Qwr8KN_VJAkS2fRoWHS_4QdnTKGh_4nCfdQI6zVkqUelrHOubJHNn4T8dCsBVS_Zg7Xgy2n-XTSdjDrhCQvGlJbpCZmUovIOnvj854nujDHUr4eHq0u9zdCaLhAZ0SwnCyFEa_8sid/s1600/lovelyCove.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">All of which suddenly reminded me to take a better look at what I was here for. The sea. And how it tended to behave </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(or not)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> in all these wild, meandering places. My conclusions? Some of those cantankerous straits, you couldn't pay me to try and cross in our little boat. But the calmer coves and passageways could be heaven on earth. Of course, I didn't see how I could ever tell that to the Captain. So, instead, I took lots of pictures and videos, so he can decide for himself.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">I'll let you know how that turns out </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(on the other hand, I definitely know how it is going to turn out for Stella and friends!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Alaska Report #4 coming up on Friday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Hugs and blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Lilly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">(who is </span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">waving hello to Karla Akins, today… "Ahoy, fellow adventurer--wish you were here!"</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">)</span></div>
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Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-40166711998140740222014-03-17T17:34:00.001-07:002014-03-17T17:38:38.009-07:00Alaska Report #2… A Cold Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS2IL2AXev1tjC8QMrT7vIuXc3ngxNIm5i7P7cLbafQ2q5cp2ZcJEzmvAHP4ma-QQdZaE2l7ZjpftJ9fQcIWhLz_2y_ITv_PNyNRWE4kGvAnN4x63b8ictxOFimeQ3vuff_7WN9J84eyE/s1600/WalkAlaska-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS2IL2AXev1tjC8QMrT7vIuXc3ngxNIm5i7P7cLbafQ2q5cp2ZcJEzmvAHP4ma-QQdZaE2l7ZjpftJ9fQcIWhLz_2y_ITv_PNyNRWE4kGvAnN4x63b8ictxOFimeQ3vuff_7WN9J84eyE/s1600/WalkAlaska-2.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">We arrived in Juneau, Alaska with thermometers pointing at twenty degrees, and a boarding time set for 4am the next morning aboard the <i>MV Taku</i>, for a 5am departure. It was dark when we got up at 3, and the sun didn't come up until around 7. We were headed for Sitka, the farthest western point of our journey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CaXRL-aq-2QiKGOrxLDsWQLq_kd66x4uUttyDz6PdWjZ2EZBHJvev_JfWpKAWew8p2BtC5s10SrdzWmLT2FV-AgnYvVscy37WmMjvVkb6A6m3XD_KXuofe_U8PBivJfksvN61t769EzX/s1600/Shale-jaclet-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CaXRL-aq-2QiKGOrxLDsWQLq_kd66x4uUttyDz6PdWjZ2EZBHJvev_JfWpKAWew8p2BtC5s10SrdzWmLT2FV-AgnYvVscy37WmMjvVkb6A6m3XD_KXuofe_U8PBivJfksvN61t769EzX/s1600/Shale-jaclet-2.JPG" height="111" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">So it was that Shale Kenny and I truly began our adventure. You might wonder why someone would come halfway around the world to Alaska in winter, when most towns </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(the ones we were visiting, anyway)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"> seem to literally "roll up their streets" until spring. For me, it was an opportunity for a "sneak peek" at the very route the Captain and I will be traveling on the <i>Glory B</i> during my <b>2014 Mystery Tour</b>. Not to mention a bit of research thrown in for a current WIP </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(work in progress)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">For Ms. Kenny, it was a welcome reprieve from the sweltering Australian summer. More than that, really. Because for years, she's had a special place in her heart for Alaska. Shale Kenny has explored this vast state from Ketchikan </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(in the south)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">, to Nome </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(in the north)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">, all the way to the end of the Aleutian Islands that are strung out like pebbles strewn from some giant hand across the Bering sea, landing only a "stone's throw" from Russia. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-HikQw2mwBRcBb_ojPMLehGRuSI-gW9O0dzRZuCXZkvR8DK8UKraf2J1ysQo4x-g9zmoUBJB-FosCiQ1Bts-jQU84p52q3QY80vlecddHc_PXwChTAG65SpE8qC8yNLedZzMyXidmjqn/s1600/Taku-cabin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-HikQw2mwBRcBb_ojPMLehGRuSI-gW9O0dzRZuCXZkvR8DK8UKraf2J1ysQo4x-g9zmoUBJB-FosCiQ1Bts-jQU84p52q3QY80vlecddHc_PXwChTAG65SpE8qC8yNLedZzMyXidmjqn/s1600/Taku-cabin.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">She even did a seven-month stint as a team member for a former Iditarod contestant. Which should tell you something about her determination to experience the "real Alaska." In fact, it was at a gathering of mutual Alaskan friends, several years ago, that I first met Shale Kenny. And now, we were in for this bit of a "working vacation" for both of us. What better inspiration for work than a warm and quiet cabin with a window that looked out onto some of the most beautiful stretches of wilderness in the world as we passed by?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">We both agree ferry travel is the absolute most enjoyable way to do all that. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Of course, I was caught off-guard </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(as I always am, in Alaska)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"> at the spectacular beauty of this amazing place. It is truly awe-inspiring at every turn. Of which there are many, when you are winding in and out of narrow channels, and passing across wide straits that lead out into open sea. The "big water," as I like to call it. Which is what I really came here to look at. And--boy howdy-- did I see some!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Which is what I'll tell you about on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Hugs and blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Lilly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">(who is </span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">"waving hello" to Linda Mapes, and Melanie Backus, today… "Ahoy, ladies!"</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">)</span></div>
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Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-66566641410478792802014-03-14T18:29:00.000-07:002014-03-14T18:37:47.792-07:00A Voice in the Wilderness...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Helloooo…. dear readers! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Here comes the first of my "Walking Alaska" reports, with a delay in signals like you wouldn't believe. But no worries, I will bring them all to you, one by one. First, let me say this little trip is so much more than I expected. But isn't that how life always is? We started off noticing some "divine footsteps" right out of the gate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Because it suddenly occurred to me </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(a little late, as usual)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">, that while I made specific arrangements to meet with my "Mystery Guest" at our departing gate in the Seattle airport, we made no "Plan B" in case something should prevent that. Other than we would both be wearing purple hats so we could recognize each other. This because it's been four years since we've actually been together, and then only for a brief hour at a large gathering, where we met. Which happened to be in Alaska.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But we knew we were "kindred spirits" even in that brief encounter, and have since developed a wonderful friendship from opposite ends of the earth. So, the first clue I'm giving out in these Alaska Reports is: my Mystery Guest comes from Australia. A long way to travel to get to the "frozen north," but since we have been in constant contact via email and chat boxes, I didn't think much more about it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Somewhere during our many conversations about the coming itinerary, I gave her my address </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(where I would not be)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"> and my phone number </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(always carry that with me)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">. Bases covered. Except she </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(clue #2: the Mystery Guest is a she-- the Captain would not appreciate me traveling with a he)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"> lost Internet and phone service as soon as she got here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I shot off a few welcoming emails</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"> (she had to get here in stages)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">, which she never answered. Hmm…not like her. That's when I realized I had no contact information other than email for her. I knew she was married to Ken, but there are probably more than one of those back in Australia. And he doesn't do email. Hmm, again. What if she didn't show up? Should I go on alone?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But she did show up. She was already at the gate when I arrived, wearing her purple hat </span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">(we recognized each other right away)</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">, and wondering the very same thing I was. Should she continue alone if I didn't show up? Well, thank goodness, neither of us had to make that choice. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWJb17bcoUlDkUoOdUM56jmt0kg5gCKaBTQBDlgcpw0dmW4MiB3dtfEQKvVER57gFTkoUDS0ZU3X9AiNe8saIPEJ2FHXJTi2eae9bw-_Us56pHSe5Etu_t0wFk_CN-5ODBNzR938HpPrh/s1600/AK-plane.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWJb17bcoUlDkUoOdUM56jmt0kg5gCKaBTQBDlgcpw0dmW4MiB3dtfEQKvVER57gFTkoUDS0ZU3X9AiNe8saIPEJ2FHXJTi2eae9bw-_Us56pHSe5Etu_t0wFk_CN-5ODBNzR938HpPrh/s1600/AK-plane.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Of course, it would be another couple hours until we could actually start our visit, because the chances of our sitting near each other in that crowded plane were next to nothing. She bought her tickets in Australia, as part of a much longer itinerary, and from an entirely different airline than me. On a different day, even. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">So, imagine our surprise when we discovered our respective seat assignments were right next to each other. Something we definitely took as a "divine footstep."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Sometimes, it's the smallest thing that makes one realize the presence of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">More about that later.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Hugs and blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: x-large;"><i>Lilly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;">PS… Alaska Report #2 coming your way on Monday...</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-14885650682017586272014-02-24T21:11:00.001-08:002014-02-24T21:11:09.824-08:00Votes for Women!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2buUzg0WUX1Y_alY3A0_2t-qz-KmEONnbnk7j317XmlXhj1Yhk3QZ_fY9CtetnC_YMn5nah0Ua9RkvDzfxp1LLfsBFWpWO6IhEwn4N9-8AYqlq5eKakxOhyphenhyphencgIalqwDPJ5vQK6IWxrVt0/s1600/AK-MT-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2buUzg0WUX1Y_alY3A0_2t-qz-KmEONnbnk7j317XmlXhj1Yhk3QZ_fY9CtetnC_YMn5nah0Ua9RkvDzfxp1LLfsBFWpWO6IhEwn4N9-8AYqlq5eKakxOhyphenhyphencgIalqwDPJ5vQK6IWxrVt0/s1600/AK-MT-logo.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">I'm not ready to vote, yet. Who votes without first following a campaign trail, anyway? I need more backing. A lot more. So, on </span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;"><b>March 5th</b></span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, I will be "hitting the campaign trail" with a <b>MYSTERY GUEST</b> in tow. Along with any of the rest of you who would like to come along.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">It will only be for a week. But in that week, I intend to tromp my way across Southeast Alaska, poking my nose into every nook and cranny I can squeeze in before time to go home, again. Of course, I'm taking my gold pan </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(there's gold IN EVERY RIVER in Alaska!)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, because one can't be all business all the time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">But I do promise to post something on this blog every night </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(not really, I better rephrase)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">--for seven nights-- to let all you dear readers know what's happening. There are quite a few patches out on the water up there that have absolutely no Internet reception at all. But I'll do my level-best to let you know what's going on. I will be gathering my information, that's what will be going on. And getting my arguments together for the final decision.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">The vote.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbGrrm7CYuLNMsDAs5ZZz__gXVbYPRcGpl-6mv6CdNhiXNt0C82_RTIuayRn29m6xH0uXazyo84oKP2E6DroFyI6qa2LpdaQGq_A_ZmDjg04-bNXMPaMAZmz-ThLX1NmcNL5dLTP3Zr2P/s1600/voting-booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbGrrm7CYuLNMsDAs5ZZz__gXVbYPRcGpl-6mv6CdNhiXNt0C82_RTIuayRn29m6xH0uXazyo84oKP2E6DroFyI6qa2LpdaQGq_A_ZmDjg04-bNXMPaMAZmz-ThLX1NmcNL5dLTP3Zr2P/s1600/voting-booth.jpg" height="200" width="162" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Of course, I'm not going alone--I'm not that kind of person </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(things are much more fun if you share them).</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> But I do NOT intend to introduce you to my </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">"Mystery Guest"</span></span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> until our first night on Alaskan ground. There will be Internet in that spot, I checked already. And after that… let the adventures begin!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">I hope you will join us.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Before-Dark-Lilly-Maytree-ebook/dp/B008KWEDMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393303584&sr=8-1&keywords=home+before+dark+by+lilly+maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjyfPIbUwq69BOxJPJ503SvVlQxBHf4-JRgsN0jBcErdVY9nJLWUMNz6bOeduiscAgPH9hKIxIiQoYBb4GKm-uNAlx088E4vvoYf6C42hbCWNN7CV_a0yyqzDbESJGYQr4p9NF9TkJeK3/s1600/HomeBeforeDark_h11145_300.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Oh, yes, and if you haven't read </span><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Before-Dark-Lilly-Maytree-ebook/dp/B008KWEDMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393303584&sr=8-1&keywords=home+before+dark+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank">HOME BEFORE DARK</a></span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, the very first Stella Madison Caper </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(in which she meets the Colonel in the most providential way),</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> I would be happy to give it away </span><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-size: large;">FREE</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">to anyone who leaves a comment on this post </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(along with an email address--last time, some people forgot, and I lost sleep over it)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. So, if you are one of those types who don't like to blast your personal information all over the Internet </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(I fully understand, as I hid under my hat for an entire year on this very blog)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, just drop a quick request to lilly (at) lillymattree.com… and I will get one out to you. And…</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thief-House-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00ICQPAGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393303678&sr=8-1&keywords=a+thief+in+the+house+by+lilly+maytree" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yEvDUrcGuUFB44jrrgfb5D8RfQCe8TiG9-emBL3IaLXxOnpge3fQDodwxrEjADgZfZHpO9Qbe69Za6r9K2qKQ2dsfYgrQD5VWkYl_dperoSFONSdC0I4EVfx2mQlVYD4pOMuxzPnO_pJ/s1600/AThiefInTheHouse_w11502_300.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Should anyone be so kind as to leave an honest review, I will be more than happy to give you a </span><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">FREE</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> copy of Stella Madison Caper #2: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thief-House-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00ICQPAGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393303678&sr=8-1&keywords=a+thief+in+the+house+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">A THIEF IN THE HOUSE</span></a></span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. Because when it comes time to vote, I would rather not have anyone uninformed. This because--to tell you the truth, dear readers-- as much as I love Stella. I'm not so sure I could handle her for that long in close quarters, myself. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Sad but true.</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-62065774987420079442014-02-22T16:57:00.001-08:002014-02-22T17:01:56.343-08:00Hold Everything!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lillymaytree.com/Stella.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRe0rBxcleOGqEaab0Yl3OeGREUkSMp1sZwiMmv27ff3nDlv_hRTWeAPjdhNdGaobACgh6EVbxTTD7gkBAOisbeIexYkapS-AZx6hawnnYqhiKNLP-bKC5qcaa13Uo8egRwD_bAL38CHH/s1600/Stella-ad-2.jpg" height="320" width="152" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Ok, so it's been more than a week. But what do you do when you've just admitted wanting to bring someone like Stella aboard </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(who promised to behave)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">, and you're trying to decide if you can really do this thing. More importantly… could the Captain endure it?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">My idea was to give out evidence. A bit of background about Stella with no bias involved. But, of course there's going to be bias--I love Stella and crew, for heaven sake. Then there is this thing about wanting to write stories, and more stories, and--who cares whether we go adventuring to Alaska, or Australia, or even to the moon. I just want to write stories.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">I did make one minor concession </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(can't think when)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> about taking summers off between books for adventuring </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(and gold digging)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">. On the other hand, there have been so many interruptions during the usual winter work schedule this year, I don't really care about that anymore. I just want to write my stories. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRHHOf1UZfHPlhcnbLgpW5f-FH5KE-txZxP8mDDaXW_KmBLByF23nXqx_AYVEfEPNHdwDReB4_NiGXpgKzV7ldP0Ddr5iSWUUNp9iFWkx7F_B37Vg8jD3R7xS8kcnwdjEkfrR2pAgwrPo/s1600/IMAG0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRHHOf1UZfHPlhcnbLgpW5f-FH5KE-txZxP8mDDaXW_KmBLByF23nXqx_AYVEfEPNHdwDReB4_NiGXpgKzV7ldP0Ddr5iSWUUNp9iFWkx7F_B37Vg8jD3R7xS8kcnwdjEkfrR2pAgwrPo/s1600/IMAG0996.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">All of which led up to this bid to bring Stella Madison </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">(and friends)</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"> aboard. So, the Captain is thinking about it. Meanwhile, Stella--herself-- thinks we should make a "dry run" along the route to Alaska, to see if things really could work out for everyone. After all, the Captain has the entire boat cluttered with engine parts at the moment, and I find it a bit difficult to work in all that banging and clanging a few feet away. Then there is my dear friend from Australia, who says she might be able to come along--something that could lead to a few adventures all by themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Oh, good grief! Is it possible? Is it reasonable? And -- most important-- are there any divine footsteps to follow in such a wild idea? What exactly would we---how could we even--</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Trap-Lilly-Maytree-ebook/dp/B005QSS6DO/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1393116224&sr=8-1&keywords=gold+trap+by+lilly+maytree" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPErKuPv5Nbakb1AzXmJlt7VeFG-hQKKP2vMHIfb4ManPDjnnKUx-BoHgrkMynvIvYbfnc-tynuEgaVGDeFJp4X4aDl7P8Alq87QKPVTYmtDLtS8YuFU_VHnlOkeGpJJyJj4LiFC7O7WK/s1600/GoldTrap_h5101_300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Which is exactly what I'm talking about, dear readers, when I say--like Meg Jennings, in my novel </span><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Trap-Lilly-Maytree-ebook/dp/B005QSS6DO/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1393116224&sr=8-1&keywords=gold+trap+by+lilly+maytree" target="_blank">GOLD TRAP</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">--that turning dreams into reality is risky business. Yes, Indeed. So. I am going to present this new idea to the Captain, to see what he thinks about it. And in the meantime, </span><a href="http://www.lillymaytree.com/Stella.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">if you would like to know more about Stella, you can find out about her over on my website</span></a><span style="color: #f6b26b;">, where she has actually talked me into giving her an entire page to herself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Back later, to let you know what the Captain decides. And--don't worry, we're still going to vote, as he promised to take my "public opinion" into consideration. </span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">So, reason should still prevail.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Safety in numbers and all that.</span></div>
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Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761126126483343140.post-73032360010231843702014-02-11T12:35:00.000-08:002014-02-11T12:35:58.941-08:00The Case for Stella...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjTQnz3YhsF8ZZ5bsJcfvOjCBEDkwQ3Y8qCTu3hXfRFzVTzrWDS_LI6H7zJrHYaU2dpMezQ6jtE0eX9WXGDRMkDzgLfEzdP2xj2lMFbtW1QKNv7sHqyEBbr7a_dFRMQEwR9Tt-QsSxFlY/s1600/Stella-eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjTQnz3YhsF8ZZ5bsJcfvOjCBEDkwQ3Y8qCTu3hXfRFzVTzrWDS_LI6H7zJrHYaU2dpMezQ6jtE0eX9WXGDRMkDzgLfEzdP2xj2lMFbtW1QKNv7sHqyEBbr7a_dFRMQEwR9Tt-QsSxFlY/s1600/Stella-eyes.jpg" height="69" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: large;">Stella Madison</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">is very special to me. This because of all the characters I have written about, she has managed to actually step out of the pages of her own books, and begin meddling in my real life. I'm not even going to try to explain how that happened </span>(or why)<span style="font-size: large;">, as it would take up too much time and space, without guarantee of any satisfactory results.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some other time, maybe, after you get to know her better. Let's just say we are presently negotiating the possibility of her coming along on our 2014 MYSTERY TOUR. A huge thing to ask, considering the actual living space aboard this vessel comes in at around twenty feet </span>(below decks)<span style="font-size: large;">, and I am already sharing that with the Captain. Not to mention guests who will be popping in from time to time for brief visits. More about that, later.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thief-House-Stella-Madison-Caper-ebook/dp/B00ICQPAGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392150607&sr=8-1&keywords=A+thief+in+the+house+by+lilly+maytree" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkvKxl6g8Y8nk4TjXUXwH9r1B-5pVFuxg3c5Pwm5vRHlLWzfffBJ5qytDgFFohh9AQ7Fh5VrkjNzS1MnXtF6zDfL8S-p-03zJR7TKb4qz1dNskKzttu2sJdMOP7w01S9wwkq4JVyIhIP9/s1600/AThiefInTheHouse_w11502_300.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">At any rate, Stella has taken the liberty--during her recent "caper" that has just been released--in announcing exactly what she intends to do. The trouble is, such a huge undertaking could never be confined to the spaces of her little allotment for each caper </span>(no longer than fifty pages, can be read in an hour, and only cost a dollar)<span style="font-size: large;">. And so, the necessity of our "negotiations." And, yes--if I try very hard to see things from her point of view--I can imagine they might possibly work out. Especially if she behaves herself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">However, since everything Stella gets involved with seems to turn into a caper of some kind, I am not so sure I would like to actually experience one in real life. We have other names for them out here. Such as disasters, complications, and those things that turned out so embarrassing during 2012 we christened them wild goose chases. So numerous we had to assign them a unique icon on the blogs </span>(in lieu of explanations)<span style="font-size: large;"> in order to tag each such event for what it really was.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivaJOR04SRnOA0Gchzt4Aex5bXJqzs7UQs3rXMaNtbF-bYAW21MrOWlSA2Zsp45n86-srbPeLrpYPAkxTHzkJ6c3j8xtzUIiuNVXY_upuNClzEpYydYmtdK2Eg0x0jbkwNl80JhgW2etz/s1600/GC-Gazette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivaJOR04SRnOA0Gchzt4Aex5bXJqzs7UQs3rXMaNtbF-bYAW21MrOWlSA2Zsp45n86-srbPeLrpYPAkxTHzkJ6c3j8xtzUIiuNVXY_upuNClzEpYydYmtdK2Eg0x0jbkwNl80JhgW2etz/s1600/GC-Gazette.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: large;">All that to say the votes are still out for bringing Stella aboard, and we might have to enlist public opinion to settle things. So, I am starting a "campaign" in preparation for presenting my case before the Captain </span>(who always has the final say)<span style="font-size: large;">. He who must grapple with having one crazy woman aboard, already, and believes too many could be hazardous at sea. Thus--beginning next week-- I will list all evidence needed to present "the case for Stella" here on the blog </span>(some things should stay in the family)<span style="font-size: large;">, and we will hear opposing arguments, after that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">Then, we'll vote.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">And may reason prevail.</span></div>
Lilly Maytreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749276313502544046noreply@blogger.com2