DISCOVERY TRAIL, BOARDWALK, & POLITCAL MUSINGS~Self-Care; Long Beach-WA

July 8th: It was a busy Day here, today.

It was an exploratory Day 👍

It was an "accomplished" Day.

It was a fun Day 😁

I was drinking my morning cup of joy juice ☕️; surfing the internet & feeling very wifey listening to my husband's soft snores while he slept upstairs, enjoying the added warmth of my recently completed afghan:

I finished my knitted afghan the other day; & posted it this morning.

MOD KNIT CROSS & STRIPE AFHGAN; Ocean Park-WA: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/07/mod-knit-cross-stripe-afhgan-ocean-park.html)

My Link was featured on one of today's Blog Hops 😉 Featured on 'A Pinch of Joy' Blog, from last week's posting:  Road Gypsies – Tying Up Loose Ends …

Blogs visited, FB messages read & responded to; I did I few stretching exercises, and gathered my [fast] Supper items: I am not doing a 100% Fast (no food at all) - I just want to drop some weight off my small frame (1) my aging body doesn't handle a full-on-Fast well, anymore - and Biblically, elderly people are not required to do a full-on Fast (2) I am simply avoiding meats & sweets for 3 days, to shave off the daily calorie count. I will continue this way of eating until I am satisfied with where the scale needle falls, in the near future 👌

Basically, what I am doing is; I eat normally 4 days a week; and limit calories to between 500 to 600, 3 days a week. This is a new concept to Holland, who thinks of fasting as a complete refusal of food & only allowing water. Thankfully, he knows how to feed himself during my 3 Days of kitchen strike 😂🤣😘

And I put a little color on my face too, because before we had drifted off to sleep, Holland had mentioned that he wanted to drive into Long Beach for a few items.

When he woke up & enjoyed his cup of coffee, I planned to ask him if he'd carve out about half an hour of time for me to do a quick walk; I had a place in mind - and thought he'd be agreeable. He knows by now, that physical activity is part of who I am; it's not just something I "do" ☕️❤️🌞 

Daily Meal until Wednesday evening... protein drink halved w-water, & veg's added to ramen.

I added color to my Day ;-)

He woke up around 10 AM, and halfway through his coffee - he glanced over at me, did a double-take, and said, "You're wearing lipstick!" I laughed, and said, "Yeah; I'm wearing makeup, too … and I'm dressed for being seen in public. You said you wanted to go grab some stuff in town, so I figured I better spiff up a bit. By the way: do you think you could drop me off at the the end of the Boardwalk & wait for me while I walk the loop? You could listen to your music & give one of your friends a jingle, in peace, while I'm enjoying the scenery." Some of his music, and some of his friends, stress my nerves: he could indulge both while I worked my body & freed my senses.

So, that's what happened: I got my walk in, & he got the items he wanted before we came back home 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Asthma and Exercise: While asthma can affect exercise tolerance, studies show that regular, moderate exercise, like walking, can actually help improve asthma control and reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. The key is to exercise safely and avoid triggers.

Important Considerations: It's important to remember that individual fitness levels can vary widely, even within the same age group. Factors like overall health, medication adherence, and asthma control can all influence walking performance. Therefore, it's always recommended for individuals with asthma to consult their doctor or a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise routine to ensure it's safe and appropriate for their specific condition. 

My asthma is environmentally influenced - which means I have to pay attention to what I expose my lungs to; today's walk seemed [safe] 🤞

Discovery Trail & Boardwalk Loop; Long Beach-WA

Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail-WA: 

(https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ilwaco-long-beach-discovery-trail)

The Loop Route - from Sid Snyder Beach Approach to the Bolstad Pavilion - and backtrack.

Footpath through the dune grass to the beach ; Long Beach-WA

The Gray Whale artwork along the Discovery Trail …

Not sure if the artist did this intentionally or not - but, the whale's tail is 'centered' with the log's grain pattern  ;-)

The Boardwalk - I'll walk that, back to the 4x when I reach the Bolstad Loop.

A Salmon detailed Bike Rest, along the Discovery Trail.

Mile Marker for the cyclist's doing peddling the Discovery Trail Route.

Walking under the boardwalk above, the old Boardwalk song ran through my thoughts - my mother used to talk about Coney Island's Boardwalk; and my husband talks about the Boardwalk at Santa Cruz (I got a picture of that one, last year) … but this Long Beach-WA Boardwalk, is the only Boardwalk in my Life; so I am going to walk under and above, on it, as long as time & weather permits.

This walk is not along flat terrain - muscles were stretched, and cardio was in play.

The dancing Dune Grass did not inflame my lungs at all. These grasses play a crucial role in stabilizing the dunes and protecting the coastline. These grasses serve as anchors for the whole dune system: their roots can grow up to 40 feet deep!

The Drifters - 'Under the Boardwalk' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPEqRMVnZNU)

Little spots of color in a dry & drab landscape …

Oh! The scent of burnt grass is still pretty acrid. It looks like the 4th of July Boardwalk Firework Show lit up more than the sky; and there, by the sign, is where I will begin my return trip. Over the Boardwalk; Long Beach-WA

This was a short, 15 minute, walk = same distance backtracking.

I'm thinking about exploring this Trail, next time I feel the need for a leg stretching; there is supposed to be a basalt pillar, and sculpture of William Clark, along that portion of the Discovery Trail.

The Bolstad-Snyder Boardwalk; Long Beach-WA

WALKING THE BOARDWALK~Self-Care 2025; Long Beach-WA:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/06/walking-boardwalkself-care-2025-long.html)

I smelled this Rugosa Rose's pungent  scent, long before I caught sight of it.

Fleshy rose hips - good for the immune system & anti inflammatory benefits.

This was a sand storm, kicked up by the ocean breezes.

I was not happy to see that dirty looking appearance in the near distance. I was getting closer to where Holland was in our 4x … but the rolling sand dust whipped up by the ocean breeze, was making me nervous; I hoped to get to Betsy before "it" got to me 🙏

I did reach where Holland was parked quickly - and of course, Betsy's windows were open … he quickly closed them when I told him about the cloud of grit rolling in behind us. By the time I stashed my walking stick and climbed up onto the 4x's running boards & plopped into my cab seat, we could both taste the dusty grit.

It was time to move on.

Time & mileage … Calculated Route results.

My walking speed is good - 'for my age' 😉

Average Walking Speeds: For women between 60 and 69 years old, the average walking speed is approximately 2.77 miles per hour (around 2.53 to 2.82 mph), which translates to roughly 4.1 kilometers in an hour. 428 meters in six minutes equates to about 4.28 kilometers per hour, which is slightly above the average for her age group without asthma consideration.

My walking step length was a bit above average for my height; but I was speed walking …

My lungs were behaving, & my breathing was in the [safe] zone for my age & asthmatic condition.

A 428 meter walk in six minutes, is a fairly good pace for a 69-year-old asthmatic woman 😁

6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT): The 6MWT is a measure of functional exercise capacity. Normative data from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab indicate that the mean distance walked by healthy women aged 60-69 years is 538 meters, while for those aged 70-79 years, it's 471 meters. A distance of a 428-meter walk in six minutes is a good pace for an asthmatic 69-year-old woman, especially when considering the average walking speeds for healthy individuals in that age group and the impact of asthma on exercise capacity. It suggests a decent level of fitness and aligns well with the average walking speeds for her age group, especially when factoring in her asthma diagnosis. However, it's essential to prioritize safety and listen to her body and her doctor's recommendations while engaging in physical activity.

I had my inhaler & phone with me (it eases my husband's mind to know these things are with me) - and I was paying attention to my body vibes: no one knows me, better than me. Before I started my walk, I promised to call my husband: "if you need me to come get you" … but the walk was a short one, and my heart & lungs behaved. I wouldn't have started if I didn't think I could finish 😉

I do push myself, and I don't let my physical limitations handicap me - but, I am not a fool. I do not play with my Life.

For older women, studies suggest that aiming for 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day can lead to significant health benefits, with some studies indicating even 3,600 steps per day can reduce the risk of heart failure: I had racked up around 4,000 with my short Loop Walk. 

With an eye on the rolling dust cloud, we went grocery shopping afterwards …

The sand storm blowing across the beaches up and down the peninsula, was making things pretty murky around Klipsan-WA; it got thicker the closer we got to Ocean Park-WA

Indoor strolling counts towards the [8,000 steps] goal; and I need to stop getting on Holland (I do it in a "nice" way) about walking daily: while it's true that he can't join me on my walkabout's, and he is a couch potato when home … I need to remember that he does do leisurely strolls through the local grocery stores a few times a week - and a lengthier walk through a super store once a month: that does help keep him active, and his joints fluid. Whether freestyle walking, or pushing a cart, strolling through the grocery store is a great way to get more activity in his day.

Even with his job related disability, activity is important if he wants to enjoy a mobile lifestyle. There is pain involved with activity - but there will be more pain, if he doesn't stay flexible as long as he is able. His doctor has told him this - and I am lovingly mentioning it too, without nagging 24/7.

And he walks around the house - inside & outside. Steps taken while walking around the house, also count towards the daily step goals. While it may not be as intense as a dedicated workout, it still helps. Any movement is better than none; and walking, even at a leisurely pace around the house, can contribute to overall health and well-being.

Back home, Holland surfed the Internet while I put groceries away, and puttered around. He in fully invested in Road Gypsy adventuring now 🌞🤠, and is brainstorming ways to explore more 🧐; while keeping Independence from being shaken to pieces by rough roads 😕😒🙏🤞 

There are several things happening in various locations that do give him concern. He wants to keep us safe while we are traveling.

The riots and murder sprees breaking out across America keep him glued to the daily news; but I say, "We both know that these Days would come; nowhere is 100% safe anymore since obama's 2009 coup that unleashed muslim chaos and communist madness into our lives - just pick the least chaos and roll with it. Elohim will work it out, and Yeshua walks with us."

There is an off-shore volcanic eruption brewing that we heard about this past winter - and there was a recent report about volcanic activity ramping up around Mt. Rainier: and he's paying attention to those reports …

Underwater volcano off Pacific coast could soon erupt:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1oWQhdZ6Xg)

"An earthquake swarm that started at Mount Rainier on July 8, 2025, is the most significant seismicity at the volcano since 2009": https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/news/monitoring-stations-detect-small-magnitude-earthquakes-mount-rainier

These recent earthquakes are a REMINDER that MOUNT RAINIER Mount Rainier is an ACTIVE volcano.

Hundreds of quakes rattle Mount Rainier-this USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory researcher shares why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ai8HBUw68Q

I spent a lot of time annually hiking Mt. Rainier, for decades (last time, about 3 years ago) … but I never forgot that red-hot-magma was churning under his peaceful demeanor.

My August 20, 2022 Mt. Rainier Post - 

NEW ADVENTURES FOR MY NEW LIFE ~Shabbat Blessing: 

https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/08/new-adventures-for-my-new-life-shabbat.html

My September 15, 2021 Mt. Rainier Post - 

WINGS ~ Mt. Rainier Solo Lobo Daytrip: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/09/wings-mt-rainier-solo-lobo-daytrip.html

And I always kept in mind that when Mount St. Helens erupted, eyes were watching her - BUT ALL THOUGHTS were focused on Mount Rainier, because that was the one "most likely to erupt in our lifetime".

(((SUPRISE!)))

We are cautiously watching this development 🧐; but still planning our next Road Gypsy adventure in a couple weeks - far away from his quivering flanks (discussed long before the cascade hiccup's started) 😉

The Deadly Cascade Volcanoes Are Waking Up! Is A Mega Eruption Coming?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYBqjbQ-mP4

Holland takes his job of protecting us very seriously. He's not liking the idea of exposing me to far-flung places that may involve risking my safety traveling through riotous, murderous activity birthed in the demonrat party - carried out by obamanite minions that have been invited to infiltrate American society to destroy us from within … gavin newscum & mouthy, rebellious L.A. Bass are doing all they can to destroy California and turn it into a 3rd world wasteland, giving sanctuary to terrorists and hate-filled illegal's calling for "death to America!" & "death to gringo's!" The demonrat {leadership} call for "blood!" with inflammatory mic grabs that fuel the misguided angsts of misinformed obamanite lemmings.

barak hussein obama 👹😈😡 seated Anti-American's in congressional offices, judicial seats, {church} pulpits, schools (elementary, junior & high schools, colleges, and universities), civil offices, our military, and the work force: ALL of these places have been planted with obamanites to carry out obama's agenda to destroy American and set up a communist society that will lead to a muslim overthrow. He SAID THIS OUTRIGHT during his 1st coup term - and no one was listening because the Race Card had been slapped down with fervor, demonrat adherents marched on lock-step, and everyone (except those few brave souls, like moi) were scared of being labeled "racist!" if they dared to disagree with his twisted mandates.

President Trump is clearing up barak hussein obama's messes: and he is denying Federal Funds to blue states insisting on pushing forward Anti-American agendas.

Illegals who have overstayed their Visa permits; who have no intention of becoming Papered Citizens; & terrorist cells obama and biden allowed to flood across our borders (south & north - biden literally FLEW them across our borders 😈👺😡) are being routed - and removed from America.

"Sanctuary Cities" that breed anarchy, treason, and death … are being shut down.

LA Mayor, Border Patrol clash over Trump-led ICE raids | FOX 11 LA:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJA7lYPLNhs)

Of course "no one was in the Park" & "no one was arrested" … the reporter says, "the arrival - was leaked"; so, no one was showing themselves, except the armed arrivals. Also, in a previous media whore moment, Bass said, "we were all anticipating the arrival, so as soon as everyone's phone blew up … I went to the Park": she staged this show down to appear tough, and ended up looking like the clown she is. And the masked woman who said, "the kids were scurried away - and the armed men told us to get the f* out of there" IS A LIAR. Previous CONFIRMED reports state that there were NO kids in the Park that Day - even Bass said "there were no kids there because everyone is scared and in hiding". Bass bitches about "political stunts" - but SHE … like gavin newscum … is always before a handy mic playing political stunts out: and looking stupid while doing so.

Ruthless, fickle, and outright dangerous leadership 👹😈👺of blue states are being shut up, shut down, and removed - by votes … and by forceful arrest, if necessary.

This is an ambush, not just of ICE, but of America, Laura Ingraham warns: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xAVSAoI5c8

Life is meant to be lived.

And we can't allow blue state morons to strip us of our dreams, hamper our travels, or hamstring us with the Race Card nonsense. We have got to continue forward, in our pursuit of happiness which includes the liberty of freedom in movement.

Through blue states that cannot be avoided if the route goes through those states.

Through the throngs of fervor-whipped obamanites lining the streets, highways, & byways: and jumping in front of moving vehicles like demented sacrificial offerings.

Through unpredictable weather patterns, risky weather, & out-of-season weather chaos.

Trusting Elohim.

Trusting each other.

Filling our own cup.

Trusting the process.