Days Without Illness

🤧

Chad went to the San Franciso area for a work trip, arriving back home on January 25th. He brought with him the worst souvenir in the form of pernicious germs. Chad exhibited common cold symptoms upon waking up on his first day back at home. I guessed that it was only a matter of days before I also fell to the germs. I made an unscheduled trip to the store for sick supplies that included Nyquil, Gatorade, coughdrops, Kleenex (brag, we're fancy with the name brands), and soup. Chad worked from home for a few days, and returned to the office by the time I started feeling sick. The first illness brought no fevers, but plentiful sniffles, sneezes, coughing, general discomfort, mouth-breathing and tiredness. This was all mild relative to what awaited both Chad and me soon. 

I recovered from illness A within about four days. Promptly upon my recovery from illness A, Chad came down with illness B, which we think was influenza. Illness B brought fever, chills, joint pain, body aches, more coughing, more sniffles, and more mouth-breathing. Chad worked from home again for several days, logging off early each day for naps. While I cared for him, I got a front-row preview of illness B for a few days before I also succumbed to the germs. By the time Chad was feeling well enough to return to the office after his round of illness B, I was sick. Really sick. When I emailed the library to let them know that I'd be out, my supervisor replied with commiseration, urging me to "rest, rest, and rest." 

Five days of misery followed. I alternately had a fever so hot that I needed to lie on the cool tile floor of the kitchen, then felt such chills that I had to pile multiple blankets on myself. I spent most of those five days either in bed or on the floor. The worst day of my symptoms, I gathered enough strength to make my usual breakfast of yogurt, berries, and 1/3 cup of flaxseed oat granola. One of my cats loves to lick the dregs of my yogurt after I finish breakfast. Occasionally I have to fend him off from fully sticking his furry face in the yogurt while I'm trying to eat. So on this day, while very sick, I prepared my yogurt bowl, then felt a wave a heat from fever overtake my core. I left my yogurt bowl on the kitchen counter, to lie on the tile floors. My sweet cat put his whisker face on my forehead, and telepathically communicated, "yeah, lady, you're down bad with the fever. I smell it on you." Naturally, his next mission was to help himself to the yogurt so thoughtfully left out for him on the counter. No amount of verbal protest on my part swayed him from his delicious prize. I stood very slowly, mindful of my illness, and put the yogurt bowl into the refrigerator, out of the reach of my dairy obsessed boy. 

As I was briefly upright, I felt an urgent need to go to the bathroom. I must stress, urgent need! I made my way into the bathroom, and sat on the toilet, as one does. While seated, I thought, I'm still so feverish. I need to get myself into the dry bathtub as soon as I'm done on the toilet. Oh no. I feel kind of woozy. 

I regained consciousness a while later. How much later? Haha, I don't know. Less than ten minutes? My other cat walked between my feet on the floor, seemingly concerned at my current ability level to dole out treats. My head was wedged between the bathroom sink and the back of the toilet tank. A basket of feminine supplies residing on the back of the toilet tank acted as a pillow in my moment of need. I literally laughed out loud as I surveyed my situation. I slowly stood, pulled up my pajama bottoms, washed my hands, and trudged in a half stoop to the bed. I slept for three and a half hours. When I awoke, I thought about texting Chad at work to let him know what happened, but I didn't want to worry him. What could he do? Rush home to watch me lie on the floor and binge old sitcoms and YouTube videos? 

You might be wondering why I didn't go to the doctor for some Tamiflu to help alleviate illness B? Haha, yeah, so all five of the primary care physicians I've ever seen in Austin retired over the past six years. I don't have a primary care physician currently. Nor did I possess the energy or will to try and find a new doctor in my moment of need and misery. That reminds me, I need to find a primary care physician. They'll probably announce their retirement soon after my first visit with them. 

While Chad and I tag-teamed illnesses over the course of three weeks, we missed out on several special scheduled events. Jack, I'm sorry that I didn't make it to your show even though I bought tickets far in advance. I'm sad about the hard-to-get dinner reservation I had to cancel. 

I'm thankful to be feeling healthy again. I'm thankful for being able to breathe through my nose. I'm thankful to not suffer coughing and sneezing fits. I'm thankful to be able to exercise, and go for nightly walks again. I'm thankful that I caught up on housekeeping chores. I'm thankful to be back to my regularly scheduled life. 

Days without illness: 32 and counting.

Acadia National Park with Wildland Trekking

Chad and I are always looking to escape the Texas summer heat. We love visiting state parks, national parks, and national forests to enjoy scenic nature, and remove ourselves from screens and from city traffic and noise. We had never been to Maine prior to our trip in August 2024. We aren't getting any younger, and wanted an adventurous trip while we still have good knees for hiking and upper body strength for climbing.

I love a thoughtful guided vacation, with someone more knowledgeable than myself about different places planning the stays, the activities, and the meal procurement. Honestly, I sometimes get sick of the trips I'm planning before we even go when I research (some might say over-research) and book everything on my own. I like to leave the planning to a group of professionals, and then to be pleasantly surprised by the itinerary and activities. I chose Wildland Trekking because I wanted a small group (eight people or less) with a dedicated trail guide. Spoiler alert: Wildland Trekking gets five stars out of five for such an enjoyable trip. 

Our small group of fellow hikers were all so kind, fun, and patient. Our group included myself, Chad, Daniel, Carli, Rob, Juliet, and our sweet, nimble, knowledgeable tour guide, Anthony.  Anthony made sure to strike a balance between motivating us to keep a good pace, and stopping to admire views. While we hiked, Anthony advised us on best safety practices, and doled out knowledge about local plants and wildlife. Logistically he knew all the best parking spots, which roads were one-way loops, and where to catch the various trailheads. 

Breakfast each day was takeout from local restaurants. Anthony sent a menu link to our group text. We each sent our orders. We usually ate breakfast on the large front porch of our guest house. Lunch each day was DIY from "the goodness spread". The goodness spread was a picnic blanket set up by Anthony with all the DIY lunch groceries we needed to make our own healthy lunches: stuff for a sandwich or wrap, some fruit, nuts, yogurts, and coconut waters. Anthony delighted in offering us each a square of chocolate after lunch breaks. Dinners each evening were in local restaurants that could accommodate various dietary restrictions and preferences. Wildland Trekking took care of all the meal reservations, paying for all meals, and tipping for meals. (Seriously, I only pulled out my wallet once to buy some whoopie pies from a local bakery during free time in Bar Harbor.)

Yes, we climbed many ladders like this!

On the first day of our Wildland Trekking tour Anthony picked each of us up in the big passenger van from our respective hotels in Bangor, Maine bright and early. When we arrived at Acadia National Park, Anthony had us circle up outside the van for introductions and a quick icebreaker question of what brought each of us on this particular trip. The "circle up" led by Anthony reminded me of youth groups and summer camps, and helped to endear a group of strangers to each other, and to our shared experience of hiking and exploring together. 

We covered many miles on the first day of our trip, but eased into it without too much elevation gain. Our group took the Island Hopper free shuttle bus operated by the National Park Service to Jordan Pond for a hike all the way around the tranquil pond carved out by glaciers with views of the Bubbles rock formations. The Jordan Pond hike was a fairly easy loop with just a few areas of rocky scrambles. The scenery did not disappoint, offering up tree canopies, tranquil water, abundant critters, and giant rock formations. 

Next we took the Island Hopper to walk along Sand Beach for moody, foggy vibes with ocean waves providing the soundtrack. We hiked up through a forest area to Thunder Hole, a naturally carved inlet along the rocky coast, so named for the thunderous sound of ocean waves crashing. The day we went was particularly awe-inspiring thanks to Hurricane Ernesto fueled wind and waves! 

Waves crashing at Thunder Hole

Steep stone steps made me thankful for good knees!

The second day was a tough day due to challenging steep elevation gains, persistent rain, thick fog, and slippery conditions. Despite Anthony's gentle guidance and safety tips for footing, there was some slipping and sliding on rock shelves as we ascended steep inclines in the rain. A heavy blanket of fog made the summit of Dorr Mountain anticlimactic as it obscured any views. Anthony advised us to don our rain jackets, and to be mindful of our core temperatures in the cool rain and heavy fog. 

Thankfully, we took the easier, gentler switchback path down Dorr Mountain through more wooded areas with pretty coastline views revealed as the fog decreased. I liked it so much better than the steep steps and ladders that we took up Dorr. We were all chilly, but also sweaty from exertion, and varying degrees of rain-soaked. Sensing that morale was drooping, Anthony took a group vote, and we decided to head back into town early, and take the afternoon to rest, recover and have a bit of free time to nap, shower, and/or explore Bar Harbor before our dinner reservation that night. 

Bar Harbor, Maine delivers quintessential Americana in a charmingly small tourist town. It is just gorgeous. You can be as bougie or as casual as you like in your fashion, and fit right in. I was happy to have a little free time to explore Bar Harbor before dinner a few evenings. The early risers in our group did some exploring before breakfast each day. Alas, I am not an early bird. I am a lifelong night owl. While in Bar Harbor, I recommend the Wild Maine Blueberry pie and whoopie pies (cake-like chocolate cookies sandwich with fluffy cream filling in the center) for sweet treats with local ingredients and origins.

The third day of our Wildland Trekking tour was a relatively easy, breezy, tranquil day. Our trip to Schoodic Peninsula started with a ferry boat ride from Bar Harbor. We spotted harbor seals, dolphins, and bald eagles, in addition to rock formations and coastlines during the boat ride. Traversing the mostly level trails on Schoodic Peninsula felt similar to a super-sized terrarium with abundant moss and lichen absorbing sound and giving off a pleasant earthy scent. We also enjoyed gorgeous coastline views, wild berry bushes, and fuzzy caterpillars along the way. We lingered on a pebble beach at the end of our hikes for the day, and enjoyed the calming sounds of the waves and the pleasant warmth of the sun. 

mossy vibes on Schoodic Peninsula

Liking all the lichen on Schoodic Peninsula!

Our fourth day with Wildland Trekking featured the challenging adventure of scaling Beehive Trail Loop, a 450 foot cliff with steep drops, ascended via rungs and ladders. Fear of heights and scaling Beehive do not play well together. Fortunately, weather conditions were ideal (dry with high visibility) for our climb that day. Before we started up Beehive, Anthony had us "circle up" in the parking lot, and share what our anxiety or fear for the day might be, and how we planned to meet it. The answers people gave were honest and a bit vulnerable. My own answer was that I was anxious about the uncertainty of climbing the challenging course up Beehive, and that I would meet it with positive determination. Anthony described the climb up Beehive as"high consequence" should you trip, slip, or fall. I found it challenging and a little fear-inducing. In my head I kept thinking, "keep your eyes up and forward." That worked for me. Admittedly I don't have a fear of heights. I'm oh-so-proud that Chad and I scaled Beehive! 

Climbing Beehive!

Anthony donning a seaweed beard extension

As if climbing Beehive wasn't enough adventure for one day, we also had ocean kayaking around Bar Harbor on the agenda in the afternoon. I love kayaking, but usually do so on gentle lakes with minimal waves. Ocean kayaking presented a new challenge for Chad and for me. Our kayaking guide, while knowledgeable about flora, fauna, local lore, and celebrity summer homes in the area, misjudged the outgoing tide that day. We got caught by the lowering tide at a natural land bridge, and had to kayak an extra mile around the other side of a small island. I liked the extra kayaking, and smiled the whole time. Don't threaten me with a good time!

Our fifth and final day with Wildland Trekking started with a visit to Bass Harbor historic 19th century lighthouse. The lighthouse interior is not open for visitors, but there is a plaque outside with information. We took a trail through the forest and scrambled over coastline rock formations to get some good photos. 

A short van ride took us to the parking area for our final hike. Without a hint of irony, Anthony said, "Let's bag another summit." Up the trail we went for views of Echo Lake and to to the summit of Beech Mountain. We enjoyed a leisurely picnic lunch at picturesque Sand Cove Beach. It felt like the final day of summer camp, in that I was so tired, thankful for the experience, and a little wistful that it was ending. 

Bass Harbor historic light house

last hike

During the van ride back to Bangor after our last hike, Anthony asked for each of us to share reflections from our trip. We said goodbye to our trip companions as each got dropped off at respective hotels. I enjoyed the company of each person, and would happily go another trip with any/all of them. This hiking trip was definitely physically challenging, and I'm so proud that Chad and I did it!

We were back at our hotel in Bangor by 4:30 PM to shower and sleep before a prescheduled 5:30 AM pickup time for a ride to the airport the next morning.

Click here if you want to book a trip to Acadia National Park with Wildland Trekking. This is not a sponsored post. We genuinely had such an enjoyable, awe-inspiring, and well planned trip, that I want everyone who is interested to support Wildland Trekking. They have a variety of trips in addition to Acadia National Park. 

Also a positive review and product link for Bombas hiking socks, which feature a wool blend for good cushion and for staying dry. Again, this is not sponsored. Chad and I both really like these socks for hiking. No blisters for us!

Before our Wildland Trekking trip began, Chad and I opted to fly to Bangor one full day early, so that we were adequately rested before our physically demanding hiking started. We also wanted to see Stephen King's former home (now an office for one of his foundations) in Bangor, and a few other local sites referenced in Stephen King books and subsequent movies. We definitely felt some of the sources of inspiration for the fictional town of Derry. 

Stephen King's former home, now office for foundation

Artfully carved tree at the Stephen King House

Not menacing at all, haha!

Manic Hobgoblin's 2025 Resolutions

My inner Manic Hobgoblin lives in my head rent-free. He creates truly unhinged schemes that skate a thin line between lunacy and genius. Manic Hobgoblin doesn't like to sit still. He says he'll sleep when he's dead. For most of 2024, Manic Hobgoblin got stuck in a cycle of buying up distressed properties in areas on the verge of a comeback. This week I gently reminded him about New Year resolutions. He exited his cave-bunker, which has surprisingly good internet connection, just long enough to rattle off the following resolutions. 

1. Buy the Earth's Sun, and charge people money for using its light. Manic Hobgoblin Industries, LLC, just needs a few more investors to make this a reality. If you'd like to get in on the ground floor of this amazing opportunity, call 1-555-867-5309, where friendly operators will gladly record your social security number, bank account information, credit card numbers, name of your first pet, name of your favorite child and their birthday. (Editor's note: Do not call! This is a scam.)

2. Become a top-rated Peloton instructor with a cult-like following. Then actually start a cult. (Editor's note: Peloton class is fine. Cult is bad.)

3. Further measure the monetization of podcasts, such as recording if listeners skipped the advertisements, tracking actionable purchases from listeners via internet cookies, yum cookies, thereby making it nearly impossible for 95% of podcasters to break even on podcasts, much less make any income. (Editor's note: That's already happened. Dangit, Manic Hobgoblin, did you already do this in 2024, and added it to your 2025 resolutions for an easy checkmark?)

4. Take a hiking trip in Vermont during peak Autumn foliage color, making sure to sample maple syrup and Ben & Jerry's ice cream along the way. (Editor's note: Say less. Take me with you.)

5. Buy a modern mansion in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in order to more easily stalk a certain former A-list celebrity who is rumored to have purchased a home there, and engineer a meet-cute at the local Illuminati clubhouse. (Editor's note: I'm not sure that your source is reliable. Also, the first rule of the Illuminati is, there is no Illuminati. That house is striking, though.)

Hahahahahahaha. Oh, Manic Hobgoblin, please seek mental health care.

My own plans for 2025 include a reading goal of 44 books, go hiking in Vermont during peak fall foliage, maybe move across the street into a fancy new apartment while we do major renovation of our sweet old house, and after we get settled back at our newly renovated sweet old house, adopt a new-to-us adult dog. I miss having a dog.

In 2024, I read 65 books, surpassing my goal of 40 books. I blame all the time I spend at the library, and the excellent library resources such as physical media, Hoopla, and Libby, for this overachievement. 

In 2024, Chad and I took a really challenging guided hiking trip through Acadia National Park. It was amazingly beautiful. I'm so proud of us for (mostly) keeping up with our (much) younger hiking trip companions. We also kayaked around Bar Harbor, Maine, which was a gorgeous adventure. I'll blog about it later here.

In 2024, we lost our sweet carport cat, Sabrina, and gained a rat problem within six months. Correlation? Causation? Some minor construction to seal off points of ingress, and some traps (sorry, rats, really sorry) took care of the rat problem. 

In 2024, we said goodbye to Chad's dad when the hospice nurse urged us to get there as soon as possible. On that unplanned trip we witnessed the aurora borealis during the solar storms in May. Checkmark.

Happy New Year. I wish you moments of happiness, moments of stillness, and moments of awe in 2025.