Buckets of Dreams

Continued from http://beautybread.blogspot.com/2016/02/lard-buckets-and-synchronicities.html

As the pounds began to melt off and the strength began to build, my thoughts turned in a direction I never thought they’d go again:  Alaska.

Hiking Chinese Ditch in Oct 15, always Wild & Free!

After my 2013 Iditarod trip, I swore I’d never take a four-hour plane ride again. Going to Anchorage was bad enough, what with a heavy winter jacket, two (2!) suitcases, a tote bag and snow boots on my feet. Return to California was much worse. My traveling days were over.

But were they?

Seeing a part of the Yukon Quest dogsled race live has been a dream since 2011, but after Iditarod, I never seriously considered it. Farther north, colder temperatures. If I was miserable traveling to ANC, what would it be like going to FAI?

In July I decided to give it a try, took a deep breath and made my air reservations.

As the weight loss continued and the hiking ramped up, I suddenly had another thought, an amazing revelation. I’m not getting any younger. It's time to visit my best friend.

Betty and I have been friends since our first day of college. We met at the LA State (Now Cal State LA) bus stop and have been friends ever since. We’ve been through births and deaths together, marriages, children, a divorce, everything in between. Somewhere in the 1980’s, the date escapes me, she traveled to Israel to volunteer on a kibbutz. Falling in love with the country and eventually a man, she made Aliyah and has lived there ever since. She’s made a couple of trips back to the States, but I’ve never been to Israel. The many times she asked, I always refused.

Betty and the Bear. Photo stolen from her FB page.

The last time we saw each other in person and almost the last time we’ve spoken (since I hate telephones) was July, 1989. That makes 27 years of being best friends without seeing each other.

She’s not getting any younger either.

After serving as a Road Scholar program coordinator for 11 years at a conference center, I know what quality programs they provide. In fact the 2013 Iditarod adventure was a Road Scholar event, and I can’t say enough about how well it was organized and run. I decided, on a whim, to see what programs they might have to Israel.

The first thing that popped up was a hiking program, hiking parts of the Israel National Trail, which was fashioned after the Appalachian Trail. There were two departures:  one in April 2016 and one in mid-September 2016. April was too soon, since I’d already booked the Alaska adventure--and September seemed just about perfect, since Betty’s birthday falls on September 21. Furthermore, it served as incentive to continue hiking, getting healthier and fit.

The synchronicities continued.

I messaged Betty and had a reply almost instantly. “Do you really mean it? We’ll get your room ready RIGHT NOW!” She reviewed the Road Scholar itinerary and confirmed that it would give me a chance to see some beautiful parts of her country. “It’ll still be blistering hot in September. Bring lots of deodorant,” she messaged, “but COME!”

As soon as I could confirm getting the necessary time off work, I booked the program and figured I’d use Fairbanks as a proving ground for whether I could really do the long-distance travel.

I'd created the start of a Bucket List, containing two items for now:  Fairbanks in February and Israel in September.

Betty still didn’t believe I’d decided to take the plunge. The doubt remained until last week when I booked the flights. Israel, here I come.

Fairbanks in February was a rousing success and proof that I still can travel.

The Yukon Quest story comes next.