#36 Kayaking on the Bay

I had planned to go Kayaking some time this summer, but had not gotten to it before my injury. I figured that I was healed enough to go with ADK younger members group who planned an evening out on the Irondequoit Bay.

The weather forecast was sketchy with "possible rain" , but the sun was out so the group decided that it would hold out for our paddle.

I hobbled into the Kayak and my friend and I started to paddle. At the beginning it was very peaceful and it did not seem too difficult, but soon I started to feel it in my arms. I thought, I would be able to do it easily due to being on crutches so long, but thatcrutching uses different muscles.

Kayaking uses your whole body, including your legs, which I don't have right now so I had to really use my upper body. After awhile I started to get fatigued and we still had a bunch to go. While we were heading back, the clouds started to roll in. People were paddling really strongly and I'm dying! Then we started to hear thunder and see lightening off in the distance.....paddle harder....then just when we were almost to shore the sky opened up and the rain poured down!

Next time, I think it would be better to kayak with only few friends, where I could go slower and at my own pace. It was too much pressure to be with a group where people were MUCH better than me and I had to struggle to keep up. Also, I will have to wait until I have a fully functioning body!

#35 Star Gazing

One thing I have never done before is to take the time and really "look up" to the stars. All summer, I have been waiting to do this, and it never seems to work with my schedule (or any one else's) or the sky is not clear enough.

But today, I decided rather last minute to go to the "Star Party" sponsored by the Rochester Astronomy Club , http://www.rochesterastronomy.org/ . I texted different friends to see if they could join me on this adventure, but alas many were already either tucked in for the night or were already out and about so I decided to fly solo for the night.

The "Star Party" was at Northampton Park and I got there around 10pm (which if you know me, is about bedtime!). They had a bunch of the really large telescopes available to look into and people from the club would find things to look at in the sky and tell you all about them.

They showed us many different globular clusters, Nebulae, Andromeda, Jupiter and for the first time I had the Milky Way pointed out to me (and it was visible too!). My Favorite, was the Swan Nebula (see above)....it really is shaped like a Swan!

While they were talking and people were taking turns looking in the telescopes we all kept our eyes to the sky as it was a special evening full of the Perseid Meteor Showers. Some were so bright it was almost like a firework and it left a trail in the sky.

It was a peaceful evening.......a quiet night......one where you realize how BIG the universe is, and how BIG God is........Don't worry, that did not stop me from making a wish on those falling Stars (or in this case meteors)!

#34 Sodus Point Lighthouse Concert Series

This was an impromptu addition to my list. While my Aunt was visiting from Florida my parents and she were going up to the concert series and they wondered if I would like to go.

Since a) I have never been up to the Sodus Point Lighthouse and b) it was a beautiful sunny day and c) the concert series was something I could add to the list I thought sure, why not.

Other than a few grand kids running around, I was one of the youngest as it was mostly a blue hair kind of crowd. The theme of the concert was "Nostalgic Reunion" Swing, Dance Tunes, and mellow Jazz from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’. You can sit your chair and watch the band, but who would want to when you can sit on the other side, hear the same music and look out over the lake. We found a spot under a tree overlooking the lake.

The music was good. As I looked at my Aunt tapping her toe to the music, some them were my Uncle's songs and I felt sad for her. My uncle passed this spring and hearing those songs makes me think of him and I know that she thinks of him whenever she hears the songs. But perhaps she gains comfort from them, for she knows how much he loved them (and her) and would sing them to her? He lived a good life, and he was loved by his wife, oh to have a love like that.

In addition to the concert, I went to the lighthouse and Museum and yes, I climbed up the 52 circular steps into the lens room to see Lake Ontario shoreline....all on crutches!

It was a relaxing afternoon and it was good to spend it with my mom, dad and Aunt. Time with loved ones is precious.........take advantage of it when you can.

#33 Rhinos Game

I have never been to a Rochester Rhinos Game (or even watched a soccer game---I know, I know--the World Cup was this year and I somehow did not get into it!) Anyway, I decided that before the season was over I would venture out to a game, http://www.rhinossoccer.com/.

A few of my friends and I went to the game on a Wednesday night. The weather was perfect for a game and thus I guess we should have expected it, but we were not quite prepared for the hoards of people getting their tickets the day of the game (like us). So many in fact that we were almost 45 minutes late for the game!

Honestly, I'm not sure there is a bad seat in that Stadium. Our tickets were a whole $10 and our view was good. The Rochester Rhinos took on the Portland Timbers at Marina Auto Stadium in front of 6,978 fans.

I can't say that I learned tons more about soccer, The Rhinos went on to defeat the Timbers 1-0. It was much more about the whole experience. Hanging with my friends on a beautiful evening, having a burger and fries....and yeah watching a little soccer too :).

#32 Over the Edge

Yes, I went over the edge and I can't believe that I was crazy enough to do it!.

So what was this all about? Well I was watching TV one day and I saw that they were repelling down the side of a building here in Rochester for a charity and I thought "That is so cool, I want to do that"...but it was too late to raise $1000 to do it here in Rochester so I searched for places in NY with upcoming opportunities.

What I found was Over the Edge for Special Olympics of Western New York's Event in Niagara Falls. http://overtheedge.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=419756 . The event was scheduled for July 29th and I had to raise $1000 for Special Olympics before the first week in July in order to assure my chances to go "Over the Edge".

Special Olympics is something that was near and dear to my heart because when I was a little girl my mom volunteered with Special Olympics and I can remember going to see her volunteering. When I was older, my first job out of college was with the ARC and those guys were so special to me, that I wanted to do this in honor of them.

My friends are amazing!!! They gave and gave and gave and I reached and surpassed the $1000 mark!

Then, only 4 weeks before the event I fell and injured my ankle. But I was determined that no matter what, I was going to go and do this. I figured, I don't really need a foot to repel, I need my arms mostly.

The day of the event arrived and Ms. M and headed off to Niagara Falls. All of the sudden the nerves kicked in as we were driving. When we got there, I thought for sure they would say something to me about my crutches.....but this was for Special Olympics after all, so nope....no one said a word! Once I was escorted up to the suite where they prepped me and they put the harness on me all the nerves disappeared, they just left and I was calm (almost eerie calm). We went up to the roof for our "lesson".....

When the time came I had to first sit on the edge of the building with my back to the crowd, then stand (try that one leg people!) The guys who were working with me were too funny as we were cracking jokes about it being their first time doing this etc, etc....But all during this I'm having fun, I'm calm, I'm not even thinking about the fact that in moments I'm going to repel down 27 STORIES!!! THEN the moment of truth......I was asked to sit back like sitting in a chair with my feet on the side of the building, and so I do it. I think I shocked the guy a bit because he asked "are you sure you have never done this before?" No, I reply as I start to descend.....

Remembering to stop and look around, I take a brief moment to look to my left and right (you really can't look behind you very well) and what an awesome view of the Niagara Falls area I had!!! What also was amazing (and very unexpected) was that the building was mirrored so as I repelled I got to see everything around me as I descended---how cool!

I thought it would be very difficult to do because when I had watched the newscaster repel he kept saying how hard it was and he sounded out of breath, but I found it easy. I slowly released with my hands and slowly walked with my legs down the side of the building---I felt like spider woman! I think that the injury actually prepared me for the repel because the 4 weeks on crutches had strengthened my arms and grip so that I was strong enough to perform the task without difficulty. And I was right, I really did not need my feet much, they just lightly touched the building as I traveled down until they met me at the bottom with my crutches.

What an amazing sense of accomplishment to reach the bottom. It is an experience I never would have ever considered doing if it was not for "The List". Although my parents almost killed me (they threated to lock me away prior to the repel) and made me promise to NEVER do it again, I'm so grateful to my friends who supported me and donated to this worthy cause to give me this amazing and unforgettable opportunity.

Going Over the Edge enforced how much I have grown in the past year in trusting God. I used to be so afraid of heights and I cannot even fathom wanting to do this in the past, but I have overcome those fears and stepped out in a kind of faith and trust that filled me with a sense of strength and joy and peace....... for that, I am truly blessed!

#31 Up the Mast

This addition to the list was an impromptu event and truly what "Living live Abundantly" has become about. My friends and I went out sailing on Sodus Bay one beautiful Sunday afternoon and my girlfriend's husband said, "anyone want to go up the mast when we are done?".......Soooo, of course, I said "I'll do it".

Now, this happened 2 weeks after spraining my ankle, but this did not stop me! So with the help of the guys , yhey strapped my butt in the little swing, I gripped with my thighs and good leg and pulled with my arms until I reached the top as the men hoisted me up! (they really did all the work).

I thought I would be a bit scared, but I wasn't. It was great! The view from the 60 foot mast out onto the bay was really neat.

Then, those funny guys....they strapped up all the lines and walked away leaving me clinging to the tops of the mast as I just giggled KNOWING that they were not REALLY gonna leave me hanging but it was funny none the less.

I think the best part about the whole thing was how unique of a task it was and how spontaneous it was. I like things planed out, and for me to do something truly spontaneous and a little daring was exhilarating!

#30 Benches on Parade

I had this whole plan in my head to have an old fashioned road trip....people piled in the car, maps, snacks and a whole lot of fun searching for the benches on parade. http://benchesonparade.com/

But one by one my friends bailed on the day with the exception of my faithful "Living Life Abundantly" sidekick Maggie. We did have a few people who joined up with us for part of the experience, but she is the only one who has stuck out for the whole 117 benches! (which as of this posting has not yet been completed....but don't worry--we will!)

We set out on Saturday morning with the thought that we could see all of them in one day. I had spent nearly 3 days mapping out on a map, printing off directions, putting it into an excel sheet with the most efficient manner to get around the city to see them all....we were all set (HA!)

Major snafu #1....drove around MCH for a good 20 minutes or more looking for the bench....never found it that day. Apparently it is inside the hospital near the gift shop, tucked deep in a little nook...obscure?!. Then it started to drizzle, and the rain pretty much stayed with us no matter where we drove for the REST OF THE DAY! So much for a forecast of isolated and scattered showers...how about being socked in all day long.

Second large snafu was at RIT. There was a graduation going on and the bench was near that area so they had all the parking blocked off. We had to park WAY away from it and we started running because we were so behind already in the day.

The most frustrating thing about the experience was the amount of benches that were locked inside buildings. We wasted a lot of time looking for one at Hilton High School until I finally looked in a window and THERE IT WAS! From them on, we realized if we really could not find it....well it was inside. Some we could see through windows, but some we could not--which was super frustrating.

We went all around St. John Fisher College, but could not find the bench, it is probably tucked in some little courtyard....will just have to go back another day because after wasting a half hour, you just give up!

We especially appreciated when the bench matched the location. For example, the one at Golisano children's Hospital is decorated with their theme...or the one at RIT was decorated with RIT things (including their hockey team)--that one was Maggie's Favorite.

Maggie's friend Andy joined us for a few in the Pittsford area and then Jen joined us in the Victor area (which gave us a little more variety in the photo department)....you can only take so many photos of the same 2 people. Poor Maggie, I made her pose in a few of them doing funny things.

We discovered that there is NO way you can do them all in one day....well you could, but we were not going to. So after 62 benches and 165 miles and almost 10 hours we said goodnight to the benches for one day and picked it up the next day.

Sunday we started out to the city part of the bench tour (we had done all the burbs on Saturday). Again we found 4 that we believe are locked inside buildings and Frontier Field. HELLO??? It is very frustrating that they want you to see them all, but then they don't make them accessible.

We ended up stopping and not doing Canandaigua ones this weekend, as poor Maggie has a life outside "my list" and we will hopefully do them next weekend. Sunday we spent 4 hours, drove 20 miles, but walked 11,005 Steps (we did the ones in the city, so we walked most of it).

So we had 8 in Canandaigua left to see......6 in Rochester that are either locked up and I cant see, or that I cant find....hmmm, might be a weekday project!

The following weekend, I met up with Maggie and her parents to finish up the ones in Canandaigua. The ones in town were relatively easy to locate then we had to Journey out to Bristol Harbour for the final location! Once they were all found we celebrated with a glass of wine at the NYS Wine and Culinary Center. We sat out on the deck and relaxed looking out over the lake........ahhhhh. On our drive back, we found the one at St. John Fisher that we had difficulty locating the weekend before. Leaving us 5 that we have not seen!

Overall, I think the concept is a great one. We saw ALL different parts of Rochester (some that Im NOT so sure that you really want to be advertising for Rochester though as we drove from one to the other). There were some things I never saw before. Some cute little parts of the city, restaurants, shops, venues, beautiful buildings (who knew MCH was so beautiful!)... I just wish that the people who created the website for benches had done a better job putting up the addresses and locations, and THEN have difficulty finding thing. I also don't think that they should be locked inside buildings, so that people can enjoy them on weekends when families might actually get out and go searching for them. A person should not have to spend 3 days mapping things out, going 2 different places to find the names of benches/sponsors/addresses etc...and links to maps...they should all interface. Also some of the benches have been moved and they have not updated their website.

The benches are beautiful, we want people to go out and see them. It is sad that when Maggie and I asked people where the bench was we often got a blank stare. At one of the malls a person said, oh I know where it is, go out of the store and turn left.....she directed us to a REGULAR mall bench. COME ON PEOPLE! Do Rochesterians really not look outside when they walk down the street? Do they not pay attention to the art around them....we are so blessed in this city. It is rich in art! ENJOY!

Update as of 9/9/10....All the benches have been found and seen...including those that were locked up and indoors! The task might have taken 2 months and multiple days, but I was able to go and see all 117 benches!