Fifties and Fierce

Did you know that every 8 seconds an American turns 50. You, my family and friends, have been at my side for so many of the milestones of my life, why should this one have been any different. When I began this journey, I told myself it was to help me embrace turning 50 because in my mind I had an idea of what turning 50 was supposed to be and I was fighting it.

I have learned SO much this past year with the help of you all. I am VERY proud of what I have accomplished. Fifty is the just the start of fabulous. In my head, I get that age is just a number, but in my heart I was not ready. Maybe that is because when I was born in 1960, 50 never looked this good. During the last 20 years as the percentage of people between the ages of 50 and 54 has doubled, there are many more of us facing this milestone. It is not the end of youth but the chance to redefine and challenge myself. It is a bittersweet moment. I have lost loved ones, but still I am truly blessed with my faith, family, and friends. Pain may be inevitable as we age but suffering is optional. I am choosing happiness.

Regret comes in all shapes and sizes. Some are small like when we do a bad thing for a good reason. Some are bigger like when you let down a friend. Some of us escape the pain of regret by making the right choice. Some of us have little time for regret because we are looking forward to the future. Sometimes we have to fight to come to terms with the past, and sometimes we bury our regret by promising to change our own ways. But, for many of us our biggest regrets are not for the things we did – but for the things we did not do. The reasons for my 50 new experiences in my 50th year were varied, but part of this year for me was about having no regrets.

You know what you do not know about 50, it does not feel as old as you thought it was going to feel. I am 50 and I look in the mirror and think yea I get that I am 50, but who is the person staring back at me because I do not feel like what 50 is supposed to feel like.

The lessons I have learned this past year are many, but one important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments. Learn to let go of the past...and recognize that everyday will not be sunny. And when you find yourself lost in the darkness and despair...remember it is only in the black of night you can see the stars, and those stars will lead you back home. So do not be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to fall, because most of the time the greatest reward comes from doing the things that scare you the most. Maybe you will get everything you wish for...Maybe you will get more than you ever could have imagined...Who knows where life will take you. The road is long and in the end...the journey is the destination. Carpi diem – seize the day.

I have to give a special shout out to Karla because without her none of this past year would have happened (because while I may have made it my own the original idea came from her), and wow what a whirlwind, amazing year it has been. That being said…365 days, 50 events, 35 different participants, roughly $3400, and a whole lot of fun; that is what the last year has brought.

Part way thru this adventure someone asked me who had done the most events with me and that got me to thinking. SO, I have since developed a spreadsheet and have tracked each event and who participated in them. I decided I was going to have a “prize” for the one person who completed the most adventures with me, and the winner is… drum roll please... Keri. She participated in a whopping 10 events with me. Kat and Jan came in a close second with 9 adventures so I have a runner-up prize for them as well, a small memento of the past year.

As the saying goes…all good things must come to an end and SO too must this. I want to thank each and every one of you out there who have traveled this journey with me; to those who have been able to participate by being part of my adventures, to those who participated by living vicariously through me, and to those who participated by reading my blog faithfully to see what was going on. While doing 50 things in one year may not be for you, I would strongly encourage you to on some level step out and experience life in a new way. It truly has been an amazing year, one that I will not forget. Be on the lookout because you have no idea where your (or my) next adventure may be, who knows, maybe we will bump into each other on one of those adventures. Be True To Your Dreams!

50. Skydiving, 6/5/11

What a way to end my 50 for 50.

Experience the thrill of freefall on your very first jump. Skydive tandem, harnessed to a professional skydiving instructor from 13,000 feet! I was able to freefall for almost a minute on my jump. I shared a parachute system designed for two people with a fully licensed tandem instructor. Me and my tandem instructor exited the aircraft at an altitude of 13,000 feet (that’s higher than the top of Mt. Hood) and freefalled at 120 mph for nearly one minute before opening our parachute. Following my freefall, I enjoyed a spectacular 5–7 minute parachute ride as me and my tandem instructor steered around the sky, while descending gently to the landing area.

A professional skydiving cameraflyer accompanied me on my skydive wearing a specially designed helmet mounted with two cameras; a top of the line video camera and a Digital SLR camera. My cameraflyer obtained footage of my adventure in the airplane, in freefall, and at landing, capturing my expression and reaction to the greatest thrill of a lifetime! My cameraflyer was dedicated to me for my entire freefall – and, I got the added experience of seeing him fly and maneuver around just a few feet in front of me! I received a CD with digital photos and a professionally edited 6-7 minute DVD of my experience.

When you first arrive, you spend about 30 minutes signing waivers. How many times and how many ways can they tell you that if you are injured or die neither you nor your family members can sue them. Then, a short while later you are called in for a training session with one of the instructors. Again, after a short wait, you are taken into a room and meet your personal instructor as well as your cameraflyer, and then you get suited up and wait until it is time to board and off the ground you go.

While climbing to altitude, your instructor will point out sites like the different mountains and downtown Portland. Tim made me feel very comfortable and I never felt any fear, even when I sat in the open door of the plane at 13,000 feet, well, maybe a I felt a little fear right before he pushed me out of the plane, but it all happens so fast you have no time to be afraid. When it is time to jump they open the door, you look out, and whoosh you are falling. The jump was both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. The fall is one of the most thrilling things about the jump out. It seems like you are falling forever but it is only a short bit. Falling from the plane was intense, but looking up to see the plane disappear is the single most extreme memory I have - we fell to maximum velocity, it seemed to take an eternity and then the features on the ground came into resolution. It was truly epic. Then the chute opened and suddenly we were literally floating serenely. The overlook of the land is quite breathtaking. The views are spectacular. The time under chute was a few minutes and time enough to really take in the scenery, to breathe, and to appreciate the enormity of what I'd just done. Tim handed me the control cords and let me steer and stall. It was frightening - in a good way.

I was worried about the landing and being sore afterward, but it was so smooth that I was shocked that we had already landed. I wanted to do it again and again, and if I could have, I would have!

I want to thank all involved once again for opening the door to the world of skydiving for me. It has been a lifelong dream and I could not have asked for a more competent, professional group of people to train with. From the ground school taught by instructors to my personal instructor and my cameraflyer, every aspect of the program was top notch. I have to give a special thank you to Kat and Jan for spending this incredible experience with me. Needless to say, it was one of the most awesome experiences in my entire life, one I will not soon forget.

Absolutely brilliant. Do it. Fun. A challenge. Life affirming. A real bookmark in your life story.

Fear is Temporary…Regret is Permanent!

49. My tattoo, 6/4/11

Tattoos are not a new fad or fashion – people have been getting tattoos for thousands of years. While approximately one quarter of Americans have at least one tattoo, many Americans disapprove of the art form.

Finding the right tattoo is a very personal choice. When choosing a tattoo style or image, it is important to consider the reason that you are getting the tattoo in the first place. Whether your reasons are for self-expression, inclusion in a group, or paying homage to someone else, you need to think very carefully about the tattoo before you have it permanently attached to your body.

A recent study found that 17% of people with tattoos want to have them removed – if you choose the right tattoo in the first place, you can hopefully avoid being a part of this small percentage of people. Make the tattoo something that you can personally relate to. Often, the best tattoos will invoke a strong emotional response from the wearer. For example, don’t pick a flower just because it looks pretty, but instead choose something that means something deeper to you. Don’t ever get a tattoo that you are not 100% sure that you will love – regardless of what your friends and family will tell you. You are the person who has to live with the tattoo for the rest of your life, so listen to yourself when making such an important decision

Traditionally, tattoos were hand-drawn, but in 1891, the electric tattooing machine was invented. In modern history, the Christian religion has changed the perception of the tattoo, thus making it less common than it used to be. Today, the majority of the tattoos are done for cosmetic or spiritual purposes,

Often, the decision to get a tattoo is driven by the desire to express something about yourself to the world. Whether you want to express a certain personality trait, express your love for a particular person, or express your belief in a certain ideology, a tattoo is a common method of self-expression. When expressing yourself to the world through a tattoo, choose a design that speaks to you, one that evokes an emotional response when you see it. Even if the particular design does not always mean the same thing to someone else, it can be your form of self-expression.

Often, in order to fully express yourself through tattoo art, many people recommend that you develop an original tattoo design with your tattoo artist’s help. Having an original design will help set you apart from the crowd and make your tattoo unique to you (and what better way to express your unique perspective than with a unique tattoo). Even if you are not a great artist, the tattoo artist can take your ideas along with a standard tattoo and create something truly special for you. While I was not sure exactly what I wanted, I knew that I wanted something that spoke of who I am and what I believe. I spent many, many hours looking for the “right” tattoo. I finally found something I really loved and with the help of Rose at Pussycat Tattoo, we tweaked it and made it personal to me. I have to say, Pussycat Tattoos rock!!!

48. Portland's Vintage Trolley, 5/29/11

On select Sundays from May through the Sunday before Christmas Day, old-style trolleys run along the MAX tracks on the Portland Transit Mall.

Leaving NW 5th & Glisan: Union Station was the brainchild of rail baron Henry Villard who suffered financial setbacks and lost ownership of the project before it was completed in 1896.

Proceeding southbound on NW 5th Ave: We now traveled along the edge of Portland's Chinatown. This area was a center for railroading, lumbering, and both river and ocean-going ships. It was also known for bawdy houses, saloons, and gambling parlors.

Southbound on SW 5th at Stark: The old First National Bank Building was the first national bank west of the Rocky Mountains. It as built in 1916 in a style reminiscent of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and many think it is the finest example of Roman architecture in the West.

Southbound on SW 5th leaving Oak St: Here stands Pioneer Courthouse, which offered a splendid view of the countryside from its cupola when built on the edge of town in 1869.

Southbound on SW 5th at Madison: The Renaissance Revival style Portland City Hall was completed in 1895. This early steel-framed structure was one of the first buildings in the Northwest to feature electric lights and central heat. It was considered to be fireproof.

Southbound on SW 5th approaching PSU: Fifth Avenue has a long railway history. Cablecars ran here for 15 years, starting in 1890. They were replaced by the very trolleys that we rode in were patterned after; the Council Crest cars. Portland cablecars were ordered from the same firm that built San Francisco's historic cars and look just like them.

Northbound on SW 6th at Mill: Now a well-regarded urban university, Portland State began as a non-accredited Junior College. It can trace its roots to an extension center wiped out in the Vanport Flood of 1948.

Northbound on SW 6th at Jefferson: The University Club is a rare example of Jacobethan style. It was built in 1919 for a socially prominent club founded in 1898. Next door is the city's oldest continuously fashionable apartment building, and one of the most ornate, the Ambassador Apartments built in 1922.

Leaving Pioneer Courthouse: The cream colored tiles on the buildings across the street identify them as part of the Terra Cotta Historical Area. The "last of the handmade buildings" include Macy's, Portland's oldest and largest department store. It was built in 1909 as Meier & Frank.

Northbound on SW 6th at Stark: Well-known architect A.E. Doyle designed two bank buildings along the city's financial blocks: The U. S. National Bank was built in 1916 and the old Bank of California next door in 1924. The Bank of California is considered Portland's most impressive Italian Renaissance building.

Northbound on NW 6th after Burnside: Now back in Chinatown…Portland's Chinatown was once bigger than any other on the West Coast outside of San Francisco. It sported a Erickson's Saloon, which had the 'longest bar in the world.' It was also infamous for shanghaiing of sailors. The Classical Chinese Garden is now in this district.

Northbound on NW 6th at Glisan: The Steel Bridge served the Northwest's first electric trolley. The Albina Line began running across this bridge to Albina in 1889. The Steel Bridge also holds the distinction of being the world's only double decked, telescoping, lift span.

It was great to see even more of Portland's history. Thanks Diana for sharing in it with me.

47. Mount St. Helens, 5/22/11

The picture above is where you would see the mountain if the weather would have cooperated. I am glad to have gone, but I was disappointed that the view was not there. Any pictures I got of the mountain are pictures of pictures within the observatory.


The Johnston Ridge Observatory sits on a bluff just 5-1/2 miles from the crater at an elevation of 4,314 feet and offers grand views of Mount St. Helens and much of the 1980 blast zone. This visitor center is the closest you can get to the mountain by car when driving in from the west and is located 53 miles east of the town of Castle Rock at the end of State Route 504. The center includes: exhibits with a geological focus, a 16-minute theater program, ranger-led programs, and a bookstore.

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake 31 years ago marked the reawakening of Mount St. Helens after 123 years of inactivity and set the stage for the most destructive eruption in U.S. history. The catastrophic eruption of May 18, 1980, claimed 57 lives and caused an estimated $1 billion damage. It was a very visible reminder that volcanoes can reawaken quickly and with little warning, and that Cascade Range volcanic activity was far from being a thing of the past.

The two months between the first earthquakes and the large May eruption was one of great uncertainty and activity as scientists and public officials strove to understand the dramatic volcanic events and forecast future activity. Seven days after the initial earthquake, March 27, 1980, a loud boom was widely heard by many residents of Southwest Washington and aerial observers noted a dark dense column of volcanic ash rising through the clouds, eventually reaching a height of 6,000 feet above the volcano. In the coming months, dozens more explosions punched and expanded fresh craters into the volcano’s summit. Hundreds of earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater rocked the volcano and the north flank of Mount St. Helens moved outwards by five feet per day.

While the United States and its territories contain 169 volcanoes considered capable of erupting, prior to the Mount St. Helens eruption the only U.S. Geological Survey volcano observatory was in Hawaii. The May 1980 eruption, however, would be the catalyst for change, as increased money would be allocated for volcano monitoring and Cascades Volcano Observatory would be founded. Since that time, additional volcanic events and better recognition of areas of interest have resulted in the growth of USGS’ monitoring program. Today, the USGS has five volcano observatories: Cascades Volcano Observatory in Washington; the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory; the Long Valley Observatory in California; the Yellowstone Observatory; and the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

During the 31 years since the catastrophic volcanic eruption of May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens continues to challenge and inspire scientists to understand the causes and nature of volcanic eruptions.

Thanks Kat for going and showing me a huge part of the Northwest's history.

46. Sisters' Day, 5/21/11

I do not know who said it, but it is one of the truest statements I have ever heard. “You can pick your friends, but you cannot pick your family.” With most of our friends, there is a point in the relationship where one or both people decide that they would like to have a deeper connection with the other but with family, we don’t get that option. From the very beginning, we are given brothers and sisters and parents, with no say in the matter at all. Family knows us better than we know ourselves. They know when we are faking it, when we are upset, or when we are trying to keep a secret. They have lived with us for most of the growing part of our lives. It was a special day…getting to spend time with my sister, just she and I. We were born sisters, AND I would choose her as my friend. For so many years, anytime we have gotten together it has been with our children or about our parents, but we have never done anything just the two of us, that is, until today. Thanks Michelle, I had a great time today.

Family Fun Centers (FFC), also known as Bullwinkles, were started over 40 years ago in a small rural town by twin brothers Jim and John Huish in college. Through hard work and dedication, FFC has developed into a growing and successful business. Great pride is taken by FFC to create an atmosphere that is both family oriented and processional. FFCs are located throughout the Northwest with locations in Wilsonville, Oregon and Tukwila, Washington. The FFC in Wilsonville opened in December of 1994, while the one in Tukwila opened in 1999.

The fun never ends at the Wilsonville Family Fun Center! (Well, it almost never ends.) Come early and stay late! They are open all year round – rain or shine – and there are plenty of great attractions for kids – young and old. It is best described as a Chuck E Cheese for adults and seriously, the only thing missing is a bowling alley and the transformation would essentially be complete.

The six-acre amusement park offers year-round fun for the whole family. Outside, the park offers miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, sling-shot, a climbing wall, and batting cages. Inside, there are two stories with over 100 arcade games, Max Flight Cyber Coaster, Lazer Xtreme, Kidopolis, and Bullwinkle’s Restaurant.

Today, my inner child was extremely happy.

45. Bluegrass From the Forest, 5/14/11

The 7th annual Bluegrass From the Forest presents The Boxcars, Bluestone County, Northern Departure, The Blackberry Bushes, Sugar Pine, and host band Runaway Train. We were able to enjoy some of the best in bluegrass music in a great indoor theater atmosphere. There was camping onsite, band contests, a band scramble, a banjo contest, mandolin tasting, a youth program, vendors, and much more. Jamming space was available indoors, in the camping areas, and throughout the school campus grounds in addition to several special events.

The first group we heard was Sugar Pine – a group that jumps into the fray with both feet, mostly from the Portland area. Then we heard Bluestone County – If you have spent anytime at all around the NW bluegrass scene, you have probably run into one or more of these musicians as this group comes from the Mid-Willamette Valley. After them, we got to listen to The Blackberry Bushes – A high energy, soulful, Americana quartet. This group has remained true to their Ozark, Appalachian, and Mississippi River roots, and added just a twist of West Coast indie-rock.

Of course, what festival would be worth its weight in gold without some good food. This, of course, was no exception. Lynne, Dawn, and I all had the same thing, Supreme Hungarian Elephant Ears, yummo!

The headliner group – The Boxcars – They are one of the hottest bands on the bluegrass scene. The Boxcars are a quintet composed of serious players with big reputations. I sat in awe as I listened to each groups’ distinct sound, and while bluegrass may not be my first choice of music, I totally have a new appreciation for the sound, so much so I even bought a CD from The Boxcars. Now, off to listen to my new CD.