Adventuring has been part of my life since childhood. However, other than letters, writing about those unending experiences was almost non-existent. Old Journals and Trip Books stop after a few days; obviously too much fun stuff was happening, leaving too little time to describe the events.
All this changed when my husband John and I moved to Clearwater and met Pat Sabiston. How she both persuaded and inspired me to send my pen scurrying across the pages beginning in late 2007 was described in Trekking Tale #100. The computer counted the words: “Five hundred is enough, Kay,” I was initially told. Then, “Well, I guess 600 is okay.” Thank goodness for the extra space; even so, that limit spared you, my faithful readers, from many so-called witticisms that had to be cut out.
My only other instruction was: “When you see a Trekking Tale published in the Clearwater Times, submit another.” Until recently I always had a few ready to go – sometimes still in my head, some in handwritten notes, and more on the computer waiting for me to press “Send”.
While I loved describing all my local finds and outings, I was also encouraged/allowed to share narratives of the far-flung travels John and I, with various friends and family members, have had over the past eight years. Since we haven’t quite finished gadding yet, perhaps I’ll submit the odd something from here on. Time will tell. But I don’t want to start repeating myself.
Locally, I haven’t been everywhere and done everything, but there are limitations to my excursions nowadays. Rainbows, rivers and lakes, birds, animals by the roadside, tracks, trees, hikes, skis, snowshoes, flights and boat rides – all these and much more have been featured.
Because each place, Helmcken Falls being the perfect example, is different each time, it’s tempting to write about them constantly, but there’s a limit.
I am not going to stop writing. For as long as I’ve been producing Trekking Tales, I’ve been working on a memoir, also started with Pat’s prodding.
“I want to publish it before I’m 75,” I told one friend when I still had a couple of years to go. Well, that birthday is long gone. It’s time to focus on that. I also belong to three writers’ groups including the local Writers’ Circle. I’ve had stories, mainly of my experiences, and doggerel (?) poetry published in several volumes of Collected Works produced by each of the above.
But this is my final Trekking Tale.
I truly appreciate all who have encouraged me in every way. I am eternally gratefully to Pat who got me started, but I am especially touched that the local paper, Clearwater’s North Thompson Times, and its friendly staff, gave me space, and room to grow as a writer. Thank you...