We made it safely to Boston and back for our annual medical visit. You can see Dr. Gomery and his assistant, Lee, in the attached photos.
We also took a day to go to Leicester, near Worcester, to see our friend Kristin. She has the most beautiful garden and fenced area.
It was awfully hot and the Girls got overheated. My niece, Megan, took the Girls to lie on her cool basement floor and applied ice cubes to cool them down.
Sharon, my sister, lives in a condo that is inaccessible. She puts up portable ramps when we go so that we can enter and exit. As I was going g down the ramp one evening, Karma went off the ramp. Fortunately, I was near the bottom, so the chair didn’t flip, throw me, or land on me. It did get stuck, though, with some wheels off the ramp and some wheels on. Since I could not move, we called the Woburn (where Sharon lives) fire department. They came right away, quickly freed the chair — and me — and even hammered the ramp back into shape. Shout Out to PJ, Brad, and Mark for their kind, gracious, and STRONG help.
On May 14 and 15, the Lowmans had the great honor and pleasure of visiting the Presque Isle High School as guests in four of Kevin Malenfant’s health classes. We shared our messages that success is rising one more time than you fall, that we should not place bars on our insides and clip the wings of our dreams, and some Lessons and Pearls that Dad taught us.
Dad taught us to: Believe, Try, Adapt, Persist, and Laugh. He also taught us that even when things don’t turn out the way that we want them to at that moment, they usually turn out for the best long term.
The Girls were extremely popular, although the students did resist the temptation to try to interact with them. We were also delighted to get to show off what a miracle our van, Miracle is.
Here are a few photos from our recent trip to CT and ECAD so that Mari could test. The photos are from the test and then show the result. She is a Rock Star and passed with flying colors. I am so proud of her and so grateful to have ECAD’s best dog. I truly could not live without her!
To celebrate, we went to the vegan cafe and got sandwiches to bring home. It doesn’t get any better than that day. 😍
Here are some photos and a video from Dr. J’s most recent adventure. The Lowmans participated in Over the Edge, a fundraising event held in Worcester, Massachusetts. Thanks to so much generosity, the Lowmans raised over 2,500 dollars for Canines for Disabled Kids for them to do this event, which entailed Dr. J rappelling down the side of a tall building in downtown Worcester.
What a thrill and privilege this trip has been. We have a lot to process and think about.
We give a shoutout to Google. As someone with the directional sense of a lemming, I thank her for making our Journey much easier. She showed the correct way most of the time. She can be a little sneaky, though.
On all our previous trips crossing back into the US from Canada, we have come through Van Buren. That’s what we wanted to do yesterday. We put in for directions for Drummondville to home on Friday to get an idea of time. She showed us coming home through Van Buren. We put in for directions yesterday, but did not check the directions. We got concerned when she had us get off the Route Transcanadienne and take secondary roads in Quebec and New Brunswick. We went through picturesque little villages on the water. And then we saw the sign for the Ft. Kent Bridge. Rats.
But it turned out for the best. We met John Anderson, the customs agent. He asked where we lived and we said Washburn. Then he asked where we had been in Canada. When we said the Arctic Ocean, his jaw dropped. He said that he has been doing that job for 18 years, and that was the first time anyone had said those words to him. He asked if there was a city at the Arctic: he wanted to learn more. We told him Tuktoyaktuk. That is hard to remember. SO we gave him a BEYOND LIMITS’ business card, so that he could follow what we had done.
Our favorite ride–even after all our travels–is coming down Route 11, a scenic byway–from Ft. Kent. We often do that to celebrate holidays. I did not think, after all our travel, that we would do that for Labor Day. So we did not: we did it yesterday, instead. We share some photos from the scenic byway.
When we got home, Mari was first to note it. She was beside herself. The Girls tore around the backyard. Then I did a lot of unloading.
This morning, Al and his son, Sheldon, came and helped us finish unloading and organizing.
The first part of the week will be spa times for Karma and Miracle.
Thank you so much, Folks, for your support, interest, and love. Having you as your network was a continual inspiration. We wish that you could have all joined us. But we felt your presence every step of the way. We have such an AMAAAAZINGGG network. We look forward to catching up with each of you individually over the next little while.
And please share about BEYOND LIMITS with others: beyondlimitsawaken.org. Ricky’s had been turning our texts into blogs. You can find on the website under Top of the World Journey. We would love to share more about BEYOND LIMITS with others.
Thanks again, folks. We couldn’t have done this without your help.
We are delighted to report that we are in Drummondville. It took us three hours to get through Montreal. We would hate to have to do that every day.
More soon.
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family
(August 22)
Dear Folks,
Here’s a post from our last full day on the road.
The Quality Suites in Drummondville looks like an old chateau from the outside. This is the fourth time that we have stayed here.
When we got here last night, there had been a mix-up about our room. We have always stayed in the wheelchair accessible suite on the first floor: the Akito room. We made our reservation in January and specified this room. They also have a similar room on the second floor. Someone had put a note on our reservation that said EITHER the first or second floor. We explained that that was not us: we would never willingly choose a room for which we would need to use an elevator: more hassle to get dogs in, no use in case of fire, etc.
The first floor room was taken. So we had to go with the second floor. The manager, Susanne, pictured, said that they felt terrible. So they would move us downstairs today when the first floor room was available. And we happened to be outside in the back when Susanne came out and saw us preparing to bring in our other load. She thought that we were traveling with another person, because I had talked about “we.” She was amazed that it was the Lowman family. So she got a luggage cart (something I can never use) and brought the rest of our things upstairs. She saw the BEYOND LIMITS logo on Miracle, so we got a chance to tell her about our organization and give her a card.
Today, after the people checked out of the first floor room, they cleaned it and then came with a luggage cart to help us move downstairs. We also had an opportunity to suggest to Susanne how they could make the wheelchair accessible rooms more accessible. These are things that a non-wheelchair user might not realize: a lower peephole and lock on the room door; a lower rod in the closet; the microwave on the counter and not in a high alcove; a lower hook on the bathroom door. Susanne “got it” right away. We talked about a few longer term fixes for the bathroom. We explained the need to be able to back next to a toilet. And the shelf in the shower with shampoo and conditioner is too high.
We feel very encouraged by the reception that these suggestions HOT and hope that some can be implemented.
Tomorrow we go home. It has been a wonderful trip–lots to ponder and write about. And lots to do–unpack, laundry, work on Karma, two spa days for Miracle–one at Percy’s and one at Mobility Works.
And LOTS of people to thank for their constant support, care, and concern–including all of you.
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family
PS: And the only place on this whole trip that has given the Girls their own beds! Of course at night, they tuck against Mummy. But otherwise, these comfy beds sure beat a hard floor. 😇
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family
PPS: Susanne also has two Labs–a black and a chocolate.
Greetings from Kirkland Lake. On our way here, we made a quick stop at Beardmore. We thought that you might enjoy the giant snowman statue.
The day started out very foggy and rainy. The fog diminished. The rain was intermittent all day.
It was a fine drive, but long.
When we got here and tried to unload, Karma’s wheels got tangled in our broom and Mari’s leash. Thankfully, David was outside, talking with his son. He came to our rescue, taking the broom apart and stashing it and untangling the leash. The Girls gave him kisses of gratitude. David also lugged in our suitcase.
David is very mechanical. He redoes houses (for fun, we think). He started out as an electrician and now is a crane technician. He travels all over northern Ontario, visiting mines and servicing their cranes. He says that’s what keeps a population in northern Ontario–mining–and logging. He lives in Sudbury and has a vacation home in Nova Scotia.
David grew up on Cape Cod. His mother is from the Berkshires. He has relatives in Maine, but could not say where. He has been in Canada for at least 34 years. So…another helping angel.
We went for a walk by the Microtel. That is where we found the Miners’ Memorial. It is such an impressive 3-D sculpture. We hope that you can read the legend. What an extraordinary way to make a living.
Hugs and wags for tonight.
The Lowman Family.
August 20
Dear Folks,
An early text today. We are preparing for our last big push tomorrow.
Today we went to Kinross Pond. We had found it when we went through in 2022. It’s an absolute gem: and there is a paved path that goes all along its circumference. (We made sure to stay on the path.).
Kirkland Lake has a population of about 10,000. In case you were wondering what kind of mining they do here–gold. Along the paved path there are plaques to famous KL-ers. We were intrigued to learn that the character played by Charles Bronson in “The Great Escape” was modeled on the Tunnel King of Kirkland Lake. During World War II, a group of miners from Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba served in a special tunneling corps. That included several from Kirkland Lake. And several of their famous sons and daughters are known globally.
The pond is beautiful and peaceful. People go to walk and ponder. Some feed the pigeons and chipmunks. This is bear country, so we are back to the metal bear-résistant containers. We saw a large quantity of bear scat.
People here–as throughout the northern climes–seem to really treasure the chance to be outside. And you see people across the age spectrum –from very young to very old. The human spirit finds a way, not just to survive, but to thrive.
Tomorrow night we should be in Drummondville. Getting there should be an adventure. 😇
Here is another text. We wanted to give a few shout outs to folks.
The last two legs of our trip are pretty long. Some people have asked why. In this part of ON, it is beautiful and rural. There aren’t many settlements with lodging after this, much less wheelchair accessible lodging. That is why our next stop will be Kirkland Lake. We stayed there three years ago. It is a lovely town. When we called the Microtel the last time to reserve their wheelchair accessible room, they asked which one. They have eight. We were surprised. They said that they take accessibility seriously.
And why Drummondville, Québec ? It is on the far side of Montreal. We want to get through there.
So…Paula, we will be doing a lot of singing and car dancing. Thank you for that wonderful gift.
We send a huge thank you to Ricky Goupille. He is BEYOND LIMITS’ media person. He has been turning our texts into blogs that he puts on the BEYOND LIMITS website. Ricky, you have been getting readers. You are helping BEYOND LIMITS so much.
Before we left home, our good friend Pam reminded us that our organization isn’t called “BEYOND LIMITS” for us to sit home and stare at the walls. We hear your voice frequently, Pam, cheering us on.
Jill, our writing coach: you said that this trip should be a chapter of our book. We think this could fill several chapters–maybe even a book of its own.
Kristin, thanks for cheering us on, despite your life challenges right now. You know better than anyone that this trip is a piece of cake compared to the one in 2022 when Saint was so old and Dusty had not been diagnosed or medicated.
Betsy, you gave us a special strand of beads before our last trip. It is still proudly hanging on Karma and brings us luck and good things. The customized muslin bag that you made us has been reinforced by both Sharon and Lucinda. It has been a perfect bag. It is falling apart, but will make it through the rest of the trip. When we send you our reverse care package of mendable items, we will include the bag and hope that you can find time at some point to make another.
Jason, we still love to drive. We reluctantly think that we maybe should give up on the idea of bringing a long-distance truck driver. We are not fast, and time is money.
And a big, big shout out and thank you to you, Sharon, for all you do for us–past and present. You did not have a choice in the sibling market. But we are so glad you got stuck with us. 💕😇
Greetings from the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Thunder Bay, ON. We are back in the Eastern Time Zone.
Thé TownePlace Suites are in a Wal-Mart parking lot-seriously. It doesn’t look great from the outside. We have a terrific wheelchair accessible room, though. There is a full kitchen that comes equipped with dishes and pans. We have TWO queen beds. And the bathroom is one of the most wheelchair friendly that we have encountered on our trip. So although this line is not in the top tier for Marriott, it has a lot going for it
They also have three extra-wide accessible parking places with striping next to them.
We wanted to share a few observations. In Canada, when you see a sign with three back triangles next to one another–sort of like the little houses in Monopoly–on either a yellow or orange background, it indicates problems with the road surface–it could be holes, bumps, gravel, heaves, etc., etc.
The signs here for moose show very determined moose in motion__one leg leading off and forward. Our northern Maine moose signs are pretty static in comparison.
We had to stop for gas in Upsala, ON. It is like Watson Lake, Yukon–the only option for many, many miles. We thought you would enjoy the pictures. The gas is full serve–but you have to pay inside. There is a restaurant, convenience store, inaccessible washroom (what everyone here calls a bathroom) and you can get your live bait.
We will send this off and send more after getting the Girls outside.
The Lowman Family
Dear Folks,
We are back from our last walk of the night.
It seems miraculous how the topography can change so remarkably with only a few hours of driving–not even 200 miles. You come into ON and there are hills, rivers, creeks, lakes–and lots and lots of forests. Some are mixed: birch and aspen with conifers. Some are mainly conifers. You don’t see logging trucks right through here. Instead you see lots of signs for wood pulp trucks to check their loads.
The railroad runs right along the Trans Canada. The banks leading to the tracks are covered in wild flowers.
We wish that we could have taken a photo of at least one of the lakes surrounded by forest. They are so beautiful. We wish that you could have all been with us to see.
As we were looking at the lakes, we thought: “beer signs.” Let us explain.
When I was a kid, sometimes, particularly on a Friday night, Dad would take us to eat at our local tavern called The Plainsman. It was not at all western, as the name might make you think. It was located in Plainville, MA. Mom always said that they had the best fish and chips and the worst drinks. But she hated to cook, so this was a treat.
The decor was typical tavern for that time. There were a number of lighted beer signs. These would depict a couple if guys (of course women did not drink beer) out in a boat on a pristine lake, surrounded by trees. It would be summer or fall and incredibly peaceful. The scene would be back lit. And then somewhere discreet but noticeable would be a beer name and logo. There were more beer brands then. Craft beers were not a thing. Our next door neighbor got one of the signs somehow and had it downstairs in her rec room
I hadn’t thought about that in so many years. Seeing those jewels of lakes, it all came flooding back. Those were great memories. We smile just thinking of them.
This text group means so much to us. We feel as though we get to talk with you every night. So we are never lonely. We feel your support.
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family
(August 18)
Dear Folks,
Today is a very special day. Today is Mari’s second birthday. Huge and heartfelt thanks to ECAD–Lu, Jess, Kathleen, Charlie and the rest of the crew–staff members and canines–for raising and training Mari. Hard to believe that in less than four months, she has become a part of me and me of her. Quite simply, I could not function without her. She makes all things possible. I must admit that I had a dream last night that Lu was telling me that I was not keeping Mari’s nails short enough. 😇
I told Mari that I wanted her birthday to be special and memorable. It was, but not exactly as I had planned.
We wanted to visit the Mission Island Marsh, which we did. It is supposed to have a paved loop, which sounded wonderful. The site is not attended. We managed to get up to the payment kiosk and pay the parking fee, using up some loonies and toonies. Thanks again to Teri’s anonymous donor. We had a map, but since we are so vertically challenged, we cannot see signs and markers well. We saw a boardwalk, which, while not exactly “paved,” we thought must fit the bill. We got some lovely views. Then the boardwalk ended at the beach. We thought, well, if this is the accessible route, it must be OK to cut across the beach. Note to self: always trust your gut. All was fine, until we went to turn back to the boardwalk. Karma sank in. We tried rocking her out. She only sank in more deeply.
It is a cold, overcast day in Thunder Bay. At this point, there was no one at the marsh, other than us. The marsh is in Thunder Bay, but cell service is spotty. We had a hard time connecting with 911: the call kept getting dropped. Finally we got through and were able to explain that we were fine: just immobile for then. They sent the fire department.
In the meantime, it began to rain. Luckily, I had my raincoat, a blanket, and a bag to shield Karma’s joystick. The Girls were anxious for Mummy. Mari tried to comfort me. Dusty lay pressed against me.
Then the firefighters showed up: a group of angels in firefighters’ clothing. These are big guys: I think one or two of them could have picked up Karma with me in her. They got us out of the sand and back on the boardwalk. Some had never been to the marsh before. One of the guys is from Edmonton, although he had never been to Maine.
We told them about BEYOND LIMITS and asked if we could have a photo of them by their truck. Jeff took the photo so that we could all be in it. The men in the photo are Ben, Gus (?), and Ryan. To the middle gentleman–we are so sorry. We are sure that we have your name wrong, although we know that we repeated it. It’s hard to explain what a terrible feeling it is to suddenly be unable to move: it messes with your memory for a bit. Our email is on the business card that we gave you. So we will happily correct your name if you advise.
I knew that we would be Ok: more people would come to the marsh. And in a worst case, I would drop from my chair and crawl up the boardwalk. So glad it did not come to that.
By the way–we did find the paved loop after the fact.
We had a couple more stops to make. We needed a few groceries: carrots and yogurt for the Girls and a few more items. So we went to the Real Canadian Superstore. From what I gather, this is a bit like a Sam’s Club (we have never been to one).
We did find our items. There was a nice older couple in front of us who let us go first. Boy, were we lucky. This is a no frills place. No one takes your items out of your basket. And no one bags. The lady of the couple generously did both for us.
Last, we got gas. We had to wrestle with the pump when the hose got wrapped around Karma. But we got free.
So…we think that Mari will never forget this birthday.
