our boating adventure...

well folks, here it is! i am finally writing about our boating trip out in the San Fran bay!! It was fun, amazing, adventurous, peaceful, frightening (lifting of Ben), and just plane good to take Ben away from the hospital.
We went to the event called the Wheelchair Ragatta. This event happens every year and it has been going on for over 10 years! We transfered Ben to the front seat of the van like we had been practicing about 0915...of course he did great! Another couple whom I have mentioned Cale and Kathleen were also in our van! Off we went for about an hour drive up to the Oakland side of the water.
We got the the yacht club, unloaded and got in line for our turn to board the boat. While we were waiting in line we got to meet this hmmmm young man...

{he is a 91 year old vet survivor from pearl harbor}

He was super fun and cute! We also got to enjoy some music of what I have labeled some arrr matey music! Kathleen and I were able to dance around a bit with him and the boys looked on then at the end joined in!



We moved up slowy in line, got a group shot or us all and this is what it looked like as they were loading people into the boats...





Finally it was our turn! We found out that we were going to get our own boat! Just the 4 of us and then our rec therapist that came with us. The Oakland fire department came to volunteer with getting everyone on the boats. Well, one of them came and took Ben from me, wheeled him down the ramp, picked him and up, wheelchair and all and placed Ben on the other side of the boat! I have to admit that I was a bit anxious! I almost gave my camera to Kathleen and looked away but I chose to look and take it all in! The guys were so good to Ben and reassured him the whole way!









Once we got loaded up we were off to discover that waters of CA! Ben looked like he was in heaven and so super comfortable! When I would ask him how he was feeling all he could say is AWESOME and THIS FEELS SO GOOD! It warmed my heart!
Here are a few more photos of our day together...

{love this man}

{coast guard boats...ben loved these}

{view of san fran}

{docking lifts that look like horses}

{me and the hat}

At the end of our boat ride we were able to be apart of a BBQ they had for us! It was tasty after a whole day being out on the water! We headed back about 3pm and got back to the hospital around 4pm. Ben was super pooped and so we got him into bed for a nap! Even before his head hit the pillow his eyes were closed! It was a grand adventure for both of us and like I said it warmed my heart to see Ben so happy!