Relay For Life 2012 - Kilted of Course

[Riverkilt]

18 months ago I was diagnosed with cancer (Hairy Cell Leukemia). I said my prayers and did what the doctors told me and did the chemotherapy et.al. and then my cancer was in remission and now my oncologist uses the word "cured" based on microscopic examination on a molecular level and regular blood test results.

Last year I wasn't in any shape to do our local Relay for Life when it came along. This year I participated as a SURVIVOR of cancer. Turns out there are a lot of us in our little town of 6,000.

Today, Aramark, the folks that run the Lake Powell Tours gave all us survivors and our caregivers a free tour up lake - around Antelope Island, into Navajo Canyon and Antelope Canyon. About a three hour gig. It was the start of this weekend's Relay for Life and they passed out our purple survivor t-shirts and took a picture.



The photographer was kind enough to shoot an individual shot of me in my new survivor t-shirt too.



Wore my USA Kilts casual in Isle of Skye tartan knowing the t-shirt would be purple...am I a fashion genius or what?

We got underway. If you haven't visited Lake Powell its what they call the reservoir behind Glen Canyon dam that flooded out most of Glen Canyon. The result is a huge lake in the middle of the high desert.



That's Navajo Mountain in the background.



When the tour boat gets rolling the kilt dances in the wind.



This is in Navajo Canyon. The black stuff on the canyon walls is called Navajo Tapestry. It can be very beautiful. This shot is of one of the largest panels of it. Its caused by the minerals in the Navajo sandstone rock and some bacteria or critter. The wide white line at water level is the "bath tub ring" where the level of the lake was dropped to get water downstream to thirsty Californians...okay...and some drought upstream.

Then we went down Antelope Canyon - which is narrower and twisty and fun in a big boat.



Here's a view from the top deck and a view of the back side of our purple survivor t shirts.

[Riverkilt]

Then we went to the lake side of Glen Canyon Dam. The green at the top of the hill behind the dam is where I live - Page, Arizona. Officially the most remote town in the lower 48 states.



For perspective, here's what the dam looks like from the otherside if you're taking a float trip down the last 15 miles of Glen Canyon that haven't been flooded.



The tour boat has a crew of two. Today we had a lovely lady Captain at the helm and her XO was "Commander Kim."



After we docked had a chance to go home, grab a quick nap - hey its HOT out on that lake...like being in a solar oven. Changed kilts and went to the Relay for Life proper at our local high school. Here's a picture of the banner going around in the first lap - the survivor's lap. I walked that one but "sprinted" ahead to snap this picture.



One of the ladies helping carry the banner is the wife of a good friend of mine. Was really surprised to see how many of our little town's cancer survivors I already knew - but didn't realize they'd beaten cancer too.



Kilt is my other purple friendly kilt - USA Kilts semi-trad in Texas Bluebonnett tartan.

Course it was also St. Columba's Day. What a better way to spend it than kilted and on the lake in his honor.

[Grizzly]

Great pictures and an inspirational post Ron. A great day for all. Pictures remind me of my trip to Page and lake Powell. A wonderful place shame I wasn't on this forum back then.

[Duke of Delrio]

As one cancer survivor to another, congratulations and great pictures as always.

And while speaking of pictures, I have enjoyed yours showing lakes, hills, mountains, and in good and bad weather. Somehow, the ladies always end up at your side. Hmm, something tells me it ain't all the kilt!

[LitTrog]

Hmm, something tells me it ain't all the kilt!

I've shared Ron's company, and even as a heterosexual male, I can say that he does have a certain... magnetism.

Cancer is one of those things...my mom has had (and beaten) ovarian, cervical, breast, and bladder cancer. Her entire life has been spent eating the right foods, exercising regularly (she just ran a marathon at the age of 64!) and being aware of the potential harm of chemicals in everyday items. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't.

A heartfelt congratulations on your SURVIVOR status, Ron, and I look forward to many years of your beautiful scenery--geologic and female!

[cessna152towser]

Guid oan ya Ron.
Magnificent pics.

[David Thorpe]

Ditto what Alex said, ya big chic magnet, ya.

[sailortats]

I am always amazed at how many of us cancer survivors are around. Treatment has certainly come a long ways since the bad ol' days.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks guys. For sure grateful for science. So many family and so many friends have died of cancer. I've watched so many make futile attempts at miracle woo-woo cures. Sad. Almost had a t-shirt printed up for myself that said, in large letters, "F**K CANCER" ...but kids around...maybe send one to Duke...

Still love the lyrics from The Hanging Tree (Frankie Lane hit back when), To really live you must almost die.

And Grizzly - come on back again. No way you've seen everything and I know a lot of great local spots the tourists don't get to see.

Now...how to find a way to get my head right sized after all those nice compliments....hmmm, still have a survivor's brunch this morning...I'll go sit with other survivors.

[Riverkilt]

Okay, back from the last gig - the Survivor's brunch at Antelope Point Marina. Good chow and succulent cake for desert. Too busy eating to get pics but a good gathering and good friends to chat with.

Wore my purple survivor t-shirt with the Caledonia tartan semi-trad from USA Kilts. Seemed to work....?





This is the entrance sign to the facility. I thought they did a good job with it...and all the involved agencies got their tag on it.