SEAFARER’S MEMORIAL PARK, ANACORTES, WA:
As the sun crested beyond the horizon, bathing the sky in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow against a deep blue canvas, I stood on a pier in Anacortes, WA, embracing the beauty of a new day. Today’s adventure led me along the urban pathways of Fidalgo Bay for the 2025 Anacortes Cancer Walk. In these quiet moments, the weight of loss blended with the warmth of community, reflecting the profound impact of cancer that touches many lives in just as many ways. With themes of resilience, loss, and support, tears flowed freely as walkers bonded in a heartfelt reminder of our shared purpose. As we strolled along the SeaFarer’s Marina Walkway, accompanied by newly formed friendships and canine companions, we shared tales of love and resilience, all while the soothing sounds of footsteps mingled with the fresh marine air. This week, my journey took me far from the solitude of my typical hikes, gently nudging me into the heart of community and connection. Joining an Anacortes team for this walk felt like a celebration of life and resilience, a pilgrimage of sorts, honoring those affected by cancer.
As I walked in memory of my wife, Kelly, gratitude swelled within me—not just for the opportunity to participate but for the warm embrace of new friends. Their shared stories, the joy of their pets, and the sound of their laughter served as a comforting reminder of the healing power found in connection. Even the bustle of traffic on my drive home transformed into a soundtrack of nostalgia and reflection. Beginning on a pier in the pre-dawn hours with gratitude, I grappled with the intricate layers of grief and loss. The weight I carried felt like a anchor, reminding me of the journey I’ve been navigating this past year. Today, I embraced the non-linear path of healing, likening it to the trails I’ve traversed—each bend and slope revealing new insights. With each step, I’ve learned to celebrate the small victories, reframing my moments of struggle not as setbacks but as vital elements of growth. Each reflection transformed into a guiding thought, encouraging me to explore the depths of my experiences and appreciate the beauty that arises from embracing both the peaks and the valleys.
The Journey…
After the breathtaking sunrise which painted the sky with nuances that only the naked eye can distinguish, my hike today evolved into something profoundly meaningful—an urban walk along Fidalgo Bay for the 2025 Anacortes Cancer Walk. Our journey began not with movement, but with a moment of heartfelt stillness. The event organizer gently encouraged walkers to pause, close our eyes, and reflect on the deep impact of cancer in our lives, inviting us to remember our loved ones who have faced cancer in a very vivid exercise that included our favorite place and words exchanged. As I shifted between closing my eyes and gazing down at my shoes, tears flowed freely among us—a tender acknowledgment of the shared pain and hope that brought us together. This collective moment of introspection beautifully set the tone for what was to come. By 9 AM, infused with a blend of emotion and inspiration, we set off on our walk along the SeaFarer’s Marina Walkway. I found my stride with a new friend, sharing stories that wove through themes of personal journey, love, loss, and resilience, forging a bond in our shared experiences. The wide, paved paths extended for over six miles, with playful stations at each mile offering jello shots, dog treats, refreshing water, and a personal favorite—gummy bears!
Each step was lightened by the camaraderie surrounding us. As we meandered along the Tommy Thompson Parkway and causeway—a remarkable 2,000-foot-long trestle spanning the bay over the Fidalgo Aquatic Reserve—I lost track of time. The sound of footsteps and shared stories blended with the gentle sounds of birds and an occasional passing car, creating a soothing rhythm. Before we knew it, we arrived back at our starting point, the day’s moments slipping away like time does when you’re in good company. But my adventure didn’t end there. Feeling motivated, I was determined to extend my journey around the marina on the Rotary Marina Walkway, making my way to Rotary Park and up the trail to Cap Sante Park. At a modest elevation of 220 feet, I was surprised to find sections of the trail that demanded all four of my limbs! Reaching the peak, I was greeted by rolling waves of rock and a panoramic view of Anacortes and the marina, a stunning tapestry of nature and this lovely Pacific Northwest town. I savored a quick snack and reveled in the beauty that surrounded me.
My descent took me along a slightly different path, where the vibrant red bark of the twisting Madrona’s caught my eye, and I encountered a disc golf team navigating through the trees on a 9-hole course—it was a playful sight of banter and teamwork. On my return around the marina, a familiar scene greeted me as I passed the patio of Anthony’s At Cap Sante Marina. I paused, imagining Kelly cheering me on from that very spot, with an empty chair waiting the completion of my walk. It was a beautiful thought, almost palpable, reminding me of our connection that transcends even the simplest of moments. After ten miles and a brief 220 feet of elevation gain, I arrived back at the event, welcomed by my newfound friends, relaxing dogs, live music, and a light lunch. I basked in the sun, soaking up the joy of shared experiences before making my way back to the Inn. The journey home included a stop in Marysville for a pleasant visit with my mother, marking the end of a different yet profoundly meaningful urban hike. Reflecting on the day, I found beauty in the marina, hardscapes, community artwork, and the connections forged through shared stories and moments of vulnerability.
Gratitude…
This week, my journey took a different turn, steering me away from the solace of the usual pre-dawn roads of thoughts and gratitude, and into the welcoming embrace of community and purpose—making it appropriate that my reflection on gratitude actually happened on my drive home, in the thick traffic through three metropolitan cities. Our team at work has recently merged with another company, bringing two complimentary worlds together. With our official union just around the corner, I found myself stepping into the shoes of my new Anacortes team, joining them for a ten-mile urban hike at the 2025 Anacortes Cancer Walk. This was no ordinary walk; it was a pilgrimage of sorts, a tribute to those we’ve lost and a celebration of the resilience that remains. As I walked, my heart swelled with gratitude—not just for the opportunity to participate, but for the friendly team who welcomed me with open arms.
The camaraderie of the Anacortes team and their spirit made the miles feel lighter and the moments more meaningful. I walked in solidarity with them, but also in memory of my beloved wife, Kelly, who bravely fought the impacts of cancer until last year. Every step was a reminder of her strength and the love we shared. During this event, I had the honor of meeting a young man who was almost half my age, but his insights reflected a maturity beyond his years. He shared what he was studying and the direction he was heading, and it was clear he has a bright future in front of him, both in his profession and charged with his friendly disposition. His insights opened my eyes to a concept I hadn’t fully considered: the relationship between walking and talking. He explained how sharing stories side-by-side, rather than face-to-face, fosters a unique vulnerability. It reminded me of Ecotherapy, where nature plays a crucial role in healing, something I’ve become fond of.
The Anacortes Cancer Walk was a therapeutic journey through urban nature, sharing stories in a relaxed, supportive environment, while taking advantage of side-by-side conversation. On my drive home I found myself reflecting on the healing power of connection and how being surrounded by nature—no matter how urban—can create a sacred space for dialogue. Navigating the heavy traffic on my way home, my thoughts drifted back to gratitude. The slow crawl of the highway was no longer a frustration; instead, it lightened my patience. I assembled a playlist from my early 30s, a soundtrack that recalled where my head was at during those same formative young adult years. Each song resonated with the nostalgia of youthful dreams and aspirations, intertwining with the lessons learned from today’s experience. As I reflect on the day, I am filled with gratitude for my new friends who reminded me of the importance of connection in our evolving world, with blurred lines between real and perceived experiences in hybrid environments. Today was a testament to the power of community, nature, and the shared stories that bind us.
Reflections…
Embarking on my first urban hike along the shoreline of picturesque Anacortes, today’s “trail-thought” was actually a “pier-thought,” and I found myself standing on a pier just before sunrise. The gentle embrace from the cool stillness of the morning marine air surrounding me, bringing a sense of peace, comfort, and beauty. Yet, I couldn’t shake the heaviness in my mind, reminiscent of the weight of the anchors that filled the marina. Over the past year, I’ve often wrestled with the shadows of grief, haunted by those “lows” that whispered, “Am I truly moving forward, or merely keeping myself occupied?” It’s a question that lingers, an echo of uncertainty that many grapple with when navigating loss. For my “pier-thought” today, I decided to take a deeper look at the healing process and its beautifully chaotic, non-linear nature. With each moment of sunrise, I felt a flicker of curiosity ignite within me, urging me to explore this journey more deeply. Three guiding thoughts surfaced, each serving as a buoy inviting further reflection.
My first thought was an analogy related to physical healing, the second touched on the ebb and flow of growth and reflection, and the third drew from the Spiral Model of Healing. As I pondered, the thought of how physical healing operates lingered in my mind. I recalled my strength training sessions, where I would push my muscles to their limits, allowing them to break down only to rebuild stronger. It dawned on me that healing from grief and loss might follow a similar process. Just like muscles endure those uncomfortable stretches to grow, I, too, am forced to confront discomfort in my heart to find strength. Those “lows” I’ve been experiencing aren’t merely obstacles along the path; rather, they are essential stepping stones guiding me toward new heights of understanding and resilience.
Additionally, there’s the ebb and flow of growth and reflection, where one thought often leads to another deeper contemplation—thoughts that not only nurture growth but also bring forth the bittersweet memories of my time with Kelly. Those memories resemble the early morning sunlight bursting with color as it approached the horizon with Mt Baker shielding its pre-dawn light; it illuminated my heart with joy while also casting gentle shadows that remind me of the absence left behind. I can vividly recall her laughter and the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. Yet, those joyful moments carry a weight peppered by mixed emotions, making it all too easy to feel the void they’ve created. Acknowledging this duality helps me shift my perspective; instead of perceiving these setbacks as failures, I choose to embrace them as valuable insights for learning and growth. Much like these waters, I recognize that there may be factors that disrupt the surface, yet with every ripple, regardless of size, it is an integral part of a much bigger picture, akin to the butterfly effect.
Finally, my thoughts considered, or rather reconsidered, The Spiral Model of Healing, a concept I had explored before but now resonated with me in ways I hadn’t considered, or perhaps wasn’t ready to consider. I’ve come to realize that healing isn’t a straightforward path; instead, it resembles a spiral, allowing me to revisit memories, experiences, and emotions at different times in varying depths. Each cycle inviting me to explore further—similar to how I gently stretch after a long hike, pushing myself just beyond my comfort zone while remaining aware of my limits to prevent injury. This newfound understanding empowers me to cautiously dip my toes into the emotional waters, gradually going deeper with each trip around the cycle. It feels like a more suitable metaphor than the roller coaster I once used to describe my journey, because it appears to be more than just a random set of ebbs, flows, twists, and turns. Rather, it has structure and recall. I’m learning that my healing is about embracing the spiral nature of these experiences, allowing myself to take learnings and growth from that last trip around the cycle just a little bit further—further into discovery of both meaning and renewed purpose.
By accepting this non-linear path, I have unearthed a deeper sense of self-compassion. I’m learning to gently lift myself up during the low moments, flipping the narrative from “I’m not improving” to “I’m discovering more about my healing process.” It’s similar to how we measure elevation gain on a hike: it’s not just about the height of the peak compared to the trailhead; it’s about each small step upward, navigating the winding paths that rise and fall, weaving through the intricate landscape of all experiences. As I reached the end of my walk, my heart swelled with gratitude for the lessons I encountered, and the new friends I gained along the way. The journey of healing is as winding and unpredictable as the trails I’ve traversed this year, and it’s in those twists, turns, and switchbacks that I uncover the beauty of growth. So, I’m intentionally choosing to embrace this journey—both the peaks and the valleys—because every step I take is a meaningful part of my narrative, capturing love, loss, and the resilience to carry on. The path continues.
-Ken
- Seafarer’s Memorial Park, Anacortes, WA
- 48° 30′ 35.18604″ -122° 36′ 32.9256″
- 10 miles | 220 ft elevation gain | ~3 hours
- Sunrise: 6:18am. 59-74 degrees and clear
With gratitude, I want to thank everyone who supported me on today’s walk, both in spirit and financially. Your kindness has not only enriched my experience but has also empowered me to create a positive impact, for which I am truly grateful.
Musings 