driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 15,004
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Post by driftwoody on Mar 31, 2024 3:00:11 GMT -8
I re-read this thread and found it both disturbing and comforting simultaneously. Yesterday, my wife and I drove into the Green National Forest to start seeking out our very own dispersed camping site, well hidden, that can be reached by our bikes easily on weekend nights. I'm adjusting to not training for RtoRtoR hikes or Trans-Sierra trips. On the other side of this , driving in incredible azure skies with mountain views and sparkling trout streams yesterday, made me realize the specificity of appreciation and gratitude. Carpe Diem to the freakin' max. Every. Moment. Counts. ^^THIS^^
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Post by trinity on Mar 31, 2024 14:55:18 GMT -8
Just read through these stories. It was kind of depressing but ultimately inspirational. What a great group of folks. I guess I'm mostly sad because I started backpacking late and progressed slowly. It was trips to the Wind Rivers that inspired me to go beyond dude ranches and day hikes. That was some 20+ years ago. I only finally got good enough to be solo for 4-5 nights. I will never experience what most of you have, but at 66 I refuse to give up exploring the Winds and the region. Well, from what I can tell from your posts, you're definitely making up for lost time. Thanks for resurrecting this thread. Inspirational, indeed. I'm only 58, but thinking seriously about retiring soon. I want to get out there while I still can.
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,958
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 1, 2024 5:28:08 GMT -8
Carpe Diem to the freakin' max. In Nov 2019 my partner wanted to go to her niece's wedding in South Carolina. All nine of her siblings and many other family would be there. HR was bugging me to take use them or lose them vacation days but I was nervous about taking almost two weeks off to do the driving trip. I was worried I would let down my team and maybe even be hurting my standing at work. But I did it and am so glad. The time on the road adventure with my young family was precious. A few months later the world changed with COVID. So I try to remember to enjoy and value what I have now. The world may be in for more big changes.
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bcpete
Trail Wise!
There's cool, and then there's me.
Posts: 489
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Post by bcpete on Apr 1, 2024 6:01:38 GMT -8
I'm only 58, but thinking seriously about retiring soon. I want to get out there while I still can. I'm 58 also, and my wife & I retired in Feb 2015 ... if you can pull it off, do it. My wife and I have been having a blast in the 9 years we've retired. Every 5 year window sees a definite slowdown in physical abilities, so follow the general theme mentioned in this thread ... Every-Year-Counts!
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 565
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Post by daveg on Apr 1, 2024 8:45:42 GMT -8
I don't mind being labeled "old." Heck, I think of myself as old. And I prefer that term to some of the euphemisms, especially "elderly." But "old" does have a negative connotation. So I came up with a euphemism that I haven't seen used elsewhere -- vintage.
VINTAGE: mid-20th century modern; not new but valued because of its high quality and enduring appeal.
I am a vintage man with plenty of useful life left.
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Travis
Trail Wise!
WYOMING NATIVE
Posts: 2,599
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Post by Travis on Apr 1, 2024 9:10:19 GMT -8
I don't mind being labeled "old." Heck, I think of myself as old. And I prefer that term to some of the euphemisms, especially "elderly." But "old" does have a negative connotation. So I came up with a euphemism that I haven't seen used elsewhere -- vintage. VINTAGE: mid-20th century modern; not new but valued because of its high quality and enduring appeal. I am a vintage man with plenty of useful life left. Oh, I am so going to use that!!!
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Post by hikerjer on Apr 1, 2024 9:52:28 GMT -8
I like the term, “mature” or maybe even “experienced”. Interesting take- I went skiing with my 36 year old son last week. He actually snowboards and I ski.I asked him if ever thought about going back to skiing. His rather smug reply was, ”I’m not old enough yet”. Whipper snapper.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 15,004
Member is Online
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 1, 2024 15:00:00 GMT -8
I don't mind being labeled "old." Heck, I think of myself as old. And I prefer that term to some of the euphemisms, especially "elderly." But "old" does have a negative connotation. So I came up with a euphemism that I haven't seen used elsewhere -- vintage. VINTAGE: mid-20th century modern; not new but valued because of its high quality and enduring appeal. I am a vintage man with plenty of useful life left. The year I turned 50 I was eligible for senior softball tournaments. My older teammates talked me into joining their traveling team, which was soliciting ideas for a new name. I figured senior softball was a bunch of old farts, so I suggested Vintage Gas.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Apr 2, 2024 6:07:40 GMT -8
Aging?
Not a cool kid anymore?
No more 6K peaks in your future?
Age-related Health issues manageable?
Tired of the everyday grind?
Still ambulatory?
Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure?
Aggressive but Achievable will always be there!
This vintage hiker is blessed at present.
Current project:
Septuagenarian Hiker in Quest for the Crown.
Find Yours!
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,958
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 2, 2024 8:14:21 GMT -8
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