Good for you! I did a rafting trip with friends when I was about 38 (now almost 80). It was Brown's Canyon on the Colorado River when I lived in Denver. For the record, I would NEVER do that again. I was terrified the entire time. The water level was low that year and the river was fast. Totally cured me of "adventuring."
It’s not for all, Noel. But that’s also a matter of doing some advance work around river levels and when to go when it’s slower. I’ve learned a great deal about that this year. For example there are some yoga and rafting programs in September when river levels have slowed considerably, which are perfect. I understand your viewpoint and I also know that there many, many ways to be on the river when it’s more calm and safer for everyone. That sounds like the outfitter wasn’t particularly careful for not ensuring everyone knew what to expect. I am sorry that one trip ruined everything forever- there are a great many ways to adventure in the world. Thanks for bringing this up.
Julia, you can't help yourself -- you are, in fact, a walking inspiration. You make me want to call my friend in Montana who guides a lot of summer river trips and ask him "what time should I be there?"
Today I'll settle for a long hike through a craggy Texas woods where I'm sure to delight in growing things and small critters.
I'm grateful that you document your adventures and reflections -- a great combo. Big hugs, ~Stephanie
I love how you called me out here, by the way. I’m not one to say I’m too old for most things, but I definitely allowed my fitness levels to take a nosedive over the last 10-15 years. I’m working on reversing that, with a few health issues trying to delay my progress. I’m not giving up, though.
Years ago, I was on the river every summer; most of the time that was on private trips or commercial trips. I did guide training on the South Fork of the American River, and a spring season training and working on the Cheat River in West Virginia. Running the Cheat in the snow was interesting, and I would say anyone who swims a rapid needs to watch for the throw rope, and don’t panic! I’d love to get on a trip where I can find out if I still can do a double-oar turn.
These days I’ve added snorkeling to my repertoire. Got a bit of that in Panama earlier this year, and a dream trip would be snorkeling the Coral Triangle area in Indonesia (Raja Ampat, for example). My happy place is on, in, or by the water—whether it be river, lake, or ocean. Hiking and birdwatching are in the mix, although chronic tendonosis in one hip means my hiking partners need to be patient and allow me to rest every half mile or so.
A while back I saw a meme that said “if you haven’t grown up by age 50, you don’t have to!” My inner child lives right at the surface, and I’m ready to play!
My fitness took a hit, too, because of surgeries and the inability to run, hike, bike, the like. I know the feeling. Last year I was hiking scads of sand dunes. It comes back, but boy it feels like a slog at times.
My friends and I (average age: 67) just hiked the Rogue River Trail - all 40 miles of it - in 4 days last month, watching our guides take the rafts down with our food and gear. Love rafting (just did the N. Santiam River with O.R.E.) and love hiking! Yup, just do it!
We saw lots of folks hiking along the river. That also sounds like great fun although I don’t think my feet are up to it as yet. That may not happen this lifetime and then again, who knows?
So much fun! I never want to STOP "adventuring" Next year I will bike in Italy for a week and I will have to plan something amazing for when I turn 60! (In 3 years)
My 1st adventure trip was an Outward Bound rafting trip in, I think, 1996. Not scary enough. Or something...returned home to Naples, FL that September and decided we needed to move back to Boulder, Colorado. (I don't know why the urge was so great to do so...) landed back in Boulder xmas eve 1996. Jon Benet died 24 hours later...book Into Thin Air was published in 1997, I think. I read it. And went, YES yes YES. That! Mountain climbing! I trained, etc. And went on to climb 5 glacier mountains at age 46/47. Best money I ever spent and best memories ever! I was terrified and thrilled.
I sincerely hope you do more, San. Each passing year I look back on previous successes and am reminded that damn…back then a little voice inside me thought I was SO OLD, and now that age is so young!
I never felt old...my 40s were my best decade. Well, i never considered myself too old to climb until i got on these trips and 99% of other people were in 20s or 30s
Then perimenopause kicked in and whalloped me for a out 7 years. Then menopause which was better after a wonderful Boulder doctor put me on hormone replacement. I still do it. My only medication.
Then my husband got sicker mentally and physically until he died (telling anyone and everyone he was cured of liver cancer...no, he was not. Only a liver transplant would 'cure' him. He turned down 3. Probably better someone else received them as by the end he was told he was no longer eligible for a transplant because he had signs of paranoia and was delusional. Yes, he was.
It was a taxing few decades building up to the end. He died in a lovely Denver hospice facility 6 years ago.
Probably why my current adventure wandering the USA with my dog. Staying 6 months here and there. Will I settle? I looked at your photos of all the boxes you moved. I got rid of 98% of my stuff. I don't miss any of it but it means I'll have to buy a mattress and sofa and dishes and silverware and a mop and a vacuum and the that thought keeps me traveling on...
No, not wealthy. 2010 Prius now full of sand from dogs on beach. I do not care, too much...;)
I’ve had to take a break for a medical procedure, but rafting is definitely in the works for next year! And I should be healed enough by January to find something adventurous to do for my 65th birthday.
About 400 miles north of Portland, in British Columbia is the Kamloops rafting resort for Class V rafting on the Fraser & Thompson rivers. I’ve been twice and it’s such fun!
Good for you! I did a rafting trip with friends when I was about 38 (now almost 80). It was Brown's Canyon on the Colorado River when I lived in Denver. For the record, I would NEVER do that again. I was terrified the entire time. The water level was low that year and the river was fast. Totally cured me of "adventuring."
It’s not for all, Noel. But that’s also a matter of doing some advance work around river levels and when to go when it’s slower. I’ve learned a great deal about that this year. For example there are some yoga and rafting programs in September when river levels have slowed considerably, which are perfect. I understand your viewpoint and I also know that there many, many ways to be on the river when it’s more calm and safer for everyone. That sounds like the outfitter wasn’t particularly careful for not ensuring everyone knew what to expect. I am sorry that one trip ruined everything forever- there are a great many ways to adventure in the world. Thanks for bringing this up.
Julia, you can't help yourself -- you are, in fact, a walking inspiration. You make me want to call my friend in Montana who guides a lot of summer river trips and ask him "what time should I be there?"
Today I'll settle for a long hike through a craggy Texas woods where I'm sure to delight in growing things and small critters.
I'm grateful that you document your adventures and reflections -- a great combo. Big hugs, ~Stephanie
Many thanks Stephanie. Here’s to having your house sell and having you leap off that moment with gusto!
I’m all for risking the gusto leaps! Thanks and biggest of hugs.
I love how you called me out here, by the way. I’m not one to say I’m too old for most things, but I definitely allowed my fitness levels to take a nosedive over the last 10-15 years. I’m working on reversing that, with a few health issues trying to delay my progress. I’m not giving up, though.
Years ago, I was on the river every summer; most of the time that was on private trips or commercial trips. I did guide training on the South Fork of the American River, and a spring season training and working on the Cheat River in West Virginia. Running the Cheat in the snow was interesting, and I would say anyone who swims a rapid needs to watch for the throw rope, and don’t panic! I’d love to get on a trip where I can find out if I still can do a double-oar turn.
These days I’ve added snorkeling to my repertoire. Got a bit of that in Panama earlier this year, and a dream trip would be snorkeling the Coral Triangle area in Indonesia (Raja Ampat, for example). My happy place is on, in, or by the water—whether it be river, lake, or ocean. Hiking and birdwatching are in the mix, although chronic tendonosis in one hip means my hiking partners need to be patient and allow me to rest every half mile or so.
A while back I saw a meme that said “if you haven’t grown up by age 50, you don’t have to!” My inner child lives right at the surface, and I’m ready to play!
My fitness took a hit, too, because of surgeries and the inability to run, hike, bike, the like. I know the feeling. Last year I was hiking scads of sand dunes. It comes back, but boy it feels like a slog at times.
Thanks for this awesome kick in the pants!
You are so welcome. I often need one myself!
Yes, grab the inner child and play 💜
My friends and I (average age: 67) just hiked the Rogue River Trail - all 40 miles of it - in 4 days last month, watching our guides take the rafts down with our food and gear. Love rafting (just did the N. Santiam River with O.R.E.) and love hiking! Yup, just do it!
We saw lots of folks hiking along the river. That also sounds like great fun although I don’t think my feet are up to it as yet. That may not happen this lifetime and then again, who knows?
So much fun! I never want to STOP "adventuring" Next year I will bike in Italy for a week and I will have to plan something amazing for when I turn 60! (In 3 years)
Julia,
So glad you've had your extreme adventures in far flung global places...they feed the soul!
Indeed they do. I am hungry for far more, too!
My 1st adventure trip was an Outward Bound rafting trip in, I think, 1996. Not scary enough. Or something...returned home to Naples, FL that September and decided we needed to move back to Boulder, Colorado. (I don't know why the urge was so great to do so...) landed back in Boulder xmas eve 1996. Jon Benet died 24 hours later...book Into Thin Air was published in 1997, I think. I read it. And went, YES yes YES. That! Mountain climbing! I trained, etc. And went on to climb 5 glacier mountains at age 46/47. Best money I ever spent and best memories ever! I was terrified and thrilled.
I sincerely hope you do more, San. Each passing year I look back on previous successes and am reminded that damn…back then a little voice inside me thought I was SO OLD, and now that age is so young!
I never felt old...my 40s were my best decade. Well, i never considered myself too old to climb until i got on these trips and 99% of other people were in 20s or 30s
Then perimenopause kicked in and whalloped me for a out 7 years. Then menopause which was better after a wonderful Boulder doctor put me on hormone replacement. I still do it. My only medication.
Then my husband got sicker mentally and physically until he died (telling anyone and everyone he was cured of liver cancer...no, he was not. Only a liver transplant would 'cure' him. He turned down 3. Probably better someone else received them as by the end he was told he was no longer eligible for a transplant because he had signs of paranoia and was delusional. Yes, he was.
It was a taxing few decades building up to the end. He died in a lovely Denver hospice facility 6 years ago.
Probably why my current adventure wandering the USA with my dog. Staying 6 months here and there. Will I settle? I looked at your photos of all the boxes you moved. I got rid of 98% of my stuff. I don't miss any of it but it means I'll have to buy a mattress and sofa and dishes and silverware and a mop and a vacuum and the that thought keeps me traveling on...
No, not wealthy. 2010 Prius now full of sand from dogs on beach. I do not care, too much...;)
I'd like to quote you on both of these, Please let me know, San.
Yes. (Just saw this) it is a very windy and sometimes rainy day in Yachats.
Love this 🫶🏻
Thank you Elaine.
I’ve had to take a break for a medical procedure, but rafting is definitely in the works for next year! And I should be healed enough by January to find something adventurous to do for my 65th birthday.
I hope you reach out to ORE. My guess is that their guides would allow you to do all kinds of things!
About 400 miles north of Portland, in British Columbia is the Kamloops rafting resort for Class V rafting on the Fraser & Thompson rivers. I’ve been twice and it’s such fun!