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Still Time Left
Getting old is not always pleasant, but being old is a gift. The last few years have presented some health challenges that were starting to get me down. Shingles and then metallosis from skiing on my chrome/cobalt hips hit me hard; I didn’t seem to have the energy I expected I should have. Then, over the last month, I experienced colorectal discomfort that required a diagnostic colonoscopy. There is a diagnosis associated with this that you never want to consider, which definitely concerned my wife and even had me worried. The prep is very unpleasant; however, I needed a cleanout, so there was a positive takeaway. But what the heck was wrong? Thankfully, test results turned out good: some diverticulitis and internal hemorrhoids, but no polyps, meaning no cancer. OK, relief and a wake-up call—time to improve my diet.
I knew that Gracie would need a good hike the day after, and I was hoping that I would feel the same. We headed for the Lunch Loop Trails, where I chose the Third Flats Trailhead to hike my modified Quad Rocker Trail. This involves a steep climb to merge with the Quad Rocker while taking in some great views of the Grand Valley. At first, I felt tired, but something was different other than my gut not being clogged up. I felt like I was getting stronger as I climbed, and the weather was perfect.
I finished my Dirtbag Diaries Podcast and then decided to just listen to my favorite music to enjoy how great I felt.
I came to a fork in the trail offering me the normal route back on the Quad Rocker to the trailhead or a longer route on the Canyon View Trail. I opted for the Canyon View Trail because my body felt great. Plus, the views of the mesa behind the valley were awesome.
I could tell from my AllTrails app that I would eventually loop back to the trailhead, but it would require a vertical drop and climb. I still felt great, and this is when I decided to write this post to express how grateful I am to be able to participate in a hike like this at my age.
It was a long, gradual climb back to the car, but my body still felt great, even as I could tell that Gracie was wearing down. This is a Saturday, so it was good that we got on the trail early because the trailhead lot was full of mountain bikers ready to start their adventures. I will end this post with a big thank you, God.
What Retirement Means to Me
I retire on June 30th, but the term “retire” doesn’t really fit. I’ve tried to label this end of my one year contract to serve as the Interim CIO at Western Washington University as my official retirement. But what is retirement? I think I’m OK with just transitioning into my next job which happens to be the more serious pursuit of or the return to nature. And backpacking is my enabler for doing that.
The common question of what will I be doing next is answered with “I’m going backpacking”, but few have any clue what that really means. And of course going backpacking could be equated to varying definitions. Many ask if that means I will backpack the PCT or the Appalachian Trails. So I try to explain that I just want to be more serious and deliberate about backpacking to wherever opportunities it takes me to. If the conversation progresses it typically ends with some dismay that I actually will be doing this alone with my dog. And I have to admit that I’m not sure how to explain why I want to do this. However, I just read a blog post by Cam Honan, author of “The Hiking Life” entitled “A Natural Progression“ which is the best description I have ever read about why I am drawn to the wilderness. He breaks it down to “From Stanger to Guest to Family Member”. This paragraph from his post sums up why retirement will allow me to return to my “Family”.
From an intangible perspective, feelings of separation have disappeared, replaced instead by a sense of union with your surroundings. You have come home, and in so doing realised that your spirit never really left. Our connection with the natural world is innate, so while it may seem like Mother Nature is teaching, I’ve long suspected she is simply reminding. Providing the key so that we ourselves can unlock a part of us that has always been there. And I can’t think of too many gifts that are greater than that.
I thank Cam for putting into to words what I feel. The opportunity to be a part of this wilderness family is as good as it gets. Tomorrow I will reclimb Goat Mountain to get my own gauge on the snowpack in the North Cascades. The Adventure Continues
The Adventure Continues 