Comments on: Gracefully becoming a golden oldie

By: Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:33:55 +0000

I don’t consider my experiences to be terribly exotic, though they may not appeal to everyone, but there are options for those who want to travel but don’t have much money. To relay one of my favorite experiences from many years ago:
I wanted to return to Alaska, but had limited funds. I got hired in Denali Ntl. Park for the summer. Got paid a pittance, but nothing to buy anyway! I remember going for a walk on a day off and standing in the middle of the park and thinking I can go anywhere in the world if I am willing to consider traveling without fancy hotels and expensive meals.
Hostels are not limited to students, the “menu of the day” — often a lunchtime special — is inexpensive. And my most frequent means of travel — on foot/backpacking — allows me to spend weeks in a place compared to what a tour packages offers of a week or two.
Bon Voyage.

By: Denise Michaels, "Your Excellent Adventure"

Denise Michaels, "Your Excellent Adventure" — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:26:05 +0000

What a beautifully written post. But like others, at 54 I feel it’s pre-mature to say your traveling days are over because you’re a golden oldie. I’m 52 and about to get started.

I’ve done some travel over the years but mostly my focus has been on writing and business. A combination that has bought me great satisfaction and a nice income – but certainly not riches.

With the internet many opportunities exist to create income as you travel without physical labor. Okay, I know I’m not climbing Everest or Katmandu at this stage of my life. But I walk a few miles, stretch everyday and I’m eating healthier to handle curbs and steps with ease.

Admittedly, money is the most challenging part. Most of us have experienced financial reversals the last two years. Big ones. But I’m learning about creating value (and income) online and getting closer to the date when I’ll take off – for maybe a month at a time.

Don’t give up. Living an excellent adventure is for every 45+ person still kickin’ it (at least in their mind) who refuses to give up their dreams and adventures.

By: Anne Hoffman

Anne Hoffman — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:09:20 +0000

This is so beautiful, Rosie! Thank you so much for sharing it.
My mom is in her late ’60s, but she still gets to travel a good amount with my dad for work. When she’s at home, she works out in her garden. It seems to be a nice parallel.

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:22:44 +0000

What a fascinating conversation ranging far and wide, kicked off by Rosie’s fascinating piece. I learned long ago that you see your own surroundings with new eyes when you return from far places. I’ve traveled most of my life–and still am, as an octogenarian. There are ways to travel frugally, including volunteering. You don’t have to go rafting or climbing or biking to have adventurous journeys. Seeing new places and learning new cultures and making new friends–that’s adventuring to me. There are still many new destinations high on my list; I’ll never live long enough to do it all!

By: Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:24:01 +0000

Thanks, Leigh, I like being my age, and have much to be thankful for–including excellent health.

By: Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:29:43 +0000

I belong to Great Old Broads for Wilderness (although I haven’t done many activities with them because of my other activities and their offices distance from me). One of their foremost messages is something to the effect of don’t you dare tear up the wilderness and say you are doing it on our account. In other words, they want to save the wilderness, not subdivide and pave it into oblivion.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:47:17 +0000

Susan, et al . . . the last two years I was chef at a small outfitting shop/restaurant in Escalante, Utah . . . amazing place . . . last year a group of women came to our place for their anniversary – they formed their organization – Great Old Broads for the Wilderness – on the steps of our place twenty years ago . . . what an Aswesome group! One woman will forever remain indelible . . . she was well over 80, had calves a 30 year old would give up her iPad for . . . they came in October, cottonwoods well into their golden phase, cold, cold nights . . . the 80 year old slept in the back of her car, put on her pack each morning and headed out into the wilderness with the youngsters (the 50, 60 and 70 year olds) . . .

By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:58:47 +0000

Susan,

That is perhaps the best description of how to live life that I’ve ever heard.

By: Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:49:48 +0000

Hi Scott,
Well put yourself.
I’m seeing my life currently as an Mobius strip–the travel and writing flow continually with no beginning and no end and into each other. At least that’s my goal, but reality frequently intervenes.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:26:49 +0000

Nicely said, Susan. I’m 55, got a few rivers yet to run, a few deserts I haven’t seen – or want to see again . . . maybe even a peak or two. But I’m finding immense joy in finally sitting down and writing about where I’ve been and what it – what Travel – has meant for me.
I’ve been somewhat of a vagabond for half my life, I’m often asked where I “grew up” . . . most expect my hometown or some other place in my country . . . I grew up in Calcutta . . . in Varanasi . . . Peshawar . . . Paris . . . Iceland . . . in the Grand Canyon . . . on the road in a van driving from Quetta to Islamabad . . . now that I’m “grown-up” I’ve decided to “grow-in” . . .