I’ve had a relaxing long weekend. It’s nice when there is a holiday, because blog and social media traffic are slow, anyway, so I don’t feel like I need to post. I pretty much ignored my computer for a couple of days, except for browsing Pinterest and making sure my e-mail inbox didn’t get out of control.
I think the weather didn’t get the memo that it was July 4th and it was supposed to be hot, sticky and gross like it usually is. Instead, the weather was absolutely delightful. It was clear and warm with a breeze that had a slight chill in it as the day progressed. The weather was so nice that we went to parks two days in a row. On Friday, we went to a local lake, ate a picnic and walked a flat trail that runs along a creek. Two overly-tired boys meant we didn’t stay up for fireworks, but we did have a cookout at my parent’s house.
On Saturday, we went to Penn Mar, which has an amazing valley view. The boys played on the playground and we hiked a small portion of the Appalachian trail that crosses the Mason Dixon line. On the way back, we saw a woman, who was loaded up with gear and had obviously been hiking for a while. My boys know a bit about the trail, because Jeff often talks about it as we’ve hiked portions of it around our house. For those who don’t know, it runs along mountain ranges from Georgia to Maine. My inquisitive seven year blurted out to the woman as she passed by, “Are you hiking to Maine?”
“That’s the idea.” the woman answered in a sweet, southern drawl. She started in Georgia in April and ended up in Maryland, just shy of the PA state line on July 5.
“How old were you when you started hiking?” I winced at my son’s manners. He didn’t realize you shouldn’t ask a woman how old she is, but I was a little glad he asked, as I was curious myself.
The woman noticed my wince and assured Jeff and I that she didn’t mind answering. She looked at him to respond, with a hint of pride in her voice. “I’m sixty years old.”
I wanted to hug that strong, brave, petite woman, who was really living her life. She was doing something very hard at an age when you’re not supposed to be doing things that hard. She’s halfway through a challenge that many young, healthy, enthusiastic people have tried and failed to do. I don’t know what her story is and what possessed her to commit to hike over 2100 miles, by herself, at 60 years old. But it inspired me. It didn’t make me want to hike the Appalachian trail by myself, but it made me even more determined to set goals that seem hard, maybe even impossible, and go for them.
Jeff and I remarked what an amazing inspiration she is and how glad we were that we met her as we pulled out of parking lot. “I wish I had taken a picture of her and asked for her name.” We drove by her and Jeff asked if I wanted to stop to request just that. I wanted to, but, at the same time, I didn’t want to impose in that way. I had a sense that her journey was a personal one and the idea of taking a picture and getting her name just didn’t sit well with me. So, we just waved and smiled and she returned the gesture.
So, she remains nameless and I just hold her face in my memory. But she stands as a very physical reminder to me of strength, perseverance, determination and living intentionally.
Jeff summed it up pretty well…
“Seeing someone like that makes you feel like there are just no excuses…”
52 Responses
Marian,
Just truly awesome…but now I feel guilty going to bed at 11:30 pm!…like maybe I should map out my next ten years now…while on the treadmill (at least!).
Here’s to “”no excuses” and daring to do it!
-Sharon
I make excuses all day long.
Thanks for this.
How awesome.
I’m the queen of excuses.
Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful.
It’s been a beautiful weekend to enjoy the outdoors, sounds like you had a wonderful time spent with family. What an amazing woman, I’m feeling guilty right now for all my excuses:/
Thank you for spreading the inspiration. I was feeling inadequate in every way possible this evening. But after reading this, well, there’s just no excuses to mope around! Strength, perseverance, determination – I really needed to hear this. Thanks!
Wow! What a great story! Thank you for sharing, Marian.
This is a great post. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational story 🙂 It’s almost noon in Europe when I’m reading and it really feels bad now to stay in pajamas that long 😉
Thank you for sharing. Loved reading about your days and your stories. I am glad your son reached out to this very special woman who shared part of her self with him and you being kind enough to write about it. Makes you stop and think. One of my favorite quotes…”You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream” C.S. Lewis You certainly inspire me daily and I thank you for that. Sounds like some pretty special women crossed paths for a reason.
I had a similar experience many years ago. While taking an evening sleigh ride in Colorado on our way to dinner in an abandoned mining camp that had been made into a rustic restaurant our driver pointed out a tiny stone cottage on the side of the mountain. He said a woman was living up there for a year all alone without electricity or running water. She captured my imagination and like you I wondered what kind of journey she was on and what inspired her to do that. Whatever the reason I felt that she was living her OWN life. Thanks for sharing this story.
thanks for the inspiring story. I often forget I’m no longer 19, but my body says otherwise. I’ll remember “no excuses” next time I think I’m too old.
Thank you for posting that! That was awesome!
You are so gracious! Glad you had a peaceful 4th celebration!
Inspiring! Thanks for sharing. Too often our society focuses on negativity. Lovely story!
Here in MO it is usually HOT and HUMID May through Sept. We have been blessed with BEAUTIFUL days of upper 70’s and low 80’s from Wed. through Sat. Absolutely wonderful! I feel as if I am in my hometown in Northern MI (and where we will be this coming Saturday!) As for your story, my husband hiked quite a bit before kids with a friend while we lived in the DC area. It is amazing some of the people who take on these journeys. I am not sure what you were feeling at the time but I think of some encounters/conversations as “God moments”. Like, that was meant to happen, learn a lesson, share a story, a smile, take away good…I have had a few of those moments that really resonated with me and I feel like it was a God moment. One could say all moments are that but I think you know what I mean. 🙂 So glad someone else was able to experience the awesome weather!
Great story. How inspirational! I did not realize I see this every morning at 4:30 a.m. and did not realize the inspiration I experience every morning until I read your story. My 14 yr daughter is a competitive summer. She is up 4 mornings a week at 4:30am and swims 2 hours before school and then swims 6 days a week in the afternoons for an additional 2 hours. She does this without complaining or whining and recently graduated 8th grade with academic honors. Just this morning she swam an ocean mile and finished 7th place overall beating many college swimmers. Your story allowed me to take a step back, see what I have and say to myself “no more excuses for yourself”. Thank you for waking me up! Thank you for a great story!
You are right about your daughter. BUT ….
she hasn’t, doesn’t, and won’t EVER do it without
YOU, Momma.
A lovely, moving story. You and your son will treasure the day for years to come.
I run ultra marathons (done 122.5 miles in 24 hours in 2012 (qualifying time for the 24 hour USA team) and ran many 100 mile races on trail and road. It’s my passion. I have to get out of my comfort zone and push beyond my limits, as you can imagine, and it’s changed me for the better. I’ll be 45 next month and my dad at 78 still runs half marathons (has for 40 years). Age is just a number! I live in Georgia. I love the AT and done some running there. Those trails ain’t no joke 😉
This may be my most favorite post ever. Now you have to read Wild.
I was thinking about that book too as I was reading this post. I may need to read it again to get inspired to tackle some tough things going on in my life right now.
We decided to sell our house and go RVing full time. I hope to one day visit your area. Perhaps in early spring and not full blown summer though! I’d like to challenge you to decorate an RV! Small area with virtually no wall space. I’d love to paint and use beadboard. Thank you for sharing your home and lovely family with us.
I recently joined the local YMCA , mainly to go to the pool with my grandkids. I learned they have a program that helps you get started on an exercise program and helps you to focus on starting good habits instead of making excuses. Thanks for this “nudge” in the right direction!
I am almost 55 and am beginning to have that hiker’s mindset. I have lived over half of my life. The time is now to make choices and stick to plans and finish the important ones. It’s awesome when strong women inspire us!!
Love and Blessings,
Melodye
Yes, there are others of the “over the hill gang” out there who have not given up on adventure. My dear friend and I started out hiking the AP four years ago in Ga. I fell and broke my leg and that particular adventure I put on hold. My friend however is 75 and continues to hike the AP by her self. She is almost out of the Smoky Mountain for this year. She is truly one of the “over the hill” gang members and I’m so proud of her. There is more to adventures than shopping and collecting and decorating. Noting wrong with shopping, collecting and decorating, I do it all, but there are other challenges out there for us to experience. If we have good health, our mind will help our body to reach the challenges. Live life to the fullest.
Thank you so much for this inspiration!! Really needed it today! A good reminder we all must live our best life no matter what age! It is easy to get side-tracked (lazy sometimes) but stories like this remind us to keep living!! Thanks for sharing your experience!!
Maybe you met an angel….
Now Marian, you’re showing YOUR age! It’s hard to imagine being 60, whence you’re in your thirties, but it’s not the end of the world! I’ll be 60 in a few months and work with a trainer 3x a week. You have to be strong, to move and paint furniture all the time! Other than a changing face in the mirror, diet and exercise are the key. And painting furniture, of course! 🙂
Marian, I only wish I had a tiny bit of what you have. Mostly I want that Buffet you have.
I do not train, work out….I walk my dog and try to pay.it.forward when ever I can.
Lovely story. About 30 years ago my sister’s boss and her husband went around this country in a make-do camper. Along the way she documented her journey and garnered recipes
from ladies along the way. She published it. It is called American Cookery by Adeline Garner Shell. I lost my copy and found it on Amazon for cheap. Everyone has a story.
Wow…”Things That Make You Go Hmmm…”
This is a perfect anecdote for where I am right now on my life journey… You have my deepest gratitude for the share!!!
Thank you for sharing this story. I agree and am intrigued by this woman’s story more for not knowing her name or background story.
When my dad was pushing 70 and 80 I’d see him stiff and yet riding a bike and then he “downsized” to walking the neighborhood several times a day. He said “you have to push through the pain, Mija (Spanish for “my daughter”). He was right. Now that I’m 66 I can still mow the lawn(s). It takes me hours to mow and do the edging and clean up and I’m usually useless the next day. But I remember his words. He lived to be 94 years old. A wonderful man.
I’d like to imagine what motivated this woman of 60 to undertake The Hike of a Lifetime. Once, after losing one of my jobs, I recall setting myself a goal of walking up a major avenue, lined with pine trees, that gradually inclined. It was my goal to work through the emotional and psychological pain of that job loss and come out at the end of that walk victorious! It took me a while to accomplish, and because I’d not been exercising regularly, I was tempted to quit. When I reached the top of the avenue, at the base of the more hilly streets leading up to Mt. Baldy, I was sweaty, thirsty and breathing hard but I was ready for the walk back down, which was much easier. At the end of what turned out to be four miles I felt so victorious!
Thanks for your relating the story of this incredible woman.
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. As I’m creeping up on that number I’ve been reflecting on my life and where I’ve come from and where I’d like to go to. This has really inspired me to make time to DO things instead of just think of things I’d like to do. Well said. We do make up excuses. No more!
Thanks again.
Sharon
This May we made a road trip to North Carolina. I was reading Bill Bryson’s, A Walk in the Woods, all about walking the Appalachian Trail. That book gave me a real appreciation of what your fellow hiker was trying to accomplish.
We live in Colorado and I belong to a hiking group from the chapel at Ft. Carson. Every week we are going somewhere that challenges me- either my endurance or my patience or my courage. I highly recommend friends for the journey. :0)
Great story! Really, 60 IS the new 40. People are no longer hindered by age it seems. I am 58 1/2 and am President of our family business and have 2 “part-time” businesses of my own. I have tons of things I want to accomplish yet. My Dad turned 80 last fall, and to celebrate, took his sailboat to the Caribbean for the winter (not an unusual trip for him) and is just now returning from a trip to France where they cruised the canals. When he returns he will be gearing up to re-open a grocery he just purchased here in town, says he has plenty of great ideas he has gleaned in France! Your age is just a number if your attitude is grateful and you have hope in your heart. Life is awesome!
My son hiked the AT the summer before his Senior year in high school. He ran out of time just short of his goal because he had to return to school in the fall. However, he did finish the last few hundred miles later. It is quite a feat to hike that many DIFFICULT miles. I certainly admire ANYONE who sets challenging goals for themselves.
Loved this post, Marian! Thank you for the inspiring words today. And I also encourage you to read Wild – it was an amazing book that really sticks with you.
Truly amazing! I have backed packed portions of the AT through the Smokies and I cannot imagine being able to do it alone at the age of sixty. Your sons might want to check out this guys website Running for Eden, from the AT to Uganda. He is trying to break the record running the AT but is doing it to raise a $100,000.00 for an orphanage in Uganda . His testimony is amazing he has had such set backs but is still running. He has not come through your neck of the woods yet . He began in Maine in order to finish up in Georgia his home state.
Just before I read this post, I was thinking about all of the big dreams I’ve had that have been crushed because of a word spoken over me. I’m 51 and am about to go for a dream, even if it sounds ridiculous at my age to some people. This post was confirmation for me. I love that C.S. Lewis quote above. With God, all things are possible.
That is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing it. At 56 I am inspired. It takes a lot to do that! Glad you all got out and enjoyed the weekend.
Thank you for sharing that story. I am 57 years old. When I was 50, I developed a problem with my legs and now I’m pretty much bedridden. Everyday I think about everything I’m missing and all the things I want to do. Your story was an inspiration for me just to try little things and not give up. You are right, there are no excuses.
You should have asked. I had a friend who rode her bicycle from Florida to California a few years. She kept a blog and handed out cards with the blog address so that people she met could keep up with her journey. 60 if the new 50.
Nope 60 is the new 30!!
I read your blog every single day, yet I never leave a comment. Sorry about that. It’s not that I don’t LOVE what I see. I do! If you haven’t seen the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, be sure to watch it. It’s about this very same thing, really living life. My girls (12 and 14) and I watched it last night, and we were all inspired. Your blog just added to that inspiration. Too often we live our lives in fear and trepidation, and I am going to work on that this year! Take care and thank you for the hard work you do!
My 11th grade English teacher always said ~ “Excuses only satisfy the giver”, Evelyn D. Floyd
Hi!
Don’t know whether to laugh or be offended by, “Doing something so hard when you’re at an age when you shouldn’t be doing something that hard.” So I will laugh and smile knowing that “Your day is coming!” When I was in my thirties, I never thought I’d be 60, but now that I am I hardly notice! I still saddle my own (very large) horse and enjoy being in the saddle for hours, and to those of you who don’t ride, you don’t just sit there!…it is hard work to ride a 1,200 pound horse with a mind of his own! I have friends in their late sixties, and early seventies who are endurance riders, riding 50-100 miles over 2 days! Einstein said, An object in motion tends to stay in motion, and an object at rest tends to stay at rest,” so keep moving you 30 somethings so you can keep up with the 60 somethings when you get there.
Haha! I didn’t mean 60 was old. 🙂 But I do think that there’s the idea that doing a water aerobics class is better for 60 than hiking the entire Appalachian trail by yourself! I hope I’m hauling furniture and lifting weights and pushing myself for many more decades, so it’s encouraging and inspiring for me to see someone almost double my age doing something so hard. Bravo for you as well!!
Thanks for the reply! I can’t imagine doing water aerobics! As a past competitive swimmer… well… we just don’t do that! From reading your blog, I am positive that you will able to climb Mt Everest when you are my age. I have a friend that got to the summit when he was 69! No way!! I will probably never meet you face to face since I live in CA, but I will see you in heaven, since you are my sister in Christ!
Pam
Such a sweet and inspiring story. I just got home from hiking. When I see people much older than I am or larger I am inspired. If they are out there doing it, I certainly can too, and without whining along the way!
What a great post, & I love your hubby’s statement! The weather was picture perfect in Fairfield,too. When we passed the section of the Applachian Trail that crossed the Waynesboro road, I thought – fleetingly – of hiking a little bit of it. Now, I’m more determined to try it. There is a great book about hiking the Pacfic Coast Trail called “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed ( I believe it’s going to be made into a movie). Read the book first! Your post reminds me of that book. When we left PA, we drove thru Biglerville – what a beautiful little town!
What a wonderful, inspiring story. Thank you for sharing!
It’s so nice to run into people like that from time to time…I know it helps me…Sometimes we just need a little push.
Thanks for sharing your adventure.