How mysterious! I have a story too that involves walking, water drainage, and left ankle being cramped. Left leg connecting us across the planet and ages!
A great post! Thanks for sharing. I started a women-only walking group here in my homeland of Northern Ireland 4 years ago after spending many years hiking with my husband and sons. I found being in the mountains so beneficial that I had to share it with others. We mostly hike in the Mourne Mountains, but sometimes on the Causeway Coastal Route too (which is part of the the International Appalachian Trail) and I've found that walking side-by-side with women of all ages from all walks of life is a real leveller - there's so much wisdom and support shared. Some of the best friends I've ever made have been on the trails. Also, Hurrah for Bob and co. You were very well looked after indeed!
When I was growing up my mother had a hiking group of all women that called themselves something like Wagtails or Scalliwags, I don't remember! Somehow these groups really can keep people together.
I'm lucky to have an incredibly close group of friends. Close, and intertwined with one another, and we do different things. With some, I hike; with others, I gather and make dinner; sometimes they intersect. What's really wonderful is that we live in my own hometown, but my (male) spouse has managed to form his own group of hiking and cycling companions out of people I've been friends with since we were teenagers, and those friends' spouses and extended families. I know it's more rare for men to have these close friend relationships, and it's really something to see.
My support groups are currently two monthly Dungeons & Dragons meetups with different folks. I have a good friend I sometimes hike with, but it seems like 40-65 is a tough time for friendship. I have joined a local outdoors club for biking and hiking, and I'm the youngest there, mid-fifties. Once I don't have any grandkids or dogs to talk about, the conversation usually fizzles.
I loved this post because I grew up just south of Seattle and for the last 20 years my parents have lived on the peninsula. Your photos are wonderful.
So nice to read about finding a group of supportive friends. About 2 years ago I began ice skating, and I found a great group of adult skaters. I fell and sustained injuries that have kept me mostly off the ice since November, and I've realized I miss the companionship more than the activity. Hard to imagine how you hiked out with that broken bone!
Whew! Thank you, Bob, and the person with tape, and the former medical partner….. It’s good to be reminded there is neither pleasure nor sense in going it alone. This is a nice story to tell long afterward.
How mysterious! I have a story too that involves walking, water drainage, and left ankle being cramped. Left leg connecting us across the planet and ages!
I love this so much. The name of the group, the walking together, the beer trips, the support group 💓💓 I wish more men had a group like this!
A great post! Thanks for sharing. I started a women-only walking group here in my homeland of Northern Ireland 4 years ago after spending many years hiking with my husband and sons. I found being in the mountains so beneficial that I had to share it with others. We mostly hike in the Mourne Mountains, but sometimes on the Causeway Coastal Route too (which is part of the the International Appalachian Trail) and I've found that walking side-by-side with women of all ages from all walks of life is a real leveller - there's so much wisdom and support shared. Some of the best friends I've ever made have been on the trails. Also, Hurrah for Bob and co. You were very well looked after indeed!
When I was growing up my mother had a hiking group of all women that called themselves something like Wagtails or Scalliwags, I don't remember! Somehow these groups really can keep people together.
I'm lucky to have an incredibly close group of friends. Close, and intertwined with one another, and we do different things. With some, I hike; with others, I gather and make dinner; sometimes they intersect. What's really wonderful is that we live in my own hometown, but my (male) spouse has managed to form his own group of hiking and cycling companions out of people I've been friends with since we were teenagers, and those friends' spouses and extended families. I know it's more rare for men to have these close friend relationships, and it's really something to see.
My support groups are currently two monthly Dungeons & Dragons meetups with different folks. I have a good friend I sometimes hike with, but it seems like 40-65 is a tough time for friendship. I have joined a local outdoors club for biking and hiking, and I'm the youngest there, mid-fifties. Once I don't have any grandkids or dogs to talk about, the conversation usually fizzles.
I love the love this post expresses.
Hi John,
I loved this post because I grew up just south of Seattle and for the last 20 years my parents have lived on the peninsula. Your photos are wonderful.
So nice to read about finding a group of supportive friends. About 2 years ago I began ice skating, and I found a great group of adult skaters. I fell and sustained injuries that have kept me mostly off the ice since November, and I've realized I miss the companionship more than the activity. Hard to imagine how you hiked out with that broken bone!
Whew! Thank you, Bob, and the person with tape, and the former medical partner….. It’s good to be reminded there is neither pleasure nor sense in going it alone. This is a nice story to tell long afterward.