The Waterfall at the top of Franconia Notch Flume Trail. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” Anna Quindlen
It Is What It Is
I’ve said it often, I enjoy being an old broad. Not thinking everything that goes wrong is a life or death situation, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are just some of the positive sides of the aging equation.
Like everything else, however, there are drawbacks, the worst of which for me are the physical limitations that have restricted my hiking days.
My former canine traveling companion, Maggie, on a hike we took in Arizona’s Tpnto Basin. — Photo by Pat Bean
While I’m in good health for my age, and can still take short walks with my canine companion, scampering up and down mountain trails and silently trekking through deep forests paths are no longer possible. It hurts my soul to admit this.
Thankfully, I have my memories of the trails I have hiked – from the view of the Virgin River atop Angel’s Landing in Utah’s Zion National Park to the waterfall at the top of Franconia Notch Flume Gorge in New Hampshire. I’ve also hiked Waimea Canyon in Hawaii and many, many trails in Yellowstone National Park. Actually, I’ve managed to take at least short hikes in 49 states and Canada – I’ve missed Rhode Island.
In addition, I am collecting the memories stored in books by so many others who have loved the freedom of being out of sight and sound of civilization. Currently I am reading In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin and Monkey Dancing by Daniel Glick, who took his two children on a trip around the world.
You can read about hikes I took in my late 60s and early 70s in my book: Travels with Maggie, which is available on Amazon
The truth is I’m addicted to reading travel books by authors like Tim Cahill, Edward Abbey, Jan Morris, Paul Theroux, Bill Bryson, Isabel Bird, Freya Stark, William Least-Heat Moon, Jon Krakauer and Peter Matthiessen, just to name a few.
Thankfully, being an old broad, means I have more time to read.
Pat Bean is a retired journalist who lives in Tucson with her canine companion, Scamp. She is a wondering-wanderer, avid reader, enthusiastic birder, Lonely Planet Community Pathfinder, Story Circle Network board member, author of Travels with Maggie, and is always searching for life’s silver lining.
Pat Bean's blog 
Welcome to the old age hiking ban. Been three tears now for me due to spine deterioration. You will eventualy get used to it, but there will be moments of withdrawal pains. Good luck.
I suspect it’s going to be a long withdrawal. But life goes on, and is still good. Thanks for commenting herman.
But not TRAIL- truly really an interactive life! Hike up & down those stairs. No one can now tell you ” to take a hike”! Love your true- TENACITY. from Deloris checking out Rob’s tablet while he drives us back to TX.
Thanks for the reminder. I do hike up and down three flights of stairs about eight times a day… and I’ll continue this for as long as I can.
An amazing photo and a truly wise sentiment…perhaps the local parks can become new trails to conquer? Never stop posting, I adore your blog!