Go West Old Men: A Travel Memoir. Part 6

Planning: Oh, There Was a Spreadsheet

This is Part 5 of the story, follow these links to see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Over the years Scott and I would see each other at class reunions at Asbury University in Kentucky. Later we were both members of the Alumni Board and served a couple of years together.

We would also work to find other times to hang out. We met at Promise Keepers event in Pittsburg followed by some camping and hiking. We spent a weekend at Assateague State Park in Maryland, along with the ponies, the deer, and the sand flies. And we spent a day walking around Annapolis, Maryland.

Occasionally we’d talk about the Grand Canyon, but we made no plans.

In my mid-fifties, knowing that the window of opportunity was closing, I wrote a blog post about my Bucket List. On that this was “Hike the Grand Canyon.” At the time, I was serious.

Approaching sixty with back issues and arthritis I shifted my plans and began talking to Scott about taking a rafting trip. I wanted to do with when I turned sixty-two, which was my initial retirement date. For many reasons, that didn’t happen. But it did start us talking about the trip and how we could do it. We started looking at a summer trip.

Along came COVID, and later my diagnosis with prostate cancer and the date kept getting pushed back.

We tried for the summer of 2022, but I just wasn’t ready. Turns out that was the right choice because a week before we would have left, I finally got COVID.

Fast forward to the beginning of 2023 when Scott said “we’re going this year.” We agreed, picked a date range, and started making plans.

In reality, Scott started making the plans. We agreed that we would meet along the way and drive one of our vehicles to the canyon. He began researching campsites and trails and all the things associated with touring the canyon.

By this point, I would have been content to take the touristy buses and drive our little scooters up to the edge for photos.

Scott, on the other hand, is an outdoorsman, and a planner. And he makes a mean spreadsheet.

We’d talk about once a week, text or email more often, and we began to put the pieces together.

A few nights on the south rim. A few nights on the north rim. And some interesting points in between and after.

We had reached the point of no turning back.

So, we didn’t.

 

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Everybody Report In: How Was Your January?

“God has put the offer of salvation in such a way that the whole world can lay hold of it. All men can believe.”

American evangelist, publisher, and founder of Moody Church, Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Publishers,
Dwight L. Moody, was born on this day in 1837. (died 1899)

We’re at the start of the first full week of February and maybe it’s time to check in to see how we did in January.

How did you do with your resolutions? Your goals? Or maybe even your Three Words?

One month, and a little more, into the year I’m not entirely certain I chose the right words.

Flexible. Creative. Concerned.

Flexible has certainly been appropriate. I’m daily adjusting plans and schedules. I’m doing better on the physical flexibility part. For one thing, I’ve been able to put away the cane I started the year with. There’s more work to be done.

I’ve been creative. Well, while I’ve been writing and drawing, I haven’t necessarily produced anything for public consumption. Maybe that’s okay. But, as I write this, I have the text for a new book crying out for edits and illustrations. We’ll get there.

Speaking of which, if you missed the Kirk Children’s Book Festival over the weekend, you can still purchase any (or all) of my books at the link listed below.

I remain concerned about what’s happening in the world. About what is happening in the Middle East. About what is happening with our elections here in the U.S. Just not concerned enough to jump back into the fray. I can pray. I can keep my eyes open. I just can’t spend my time worrying about things I can’t change. Is that a lack of concern? I don’t think so.

What about you?

Several folks I’ve read recently suggest that February should be the real kickoff month. That way when January resolutions fail, we’ve got that second chance. We’ve sort of felt out the year and what it might bring. Maybe so.

There’s no magic in the calendar changing from December 31st to January 1st. We can always start right where we are and make a change, make a new plan, have a fresh start.

It’s okay if you fell off the resolution wagon in January.

Don’t give up. Just pick yourself up and keep going.

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