Hiking With the Boys

I got a call from my friend who sets up a hike every 2 weeks or so. We scheduled it for this morning.

When I got to the meeting place, the normal four including me were present and another, Garn.

Garn is 92 years old...very spry for his age...and alert and quick witted.

But a strenuous hike?

I first met Garn when he was 90. He was signing Frank Sinatra's old standard, "I left my Heart in San Francisco" in a musical event. He still has a good voice although he had no idea where he was in the song and he was driving the band nuts figuring out where he was headed.

Didn't matter. The audience loved him. He is very, very charming with a twinkle in his eyes.

We started the hike on a steep hill. He couldn't keep up but his pace was still pretty good. Better than a coach potato.

A strange thing happened. One or two of us would drift back to keep him company. Then someone else would take over and it kept changing.

All of this happened without any planning or conversation about it. It was a natural progression of movement.

I spent about 45 minutes with him alone. We discussed our backgrounds. He was born in Utah, a Mormon. At 19, he became a pilot in WWII. He never returned to Utah and I have no idea if he is still a Mormon. He is on his 3rd wife. She won't let him drive any more because he totaled the car a few months ago.

He hiked for 2 hours...up steep hills and then down them.

Truly remarkable! His strength at 92. And as amazing, the way the group naturally and organically kept him company.

I was proud to with this group of men today. A great hike in paradise!