I have to face the facts! I can no longer paddle anymore. No local trips, no more trips to Maine or Utah! I have 6 boats, all will go toy relatives. This is hard for me,but is the right thing to do k
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At age 84 I’m not quite ready to abandon kayaking, but I’ll be joining you within a few years. I have already ‘reorganized’ some of my other activities, a practical path for the aging body.
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Why?
Physical injuries?
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We feel your pain Andy.
Sold all of my canoes and a canoe trailer this year.
I am down to one drift boat. No more hard whitewater.
Now I just row the drift boat on rivers I used to canoe.
I have a paddle I made 35 years ago in my bedroom so I can look at it and remember all of those river days.
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i have ALS
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You’ll know when you get there. In my case … arthritic left shoulder (bone on bone), crushed disk in lower back, and the onset of general puniness.
I’m so sorry, Andy, but hope those your gifting your boats to will include you on some of their outings.
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First of all, I don’t know how or if the following will work with ALS.
Certainly not the same as, but there is a Virtual Reality ‘game’ that simulates kayaking. I think it requires being able to stand or sit and use your hands/arms/fingers to manipulate the kayak.
I’m so sorry, and I hope you can find comfort and respite despite the frustrations of dealing with such a terrible disease.
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Wish I could give some better up-lifting encouragement here. An end is sometimes a beginning as you figure out what you can and can’t do. I think most folks here have no concept of what a progressive disease ALS is, and blind encouragement does not help. I’ve worked on research for treatments for ALS so I have a bit of understanding and also going through a progressive disease. I’m hoping you have friends and family to give you support, for what it’s worth you can check in here and let us know how you are doing.
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You had some great trips and memories. Wish you the best in your transition. Always think of your trip reports and pics whenever I drive down the notch from Upton, ME and see the majestic expanse of Lake Umbagog down in the valley.
-sing
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I always hoped that one day I’d find myself paddling alongside you in that red KajakSport Artisan Millennium. What a beauty! (Yes, I’m talking about the kayak! But I’m sure you’re pretty too!) The last group paddle that I went on was a lot of fun, a pleasant paddle, and great people. The big shift I’ve noticed is that among probably 30 kayaks, There were 2 composite and 2 rotomold sea kayaks. Most kayak conversations were more about the best recreational kayaks. I was definitely a fringe member of the group in my sea kayak. It made me reflect on how I came into the sport. I loved it right away. I had a lot of energy, a lot of ambition, and I put a lot of it into sea kayaking. I think there will always be skills and adventures that are out there that I think about, but really, I’ve done more than I imagined and aspired to in the beginning. Hats off to you for having mastered such a fine sea kayak, and all the adventures that make that so special. There really aren’t many that take to the water on that level.
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Thanks to all for the kind words! At 73 years old,before my diagnosis, I paddled quite a bit, I always carried gps when I paddled and in a season I paddled over 1000 milesin a typical year. I have 6 boats and have all the grandkids paddling. My ARTISAN is a great boat and looks good too. I bought it used for $1600. What a. Deal
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I’m sorry to see this post as, I’m sure, is everyone here.
Having to let go of something that has become so much a part of us is difficult. It is also something that we all are facing or will face. Many of us are facing the fact that we will never paddle as much as we once did, that there are trips we’ll never make, places we have loved and will not paddle again, and can foresee a time when we, too, will do our last paddle, pass on our last boat.
But all those trips, all those rivers and lakes, the smell of all those campfires, the voices and laughter of all those friends we have known on the water, the storms and sunny afternoons, all those memories are part of who we have become. And that cannot be changed. We have all been blessed by the waters we have known. A great many people have never been that fortunate. On our last day all any of us will have is our memories. A paddler’s memories are certainly beautiful ones. But I’m preaching to the choir - you already know that.
Perhaps though you cannot now paddle, you can find a way to spend some time by the water, listen to waves, the wind in the trees, perhaps the sound of a rapid. Maybe even take a photo or two… Know the peace that we’ve all known on the water.
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PJC summed it up well. Better than I can. I think as we age out, we naturally fall back on our memories. The memories of our babies growing up to have their own lives and families bring us pride, but I still miss the children they once were. My archery I once thought I could not live without isn’t as easy or important anymore. My love of backpacking is on wobbly knees. The water still holds and challenges me. But their past memories make me smile. I learned to make NA style flutes and create my own songs. Mark Beaver who showed me how to make the flutes at the first flute circle I attended passed away from ALS. My memories of him are full of appreciation. I feel sure you created and carry the same sort of memories. I too have things to pass along and know they will bring up memories of me with those that receive them. I hope they will be as good as those memories that your gifts engender of you. Know you are in the thoughts and prays of many here.
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Sorry to hear Andy, . Glad I got to meet up and paddle
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Same here! It was great day for me. Love your dog!
Chuck, next time you are on the East coast, pay me a visit
Sorry to hear Andy. Im still living outsude Algonquin park 4 now…never paddled in the park…barely go there…retirement has not been fun…no money 4 anything…i started selling things off as im prepping to move off this continent. Still have my folbot but it’s sort of sold to a friend. I have my diveyak still…both bikes r gone…when i move i hope to get a bike and a rec kayak. Im 70 now…still pretending im 30! Haha! I rehomed my dog…miss her but will get another after moving…
My health has been ok…hope it stays that way.
I live in a forest right on part of the transcanada trail…its a dream spot that i havent been able to afford to live solo…soon i hope to be with the love of my life to start the rest of my life in distant lands…
This is a great post to tell all older pnetters how we r all doing!
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Best wishes to you, Linda. May the next leg of the journey be a bit more joyful and comfortable.
-sing
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