Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle - #10

Nourish your Friendships (Past and Present) How?  

• Pick up the phone and initiate conversation 
• Need a phone #...check whitepages.com
• Get your Christmas card address list out.  The number may still be the same.
• If you have the address, pick up a pen and paper and write a letter. The friend will be in awe of your willingness to take time to do it.  
• If a friend lives within a reasonable distance, go visit them.  Catch up over coffee or lunch.
• You do any one of the things mentioned above, my bet is you will hear from the friend soon.

Recently, I chose the "pen and paper" approach with a long time friend I worked with for many years.  We now live 1,600 miles apart but call each other once or twice a year.  Time marches on and it's been quite some time since either of us picked up the phone.

One evening, I sat down and started writing about what was happening since we last talked.  I rambled on about spending time with grandchildren, volunteering, teaching others, and fighting my longest battle, the ever-advancing Parkinson's.  When I was finished, I had six tablet pages.   When I added a few photos with explanations for each, I had to look for a bubble lined envelope to send everything.

The response from my good friend didn't take long.  In less than a week, I received a multi-page hand-written letter.  It began "...Handwriting a letter...well that's just unheard of these days - but I'm SO GLAD you did.  I too, think of you often and write letters to you in my head - unfortunately they don't seem to make it to paper - until now.  You are an inspiration to me in  more ways then you will ever know."

Classes on Hiking Offered

It seems a bit of a surprise there are few offerings in the Denver Metro area, of classes for those who want to learn what hiking is all about.  That is changing.  Two local hiking enthusiasts have collaborated to develop lesson plans for a series of classes.

Offered by the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA), area residents can register for one or all seven sessions.  Five sessions have been completed to date.  Topics already covered include: The basics (back country ethics, behavior and etiquette) plus physical conditioning; Trail ratings, conditions, safety, and first aid; Footwear (what to know before you go and before you buy); Clothing (using a layering system); Packs (choosing, loading, organizing).

Next session scheduled for Tuesday, March 20th at 9 a.m. will be on hiking poles.  How do they work?  Pros and cons of using poles.  Tips on how poles can best benefit the hiker. And a demonstration of the proper use of poles on flat, rocky, or steep terrain.

The final session is billed as the one registrants will have the most fun attending.  Topics will include: Making a checklist, a Bucket List, keeping a trail journal, introduction to topo map reading and GPS, survival skills and how to poop in the woods.

If those topics don't create fun, what will?  A representative from REI will present the part on topo map reading and GPS.  The class will end with a photo album presentation of the best images from hikes sponsored by ACAA in 2011.   

If you have never hiked in your life but want to learn about this sport, call ACAA for details at (303) 739-7950.  If you are an avid hiker and need information on any of the topics mentioned, call for information on the next offering of these classes.

Where There is Snow...there is FUN!

If you are a downhill, xcountry, or snowshoe fan, there is still snow in those mountains west of Denver.  Yesterday, thirteen avid snow sport loving men and women took advantage of the Outdoor Adventure program offered by Malley Recreation Center, in Englewood.

Downhiller's were dropped at Copper Mtn. Resort, before the bus moved on to Gold Run Nordic Center at Breckenridge.  Slopes at the resort were snow-covered and looked fine despite climbing temperatures into the high 40's and more. 

At the Nordic Center, some move out in pairs others like me choose to go solo.  Starting on the Up and Over trail, I decide to have a slow-paced outing.  The sun is out in full blast this morning which causes extreme squinting until the eyes adjust.

As I approach the junction with Jessie's Trail, I stop for a moment to take in the sights around me and connect with the beauty of winter's landscape.  Continuing another hundred yards, I notice an area leading into the trees as it gains elevation.  Up to this point snow under my shoes has been hardened by the daily melting and overnight refreezing of the top layer.  A loud crunching noise is all I've heard since leaving the trailhead. 

The first step off trail reminds me of what snowshoes are supposed to do.  Keep you from sinking into deep snow.  Well, my left snowshoe went deeper and deeper until my knee was below the top of the snow.  In order to maintain my balance, I was forced to plant both poles immediately.  They, with baskets went into the snow over half the poles length.

A slow methodical pace followed as I crossed an open area.  Extra effort was needed to pull each shoe out of the snow cave it had created and keep the leg high enough as to remain above the deep snow and making the next plunge.  In retrospect, it was a wonderful experience.  Best described as walking through a pool of white jello.

Snowshoer's enjoy a day in the snow.

Ahead, I noticed a trail coming from my right.  Making the transition out of deep powder and back to a more secure footing, I follow the well-used path.  Various turns and downed trees remind me that I am on a section of the Hoo-Doo-Voo-Doo trail.  I was here a few weeks ago. 

After a number of short ups, trail continues a gradual climb.  Now closing in on noon, I look for a spot to set up the kitchen.  A small flat area, possibly with a rock formation would be good.  Another 100+ yards of climbing then to my right I spot it.
 
Two pines with thick branches caught most of the heavy snowfall, rendering the ground under them snow free.  Next to the trees, an exposed flat rock surrounded by soft dead pine needles made it the place to stop. 

There was a continuous breeze so a wind screen would be needed.  With the flame on high, a pot of eight ounces of water would come to a rolling boil in less than three minutes.  Enough time to make a bench seat out of the snow on the slope next to the stove.  A piece of plastic would protect me from getting wet during lunch.

Typical winter setup for a hot lunch on trail.

 A small hand towel served as my table cloth.  Utensils, a pouch of ready-made tuna salad, my pocket knife, and a pack of ramen noodles are placed on the cloth.  The lid on the pot is now vibrating.  Time to add noodles, and powdered chicken broth.  Cover and turn the stove to simmer.

While lunch is brewing, I bury a zip bag of six large whole strawberries in the snow.  Add a sleeve of powdered fruit drink to a bottle of water, then bury the beverage in the snow.

The aroma of hot chicken broth must extend beyond the area because overhead I hear the fluttering of wings.  A bird came by to check out the smell.  A squirrel starts to chatter close-by.  It's telling all it's friends to 'Come over for lunch, there is plenty for everybody.'

Time for dessert.  I want a strawberry.  Pulling the zip bag out of its icy cave, the pouch is covered with patches of snow indicating the berries are well chilled.  Cut off the leafy cap and slice the berry in half.  As I take the berry from the end of the blade, I am reminded of my grandfather.  At the age of eight, Pappy would pick an apple, wipe it on his bib overalls, slice a piece off, and holding the slice with his forefinger to the blade of his knife, offering the apple slice to me.   
  
The six king-size berries were a special treat today.  The chilled fruit drink went down easily, while tearing down the kitchen and repacking everything for the return.

Natural beauty of back country in winter.

 I had not met a sole on trail all day.  Then rounding the final bend before the Nordic Center, I meet John Herakovich, on one more short solo tour.  I could not have scripted a better day than this.  These mountains provide a level of solitude I will never get enough of.

The final winter outing offered by Malley Rec. Center is March 29th, when we go to Keystone Resort.


 


   

Inspiring Profiles: Meet Joanne (Meints) Murphy, Renaissance Woman,

Her story begins in rural Iowa.  Joanne is the third of three daughters born to an English mother and a German father.  She remembers taking lunch to her father and hired men in the fields of the family farm, located outside Grand Mound, Iowa.  “Looking back, it was a good childhood,” she said.

Meints family homestead, Grand Mound, Iowa.

“I tell my three children and six grandchildren I went to a one room school with no electricity. I must seem ancient,” she said with a laugh.

Education was important to her father like agriculture was important to the economy of Iowa.  That is why generations of the Meints family attended Iowa State University, in Ames.  Joanne broke family tradition, by attending Colorado College in Colorado Springs her freshman year.  She returned to Iowa State, for a degree in Home Economics and Early Childhood Development.

Bill and Joanne with children (L-R): Jody, Lisa, David

With diploma in hand, Joanne Meints accepted a position with the Denver Public Schools.  “I came out here to teach, and met Bill Murphy, my husband of 50 years, she said.

“After my third child, someone asked, if I knew how to get back in shape.  It was always important to be in shape, physically, mentally, and to look good too,” she said with a smile.

A suggestion to try yoga, prompted Jo to take a class.  It was the beginning of a 40-year teaching career.  "I started at Beck recreation Center, and over the years, taught at all the recreation centers, including the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA),” she said.

Me, aging? NO WAY.

From time to time I check in on the "boomers leading CHANGE" website.  There is always something I can relate to,  be it end of life planning, shortage of nurses in the U. S., or the biggie, health care and politics.  As a member of the 76 million member boomer generation, my family has always been active.  As a result, we can claim to be in better health than our parents at a given age - in my case, age 65.

That is not to say is came easy.  When diagnosed with early Parkinson's in 2004, I had to refocus on what was truly important.  Family, life long friends, doing what I like to do, and fighting the disease, became priorities.  Although the PD in my body has advanced a tick or two in recent  months, exercise, in the form of hiking, yoga, swimming, and following our two very active grandsons, have been the soldiers of my battle against PD.    

Last August, in collaboration with the staff of PAR (Parkinson's Association of the Rockies) this blog was born.  Readership has grown each month since.  Feedback indicates it is due to timely articles and fresh content.

Tomorrow we will publish a story about a Colorado woman who felt it is important to be fit both physically and mentally.  You may have been in one of her yoga classes over the past 40+ years.  You may have hiked with her in the Colorado high country.  The results of her volunteer efforts may have touched your family in some way.   


After reading her story. you will not question her tenacity, her drive, and her unending focus to remain fit both physically and mentally.  Look for the story titled "Inspiring Profiles." Click on the block to bring you her story.