Welcome Boomers to Fun and Adventure

And Everybody Else Wanting to Have Fun Too

Tea In The Woods

For boomers, and those who are older, you have places to go and things to do and still want to get some exercise, have some fun, and maybe a little excitement. The gym is great for exercise but low on excitement. I go there periodically, but adventuring is where I get my thrills.

Summer day at a glacier near Hyder Alaska

I want you to discover what I’ve learned over the past few years. I’ve learned you don’t have to be “fit” or “rich” or young to live the life you wanted when you retire. It’s not necessary to have to do “senior” things unless you want to. Knitting is considered a senior thing but I find it very relaxing so I do it, if you don’t like it, don’t do it. However, you don’t have to limit yourself, you can do what you can do it just may take a few modifications. The “dream” that social media or media, in general, promotes with fit, wealthy, healthy seniors does not describe most of us. You can do so many things without being the “well-preserved-retiree-who-was-able-to-save-for-retirement” Let me show you.

Boomers Can Go River Rafting

Taking on the Fraser River in Northern British Columbia

In this raft are me (60, front right), my friend Cheryl (47, front left), my husband Ted (64, back right ) my friend’s Mom Sharon (77, back left), and our young guide in the back. This is our first-time river rafting. It was unbelievable! What did it cost? Picnic lunch, a tank of gas (split 3 ways), and $100 each. That’s it. The company we used was Stellar Descents White Water Rafting just west of the junction of highway 5 and highway 16 in British Columbia https://www.stellardescents.com/ Absolutely first rate. I’ll go into the details in the rafting blog.

Boomers Can Go Bicycling

On my new electric bike, riding with two of my grandchildren

Bicycling is just about my favorite thing. The problem is the knees and hips of most boomers are not as happy about it as they used to be. Going uphill on a regular pedal bike has become increasingly difficult. Then my older brother told me about electric pedal-assist bikes. Well, what can I say, I felt 16, not 60. I pedal at whatever gives the maximum exercise/enjoyment and when the strain kicks in, I just up the pedal assist. It’s like having electric gears on the bike. What about the knees and hips after the ride? Generally speaking, they feel better than before I rode. Check out my blogs where I’ll discuss, the different kinds of e-bikes, riding and buying an ebike, and their pluses and minuses. I LOVE mine and I hope you will love yours too.

By the way, I have a video I found with a Boomer who has a similar issue. Ride on, bro! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3_dpDtGQPg He’s truly marvelous.

Boomers Can Go Swimming

Me, at my first ever swimming competition when I was 55 years old.

Swimming is excellent for boomers, it’s great fun and cheap too. But if you’re thinking swimming is a solitary sport it doesn’t have to be. It can be if you want it to be but my best advice for increasing swimming enjoyment is to join your local Masters’ group, even if you don’t know how to swim. Don’t worry, Master only means you’re an adult, well, at least over 18y. My husband’s grandmother never learned to swim as a child so she learned when she was around 70 years old. Swim now, it’s never too late. This is a Canadian Masters web page because I’m Canadian but I know other countries have them because if for no other reason there is a Masters Olympics involving dozens of countries from all over the world. https://www.mastersswimmingcanada.ca/WP/en/home/

So Much More to Life as a Boomer

My husband, Ted, exploring an unrestored section of the Great Wall of China

So this is where we start. I have many more things to share, like skiing, downhill and cross country, scuba diving, zip-lining, travel (cheap as I can), and more. Like everything that goes with being in the boomer or more category, always check with your doctor before pursuing any new physical activity. Never worry about what anybody younger, or older, can do. Go at your own pace, don’t let anybody rush you or slow you down.

Covid warning: Follow the guidelines established by your local government. Remember boomers, at our age we are amongst the most vulnerable. Some things are not possible right now because of Covid. So we’ll do what we can now, save the plans for all the things we can’t do, and then when Covid is no longer a threat we’ll be prepared. As a parting piece of advice, I suggest what you do is start a Fun Fund. Every time you receive money from anybody that is yours to use at your discretion, then put some of it in the Fun Fund. It’s really hard to do at first, but it does get easier and then when the chance to say, go river rafting or ziplining, comes along, you’ll be ready to go. Stay safe, have fun.

Please Take Care of Yourself

*Check with your physician before beginning any new exercise or changing your existing exercise routine, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions