Henry Rifle Forums

one of our hopes while camping this weekend was to test all of our camper's systems prior to heading cross country next month .... while most of the camper's equipment performed we a couple of bugs did surface .... shortly before daylight this morning I found it necessary to empty one of our camper's tanks .... while that is far from the preferred time for taking care of such issues while camping, doing so is far from unusual .... bottom line, while doing so I lost may balance and hit the ground .... having had both knees replaced, I've found that getting back up can be a somewhat difficult process .... as I lay there trying to figure out how to get up, I realized how easily something similar happen while we traveling and would not have friends close by .... in short, while the camper and truck could easily be in condition to make the 3,000+ mile trip, I'm not and its highly likely I never will be again .... so for us, our time for hauling our camper long distances over several consecutive days of driving are history .... that's not an easy to fact to come to grips with but it is one that is very real

Time pursues us relentlessly. We all face it, JE.

I, sadly, came to the realization years ago that many things I used to enjoy were going to be beyond me. The career choices I made and the strains I had subjected my body to had really taken a toll and rather than get better, my conditions were degenerative. An X-ray tech once looked at the two inch thick file and asked me if, after seeing where I was and seeing the beating I had taken, would have have made different choices.

I laughed. "There are cars I wouldn't have bought, wouldn't have sold. Same with guns. Women I wouldn't have dated and many I wish I had the courage to have asked. But I couldn't have handled fifty years behind a desk... I enjoyed the two career paths I took, and would do it all again.

These days I don't look back at the things I can't go anymore, I just look forward to the things I still can....

Bummer. I always enjoyed reading your travel adventures.

That seems to be a fact of life. There are many things that I can no longer do and it doesn't help to dwell on them as you well know. But sometimes looking at a goal differently, changing my perspective, I am able to compromise and get where I want to go. And sometimes I come up with different goals that are just as satisfying.
Sorry to hear your adventure may be postponed.

While I still can get back up it is getting difficult and I only have one new knee. If I'm going to be doing something that's going to require getting up and down like adjusting sprinklers or even just walking on un-even ground I grab my walking stick (not a cane, its about 5' tall), it really makes it easier.

I had a similar situation years ago. As most of you know, I used to dive the local rivers. A lot. Once day I had a mask issue and had to abort a dive. I surfaced and found myself behind the boat in a swift current, and the shallows near the bank had lots of weeds, IE Moccasin City. I decided to swim to the boat. I was making progress, but for the first time in my life, I realized my body would not tolerate an all out exertion for very long. I managed to find some less swift water and made it to the boat OK, but it was the beginning of the end for my diving. I began choosing easier dive locations, and gradually losing interest, until I finally brought it to a halt. I've thought about getting back into the water once more in a very easy location, but I doubt a 71 year has any business river diving.

Some day, I will probably have to give up wildlife photography as well. I just hope that day is far off.

Im glad your decision as sad as it is came close to home and not a good distance away. Today as I set out on my first bike ride outside this spring after riding an indoor bike most of the winter A thought of how much longer I could keep the old man at bay and be able to do this. That thought has also crossed my mind when heading south for the winter. Im saddened by your situation and I hope you can still travel in maybe a different way. I know its coming all to soon for me yet I feel blessed that I am able to do what I have been.

I can certainly relate, because of the limitations I'm personally realizing are a reality now. Birthdays have never really bothered me until my recent 70-year milestone. Where did the years go. It has me thinking a lot about the future.

I lost my mother this past Wednesday which has reminded me of just how short life is.

I know how much you and Maureen enjoy your camping/traveling Jim. I hope you are both able to find joy in other ways and
that turning the page opens up a wonderful new chapter for you.

Jim, I'm saddened to hear that. I'm also glad you were able to soundly and fairly come to that conclusion. Someone once said, "A man's got to know his limitations." I find good men know them.