Introduction (Excerpts)
"Stepping out of the last wooded area, we
arrived at the top of a wide vineyard. It gently
sloped toward a small village and, beyond, there
was Vienna, the famous, historic metropolis
between East and West, the capital of Austria.
It was a moment for hugging each other: We
had back-packed from Nice through the entire
length of the Alps. There were tears of joy, for
after six annual segments, each about one
month long, we had arrived at the once so
distant other end. Certainly, this was one of
the greatest projects we had ever undertaken.
It has enriched our retirement years in ways
never before imagined, made us feel healthier
and younger.....
"We found it easier than expected. No rappelling
down ice-covered cliffs or crossing of glaciers
and crevasses. Don't even take rope, pick, or
crampons. Leave tent, sleeping bag, and food
at home. You mainly need your will, your legs,
and a backpack. Choose from lots of simple, if
at times a little strenuous, trails. Villages and
mountain hostels are always near, offering
meals, accom-modations, safety, diversion,
and comfort. With a little practice, we suggest,
just about any reasonably fit retiree can do it.
Or at least try....
Now it is time to share the excitement and to
encourage fellow retirees and others who have
extra time to rejuvenate body, mind, and soul:
Try long distance hiking. The Alps are particu-
larly nice for that and the book gives many
useful tips.
Trails in America are considerably harder and
more suited for "the younger crowd", as the
book discusses. Perhaps the absence of easy
opportunities over here is a reason that "people
just don't hike that much". We aim to change
that.
You start with w a l k i n g to the mailbox.
Later, perhaps you hike over the saddle to the
left of the mountain below, in Switzerland.
