A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated my 55th birthday on this planet, which feels so crazy because my mind still thinks I'm in my early 20s. The years seem to pass much more quickly these days!
Regardless, every day is a gift, and I'm incredibly grateful for each moment I've been given, even when days become shorter and the aging process increases. And although I move more slowly and have more pain, life is good.
Yet things are changing, especially as they relate to traveling.
I have always been drawn to the philosophy of taking the road less traveled and pursuing the dream of romantic adventure travel. Like many other brave adventurers, I yearn for the opportunity to explore the wilderness with reckless abandon and wonder, testing my abilities to overcome arduous challenges in the quest for self-sustaining and self-reliance.
So when we first began our adventure five years ago, I envisioned spending most of our time on remote wilderness roads, utilizing my survival skills, and boondocking in isolated spots, all while taking epic 15-mile hikes to explore the beautiful summits of mountains throughout the country.
Of course, the mass commercialization of the overlanding industry only helped fuel this dream. Watching the high-definition YouTube videos of off-road gurus, along with the brilliant advertising of outdoor brands, cemented the belief that I, too, could embark on an adventure of a lifetime.
I bought into it fully—hook, line, and sinker!
The billions of dollars spent on gear and vehicles confirm that we, as humans, are eager to discover a thrill that we will likely never experience again. The thirst for adventure speaks volumes to our souls, convincing us to be entirely in, no matter what the cost, because it is our destiny.
The story is so beautiful, so mesmerizing.
Only those stories told by the marketing departments and brand influencers don't tell you the complete truth, that the epic journey can be tough and challenging, especially for those of us over the age of 50.
It's been said that age is just a number, and for the most part, I would agree. With proper nutrition, strength training, and the benefits of modern science, we can prolong the effects of aging and enjoy more opportunities to pursue our desires.
We're not done until we are done.
But that only goes so far.
There are moments when our bodies can no longer withstand the physical demands of driving through rugged terrain, hiking up steep elevation gains, carrying heavy equipment, or sleeping on inadequate camping mats. There comes a time when the exchange between pain and adventure is no longer worth it.
Over the last several months, this has been my reality as I battle severe arthritis and nerve pain in my hips and legs, likely brought on by years of abuse in sports and the military. And while my youthful mind tells me I can still endure the extreme adventures, the truth is my body cannot.
It's why we're adapting our travel lifestyle and buying a camper van.
Accepting this fact has been difficult because I'm not ready to give up on the dream that those marketing campaigns sell me. I'm the Generation X guy who didn't wear a helmet or seatbelt, who lived and breathed Red Dawn, and the self-trained ninja who jumped off roofs and out of trees. I did the crazy shit and lived to tell about it.
Unfortunately, those days are gone.
Yet all is not lost!
The truth is that I, and people like me, can still discover the thrill of adventure travel, even if it requires giving up living in a rooftop tent for more appropriate comfort, or not taking that 8-hour climb to the summit of Twin Sisters Peak.
Adventure is really about how we define it in our minds.
When I consider our future travels, it's not about achieving the big things already mentioned, but rather in the small things that bring the most joy, such as watching the elk in Estes Park or taking an easy hike in Sedona. Sometimes the best memories aren't the trails, but the beers I've had with friends or just driving the open road with a smile on my face. The journey is what we make it.
There is no shame in not taking the road less traveled.
My encouragement to those of us who are over 50 is to embrace our age and any limitations we may experience, while also not feeling guilty or less than for not being the poster child for the extreme adventurer we were in our youth. It's normal and acceptable to set aside those crazy dreams for simpler ones.
Perhaps there are still opportunities to push the limits, but it's OK if there aren't.
What about you? How do you feel about traveling over 50? Please share your thoughts by commenting below.
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