“Your life is made of two dates and a dash. Make the most of the dash.”
Twice a year a client of mine leaves the comforts of home to patrol 26,000 sq. miles in Southeastern Utah for the Department of Interior. He spends two weeks in the Spring and two months in the Fall, September and October. I spoke with him the other day, the first day back from his Spring trip. I asked him what he does out there. He said he is either out on his own for 3-5 days patrolling, or working from the base station going out on day jobs to fix things, do field study, or work on his research at the base station.
His passion is southwestern archeology. It has been his passion since studying it in college, but eventually he had to get a “real” job to pay the bills. After a successful career in corporate America he is back doing what he wants to do in retirement. I asked him where he sleeps on the 3-5 day solo trips. He said outside under the stars. I asked if he ever brings a tent. He said not if he can help it. A tent is heavy.
The Spring trip is nice because the weather can be beautiful. It starts off chilly and gets warmer with each passing day. But the Fall trip starts off warm and by the end of October he said the nights can be brutally cold. He said it’s a good way to lose ten pounds. Not that he needs to a lose an ounce.
His wife is supportive of the trips. I joked, “she may look forward to it more than he does.” He laughed in agreement but in all seriousness said they both get pretty lonesome after a little while. Sounds to me like a healthy relationship and retirement for both of them.
Canyon country.
Typical Anasazi dwelling deep in an obscure canyon. The challenge is getting into it!
E.J. Smith
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