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We woke
next morning to discover that bears had found better pickings somewhere else and left us unmolested. The one we’d seen, wandering bank of river earlier day before, must have found a group of smellier campers to harass. Sitting in our camp chairs, sipping our morning teas and coffees at breakfast, our kitchen area was suddenly overrun by a small herd of deer. Six young deer came scampering out of trees and raced each other past our tents, kicking up sand and circling twice before returning back into woods. Who needs midnight bears when breakfast show includes Bambi!
The women in group continued to be impressed by Maxine’s exploits, her willingness to brave rapids on her own, her lively sense of humor, her openness to new ideas and situations. The only complaint I ever heard from her was regarding chair height construction. Another woman on our trip, admirable in her own right, after listening to accolades go round and round, whispered to me, “I don’t know what big deal is, she’s ONLY 2 years older than I am!”
She was right, Maxine was senior in group by a mere two years, so she was not that unusual, BUT, she was only one in group whose feet didn’t touch floor when sitting in a chair, and surely that has to count for something. But then again, I’ve learned that it’s not what we’re packaged in that makes a difference, as much as what’s inside. Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” Maxine knows she can.
I’ll keep Henry Ford and Maxine in mind when I shrink ‘two #$% inches’, myself. _________________________________________________________
Debbie Jacobs, founder and president of Explorations in Travel, http://www.exploretravel.com, organizes outdoor and cultural adventures for women over 40 and arranges individual volunteer placements in Latin America, South Pacific and Nepal. She lives in southern Vermont with too many dogs. She can be contacted at women@exploretravel.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2000-by Debbie Jacobs This article may be reprinted as long as: 1.) It is reprinted in its entirety 2.) The byline remains intact
Debbie Jacobs, founder and president of Explorations in Travel, http://www.exploretravel.com, organizes outdoor and cultural adventures for women over 40 and arranges individual volunteer placements in Latin America, the South Pacific and Nepal. She lives in southern Vermont with too many dogs. She can be contacted at women@exploretravel.com
