A Taste for Adventure

Los Angeles Times June 22, 2004

© Dale Leatherman 2004

 There were tears on Red Barber's cheeks, glistening in the light of the campfire, but he was grinning, and we all grinned back, loving him.

“It’s been worth living 81 ½ years to get to the biggest adventure in my life,” he said, "and to spend quality time with my daughter and all of my new friends."

It was our last night of camping on the banks of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Behind us were 10 days of clinging to inflatable rafts plunging  through unnerving rapids, dousing by bone-chilling river water, sleeping on the sand, climbing into side canyons, showering under waterfalls, and dining al fresco around a campfire. 

Though Red was the senior member of our 26-person band, about half of us were over 50, including one of our guides, Breck Poulson, who has been an integral part of the river scene since the 1970s.  Today he directs the rafting program for Wilderness River Adventures.

"We don't get too many 80-year-olds like Red," says Breck, "but about 10 percent of our guests are over 60. Our guides love sharing the Grand Canyon and are trained to give special care to those who need assistance. All of the hikes into side canyons are guided and the pace is adjusted to keep everyone comfortable. WRA and most of the other river outfitters have trips geared to special population clients (those in wheelchairs or with disabilities); river trips are enjoyable for everyone."

While 10 nights in a sleeping bag on a sandy river bank may not be every senior's idea of a vacation, an increasing number of travelers over 55 are opting for "soft" adventure vacations rather than seeing the world through the window of an  air-conditioned bus. In contrast to hard-core adventures for the young, with high levels of physical exertion and risk and Spartan accommodations and food, soft adventures have less exertion and risk and more amenities. Daily activities such as biking, hiking and horseback riding may be strenuous, but there are ample breaks,  a sag wagon, comfortable to luxurious lodgings, and meals ranging from wholesome to gourmet.

Contact me to read the entire story or to discuss second rights or a rewrite. daleatherman@cs.com