You’re never too old

When I was very young

You are never too busy or too old to have an adventure.

My dad always instilled in me and my siblings that you must always have a job. you don’t change jobs because you stay with a company for ever. Short vacations are ok but long extended periods were not. Now I am not faulting my dad because he was a hard worker and raised all of us to be good responsible  individuals. He worked for Pet Dairy for 55 years.

So from the time I was 12 years old I was always in a mode to make money. Whether it was mowing lawns, washing my aunts car, or selling coat hangers I had collected from the neighbors to the local dry cleaners I always had funds coming in because my dad said always have a job.

Missed opportunities

It was 1969, 2 years out of high school, no plans yet to go to college, I was working in Nashville making probably $2.00 per hour. I had no real responsibilities other than working for my job like my dad said to do.

Woodstock was getting ready to happen. I had a car as did my two room mates and they wanted us to go to Woodstock. But you know what, I couldn’t go because I had to fucking work! I could have easily quit my $2.00 an hour job and had a great adventure. Jobs were plentiful and I was only 19.

In 1973 I was in school at Vanderbilt, working on campus, and painting houses with a friend to make money. Since I waited 6 years to start college most of my friends were grad students my age and not young freshmen. They all liked to camp and hike weekends mostly in the Smokies Cades Cove. I missed out on a lot of these trips because I had to work like my dad said to do.

Just do it

So I guess there are several points I want to make here. First is that if you don’t do it now your chances get slimmer and slimmer as the years go by. There are very few reasons why you can’t block out 6 months of your life and go hiking. The jobs, family, girl friend, and pets will be there when you get back. If your girl friend can’t wait 6 months for you maybe she isn’t right for you. So just do it.

Second point is that I have waited til I am 67 years old to take an adventure like this. I have retired twice and I know the job I am working now will be there when I get back or there will be another one like it.

I have been planning this AT hike for 8 months and am ready to leave Springer on June 2 this year. Looking back I should have done this years ago but I also realize you are never too old for an adventure.

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Comments 25

  • More Whimsy : Apr 3rd

    Just Do It! The perfect advice. I’m looking forward to following your journey.

    Reply
  • Sherrie Lightner : Apr 4th

    Hope this is where I sign up for your blog. Enjoy the walk.

    Reply
  • jerry prendergast : Apr 4th

    Hi Phil,
    I am 66 yrs of age and will do a 300 mile section hike this summer. Kinda sounds like the same father, he pushed school and work. I have always taken vacations but could never see myself taking the time to do the whole AT one clip. So, I too will take some time to do my adventure.
    Good luck on yours, may each step move you closer to your completed adventure.

    Reply
  • Slack Packhiker : Apr 4th

    At 62, planning an AT hike has put a spring in my step. Upping my physical game, reading, dreaming, wishing and hoping, these things have brightened the past few months.

    A longer lived life tempers the impulsiveness that derails (detrails?) those untempered by time, never mind additional judgement call problems inherent in the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex in the under 25 hikers. No shame, we were once them, they will be us.

    So hike on. Forget about Woodstock. Who knows, something might have happened that would have caused you to miss the glorious opportunity to hike the AT right here, right now.

    Reply
  • Dennis Meeks : Apr 4th

    You go, epiphany!

    I’m 65, retiring in 3 years and have an itch to thru-hike the AT.

    Can’t wait to follow your progress.

    Reply
  • Mike cassier : Apr 4th

    Doing a flip-flop? When you get to Hanover, NH, you’ll hear of the Hanover/Norwich trail angels list. Free lodging, dinner, breakfast. Safe and injury free hiking to you. Mike and Linda.

    Reply
  • Bob Rogers : Apr 5th

    I hope you thought this out or that it is merely a grammar issue. Leaving FOR Springer as a SOBOer would make sense with a June 2nd date. Leaving FROM Springer June 2 will NOT work without a flip-flop or racing thru the trail. Katahdin closes Oct 15th or bad weather (whichever comes first).

    Anywho, while almost an entire generation behind you, I feel the same. I was going to try to hike this year. Now that I’m freshly divorced, I have a house I need to fix up and sell. Come hell or high water, 2017 will be my year.

    Reply
  • Bob Rogers : Apr 5th

    I hope you thought this out or that it is merely a grammar issue. Leaving FOR Springer as a SOBOer would make sense with a June 2nd date. Leaving FROM Springer June 2 will NOT work without a flip-flop or racing thru the trail. Katahdin closes Oct 15th or bad weather (whichever comes first).

    Anywho, while almost an entire generation behind you, I feel the same. I was going to try to hike this year. Now that I’m freshly divorced, I have a house I need to fix up and sell. Come hell or high water, 2017 will be my year.

    Good luck and safe travels on yours.

    Reply
  • Richard Guenther : Apr 5th

    Looking forward to seeing your posts.

    Reply
  • Christine Dennis : Apr 5th

    Good thoughts coming your way for your training hikes and for the real deal! I am excited to follow your journey!

    Reply
  • JEEPER : Apr 12th

    Safe travels!! I’m looking forward to following your blogs. I hike 12-15mile hikes with my mom (61yrs young) and she kicks my ass on the trails!! Age is litterally just another number. Wishing you many trail blessings!!!

    Reply
  • Richard : Apr 12th

    Hi Phil! Excited to see your blog. You and I have very similar stories, just you are a year ahead of me. I am 65 and turn 66 next month. I have retired once, 31 years at Western Electric (ended up being Lucent Technologies) and will retire again at the end of this year. 15 years in law enforcement. I had the same epiphany, to get away for an adventure and the AT is calling me. Can’t wait to read your blog and follow your progress. Be safe and enjoy! Richard for now, no trail ne yet.

    Reply
  • Mike Gartman : Apr 12th

    Bless you and I am glad you got to fulfill your dream. But it’s a pipe dream for me. When you are 54 and have zero retirement saved, it’s kind of difficult to go hike the trail for 6 months. If I did, I’d lose my house, and my family! lol

    Reply
    • Ken Shigley : Apr 12th

      Ain’t that the truth!

      Reply
  • Tonda Johnson : Apr 12th

    I am 54 and will be embarking on my first section hike of the AT end of May 2016. My plan is to section hike about 100 miles annually till my kid graduates college then I will embark on a thru hike to finish up the grand adventure of the AT! Thank you for sharing your story! Inspires me! Hike on!

    Reply
  • Ken Shigley : Apr 12th

    Go for it! I turn 65 next month and figure on doing at thru hike at 70, or maybe a year or two earlier if I can wrap up my law practice sooner and retire. I would love to do it sooner but haven’t figure out how to take off six months from my law practice and have a practice to return to.

    Reply
    • Lawnchair17 : Apr 12th

      Hi Ken, I turn 65 in 4 months and have had all the law practice I want. I finished my MBA/JD at 24 so 40+ years is enough. Leaving HF WVA 3/1/17 SOBO on a flip flop. Started shutting down my practice 4 years ago: set a retirement budget off savings, found it doable, then used the residual income to travel. Writing you from a rental pied-a-terre in Lyon, France. No one – ever – on his death bed wished he’d spent more days working. Now is the time in life to travel, play with grandkids, see old friends, enjoy time with your spouse.

      Reply
  • Deb 2 : Apr 12th

    Love your philosopy. I will we starting the GA section of the AT with my sister and a good friend. We are in our 60s and 70s and can’t wait as we have been planning and training for 4 months. Looking forward to your posts.

    Reply
  • Karrie : Apr 12th

    You are an inspiration! Looking forward to following your adventure!

    Reply
  • Ray : Apr 12th

    Good for you and good luck! I’m 60 years old & still dream of an AT thru hike. Keep us posted, I look forward to following your progress.

    Reply
  • Andrea Carsrud : Apr 12th

    Hi! My friend and I are starting a section hike in springer on the 31st. Hopefully we bump into you!

    Reply
  • Mike Kelly : Apr 13th

    I’m retiring for the first time in dec. 2017. Keep blogging, I plan to go in 2018, a life long dream.
    Mike

    Reply
  • Frank Bilbro : Apr 13th

    When I read “Pet Dairy” I knew you were a Nashville product. Raised and schooled in Goodlettsville myself and living in Memphis for the past 34 years. 67 myself, I am planning to attempt the AT next March. Although suffering with PAD and out of shape I am working on getting back in shape now. I keep in mind the saying, “It doesnt matter how slow you go as long as you keep going” Good luck and I will be anticipating your updates.

    Reply
  • Pam Yates : Apr 13th

    Good for you! I just turned 59 and have fallen in love with the idea of doing a thru hike. I came up to Springer over my spring break last month (I am a teacher) and did the approach trail to Springer….will be back this summer to hike from Springer to the North Carolina border…excited!! Keep all of us posted:)

    Reply
  • Kate : Sep 17th

    after seeing post on Facebook for years saying “I’d rather be in a cabin in the woods; it is great to see that Phil Shipley is finally out there!

    Reply

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