This May I turned 86 and my list of things I want to BE, DO and HAVE continues to grow. I guess I thought someday the list would dwindle or disappear. But it hasn’t. My curiosity keeps pushing the envelope to discover what is possible – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It’s just my nature.
Joan hiking stairs
Last month I checked off another one of my DO items – I hiked up Cataract Falls on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, California. We had wanted to hike both up and down Cataract but after experiencing the steep ascent, compassion for our knees suggested we stop while we were ahead.
It is a beautiful, sylvan hike through a forested corridor alongside a series of waterfalls created by Cataract Creek. AllTrails rates it as a moderate hike, rising 1,400 feet in a little over two miles from Alpine Lake to Ridgecrest Boulevard. For my husband Willis at 88 and me at 86 – it was hard. I counted over 500 stone and wooden steps, some so steep we had to clamber to get up them.
Willis hiking stairs
We had originally attempted to hike Cataract in November 2021 but ran out of daylight and turned back, promising ourselves we would be back to complete it. We were midway in our year-long preparation to hike Vernal and Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park to celebrate my 84th and his 86th birthday in May 2022. We were exploring what we were capable of “at our ages” and whether he could do it 18 months post-hip replacement.
This is what I mean by pushing the envelope. We didn’t know what we were physically capable of until we successfully hiked the Falls in Yosemite. Now two years older, we once again didn’t know what we were capable of as we started up Cataract Falls. That’s where the FUN comes in – challenging ourselves – exploring what’s possible at whatever age.
I want to BE forever curious – about who I am – discovering what’s possible – what’s wonderful, new and exciting! And curious about others and the world around me – filled with wonder and wondering.
I want to DO endless exploring into the unknown – not just physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well – challenging myself to venture outside my comfort zone. And I want to be there for others as they explore their unknown.
I want to HAVE peace of mind, joy for life, FUN and compassion – for others as well as myself and my body as it continues to change. Driving to the trailhead for Cataract Falls, we encountered a sign that is also a metaphor for life – Changed Conditions Ahead. How true! Nothing stays the same, no matter what age.
Pushing the envelope for me also means constantly checking out possibilities. Inspired by our successful hike of the Falls in Yosemite, I wondered what’s next?
That’s when I created and began publishing this Magazine with Willis’ help and our brilliant editors, Sylvia Fox and Michael J. Fitzgerald. I had never tackled anything like publishing an online Magazine. It is said ignorance is bliss but I would add – only as long as you are truly ignorant. Once I grabbed hold of the tail of the tiger of technology, bliss was not in my vocabulary. It was true grit and determination – clear intention, commitment and doing whatever it took to bring this Magazine to life, identify its purpose, and creating a venue for other “older” folks to share how they are pushing the envelope and choosing to age dynamically – whether it’s physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually or all of these and more.
Pushing the envelope and dynamic aging, for me, are a state of mind – a way of being – a lot of curiosity, creativity, courage, intention, commitment, and being willing to do whatever it takes.
Willis and Joan
In January 2023, another BE, DO and HAVE item appeared when I decided to push the envelope and write my memoir. Seemed like a fairly simple task after the Yosemite hike, and then wriggling my way through the knothole of launching the Magazine. So I joined an online group called Write Your Memoir in Six Months. WOW! Seriously?!? It was a great way to get started, and the training and camaraderie, feedback and finding my writing buddy, Caron Grossman, were all well worth the cost and time. Eighteen months later, I am just now completing my memoir. My learning is that as long as I stay curious, as long as I set my commitment at a level 10 – to do whatever it takes to share my take on what dynamic aging means to me –– anything is possible. And I did it!
Years ago I had a favorite wall calendar called Aging Is Not For Sissies! The pictures were of “older” folks who were pushing the envelope physically. And that’s great for as long as my body is able. But how do I know what I’m capable of if I don’t keep checking it out? That’s what brought us back to Cataract Falls. Nike says Just do it! For us, “at our ages” we didn’t tackle it haphazardly as we may have done when we were younger. We planned it out, trained for it, listened to our bodies, took care, were compassionate and considerate about our limits. CURIOSITY is what got us to that trailhead – to pushing the envelope.
Known as the father of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell is quoted: When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us. When I cannot do the challenging hikes I used to do, I wonder where my curiosity will take me and what envelopes I will push.
Joan Virginia Allen is the publisher of Dynamic Aging 4 Life Magazine and a professional dynamic aging coach. She co-authored the book Dynamic Aging: Simple Exercises for Whole-Body Mobility by Katy Bowman. She is on Instagram at dynamicaging4life.
So inspiring … I am so proud to have known you both … especially Willis in the bowels of Space Mountain test and adjust and working together to get Tokyo Disneyland open on April 15, 1983.
Thank you, John. We treasure our friendship with you and Jackie and our shared memories of life in Tokyo.
Thank you,Joan for a truly inspiring story…you are a great role model!
Thank you, Sheena, for being a part of our dynamic aging community all the way from South Africa.
Love this article! Let’s hike in Ojai when it cools down this Fall /Winter
Thanks, Barbara. I would love to do a hike together – when it’s cooler:)
Dear Joan,
You are my role model and my inspiration! I never learned to ride a bike but I was a dancer so my balance and core is strong. I’m turning 70 next year and since we live near the beach my dream has been to learn to ride my bike on a path called The Strand that runs parallel to the beach and many use it to ride their bikes. When I shared my goal with my family, my sister in law told me in a loud voice that at my age, I shouldn’t do dangerous things and my brother agreed with her. I had told them that I’m hiring a bike coach and I will definitely wear a helmet but they didn’t budge. At that moment, my self doubt kicked in and I lost the energy behind my dream. But reading your newsletter this morning lit the fire and was the wind beneath my wings! Thank you my dear Joan.
Thank you for your comment, Flora. Sounds like you are doing whatever it takes to get ready to push your own envelope. How about sharing your experience by writing a story for our Magazine?
Love your incredible zeal for doing the challenging opportunities that present themselves to you. You are an amazing person and I am so proud to be your “little” sister.
Linda
Dear darling “little” sister. Thank you. It takes an amazing person to know one:) I am proud to be your “big” sister. “Luv ya’
Thank you Joan for continuing to inspire us all with your zest for life! Keep up your amazing work in all aspects of your life.
Thank you, Carol, for being a part of our dynamic aging community and changing the paradigm of aging.
Hi Joan….My husband and I so enjoyed reading this with our coffee this morning! First time I opened your email, and realized who you were. Beautifully written! Beautifully sensitive… Dan and I continue to push the envelope…My health seems to be requiring more rest, and no pickleball which up until 6 weeks ago was a huge part of my life. I have always enjoyed vigorous exercise. I am almost 79 and really thought that my vigor would always be a part of my life. You are such an inspiration…and yes my zest for spiritual things is also a driver of my path….
We just bought a cabin in Pine Mountain Club and have been renovating it and furnishing it. When we decided to buy it, we realized most people our age are giving up these things, not adding them to our lives…but we are having a fun experience…and meeting new people so it goes on and on if we decide not to lay down and vegetate.
Keep up the good work..will look forward to your next letter! Much love….Gayle Swanson
Thank you, Gayle, for being a part of our community changing the paradigm of aging. Congrats on the cabin in Pine Mountain – one of our favorite hiking spots especially in this heat! FUN seems to be one of the keys to enjoying life. How about submitting a story pitch for our Magazine about the FUN you are having as you are dynamically aging – whatever that means to you? Love you, too.
Loved this article. I’m in awe of you and Willis! I had serious concerns about doing my Alaska trip but eternally grateful that I did it. You continue to inspire me! In Sunday’s inspirational reading I said, “Don’t let your sense of wonder die before you do”. Wonder and curiosity keep us moving forward!
Thanks, Ruth. We are so happy for you that you did whatever it took to do your Alaskan trip. I love that you inspired others by reminding them not to “let your sense of wonder die before you do!”
Hi Joanie! Having known you and Willis for over 47 years, you two never cease to amaze me. Loved your article. You and Willis are so inspiring to all of us! Love you,
La Verne
Thanks, La Verne. We treasure our friendship and you. Love you!
Fantastic, Joan!! Absolutely love this article and your never ending pushing of the envelope!! YOU both inspire me so very much!!
Thanks, Kelly. You are my inspiration in so many ways – always pushing the envelope!
Great story, Joan. I didn’t realize you’d been so recently in the Bay Area. Cataract Falls is so special. Thanks to Nancy Burns, Mt. Tam is our weekly “playground” – and where I get challenged on many of her hikes. And I loved the metaphor (changed conditions ahead). So very true, always!
Thanks, Rita. Hiking on Mt. Tam is always a treat and many times a challenge.
It takes courage and commitment to continue to challenge one’s self as we age, especially after 80, when too many people decide they’ve reached old age and act accordingly–whatever that means. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that age is a number, not a description. How we age depends a lot on what we think we’re capbable of achieving or doing–how we see ourselves being.
Nancy, at 88 and still doing amazing hikes, you speak from experience. See Nancy’s Magazine stories, Lost and Found, and Celebrating My 86th Birthday.