Ron and Kathy's Mid Life Adventures: 38 Years and Counting--Our Next Adventure

We're off today (June 25) for an 18-day adventure of cycling in the Alsace region of France with friends and hiking in the Cotswold region of the UK with Shanti (our London daughter) and her boyfriend. Thirty-eight years ago today we started an adventure that led us to this one by getting married at Champoeg State Park. It was followed by a potluck and dancing to the tunes of Salem bluegrass band, Briar Rose. It was a cheap wedding by today's standards, but everyone had a blast. Unfortunately, few--if any photos--survived.

38 years later, Anne Amie Vineward

Tangboche Monestary Nepal 1977

Four months later we celebrated our honeymoon with a trek to the Mt. Everest region without guides or porters, eating and sleeping in the homes of villagers. Between altitude sickness, dysentery, and not bathing for nearly two weeks, it's a wonder our marriage survived the rest of the 3rd class trip through northern India, let alone the next 38 years.

Kampong Santang, our home 1978-80

In retrospect, it was the glue that still binds us together and it served as the catalyst for a pivot in our lives. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary by heading off to Malaysia as Peace Corps volunteers, returning in late 1980 after a few months of travel. That adventure forged bonds and unique experiences that continue to this day, and they certainly helped us survive the culture shock of returning to the US as we tried to reinvent ourselves and survive in a tough recession.

The France bicycling part will be with two fun couples we met on a 2006 bicycle trip from Vienna to Venice through Slovenia. In spite of the distance between our homes, we've stayed in touch and biked together. We'll send periodic updates as this next adventure unfolds.

Opal Pool with Feruza

Kathy's office while in Ashland

Since our April 18 post, we joined some fellow Airstreamers in Ashland for the Shakespeare festival, did some hikes and road trips with daughter Feruza from New York, camped on the Metolius River, tasted a lot of wine, attended some cultural events, and tried to get into cycling shape with some rides in the beautiful Willamette Valley. Kathy also went to Burbank again and remains up to her ear lobes with her position on the national Assistance League board.

Mt. Jefferson from Timberline Lodge

Metolius River Camp out

For those who ask "Is Ron retired?" The answer is yes and no. The his team says he retired 10 years ago but just hasn't gone home yet. If you define retirement as doing what you like to do and on your own terms, then the answer is yes, even if it means going to the office in between our trips.