100 Years On: My Mother’s Gift of Adventure
From Girl Scouts to horseback riding to floatplanes to running the Chicago Marathon
Marking her 100th birthday: the woman who opened the door to adventure
Today I am remembering my Mom on what would have been her 100th birthday - September 5. My mother was the one who encouraged me to step outside, to take risks and to embrace adventure.
Mom supported me in whatever I wished to do, always seeming confident that I would make the right choices. Her life, however, was cut short by early-onset Alzheimer’s, and she died at age 70 - a disease that took her from us far too soon. She taught me to live with courage and seek adventure. Not a day passes that I don’t think of the times I wish I could have shared with her.
From a small town to a wide world: my Mom’s adventure lessons
I grew up in Milford, a small town in rural north-eastern Pennsylvania. Being the last child of four, Mom basically left me alone to fend for myself. As a young girl, I fondly remember riding my bike on the sidewalks that lined Ann Street. For entertainment, I would draw lines on the sidewalk with chalk and play hopscotch for hours. When I got a little older, I ran across the street to the playground and spent hours on the teeter-totter and merry-go-round. On hot summer days, I would head to Milford Beach on the Delaware River where we swam and floated on inner-tubes.
In the winter, I would drag my sled to the closest hill and spend hours going up and sliding down. If I was lucky, someone would drive a group of us to the local golf course located just outside of town. We would drag a toboggan through the snow up a huge and long hill, jump on it and hope the person sitting in front could steer it away from any big trees. Many times, we had to bail out just before a collision.
When my older sister got her driver’s license, Mom let us go to the local downhill ski area which had a rope tow and T-Bar. I learned how to navigate the ski slopes without falling too much.
We only had one telephone in our house - and you did not need speed dial “back-in-the-day” as our phone number was only four digits. Imagine that. We had a local newspaper but kids did not read newspapers back then. We were outside all the time. Life was simple.
Outdoor experiences via Girl Scouts
At some point, Mom realized that I needed more structure outside of school…..so she sent me to Girl Scouts. Fortunately for her, our local troop met at the Episcopal church just a block from our house. My years spent in Girl Scouts - as a Brownie, Senior Girl Scout and eventually moving up to become a Cadette - provided opportunities to learn and practice outdoor skills - camping, hiking, cooking outdoors, foraging for food and wood, swimming in mountain lakes and much more.
Girl Scouts opened up a new world of adventure by giving me more confidence with my outdoor skills.
Camp Wakoda in the Catskills
For two summers, Mom sent me to Camp Wakoda (now closed) located near Bear Mountain in the Catskill Mountains. It was at summer camp that I was introduced to horse back riding. I fell in love with being around horses, taking care of them - feeding and grooming them.
Someday - I told myself - I would have my own horse.
When I was a little older, Mom would take me to a local stable that offered trail rides While I headed out on the trails with a guide, she sat and read. We did not have a lot of money back then, but somehow she made it a priority to get me out on the trails.
Adventures with Rubi Saba - my first horse
Mom’s support for my passion for horses pushed me to pursue my dream of having my own horse. During my college years, I worked several part-time jobs in the summer and during the semester. I scrimped and saved enough money to buy a half-Arabian gelding - Rubi Saba. He was the most beautiful horse - gentle and kind. I found a place to board him nearby. Rubi and I spent hours exploring nearby trails.
After graduating from college, I moved closer to where I could take Rubi on longer trail rides. With Rubi’s talent and endurance for trails and my love for being in the saddle for hours, we completed several long distance trail riding races. I think my love for endurance events started with Rubi Saba.
Family camping in the Adirondacks
In the 1960’s, my parents would load all six of us into our station wagon and head to the mountains - in particular to Raquette Lake. We rented a rustic cabin for a week and enjoyed swimming, hiking and sitting around a campfire in the evenings. After a few years, we “moved up” and brought a pop-up camper to a lake front site.
During one summer in the Adirondacks, I was fortunate enough to take a floatplane ride over the Adirondack mountains and lakes. What a thrilling experience - from the bumpy take-off and landing on the water to the majestic views high over the mountain tops - I was hooked! More float plane rides were in my future for sure.
Mom retired early and traveled the world
I was not sure why she wanted to retire in her 50’s but she loved to travel. Mom took us to Russia as part of a tour group - specifically Moscow and Leningrad. I remember the trip vividly as Mom wandered off on her own quite a bit on our group tours. I constantly had to search for her and bring her back into the group. Years later, I realized that Mom was starting to struggle with the dreadful disease that eventually took her life.
The Chicago Marathon
Running was not a part of my life before Mom died in 1996. I was pursuing other adventures - hiking, skiing, camping and more. When I started to run in the early 2000’s, it was more of a way to stay in shape for other activities - such as nordic skiing. I think she would have been proud of me when I ran the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon and numerous other long-distance races. I wished she could have been there to greet me at the finish line.
In 2019, I ran the Chicago Marathon in her honor and to raise awareness of Alzheimers’ Disease. You can read more about my Chicago Marathon experience here.
Today, we still do not have a cure for Alzheimer’s but there continues to be hope in how we live. Exercise keeps the body and mind strong. Eating healthy, staying curious and remaining connected to others makes a difference in how our brain ages. These things may not stop the disease, but they can help protect our mind and brighten our trails. That is why I promise myself to keep moving, keep learning, and stay connected every day.
The roads she opened: a haiku tribute at 100
Small town morning light,
she taught me to step outside
the world waits each day.
Her gentle hand pushed,
toward roads both near and unknown,
adventure was ours.
Alzheimer’s stole time,
but her gift of bold living
guides me ever on.
Do you have a favorite memory or tradition that keeps you connected to a loved one who is no longer here?
Jenn, a wonderful birthday tribute to your Mom, she certainly nurtured your love of the outdoors and travel.
This is such a a lovely tribute to your mama! And what a gift she has given you in your love for the outdoors and adventure. Thank you for sharing!