-- riverman
..........................
I think, therefore I thwim;
Carpe ropum.
rbp #2
Typical middle-aged boater biography:
Used with riverman's permission
Early teens: saw some National Geographics about some gnarly
expeditions...filed them away under 'cool stuff'...
Late teens: started playing in boats. Discovered self-reliance,
community, gratification, wilderness values...
Early 20's: Found some river company to start guiding with. Further
development of community, identity, wilderness values. Made some choices
about income, future security, etc, which did not compromise river
time...
Late 20's: became further entrenched in river community. Watched your
few non-boater friends develop financial security, but still felt
satisfied with own choices. Became more self-sufficient; lived in van,
avoided debts, work experiences centered around river communities.
Transient lifestyle gets developed into an artform. College diploma
becomes a conversation piece.
Early 30's: Old timer by now: able to live for extended periods of time
in a van, tent, out of a drybag, boat, whatever. Can
patch/repair/paddle anything. Friends now include legends as well as
newbies. List of run rivers include a few first descents as well as
most commercial and popular runs. Income/debts still minimal, as well as
possessions. Starting to think more about the future. Beginning to have
shadows of doubts about initial 'river vs. income' choice... Various
schemes emerge (books, photo business, magazine articles, river outfit,
pyramid schemes, dealerships) but most never evolve. Possibility of
'another job' to provide income arises. Maybe a last ditch effort at
becoming a river manager or exec in a large river company in order to
have your cake and eat it too. Usually ends in taking some medium-paying
'other job' to enable you to keep boating but still save a few nickels.
Late 30's: Demands/ commitments of 'other job' beginning to erode river
time. Fond memories of late 20's.. financial security growing rapidly,
but is inversely proportional to time spent on-river. Fewer professional
boaters in your age group left..lots of reunions are filled with eye
deflections when river-time is mentioned. Dedication to at least one
expedition-style trip each summer is maintained, although spots get
harder to fill. Lots of jealousy for several friends featured in a
National Geographic special....
Early 40's: Serious reconsideration of 'income vs river' change. Now
you have lots of money (based on your miserly standards and lifestyle of
frugality), but rivertime is decreasing rapidly. Summer expeditions are
more tame.. need to rent some river gear because you just can't find
that throwbag/drybag/stove and can't really justify buying a new one.
Most river friends are considerably younger than you. Almost none of
your old river buddies ever paddle anymore, but instead are raising
kids, building their homes, running their businesses. An assessment of
finances determines that you could actually take a hiatus from that
'other job' and go back onriver for a year or two....
Late 40's......?
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