Staying forever young

Resslin' Around, by Casey Ressler

In the last two weeks, I've seen places I've never seen before and have been more active than I think I've ever been for a two-week stretch. And why? Simply because mid-70s doesn't have to be mid-70s.

My grandparents -- Mama and Papa to those in the know -- have been visiting Alaska during those two weeks. Between them, they have a lot more spunk than a pair with more than 140 combined years between them should have. When my tank has been running on "E" they still have half a tank left and are raring to go. Sleep, it seems, was not in the vacation itinerary.

We've been to Seward to check out the Alaska Sea Life Center and to Talkeetna to visit all the gift shops and tourist attractions there. We've scoured this entire Valley for bargains. Moose droppings and bear paws -- we've had every community festival covered as well. And they visit every summer, so it's not like we were trying to cram a life's worth of Alaska into two weeks, either.

Go, go, go. That's the only way they think. Both in their 70s, and there is no quit to either one of them. Papa still hunts and fishes at home in Pennsylvania, and Mama is on the go just as much, despite being a month removed from surgery and an extended hospital stay. Their days are filled with activity after activity as they maintain a pretty healthy social calendar as well.

After watching them for the last two weeks, I thought to myself that I hope I have the drive they have when I get to their age. They are a model for other seniors -- and for everyone, really -- to maintain an active lifestyle, and don't let age creep up and rob them of their youth. They enjoy life to the fullest, and don't let their age get in the way of some good fun along the way.

Casey Ressler (valleylife@frontiersman.com) is the Valley Life editor.