I met Dale the “Greybeard Adventurer” about 6 years ago. He was 81 at the time, and had recently paddled the length of the Mississippi River.
He invited us to his house for lunch as we were passing through Memphis, and he made sure we wrote on his wall where all river travellers leave a message.
He’s currently 87, and attempting another source-to-sea journey down the Mississippi—another world record no less. It’s him and his canoe, and over 3,700 kilometres of river.
When I met Dale I remember thinking, “I hope I’m like him when I’m 80.” It’s not the adventures (because he also hiked the Appalachian Trail at 82), but the energy and optimism he has for whatever he’s doing.
He’s always hooting and hollering, and it lifts everyone around him.
If you’re interested in following his journey, you can do so on his Facebook.
