A conversation with John and Judy about aging, access, and the joy of being outside
LISTEN:
John and Judy Blackmer love spending time outdoors. Both native Vermonters, they have walked, hiked, biked, run, paddled, and skied for decades. Now that they’re both in their 90s, it’s harder to do the activities they enjoy – but they don’t let that stop them from getting outside. In this story, Judy and John talk about aging and visit Shelburne Farms, one of their favorite places to walk.
TRANSCRIPT:
We’re at Shelburne Farms, walking up the hill behind the farm barn. Up by where they have raised beds, and a wonderful view that goes over to the Greens.
Looking at the afternoon sun catching the top of Mount Mansfield, in the clouds.
John: I am John Blackmer and I’m 91 years old.
Judy: I’m Judy Blackmer and I’m 90.
In the summer we do a lot of canoeing. And a lots of times we would hike. When I was 60, we got bikes and we biked a lot. So that would be summertime. And then in the winter we cross country skied.
So we’ve been blessed to live in a situation where being outdoors with what we did, so we’ve kept on doing it.
Sheep! See them all over there?
Sheep shall safely graze, over on the hillside.
John: Most of my life, I had no thoughts of limitations. And now I’m noticing it more. The limitations of strength, endurance, balance, aches and pains. I’m certainly not walking as far as I used to. Getting older is not for the young of heart.
Judy: Of course, we all age differently. Better than others. I mean, we are fortunate enough to be essentially mobile.
We’ve entered the woods now, so it’s much quieter, walking on the leaves.
Judy: The daily walk has always been together.
You walk in a pattern if you’re doing it every day, but every day’s different. The weather’s different. The birds and wildlife are different, and it’s just the fresh air being out.
Wow, an owl.
Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you? A barred owl.
See, that’s an instance where you could walk up here 20 times and never hear it and then this time you do.
John: There were times when instead of going to church, as such, it was almost more spiritual to get outside and just encounter this wonderful interplay of life.
Sunshine on the lake.
Lone Tree Hill. Yep.
We’re looking right at that western sun and it’s bright, shining right across the lake. Oh, and the Adirondacks with a few little clouds on them.
Every time you get up here, you feel it’s a wonderful sense. Same as climbing a mountain. You hate to come back down.
Judy: I hope I can go outside and continue to do this as long as I’m able. Who knows?
John: We’re here and hope to be here for quite a while more.
This story was produced by Anna Van Dine for the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council.
