Photos and text from Charlie Crowley ’70

"Well Grunge, the rumors are true.  Eventually our children grow up and become adults.  There is that remarkable period when we and our children are both able and willing to participate in “adult” activities together, before, alas, we parental units start to slow done a bit too much and our adult children start to return the care giving gift of their youth.  Fortunately I’m in that active period (having only turned 60 in December) and can still spend some time with the “kids.” (Although wrestling has been dropped from the agenda!) 

 

All that to say, my son and I began the New Year in Tanzania climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and taking a short safari across the Serengeti Plain.  In the Kili summit photo (1-6-09), I’m the older guy buried in his balaclava on the left.  Of course my 30+ year-old homemade (thank you, Mary) Wabash summit flag did accompany us all the way, as well as our “CROWLEY POWER” T-shirts.  NOTE:  Opening up jackets to show off T-shirts and taking off gloves to unfold flags is not a recommended long term activity at 19,000+ feet.  All in all, it was a great climb and safari.

 

So, gentlemen, work hard to keep up with those kids and don’t let your “older” friends (many of whom may be younger than you) tell you what you can’t do with the youngsters.  Remember it’s not the first 65 or 70 years that slow you down, but the second!

 

As a postscript, let Chip know I carried my alumni referral cards (as always) throughout my travels and found a few opportunities to distribute to touring parents.  You never know!"