Have you ever thought about what you'll do when you retire? Sure, its a long way off for a lot of us. But I can already picture myself on a sunny island somewhere, sipping on some icy drink I can't pronounce, and listening to steel drum music with my wife by side...
Then of course, there's the other 51 weeks out of the year...!
Part of me believes I'll still be right here in Central Pennsylvania, probably riding around the yard on my old lawn tractor, sipping a Yuengling and yelling at the grandkids.
Hopefully, I'll have some friends like these guys to hang out with, too.
Meet a few members of the Environmental Alliance of Senior Involvement. Recently, I got an email from Russ Martin (he's the tall one in the back), inviting me to spend some time with his group of buddies.
Tom Russell also came along for the trip.
When we met along the Yellow Breeches in New Cumberland Borough Park, the guys were already preparing a little science experiment.
About once a week, this group of friends gets together at a local creek to collect samples of the water. They'll test for levels of things, like oxygen, alkalinity, and pH.
The way they explain it, fish like the oxygen. Also, a good alkaline level in the water means that the stream is able to counteract the acid that enters the stream through acid rain.
If they find something out-of-the-ordinary, they'll report it to the PA Department of Environmental Protection to investigate.
Below, on the right, wearing the red shirt is Homer Foster. The guys kept refering to Homer as our "guest of honor" for this particular outing. Homer recently turned 100 years old, and continues to be an active volunteer with the group.
In his words, he says he's living proof that "You're never too old to volunteer," then explaining how staying active keeps him feeling young. "I miss it when we can't get out. I lived in the country, and I was a deer hunter. I like to get out in the woods. I enjoy it."
Thanks again to Russ, Art, Harv, Homer, and the rest of the gang for letting Tom and I tag along to see what they do...
...and if you ask me, not a bad way to spend your retirement!
-- Mike
