Monday Morning Milers Celebrate Don Fletcher’s (center) 89th Birthday — Images by kenne
In the spring of 2011, I began hiking with a group called the Monday Morning Milers (MMM). I first learned about the MMM from my neighbor, Louise Glaysher, who invited me to hike with the group. After my first hike with MMM, I wrote in a blog posting on April 13, 2011: “One of the things we love about living in Tucson is if you tire of the desert, within less than an hour, you can be in the tree-line mountains. Madera Canyon, located about 65 km (40 mi) southeast of Tucson, Arizona, makes a large dent in the northwest face of the Santa Rita Mountains.”
Images by kenne
The mountains surrounding Tucson provide many hiking trails for people who love the outdoors. Most in the MMM have been hiking together for many years and know well most trails in southern Arizona — they love hiking so much that some of the guys, now in their eighties, also hike on Fridays. The elder of the MMM is Don Fletcher, who had his 89th birthday this past Sunday, so after this Monday’s hike on the Palisades Trail in the Santa Catalina mountains, we had a surprise potluck luncheon at Middle Bear picnic area. Keeping this a surprise was not easy since Don and some other guys often have lunch at Viv’s Cafe at the base of Catalina highway after hiking in the Catalinas.
Don and the other octogenarians in the MMM set an admirable example to anyone who loves the outdoors and hiking. To see Don and the other octogenarians hiking, albeit at their pace, most with walking sticks, not the more modern hiking poles, sets an example I hope to be doing in my 80s. I’m already looking forward to posting our celebrating his 90th after a Monday morning hike on this blog.
Although only 15 of the MMM could make Monday’s birthday celebration, birthday wishes were passed on from those unable to attend.
The mountains surrounding Tucson provide many hiking trails for people who love the outdoors. Most in the MMM have been hiking together for many years and know well most trails in southern Arizona — they love hiking so much that some of the guys, now in their eighties, also hike on Friday’s. The elder of the MMM is Don Fletcher, who had his 89th birthday this past Sunday, so after this Monday’s hike on the Palisades Trail in the Santa Catalina mountains we had a surprise potluck luncheon at Middle Bear picnic area. Keeping this a surprise was not easy, since Don and some of the other guys often have lunch at Viv’s Cafe at the base of Catalina highway after hiking in the Catalinas.
Don and the other octogenarians in the MMM set an admirable example to anyone who loves the outdoors and hiking. To see Don and the other octogenarians hiking, albeit at their pace, most with walking sticks not the more modern hiking poles, sets an example I hope to be doing in my 80’s. I’m already looking forward to posting on this blog our celebrating his 90th after a Monday morning hike.
Although only 15 of the MMM were able to make Monday’s birthday celebration, birthday wishes were passed on from those not able to attend.
kenne
May the spirit of the hiking stick be with you always, Don.
Related articles
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- Hiking To Higher Elevations Above Rose Canyon Lake (kenneturner.com)
- The Sky Above, The Earth Below – An Abundance Of Beauty Between (kenneturner.com)
- Hiking To Rose Canyon Lake In The Santa Catalina Mountains (bell-book-candle.com)
Becoming is Superior to Being 
This is just the best! Makes my day.
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An inspiring group, and Don, well he’s something else.
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This is an interesting coincidence, Kenne–I started hiking with The Happy Wanderers two years ago on Mondays too. Some hikers in my group are in their 70s and 80s and they are truly my inspiration. I enjoy reading your hiking posts. 🙂
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Glad you enjoy!
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A fun looking bunch of young folks!
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Yes they are — full of life!
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Reblogged this on Becoming is Superior to Being and commented:
Some of the Monday Morning Hikers pictures in this August 21, 2013, are no longer hiking, but most are still with us, with some well into their 90s — May the Spirit of the Hiking Stick always be with them. — kenne
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