Category: Uncategorized

Where Did my Friends Go?

2017 Reunited after not seeing each other for 32 years! College Roommates 1978

Where are all my Friends?
Hey there honorary members of the “Been There, Done That” club! I’ve been thinking a lot about all the people that I’ve met through the years as I turn 65 this year. Some were tight friends that I have lost contact with for various reason and some friends I’ve had since my teen years and am still in contact with.  My photo albums are filled with people I’ve known over the years, dead and alive. Strap on your hiking boots and grab a cup of herbal tea.. or….., because we’re about to embark on a journey through the highs and heartbreaking lows of social circles at in our “Golden Years”.

The Lowdown on Friends vs. Acquaintances
Acquaintances are like the neighbors you wave to while picking up the morning paper, or the cashier at the local grocery store who knows your name but you for, but of the love of God, can’t remember theirs. Acquaintances are the salt to your pepper—nice to have around, but they don’t exactly spice up your life.


Friends are the crème de la crème of companionship. They’re the ones who’ve seen you through thick and thin, from bad hair to bad divorces and break ups. Friends are like fine wine—they only get better with age, and they’re always there to toast to your triumphs and console you through life’s drama.  Do you hear a song and immediately think of a certain person in your life? I sure do, and some people have a string of songs that remind me of them! You reading this Lauren and Patti?


Friendships are Fleeting
Our 20s and 30s
The Great Migration: Ah, the glory days of our twenties, when the world was our oyster and our social circles were tighter than grandma’s knitting needles. But alas, life had other plans, and before we knew it, we were spread across the country like butter on toast, chasing dreams and trying to find our place in the world. With each move to a new city or state, we left behind a trail of memories and a Rolodex of friends scattered to the winds.


Remember the Christmas Newsletter?
             With all of my good friends scattered between two continents, I used to relish the Christmas season and the cards and newsletters I would get from my missed friends. Then friends would move and my Christmas card would come back undelivered-no forwarding address.  There was no internet to just “Google” to get current address. Decades would go by before I had the internet and could possibly find some long lost friends. I have found many, but some I have never found to this day. They are only fond memories of good times and faces in my faded photo albums.


Friends Die
Yep, the older we get, the better the odds our friends will move on to the afterlife.  I’ve lost a few friends in the past few years. They were much too young to die in my book, but they are gone none the less. I do have a few regrets of not making that one last phone call, but I can’t dwell on that. I must go on and remember the friendship and the good times we had. My dad lived to be 101 and he outlived pretty much all of his long time friends! It was kind of sad for him. The price of living to be over 100. Not many get to.


Pick up the Phone and Use your Vocal Chords!
Social media has helped reunite friends, but I find that my friends are now 2 dimensional photos and video on my computer screen. Picking up the phone every now and then is like hearing a favorite song when they say “Hello”. That familiar voice you belly laugh with when you reminisce about that cringeworthy “thing” you did back in the day!  You know.. that thing where you may or may not be able to run for public office?

So, my fellow Medicare age posse, cherish your friends like prized possessions, because in a world filled with acquaintanceship and fleeting friendships, true companionship is as rare and precious as a winning lottery ticket. Whether you’re reminiscing about the good old days with old pals or forging new friendships in the twilight years of life, one thing’s for sure: life’s a lot more fun when you’ve got someone to share it with. So grab your aging buddies, raise a glass and toast to the friends who’ve stood the test of time, no matter how far the winds of change may blow us. Cheers to friendship, laughter, and the sweet symphony of shared memories!

Love Twyla

Interview with a LEGENDARY COWBOY

In 2007, I attended a Trick Riding Competition in Claremore Oklahoma and had the opportunity to interview the legendary Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee, J.W.Stoker. He is a legendary trick rider and trick roper who has been a stuntman in many movies and television shows and has performed in thousands of rodeos over the course of 70+ years. J.W. passed away at the age of 94 in 2022. In this interview, he gives tips on how to train a trick-riding horse. This clip is part of a 1.5 hour Trick Riding Documentary that I produced and sold as a DVD in 2007. “Trick and Fancy Riding-Past Present and Future”

We Walked with Wild Alaska Grizzlies in the Bush!

Take a hike with us among the Grizzlies deep in the bush of Katmai National Park. We took a bear viewing flight with Sasquatch Alaska Adventure, donned hip waders and started hiking into the bush. It didn’t take long to see a whole bunch of bears fishing in the river and coastal waters for Salmon. This is a once in a lifetime bucket list experience, and if you have a trip planned for Alaska, definitely save your coffee money for a while and DO THIS!

If you haven’t done it already, please put your email in the FOLLOW box over there to the right on this page so that you don’t miss any of my epic posts! Well, I think they’re epic anyway! 🙂

You can also click on the YouTube link and subscribe to my channel there! 🙂

Enjoy the show!

A Glacier Landing on Denali! Alaska Road Trip Ep 3

Hi All! On our 18 day Alaska Road trip, we go for a flight into the heart of the Denali National park and meet the highest Mountain in North America, up close and personal. Road Tripping Alaska has been my bucket list destination and we tried to do the most epic excursions we could afford. Landing near Denali was on top of that list. Was it worth $355.00 a person? See for yourself! I personally WOULD do it again in a heartbeat!

ANNOUNCEMENT! New YouTube Channel!!!

Hello, nature enthusiasts! Today, I’m excited to introduce my new YouTube channel, “Old-ish Hiker,” specially curated for adventurous souls over 60 who are passionate about hiking and exploring the great outdoors. As some of you may know, I’ve been running a channel called “TwylaWorld,” but I’ve decided to shift my focus and dedicate more time to this new venture. In this blog post, I’ll share some details about Old-ish Hiker, its purpose, and why you should be a part of this exciting journey-even if you aren’t a hiker!

  1. A New Adventure Begins: Old-ish Hiker

Old-ish Hiker is the latest addition to my YouTube ventures, catering specifically to the vibrant community of hikers aged 60 and above. As we age, our interests and preferences change, and this channel aims to provide valuable information, tips, and inspiration for senior hikers who want to embrace the beauty of nature in their golden years.

  1. Why the Shift from TwylaWorld?

You might be wondering why I’ve chosen to focus more on Old-ish Hiker and what that means for TwylaWorld. While TwylaWorld will continue to be active, it will now serve as a platform for music and various intriguing content. Old-ish Hiker, on the other hand, will take center stage with its purpose-driven content, showcasing my hiking experiences and the magnificent landscapes I encounter.

  1. What to Expect on Old-ish Hiker

Old-ish Hiker isn’t just about hiking trails; it’s a journey of exploration and education. Through this channel, I’ll be sharing my extensive hiking footage from both past and future trips, highlighting the beauty of Mother Earth. Expect engaging and informative videos that not only inspire but also educate on the best practices for senior hikers.

  1. The Awesome Production Value

I’m committed to delivering high-quality content on Old-ish Hiker, making the most of my experience in creating captivating videos. The production value will be top-notch, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning visuals of nature and feel like you’re right there with me on the trails.

  1. Embracing the Beauty of Our Planet

Old-ish Hiker isn’t just about hiking; it’s also about appreciating and protecting our planet. With every step, I hope to instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the need to preserve it for future generations.

  1. The Call to Action: Join the Journey!

I have set an ambitious goal to reach at least 100 subscribers within the next month on Old-ish Hiker. Even if hiking isn’t your typical interest, I encourage you to check out the channel and subscribe. By being a part of this community, you’ll not only support my passion but also get a chance to witness the splendor of nature through my lens.

Conclusion:

Old-ish Hiker is a channel designed with love and purpose, tailor-made for senior hikers and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the great outdoors. By subscribing to this channel, you’ll join a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for exploration and a deep connection with nature. So, hop on this adventure with me, and together, let’s discover the wonders that our planet has to offer!

Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to see you on Old-ish Hiker! Let’s embrace the joy of hiking in our senior years!

  • Tips for the Older Hiker
  • Gear for the Older Hiker
  • Safety for the Older Hiker
  • Health issues and fixes for the Older Hiker
  • and MUCH MORE!

A Wrong Turn Leads to Tragic Past

After taking a wrong turn and completely lost on a quiet country road in the Arboga area of Yuba County California, I spotted a very strange sight in a field. Big posters of faces and metal cutouts of building silhouettes.

I pulled over to take a closer look and found it to be a memorial to a Japanese Detention center from World War II in a large vacant field. I was all alone and it was very windy which made the mood of the place even more somber than it already was.

This very thought-out and meaningful display was erected in 2021. If I hadn’t gotten myself lost, I would have never seen this. So only armed with my iPhone, I went about putting this short somber video together.

I could go on an angry rant about the all social injustices humans have put upon one another on this planet, but I think I made my feelings clear by bringing you this video.

To learn more about this camp, go here.

Mother Earth’s Paintbrush!

Every year I try to head up to Table Mountain, however, last year we were in the midst of a drought and decided to skip it. Well dear friends-o-mine, this year it’s EPIC! With the massive amounts of rain this year, not only are the wildflowers blooming on this million-year-old lava flow, the waterfalls are astounding.

This little slice of heaven sits just above the town of Oroville on top of those big flat bluffs you’ve most likely driven by a million times if you traverse up Hwy 70 in Northern CA. The North Table is 3300 acres and is an ecological reserve managed by the State. There are very easy and moderate trails that meander to the most impressive waterfalls that cascade down sheer cliffs. The 166-foot Phantom Falls is the most impressive.

This place is a photographer’s paradise!

WATCH THIS IN HD ON A BIG SCREEN!

BE PREPARED TO BE BLOWN AWAY!!

Madman Across The Water Cover

It’s been a long minute since I’ve recorded a song. Here is my rendition of Madman Across the Water by Bernie Taupin and Elton John. I remember buying this masterpiece album when I was in high school (just a couple of years ago).

With a little help from “Eva” the 109 year Violin, (a little amped up) I put my own little twist with my limited resources… AKA… no orchestra nor band.

When it’s too Hot to Hike – Do This!

This Kayak trip was extremely cool!

I haven’t been hiking as much the past couple of weeks, it’s just been too hot! Even up in the Tahoe Basin, it’s been in the 90s.

So what do we do??? KAYAK! I have my usual go-to lakes in the Sierra, but I’ve had my eye on this trip for a while.

Sand Harbor on Lake Tahoe is on the Nevada side just south of Incline Village on Hwy 28. The water is crystal clear and the boulder structure in the water is amazing to see.

Here are your instructions if you want to do this:

  • Go to the Nevada Wildlife website and get a mussel sticker for your boat. It costs 6.00 and it’s mandatory. Don’t get caught without one!
  • Get there no later than 8:00am in the summer months. Seriously, we got there at 8:30 and got one of the last parking spots! This is a state park so you’ll need to bring $15.00 CASH if you are from out of Nevada. If you are a Nevada resident, it’s $10.00 CASH.
  • Be prepared to carry your kayak from the parking lot and walk in the deep sand through the hoards of people on the beach that miraculously got there at 7:00am when the gates open and already have their blankets and Easy-up shades set up! There is no boat ramp (it was closed). The walk isn’t a huge distance, but two people carrying one kayak helps!
  • Once you are in the water, you paddle away from the crowds on the beach and head to the right to get to the awesome water.

Another HOT Hike to Frog Lake Overlook

As much as I love this hike, I also hate it!

What I love about this trail

Wildflowers are off the charts – The views are amazing – You get a great workout – It’s a favorite hike of the Truckee locals and they are nice folks to chat with along the way.

What I have to be aware of:

It’s hot – I blogged about my heat issues in the past) The trail (PCT) goes through the two tunnels under I-80. Until the snow at the top is completely gone, the tunnels are full of water. I mean knee deep cold as hell rushing water through both tunnels. This year it didn’t clear out until July because of the late snow dump in the Sierra. However, this means that the temps are now hotter than I prefer to get to the top. A very very early start is advised if heat is an issue like it is for me. This trail has a 1500 foot elevation gain in a little over 3 miles with hardly any switch backs making it a hard hike. It’s even a workout going back down as the footing is a little loose.

I try and this trail at least once a year and get up there as EARLY as my hiking partners are willing to go. This year it was later in the am than I would have preferred (8:00am) and we didn’t get back to the car until 2:00pm which is the hottest part of the day and I was spent! I felt like a sloth and my legs were full of lead. I like to get back to the car by noon.

Advice for Senior Flatlander Hikers

GO EARLY. 80 degrees up at altitude going uphill will feel like it’s 100. In the summer, sunrise is 5:30am or so. By 9:00am the sun is very high in the sky. You get the picture. Get an Ultralight hiking umbrella – carry lots of water with electrolytes – eat salty snacks- take a cooling towel to dip into the cold streams if they are still running – take LOTS of rest stops – Listen to your body. Enjoy the scenery

Now for the show!

I got the Relive app which takes the data from my navigation app Gaia and turns it into a cool 3D map of my movements on the trail. Pretty cool! Take a look!