Five Old Men - A Yosemite Story

Nobody really noticed them. Five old men making their way into the Curry Village Lodge for breakfast. It was the day after our Half Dome hike. Dennis and I were leisurely enjoying our coffee and a pastry. I couldn’t help watching as the men headed to a table just two down from us. One man helped another with his walker as he seated himself at the table. I watched and wondered as they chatted drinking their coffee.

You don’t see many older folk in Yosemite–lots of 20-somethings (so many passed us on the hike up to Half Dome), young families, nature and adventure seekers, but not many elderly.

The five guys fascinated me. Were they old friends? What brought them to Yosemite on this Memorial Day week? As I shared my fascination with Dennis, he finally said, Honey, if anyone could go ask them, you could. My curiosity got the best of me, and I strolled into their conversation.

The younger-looking one of the bunch paused in the conversation, looked up at me, and asked, What can we do for you?

Well, I’ve been watching you and can’t help but wonder what brings you to Yosemite. Are you friends?

They nodded in unison.

Oh, yes, the younger-looking one affirmed. We’ve been coming to Yosemite for years. We’re from the Bay Area and we come up annually around this time of year. I joined these guys back in 1973. Gesturing towards the man at the end of the table, the one with the walker, He’s been coming for 70 years.

Then, he looked across the table at the one with the gentleman’s cap. You’ve been making the reservations. How long has it been since we’ve been coming up on Memorial Day?

Oh, about 20 years, he figured. 

Directing my attention to the one who had been coming for 70 years, May I ask how old you are?

Seventy-eight.

So, you’ve been coming since you were a young boy! He nodded with a grin.

I felt at ease with these five. I think they felt at ease with my questions. I had found a treasure in the valley that was just as meaningful as standing on the top of Half Dome.

So, you've been coming for 20 years? I asked the man who made the reservations.

Well, no, he said. That's when we started coming on Memorial Day. 

Oh, sooo when did you start coming up here together?

I could tell his mind was turning back the hands of time. Some time in the 60’s, I can’t remember exactly.

My mind was calculating. That was almost 50 years ago. How old are these guys? I wondered. Do you mind if I ask how old you all are? 

My presumption was right as the younger-looking one claimed, Well, I’m the kid in the bunch. I'm 72.

He pointed directly across the table. Today’s his birthday.

Oh, wow, how old are you today? I asked.

Seventy-five, he said with a big smile on his face. 

I wished him a happy birthday and then found out the two guys on either side of him were 75 as well.  

Listening to these guys reminisce, thinking about the history they had together, almost moved me to tears.

So, have any of you hiked Half Dome?

Two nodded.

The one with the gent’s hat thought for a second when I asked how old he was when he hiked to the top.

Forty-five, maybe fifty.

Larry, with curly gray hair was the other one. He figured it had been 47 years ago, at the age of 28.

I proudly let them know that Dennis and I had hiked it the day before. The kid in the bunch was brave enough to ask me my age. As soon as I told them, they were all over it. Wow, congratulations! Good for you! That was followed by questions that only those that make it to the top would know to ask.

Are the cables still made of steel?

Yes, I answered.

Did you wear gloves?

You better believe I did. Couldn’t have done it without them.

Larry wanted to know if they still put up railroad ties to give a resting place on the ascent. 

Well, they’re not railroad ties anymore, I said wishing they had been railroad ties. Two-by-fours every 10 feet or so. Couldn’t have made the ascent without them either!

We talked about their plans for the day, if there was snow up in the High Sierras, and someone pointed out that I needed to hear about Larry's backpacking adventure on the John Muir trail when he was in his 20's. 

My curiosity needed to finish up so Dennis and I could get on with our day.

Would you mind if I take a picture of you? I asked. 

They gathered around the oldest, who promptly took off his baseball cap for the picture.

I shared of my delight to meet them, how encouraged I was to see the longevity of shared friendship and camaraderie, and the intentionality of connecting even in the later years of life. I had more than noticed them. Though it was brief, I heard their stories, felt their history, and gave honor and value to five old men who probably know Yosemite like the back of their hand.

I thanked them for their time, then I went back to finish my coffee with Dennis. Then the tears came. A Hungarian friend once told me that even if you meet people for only a moment, like having a conversation with someone on the train or on a flight, then you have enriched their life and they have enriched yours. I found those enriching moments in Yosemite with five old men.