I went into the office for the last time shortly before Christmas. Not a bad feeling. I’ve had a gratifying career but am also excited about the next chapter. Still, a clear sense of moving from one life stage to another.
The next day I headed up to New Hampshire to do some climbing with son Will. It was cold , beautiful, and exhilarating.
We spent the week after Christmas in Vermont. It was great to have the whole family together. I got in some good hikes with a heavy pack and some long cross country skis. I have been training hard for over a year and it is nice to feel the base solidifying.
Now I am back in Dover, getting ready to fly to Argentina to climb the Polish Glacier Direct route on Aconcagua. Lots of packing and final details to fit into a few days. I am also still wrestling with switching email accounts, configuring a new cellphone, learning how to write a blog, etc.
The gap year is on!
paddle tennis may seem like a real come down for your Gap Year, but it did a lot for me for many years. Hope you played well in Marblehead tonight! Much love, Dad.
Thanks Dad. I made it to Marblehead on time, only to discover the match was at Essex. Drove like mad to Essex and lost in straight sets. Maybe time to check myself into a memory loss unit
Congrats Frenchy. Bermuda race?
Only if you do it with me Commodore!
Brilliant idea to spend your first day of retirement ice climbing!
Portrait of Jill standing in the doorway in front of all your bags is a gem.
Glad to hear that you were able to fit paddle into your gap year.
I’ll be following you on your blog, gram and FB.
Thanks Graham. Counting on you to get a partner upgrade and rack up a few W’s while I am on Aconcagua!
Very excited to be a subscriber! (be honored if you’re so inclined–this is my only one)
Let me know when and where you’re skiing as I’ll be out west a few times this year.
The gap year is already pretty full and it’s only Jan 7! Where are you in the mountain top pic on your cover page on top and next to your hollywood head shot?
Finally, I hope you’ll sail past Nantucket this summer. Let me know, and we’ll try to organize an appropriate welcome committee.
Best,
I am duly honored!
Photo is from Mount Vinson in Antarctica last January. Ice and emptiness as far as the eye could see.
We’ll be banging on your door on Nantucket!
I am so proud of you Tom!
Godspeed. Sailing the Carribean as far out as I will get this year. I’ll live vicariously through this blog, thanks.
Thanks Barbara. That means a lot!
Thanks Cap, and Fair Winds!
Enjoy every minute Tom! I will read your blog with interest and envy.
Wishing you the best,
Elaine
Thanks Elaine!!
As a Sherlock Holmes buff, I find myself thinking of a phrase in one of the stories after Conan Doyle had killed off Holmes in a confrontation with arch-nemesis Prof Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland .
But the clamor from readers to bring back Holmes was too great. Holmes returned but his time on the lam time had to be accounted for.
“You have no doubt heard of the adventures of a Norwegian named Sigerson?” Holmes asked a stunned Watson when they met again.
The point here: Restless men of great ability do remarkable things even when they step away from tcareers and daily life . Sherlock Holmes could not just twiddle his thumbs for a year. He accomplished remarkable feats incognito as Sigerson, the Norwegian adventurer.
Tom French is similarly a remarkable man of talent, energy and ambition. I look forward to hear of his adventures. The game is afoot! Godspeed, Tom. Bob M
So great to hear from you, Bob, and very kind words. I will try to live up to at least some of them!
Spectacular photos and gap year plans Tom! I LOVE that you were ice climbing on the very first day of your retirement! Talk about wasting no time! Very inspiring. I am loving your blog already. Looking forward to continuing to live vicariously through you throughout your adventures!