On December 19, 2024, the 49th anniversary of our first date, my 87-year-old husband Stan crashed at the bottom of a race course at Mammoth.

Stan & I experienced our most memorable adventure of 2024 when we hiked to Crystal Lake beneath Crystal Crag in the Mammoth Mountain area.

A brief history of our whitewater kayaking years ending with my last kayak, which Stan named "Barbara's Last Run," and my last paddle in it.

Stan & I & our 2 dogs spent 3 days at Mammoth riding our bikes.. The last day I rode up to the main lodge with my 50# dog behind me.

In 2006, Stan & I went kayak/camping for 10 days down the Green River in Utah through Canyonlands National Park with friends Gary & Ann.

On my 61st birthday, daughter Tiffany & her husband Jason took us rock climbing for my first time for two days – in a gym and on real rock.

On July 21, 2001, while participating in a sea kayak rescue practice off Dana Point, CA, I saved a guy's life.

In 1999, Stan & I rode on horseback w/another couple to Thousand Island Lake in the Sierras, where we camped for 5 days with black bears!

For each of 5 consecutive summers from 1996-2000, Stan & I attended a 7-day intense whitewater kayaking school in far remote northern CA.

In late 1991, Stan & I visited Papua New Guinea. This was our 2nd favorite touring adventure - parts were like going back to the Stone Age.

In 1991, Stan and I traveled to Papua New Guinea. On the way, we snorkeled at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef off Australia.

We were face-to-face with a humongous 550-pound male Silverback gorilla who was charging directly at us and roaring as he came!

In 1979 on Okinawa, I was suited up to "fly" in the SR-71 – the fastest, highest, air-breathing plane ever built.

Forty-six years ago in 1975, my friend Marlene & I joined 2 guys on a bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

In 1974, 4 sr. engrs. from Hughes go on a men's-only bike ride through Napa/Sonoma. One guy invites Marlene and me to 'crash' the ride.

From May to July 0f 1974, I scuba dived from the shore off Redondo Beach to ocean dives off Catalina Island and Anacapa Island.

In August 1973, I sailed across the Pacific from Hawaii to L.A. on a 63' sloop. The crossing itself took 21 days without sight of land.

In April 1973, between my sky diving & scuba diving endeavors, I bought a 26' sloop with 3 guys, which we berthed in Redondo Beach.

In 1972, Suzanne telephones me. “Hey Barbara, I am going skydiving! Do you want to come?” If she can skydive, then I certainly can too!

From 1971 to 2009, Stan and I enjoyed 39 years of whitewater adventures on eight rivers in California, Arizona and Wyoming.