Wednesday, June 28, 2023
I loved reading Dot’s obituary and learning more about her family and childhood. I met Dot in 1994 or so, when my father encouraged me to join the Green Mountain Club. I was impressed by several “older” (60+) hikers who led or went on some very adventurous and difficult hikes. Of course, this included Dot, who seemed to join at least one hike every weekend. She was an unassuming and humble person, rarely saying much about what she had done in life or accomplished. Though I had heard some of her exploits, like hiking all the New England 4000 footers, and biking to every corner of Vermont in order to hike a number of peaks (perhaps all the VT peaks above 3000’, or the high point in each county?). Once I became a hike leader, she might ask me for a ride from her house to the meeting spot at UVM, especially for winter hikes, to avoid biking in the snow with her pack and winter gear. She hiked more slowly by then, and preferred out-and-back routes so she could turn around a little early and avoid making others wait for her. She was very responsible, considerate and self-sufficient that way.
There is a funny story that I heard once from Pat Collier, another steadfast hiker in the GMC in the 1990s. She and Dot did many, many hikes together in the Adirondacks, which Pat knew extremely well. Once driving home at night from a long hike, passing through the town of Moriah, they decided to follow a road sign pointing toward Moriah Shock. Soon enough, bright spotlights surrounded the car, and a stern officer ordered them to turn around. It was the road leading to a prison, not a shortcut! Ever after when passing that turn, Pat would tell the story and warn others never to visit Moriah Shock!
Meeting Dot and other hikers of her generation when I was merely 23 was such a great inspiration. Seeing Dot, I realized that I could be active and adventurous through many stages of life. Though I don’t bike to every hike like Dot, I too hope to hike in my 60s, 70s and hopefully 80s. Cheers to Dot and her fully-lived life!
