Bloody idiot

[Tanks]

Eleanor Roosevelt said it the best:
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

 

[meigsbucks]

Go when you can. I went on what I thought was going to be my only safari in ’13. In ‘14 I got sick and required two years to mostly recuperate. Then my wife developed health issues. Fortunately I was able to go to Africa again in ‘18. I went to SCI in ‘20 to plan three safaris and a moose hunt. Of course COVID hit which pushed everything back and then both my wife and I have been hit with more health issues.
Those three African trips and the moose hunt may or may not ever come to fruition, but if I can make any of them happen, I’ll go in a heartbeat. Life is too short not to enjoy it.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The

Well said, Kevin. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine had a heart attack and died while on his way to a job site, he was early 40's. He had been pushing off Africa for several years, he had plenty of money to go, just never set aside the time.

In my late 30's cancer caused me to completely reshuffle my life. I sold my business shortly after and now have an immensely more fulfilling life. A cancer diagnoses likely added years to my life and a great deal more enjoyment.

The greatest part of a man's anatomy is his hands for with them he grabs and shapes life. I am glad for you.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I took my son to Africa 20 years ago to share in my Once in a Lifetime hunting trip.I was 49 and he was 15.He told me that someday he would bring me back.I thought that was so loving of him to say that but never thought much more about it.This past fathers day he surprised me with the announcement that in September we would be going to Tanzania to hunt in the Selous.I lost it and completely broke down.Now I am looking forward to my second Once in a Lifetime trip to Africa and have to pinch myself every now and then to realize that it is real and not a dream.How lucky I am.

Wonderful man! Well done for you both.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Prior to my first trip to Africa I was in a rather one-sided marriage. She knew of my dream of hunting Africa but didn’t share it. Any available travel money we had therefore went to three trips to Mexico. In the meantime a good friend and I would talk about going to Africa. Someday. Always someday. Eventually my wife found another guy with deeper pockets and that was the end of us. But much worse than that, my friend and his wife went on holiday where he ended up drowning in the ocean. Both were big wake up calls for me so I decided then and there to book my hunt to Africa and figure out how to pay for it later. Best decision ever.

I am truly pleased that it has turned out well Ragman, nothing like warm Africa to put it all right.

 

[Mekaniks]

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!“

 

[Frank375]

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!“

Amen,Brother.

 

[Areaonereal]

Hunted BC, Canada for elk...6x7 1986...due to a selfish wife never went back...at the time she had seven fur coats, 4 mink, I was the $$$ life support for all. After the divorce worked my ass off and finally at 67 it was my turn to enjoy.. today I am 73.....please yourself..there is always someone or something to hold you back...the funeral home is always the winner.

 

[Mort Hill]

I started hunting Africa in my mid thirties. My wife has been very understanding of my passion. I leave for my 8th safari next month in Zim.

She floored me when meeting last year with our financial planner now that retirement is in the conversation. I was talking about what to do regarding our two grown sons. She said, and I quote, “we have raised our sons well. They have lacked for nothing they did not need, and we gave them things that they just plain wanted. We have given them an education, travel, etc. They will have whatever is left after we do all the things we now want to do.”

She loves our sons more than life itself. We have our trips. She has her trips. I have my trips. I like her plan!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I had a major blockage removed from my heart and a stent out in on Easter Sunday 2012. It's a family genetics thing and I was way overweight. I dropped 75 pounds and I have tried to never take another thing for granted. I have my first Africa trip coming up in 1.5 months. This ties a bit to my thread asking about hunting cow buffalo. I PLAN to go back again, but nothing in life is certain, which is why I would love this to be a part of my trip this time.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!“

Here here. Did you make that up Mekaniks?

 

[Ragman]

I am truly pleased that it has turned out well Ragman, nothing like warm Africa to put it all right.

Thank you. I would be remiss not to mention the woman in my life now. She is a true keeper and my best friend. She even accompanied me on my second trip to Africa. I definitely got lucky the second time around!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I had a major blockage removed from my heart and a stent out in on Easter Sunday 2012. It's a family genetics thing and I was way overweight. I dropped 75 pounds and I have tried to never take another thing for granted. I have my first Africa trip coming up in 1.5 months. This ties a bit to my thread asking about hunting cow buffalo. I PLAN to go back again, but nothing in life is certain, which is why I would love this to be a part of my trip this time.

Great story TT, you can do it, go and enjoy. A cow buff is apparently a big challenge.

 

[Mekaniks]

Here here. Did you make that up Mekaniks?

Ha! No I can't take credit. Heard it along the way somewhere and it stuck with me.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Today Easter Sunday is my birthday! I turned 62. Two years ago as I have shared before I began living again with my first African hunt. This year I have bought two beautiful DR and have two great African hunts booked both the first week in July 21 and 22. I am making memories. I power walk 30 miles per week and take great care of myself so looking forward to many more years of hunting!

Happy Birthday.
Happy Easter.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am sitting on the porch planning our next hunt with the Carruther's & Co group, and of course choices crop up, conflicting diaries and so on. Some are mine too. But I can't get away from the fact that time marches on, opportunities linger but a short time, and they are gone like the morning mist. My greatest regrets are linked to indesision, and I can attest right now - no more! I am all of 67, in good health and wife too. Time for a double, time for some travel, why wait until later, the money isn't going to run out completely and the older one gets all you need is pills and memories anyway. Make memories now folks, you can never have enough. Delaying my Heym was a mistake, I needed the money, but I could have made a plan around it.
What delays did you accept, when a little resolve would have been in order? What is your foot stamp resolotion going forward?

@kevin Peacoke
Life passes by to quickly.
I tell younger people when they they say one day I will..............
I tell them one day will be here before you know it and you still won't have it done and regret it..
ONE DAY IS THE DAY YOU SAY IT. PLAN FOR IT AND MAKE IT A REALITY.
Bob.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

@kevin Peacoke
Life passes by to quickly.
I tell younger people when they they say one day I will..............
I tell them one day will be here before you know it and you still won't have it done and regret it..
ONE DAY IS THE DAY YOU SAY IT. PLAN FOR IT AND MAKE IT A REALITY.
Bob.

I agree Bob. My four daughters are fortunately go getters, great to watch their lives developing apace, only funds hold them back and they are getting quite good at running their separate businesses.

 

[CBH Australia]

Dunno,
We always made conservative choices and saved for things.
Some things I might have done different in hindsight but waiting for things might make us appreciate them.
"One Day" I joined this site, within a year we touched down in Africa. I hunted and we spent our 25th wedding anniversary overseas for the first time. She still thinks it was all about her.
I've seen to many friends suffer tragic loss. and younger friends gone to soon.
We all have to make what we can of our lot in life. I'm not rich but I think statistically I'm going to get old and I've been luckier than many.
Mmm, maybe I put my foot down and get me that Buff I always wanted.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Dunno,
We always made conservative choices and saved for things.
Some things I might have done different in hindsight but waiting for things might make us appreciate them.
"One Day" I joined this site, within a year we touched down in Africa. I hunted and we spent our 25th wedding anniversary overseas for the first time. She still thinks it was all about her.
I've seen to many friends suffer tragic loss. and younger friends gone to soon.
We all have to make what we can of our lot in life. I'm not rich but I think statistically I'm going to get old and I've been luckier than many.
Mmm, maybe I put my foot down and get me that Buff I always wanted.

Yes CBH, put your foot down, put the hammer down, put everything down but your rifle. That buff is waiting, getting old and crusty and mean and hard, it is time.

 

[Matetsi]

At 26 I was offered a chance to return home to Zimbabwe and train as a professional hunter, it took me a week to decide. Despite much criticism and heckling from family and friends, I handed in my notice with my employer, sold my newly built starter home, bought a 4x4 and a Bruno.375H&H and headed home to Zimbabwe. Nearly 33 years later as a PH, I have absolutely NO regrets.
I hate to think where I might be if I had not taken that decsion. I have lived a life of adventure, travel and interesting people from all over the Globe. I thank God daily for my life and that I was given that choice, that I made the right decision for me.
I am a licensed PH and guided/hunted Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mozambique and more recently South Africa, with some elephant hunts in Botswana.
There's nothing that I love more(besides my beautiful family) than walking behind a big elephant bull or a herd of Buffalo in the early morning, dew on the grass, first light filtering through the trees and the francolin calling to the bush that the day has begun. The smell of fresh Buffalo dung in the cool morning air(always reminds me of growing up on the farm).
In conclusion, taking that initial rash decision back in 1989 was the best decision of my life, and a little advise for those who struggle with making a decision.......if it feels right, and you really want too, it is probably the right decision, so just get on and do it and live with your decision!
What can go wrong
No regrets is key to a beautiful life.