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A10 Weekend of January 18-19, 2020 The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com Healthy Dalles The Go simple, go now! By Tom Peterson L iving a longer, happier, healthier life for Bob Kenyon is, well, kind of simple. The 80-year-old doesn’t work out. Or not in the way that we traditionally think of “working out.” He just does not drive a car in Th e Dalles. Th at’s all. He lives on Liberty Street. And when he needs groceries? He walks. If he has an appointment in town? Th at’s right – foot drive. “I usually hike or walk somewhere. Today it was Sorosis Park,” he said. It was pouring rain that day. “I can’t get through a day without exercise.” But he’s not at gyms or public pools. Th at river is down there, and it beckons,” he said. In warmer weather, Bob does a daily swim at Klindt’s Cove in the Colum- bia River at 6:30 a.m. before a breakfast of porridge. Kenyon is a kind of poster child, err… senior, for Blue Zones which puts forward 9 power principles drawn from societies around the world that have bubbles of population living to be centenarians. Th ese are people reporting longer, happier lives. Kenyon said he identifi ed with much of these philosophies or behaviors. Th ese centenarians typically walk much, have a purpose when they wake up in the morn- ing, surround themselves with people who support them and eat a diet that is typical- ly no more than 20 percent meat based. Th is summer Bob completed a 200-mile trip down the Columbia River to the North Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River. Remember, he is 80. It’s like the trip he did at age 70 and age 60. Th at’s right, a three-peat. “Go simple, go solo, go now,” he said, fi nding the thread that has led him to this point in his life. Th at mantra has led him throughout the world on horseback, by boat and backpack. Exercise was never his main goal – adventure, meeting and helping people – that’s his ticket. Because the joy is in the doing. “I think that he is a model of a carbon footprint and his general mental health and relationships are primary in his life,” said Mike Ballinger, who had the occasion to do a seven-day kayak trip with Bob in September of 2018. Mike had seen Bob walking in town. He heard of his kayaking. So, he invited him on his own trip. “I was a little anxious about taking an 80-year-old guy down the river,” he said. “When I paddled with him the fi rst time, I could see this guy was so comfortable on the water,” he said. Bob joined Mike and his two broth- ers, Paul and Allen and friend Peter Gay on a trip below Bonneville Dam to near Astoria. Mike said he and his brothers consid- ered themselves “gear freaks” and so when they set up camp the fi rst night, there was a stark contrast. “We were unloading chairs and a table and Bob just threw his sleeping bag and a 35-year-old tent that he didn’t set up on the beach. “He went up to his neck in the water and started playing harmonica,” Mike said, “while we were stumbling around in camp setting up.” Mike could not remember an instance when Bob used a stove to cook a hot meal the entire trip. However, old sol did a little cooking for him along the way. On a hot aft ernoon, they pulled up on a beach. Bob grabbed a plastic water bottle and added some powdered milk to it. He buried it in the warm sun-bathed sand and went swimming. He came back some 20 minutes later dug it up and added instant coff ee to the blend. “Th ese lattes are four bucks at Star- bucks,” Mike remembered him quipping. Ballinger was so struck with Kenyon’s sim- ple approach; the accomplished guitarist composed a song about Kenyon that as- pires to fi nd the fl ow Kenyon has created in his life. It’s titled “Be Th e River.” “Mike caught the feeling of the river (any river) and especially the lyrics "’fi nd the fl ow, just go,’” said Kenyon. Th at simple fl ow also runs through Kenyon’s food choices. On the day of our interview he said he had some lentils and veggies in a crock pot at home, and he would likely graze on them throughout the day. And when the farmer’s market is oper- ating, that’s where he does most of his shopping. He thrives on a mostly vegetable diet with some chicken, he said. And being fl exible and willing to continue to learn are key for a sense of well-being, he pointed out. Bob recently took up the drum. He joins the drum circle at Gorge Community Music on Saturdays. He plays several diff erent instruments, in fact, and currently has a goal to commit some 90 songs to memory. It’s those intentional choices that have made all the diff erence in his life, especial- ly in respect to people. He keeps an eye out for people like Ballinger. “I believe there are coincidences in our life that direct our path,” he said. “And your path in life has a lot to do with who you happen to meet along the way.” Kenyon said a chance meeting with a man from Goldendale on a horseback trip in Idaho led him to the great decision to move from California to the Gorge in the Early 1970s, for example. While Kenyon is, no doubt, a stand- out when it comes to physical health and well-being, his principles and Blue Zones principles can be applied to any of our lives. Eating well, walking, fi nding the things you love and inspire you and surround- ing yourself with supportive people can be achieved, one decision at a time. One vegetable, one walk, one chance meeting with someone really cool at a time. “It’s nice to be 80,” said Kenyon who is still thoroughly enjoying his life. “I have no objection to it.” For more information, you can fi nd Blue Zones Project Th e Dalles on Facebook. Vote for The Dalles Here’s a chance to show your community pride. Blue Zones Project The Dalles is getting behind the push to win a spot on the web series Small Business Revolution. The Dalles is pitted against four other towns in a contest to see who can garner the most internet votes. The voting is occurring now through Jan. 21st. If The Dalles gets the most votes, the TV series will focus on The Dalles and bring $500,000 of investment to six local small businesses and the community. Voters can vote one time per person, per device, per day. Go to lovethedalles.com and click on the yellow “Small Biz Revolution” banner and vote. And then tell your friends to vote too. Eat Healthy. Healthy. Eat Be Happy. Happy. Be We feature a range of delicious choices to keep you moving 302 W. 2nd St., The Dalles Tues-Sun 11 - 9 • 541-769-0500