100 well spent years

Today is Glen Dawson's 100th birthday. Yesterday we flew to southern California to attend a celebration at the University Club in Pasadena, and then flew home. This venture alone is out of character for us, but one not to be missed. An amazing group of probably 200 or more attended this event. We know Glen from his old climbing photos (the history of those thehighsierra.org ) but the majority of the crowd know him from Dawson Books and his years in the antiquarian book business, publishing business, and interest in western history. Glen also served in the Tenth Mountain Division in WWII and three former members were in attendance.

The ceremonies started with a pledge of allegiance and somehow it seemed appropriate. Stories were told, letters were read and a slide show of Glen's climbing and various adventures was played throughout lunch. A young woman representing the Sierra Club (Glen was made a lifetime member in 1921) gave a heartfelt presentation thanking Glen for being one of the first people to promote an open membership to the Sierra Club, making it possible for all to join.

Mike presented the summit register box he made (with a little help from his friends, thank you Mark Bulwinkle), which will be installed on Thunderbolt Peak this summer (again with a little help from friends). This was a somewhat impromptu speech and I congratulate him for speaking in front of this crowd with little notice. I sat next to Cara Eichorn who is Jules Eichorn's youngest daughter and who shares Glen's birthday (minus 50 years). Suddenly the photos, many of whom have Jules in them seemed much more real. As we looked at some of the prints Mike had laid for people to view Cara identified the figures by their hats, something both Mike and I have grown to do.

A trip to southern California always leaves us feeling like we have been on a different planet, and the bizarreness of getting up in the morning, driving to the airport, flying, renting a car, attending an event, driving back to the airport, flying home, finding our car in the parking lot, and then arriving home all in the span of 15 hours did not make this trip any different. But this group of people all seemed to have a heartfelt interest in their southern California history, book collecting, enjoyment of the outdoors and friendship, that the planet at least felt closer.

And thank you Denny Kruska, for the minature book "Glen Dawson at 99". From this book, a poem from Glen written in 1930:

Last Day in the Mountains

There is yet time

For one more climb,

One more high peak

Before we speak

Of roads and rules.

Of work and schools,

Just one more day

To laugh and play

In camps so high.

Today let's try

Before we go

From heights we know

To do our best

To gain the crest.