hiking 7000 kilometers across europe at our age

We spent the last year trekking 7,000 kilometers across Europe, starting in Ireland and winding our way all the way back home to Hölstein, Switzerland. I’ll be honest, when we first set out, I thought we were a little crazy—two folks in their mid-60s with more gray hair than sense, hauling backpacks bigger than some of our grandkids. There were days when my knees sounded like popcorn and my wife swore she’d never eat another granola bar again. We got lost in the Irish fog more times than I care to admit, and don’t even get me started on the time we tried to order coffee in rural France and ended up with something that tasted like burnt toast water. But then, there were mornings in the Alps when the sunrise made every ache worth it, and evenings in tiny villages where strangers invited us in for homemade soup. Here’s the thing that’s been bugging me: we met so many younger hikers who zipped past us with their fancy gear and apps, but half of them seemed glued to their phones instead of the scenery. Are we missing out by not tracking every step on social media, or are they missing out by not just soaking it all in? I can’t decide if I’m old-fashioned or just stubborn, but sometimes I think the best memories are the ones you don’t post online. Anyone else feel like there’s a tug-of-war between enjoying the moment and documenting it? I’d love to hear if you’ve found a balance, or if you’ve had any travel moments where technology got in the way—or maybe helped in a way you didn’t expect. It’s a strange new world out there for us old-timers, isn’t it? #europehiking #seniorsadventure #travelstories #Travel