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Exhilaration of running river captivates Donna Hiller at midlife
By Dianna Troyer Unbeknownst to Donna Hiller at the time, impulsively accepting an invitation from her brother to float the Main Salmon River led her to fall for a new pastime at midlife. “Before that trip in 2000, I’d never run a river, but I told myself to give it a try,” recalls Donna, a dental hygienist who was 50 at the time and
Donna Hiller scouts Marble Rapid on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, one of her favorite Idaho waterways. [Photo provided by Donna Hiller]
living in Boise. “When I was growing up in Idaho Falls with five brothers, we went fishing a lot with our dad around eastern Idaho, but I’d never done a float trip or camped out. I wondered if I could stand sleeping on the ground in a tent.” She was surprised at how happy she felt on the river. “I had about as much fun as I could stand. I loved everything about it: being outside, the camaraderie, cooking together, knowing you’re with people who have your back.” While volunteering for the Parks and Recreation program in Boise, she met another river runner, Deme Dellairo, whose husband prefers the comforts of home to wet and wild rivers. (Continued on page 37)
Gather the Hidden Eggs
Just for fun, we have hidden 8 Easter eggs throughout this issue of the Idaho Senior Independent. Find them and mail or email to us a list of the page numbers on which you found them. We will award a $25 prize to the person who finds all of the eggs. If there are multiple correct entries, the winner will be determined by a drawing. None of the hidden eggs is located within an advertisement. Have fun!