However, his joy of outdoor life manifested itself in a host of adapted activity---tree/drainpipe/wall climbing, walking/camping/wild swimming etc etc.....all done without question, thought or structure......just done.
His early recreational outdoor adventures continued to be many and various despite him being obliged to grow into adulthood and establishment 'normality'.....his life as an office clerk in direct contrast to his natural inclination.
He was in his early 30's when he 'dropped out' before dropping out had been invented.....giving it all up for a chosen life more suited to his character and philosophy.
A simple, 'natural' outdoor life of fun and escapade amongst the hills, rivers, lakes and woods of un-spoiled beauty.
As the self-styled "Professor of Adventure", he introduced others to the delights of 'Freedom and Romance' through outdoor activity....simple camp craft...midnight rambles....rafting....rock climbing.....mountain-walking.....tree-climbing....camp-fire philosophy....etc etc etc all enjoyed as a non-intrusive self-reliance within a natural environment.
He himself chose to live permanently in a cave which became his home for 40 yrs or so, adapting his lifestyle accordingly....making his own clothes and 'equipment'....feeding himself on an open fire with his own produce...immersing himself totally into the 'nature' of his surroundings...is only 'vice' .... strong coffee and cigarettes...
He had many quirky 'alternative' personal characteristics, but for all his idiosyncrasies, he was definitely no anti-social hermit. He was intelligent, social, well informed and opinionated on many a subject, and enjoyed the selective company of others.
He became well known and respected for his individuality....despite his alternative life-choice, manner and appearance.
To him, outdoor adventure was all....and was a natural, logical and sensible cure-all for what he saw as an increasingly inane world.
Many a story abounds about this extraordinary visionary, this almost mythical figure.....stories about his actions and views that are both deep and amusing. The man was legend.
Millican Dalton.....We salute you, with affection, admiration and respect.....and not a little jealousy...
No comments:
Post a Comment