I heard a Salt Lake City man say recently that Moab is a place for young people. He neglected to tag on the euphemism “young at heart.”

To a growing number of residents and visitors Moab offers as much to the retired crowd as anyone else; many of the same things, in fact.

“If you like the excitement, and I do, take a river trip,” says 83-year-old Pauline Wait, who definitely takes advantage of Moab’s beauty, recreation and culture through local radio, river companies and day-to-day jaunts.

Pauline and a neighbor, Helen Desmith, took a full-day Colorado River trip with one of many local river companies last month, starting near the magnificent Fisher Towers (east of Castle Valley), and floating downstream through the Highway 128 corridor. Primarily a flat water trip, the float did offer some rapids - hence the “excitement” for Pauline.

“We saw several rafts out that day and we traveled with a really nice group of seven people,” she said. “Part of the fun is getting to know people you’ve never met before. And the guides are wonderful; they know about the canyons, the different rocks and the stories behind the terrain.”

Is river rafting for seniors? “At least take the Canyonlands by Night tour if not a day trip,” Pauline advises.

Canyonlands by Night is a slow motor boat that traverses upstream at dusk with a light show and taped historical presentation for the passengers. A dinner is offered prior to launching for those that want to make a night of it, or tickets for the boat can be purchased separately.

Some local and visiting senior citizens prefer scrambling among the rocks to viewing them from the river. The Points and Pebbles Club, an ongoing group catering to rock collectors, is for them.

“We take field trips once a month and we go everywhere,” says Jimmie Walker, who has been with the group for two years. “We have a real active bunch - a nice group of people. It’s good camaraderie.”

The Points and Pebbles Club welcomes regular members - which now number approximately 30 - and drop-in visitors. They meet once a month at the Community Church (see schedule) where they schedule classes on workmanship and polishing stones, regional hikes and plans for the annual Points and Pebbles Rock Show, a by-product of the group’s activities that draws rock collectors from all over the Four Corners region.

Hiking is what many locals and visitors like to do best in Moab, and many of those who are retired here embrace hiking as part of their health regime, social life and enjoyment.

Helen Desmith goes out on trails regularly, many in Arches National Park where senior discounts are available. Some of the hikes are like walks in the park - easy to find and easy to do. Some are more challenging.

“I go all over Arches,” she says. “There are a lot of real easy, small hikes there.”

Helen also takes on Negro Bill Canyon off of Highway 128, and one of her favorite hikes is the Hidden Arch trail in Arches National park.

“There is a beautiful solitude in hiking,” she said. “You feel the spiritual values of red rock country.”

Moab also boasts an active Senior Center, where classes and activities are available almost daily. Located at the “top of the hill” on East 100 North, the Senior Center is especially valued by residents of Rockridge Senior Housing, a 35-unit apartment complex located right next door.

“When I moved here I saw the events going on published in the Center’s newsletter,” says Pat Smith, who turns 80 years old this month. Pat has been a painter for some time, and said she had always wanted to experiment with ceramics. The Senior Center offered her that opportunity.

“The materials are provided and the only thing you pay for is the greenware and the firing,” she said. “And you get a lot of help from volunteers at the center.”

The Center also organizes a shopping trip to purchase the greenware used for the classes. Ceramics is one of the most popular classes at the Center, however there are also exercise, quilting, music and card games ongoing (see schedule). And when it comes to cards and bingo, Lulu DeLong says it is companionship as much as anything that is the draw.

We take turns furnishing a light lunch or snacks,” she says. There’s a camaraderie there; something to do on nights.

Most of us are alone and it’s nice to have some place to go and something to do.”

Talking to local senior citizens is becomes apparent that when it comes to what Canyon Country has to offer nothing is off limits to the over-60 crowd. Edie Dunn goes camping regularly, and usually with her pet; she also takes less mobile seniors on day trips to places like Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands National Park. Stan Isaacs regularly volunteers for local events such as the Moab Music Festival and the Moab Poet's Writer’s Conference. In the fall, the Moab Arts and Recreation Center offers weekly swing and salsa dance classes. Edie also hosts a weekly radio show for KZMU and has organized dance benefits geared for her peers. She firmly believes acting young keeps you young.